Fabric Bracelets - DIY

These fabric bracelets are my newest creations that are taking over Raleigh, and beyond!

This is a fun way to upcycle scraps of fabric into jewelry. 

I use a metal core, of 12 ga copper, or 12 ga aluminum, wrap it around a soup can, it will be about the same size as a standard bangle, or you can use a zip tie. The zip tie has a bit more flexibility than I like, but it will still work. Once you have a 'core' you will need to hammer the wire, to give it a tinsel strength.

Now you need to adjust the size of the core to make a bracelet. The standard industry size is about 2.5" inner width. For me that doesn't work. I have huge hands, so I make mine a bit bigger, so when finished, the inner width is 3" and I can slide them right on!

Cut your strips of material, about an inch in width.  Pinch it tight with your fingers and start to wrap around the wire. Over lap the material to create some bulk as you are wrapping. Continue to wrap the fabric around the core for several revolutions. You want 2 - 3 layers of fabric to give it some cushion.  Then use a scrap of wire to wrap around the end of the fabric to hold it in place!

There you have it!!

Your own wire wrapped bracelet!!!

They are a lot of fun to make, and a great way to use up scrap material.

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

Project for Today (confessions of a hoarder)

14 hours it took me.

14 hours to get to a stopping point where I can move forward with the rest of my organizing of my craft room.

I stood for 13 hours and ironed 5 tubs of material. 5 tubs of material I have had for years, that has be stuffed and rolled and squished from bin to box to shelf to cupboard. I got a wild hair, and decided I needed to have it done.

So 13 hours of standing and ironing and 1 hour sorting, stacking and replacing it in tubs. I have taken the 5 tubs down to 3....well 4, because I took all of my fleece and batting that was stored elsewhere and put it in one of the tubs. What am I gonna do with the last tub???

All these were taken with my phone - having camera issues....

Here is the mess in the floor

After the ironing and sorting

This tub is for all of the panel fabric, shiney lining fabric and the lace. 

Just one tub of lace, I had to condense it down.....

Now that I had it all sorted, I had to put it back in the tubs, but I wanted to be able to find it. I got the bright idea, I have all of these magazine that we go for 'points' or something, I can use them as dividers!

So I stacked the fabric in by color bunches, and separated them with the magazines.

While sorting and ironing, I found of couple of these squares that my mom had done. In the scraps there are several of the pieces already cut, I just need to separate them out, and I can make several more blocks. I think it will be fun to finish it and send it to my mom.

Now I still have all of these 'scraps'. These are pieces of material that have already been cut to use for a project, or are very small. I haven't figured out how to store them as of yet.

I feel like I have a lot accomplished, and I have so much more to do.

Do you have any big projects you are working on? I would love to hear about them!

"Give light and people will find the way." - Ella Baker

Spoonflower Giveaway!

Do you know Spoonflower?? Spoonflower is the coolest concept EVER!! You like fabric for your art? Browse their fabrics or create your design and have it printed.

Fabric printed on demand......CAH-RAZY!

Spoonflower is having a weekly give away on their blog - Click here

Leave a comment on their blog, or on their Facebook page to enter!! Click here

Good luck!

Gifts from Home - Pot Holders

I got the best surprise in my mailbox last nite, and I had to share.

A few weeks back I had been talking to my mom and made a comment about the pot holder she sent me for Christmas. The design was strips of Christmas fabric, sewn together, and then cut on a diagonal and bordered. My mom bought them from a friend of hers (I thought she made them)who had a booth at a local market to give for gifts. It was lovely.

I had tried to make my own pot holders and was not happy with the outcome, they were thin and didn't really protect my hand from the heat. I asked my mom how she makes hers so thick. She explained you use a heavy cotton fabric for the outside, and can use either quilt batting or (this is brilliant) cut an old towel to use as the batting and you can recycle! In passing my mom said, "I'll send you some" I said - nah, just wait til I am home in April and we can make some while I am there. Craft time with my mom :)

So as I was saying - last nite I got a package. In the package I got this note (she always includes a note) :

My Dear Tish,
Well here's some new pot holders. The lady I know in Du Quoin came down and brought me some. So sending you 2 of hers. The other 4 me and your dad made. You know when I get in there sewing he wants to also. So you got a bugs bunny pot holder! He had that patch for yrs. So he siad could I put that on one? I said yes. So there it is! He made the whole thing! So anyway enjoy and if you ned more just holler.
Love you much,
Mom and Pop

Here is what she sent -

These first two are from her friend. A busy piece of fabric and she sewed around the design to quilt it.


Appliqued a heart onto fabric and then used her machine on a 'pattern' setting to sew the pattern onto the pot holder.


Mom used a small pillow print fabric and sewed around the design for the quilted look.
Sewed strips of spring fabric together, and then cut it on the diagonal


And my bugs bunny patch one that my dad made ;)

If you have a machine, and you can sew a straight stitch - you can make pot holders. They are awesome little "Thinking about you" gifts or wonderful house warming presents.

What ever could it be?

Stay tuned!

Autumn Textures - An ArtFire Collection

Autumn Textures

Curated By: JustATish

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

Glue-able Challenge 4 & 5 - FINALLY

Like a lot of my designs, they come to me when I sleep. I guess it is because I go to bed mulling over the events of the day, and starting my mental calendar for the next.

I woke up this morning and began to tear up the house looking for odds and ends to start this creation. There is nothing more frustrating than when I have an idea, and I can't find the parts. I hate waiting because I have to run out to the store. I want it now!

I have collected odds and ends to try and make this happen. All these things where to be displayed on the Brass Square Frame from Rings & Things - Stock #49-441-0
Old watch, confetti, filigree, tissue paper, and printed old photos found cruising Creative Commons. (if ya don't know what it is, check it out - too much fun)



I took the watch apart and used the gears - That was so much fun!!



Grabbed my trustie Mod Podge and started in. Put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the the Brass Square Frame. Cut a piece of tissue paper to fit inside the frame and applied it to the glue.




Cut out the picture, to look like a cameo of sorts, and glue it onto the tissue paper.



Decide what you want to go around the picture. I cut a piece of confetti in half to represent a broken heart. Then I placed the insides of the watch around the picture to represent time. I added some filigree for a fun touch. Did a thin layer of the glue on top

There you have it - Time Heals A Broken Heart.




And now for something completely different!!



OMG! I LOVE THIS! - I was bad, and I didn't glue, I konw it was a 'glue-able' theme, but I have had this idea bumping around for over a week, and I had to get it out. I took a bunch of bright fun fabric and cut it into strips - bout 2 1/2".






Now ball up the strips and roll them around in your palms like you are making a ball. This will stress the fabric and make it crumbled and frayed.



Tie the pieces onto the links of the bracelet. Two per side of the link.



And when it is finished you have a fuzzy, wild colored, soft, fun bracelet! I am thinking about sewing on some crystals to give it some shine.



I am wearing it today - dont' look at my hairy arms you will give me a complex.....