The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

March 5, 2010
by Tammy
2 Comments

Reasons to Enter Craft Contests

Have you ever thought of entering a craft contest? There seems to be a never ending number of them on the Internet. I even have a CFE/Contests category on this blog for just that reason.

Honestly, I’m not one to normally enter contests myself, mainly due to lack of time, but this article from a Meylah, entitled “Everyone Wins: Why You Should Enter Contests,” got me thinking more seriously about the additional benefits to entering contests other than winning.

Generally, some of the reasons suggested in this article includes added professional exposure; a chance to expand your creativity; trying something different than you might usually do when it comes to your normal crafting direction; and creating traffic for your blog, shop, or web site.

If you aren’t normally the type to enter contests, then you may think differently after reading this article.

March 2, 2010
by Tammy
4 Comments

Jewelry Donations for Humane Society

My husband and I have a special place in our hearts for our local Humane Society because two of our “boys” came from there, Jasper and Rocky.

We provide a membership donation every year, and in addition, we donate hand-craft jewelry items for the group’s annual Fur Ball, which has a silent auction. This year, though we’ve been really busy with the book, we managed to put a few special jewelry pieces together for the auction.

I made the attached charms on these earrings using silver metal clay, and then just added some hematite heart beads and Swarovski crystals.

My husband made the jump rings using sterling silver round wire and then assembled it into a bracelet. He added a lobster claw clasp and one of my metal clay silver  heart charms.

Hopefully, both of these jewelry pieces will bring in a little money for the cause.

February 28, 2010
by Tammy
0 comments

Craft Bloggers Unite 02/28/10

Cathie Filian
Turn a hardware store washer into a papered necklace with Cathie’s tutorial.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
At Craftside there is tutorial on turning a box into a book, how to paint a bunny rabbit and carrot Chinese brush style, putting words on a spoon and a sneak peek into the new book 1000 Ideas from 100 Fashion Designers with my own fashion star sighting.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Organization in her creative space isn’t Linda’s forte, so check out a “before” shot. Any ideas on getting her craft room organized are welcome–post a comment with your ideas.

About Family Crafts
Sherri challenges you to create your own leprechaun trap. Use her tips and the photos that have been submitted so far for inspiration.

Aileen’s Musings
Come journey with Aileen along her creative process as she transforms a paper napkin into 3 whimsical pieces of art!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafte
Make a fab mixed media journal cover with Madge in this week’s post for iLoveToCreate!

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi tried having some custom-printed fabrics made, and she learned a lot in the process.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Consider a Mixed Media Greeting Card Album using embellishment ideas from the book The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook by Sherry Steveson.

The Artful Crafter
Eileen shares directions for making flowers from fabric scraps or from paper coffee filters.

The Crochet Dude
Drew reveals his favorite cookbooks and answers 8 important questions.

February 24, 2010
by Tammy
4 Comments

Encouragement from the Jewelry Trenches

Included on my “after the book is done to-do list” is to resuscitate my poor little (sad) Etsy shop. I think I’ve got something like 3 things in it right now! But, it takes time if you want to make a go of anything, especially a business. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother when I have so little time to devote to it and there are so, so, so many jewelry people over there.

Then I read one of the latest “Quit Your Day Job” articles, and I realize that yes, it does take time to develop a successful shop over there (as in it’s not going to happen over night, folks) and yes, it can actually be worth it if I ever do find the time. This series is always enjoyable and informative, but one of the more recent additions is even more so because it features a jewelry designer, yeah!

K. Gardner Designs talks about how she started with just a small investment and eventually turned her jewelry business into a full-time gig. As of this post, she boasts an impressive 1,838 sales, and her membership dates back to January 2008 (which may or may not be the date she started her shop since many members, like myself, open accounts but not necessary shops right after joining).

One detail that I noticed after taking a look at her shop is that like many of the more successful Etsy shops, K. Gardner’s shop is very focused on a specific style. She has a niche, a look, a signature if you will: “Chic Jewelry for Bridal and Everyday” is how she puts it. She isn’t all over the road trying to sell 10 different styles of jewelry or even a mix of crafts for that matter. In fact, I know some Etsy members will open more than one shop just so that they can create a niche feel to each one.

This idea of “niche” is something I’m still trying to figure out myself over there, so perhaps that is why it was so noticeable to me. I like to make so many different types of jewelry as well as other crafts that finding one focus has been difficult. For writing, being all over the road trying all types of techniques has worked for me because it means I have more to write about. However, a clear focus is really something I think is important if you are trying to stand out in a sea of other crafts in a network as large as Etsy.

February 22, 2010
by Tammy
0 comments

IRSC Writer’s Weekend in March

February is almost gone, and March looks like it will be just as busy for me. One of my commitments includes presenting at the Indian River State College Writer’s Weekend in Ft. Pierce, Florida on March 27th and 28th, 2010. The weekend kicks off early Saturday morning with presentations on various writing subjects such as style and literary conventions. I’m scheduled to present “When Life Gets in the Way: Finding Time to Write” at 3pm. My title is pretty much self-explanatory, but I’ll be giving tips and suggestions for meeting deadlines, both self-imposed and from clients. Saturday participants will be served lunch about mid-way through the day, and the last presentation is at 4pm.

Sunday starts up again, this time at 1:00pm and ending at 4pm. It includes more presentations and an assessment of writing samples from participants/attendees. The assessments involve submitting work before the workshop and meeting with English faculty for review and suggestions.

Last year’s writer’s weekend filled up quickly, so anyone interested in attending should sign up as early as possible. For more information, call 772-462-7708 or query rconsidi at irsc.edu for email information.

February 21, 2010
by Tammy
0 comments

Craft Bloggers Unite 02/21/10

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge is so ready for spring, how about you? Here’s a tutorial for a yarn flower loom embellished frame that’s sure to cure the winter blues.

About Family Crafts
Sherri shows you how you can transform ordinary flower pots into a variety of fun craft projects.

Aileen’s Musings
This week Aileen has a fabulous dollar store find she wants to share with you! Stop by and see what she’s created and take part in her challenge.

The Artful Crafter
If you’ve done metal embossing in the past or would like to learn about this art form, let Eileen bring you up to date.

Cathie Filian
Check out Cathie’s blog for 11 DIY wedding favor ideas.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has an inside peek into how to choose the right color for a design, a free pattern for knitting cuffs with the boy/girl icons on them, a fun logo made with a scribble, a tutorial on how to make a Steampunk style necklace with a recycled soda can and polymer clay heart and some Lisa Kettell news about her Art Opera.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Connie’s added more stitchable signs to her Laundry Room Collection – add a little humor to a household chore.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Being creative for a cause is great inspiration. Check out what Linda did with some t-shirts for Camp Shaw’s silent auction.

Mixed Media Artist
Want to try a little layers experiment in Photoshop?

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
See how to make a Chain Soup and Photo necklace inspired by the fab book Chain Style by Jane Dickerson.

February 18, 2010
by Tammy
5 Comments

Jewelry Book Update

I haven’t been as chatty about my latest book project as some might have expected me to be. Some of it is because I don’t like to give away too many details until it is all put to bed, but also, I’ve just been worked my you-know-what off so much on it that I haven’t had time to blog about it! However when I look ahead on the horizon, I see the end is near.

The last major deadline is only weeks away at this point, and unfortunately, I have a lot more to do than I would normally like to at this point.  Don’t get me wrong. I have a lot done. I should actually say “we” because my husband is helping me on this project, especially when it comes to some of the metal sections. So we have a lot done. Still, this project has been so large that it has just about done me in. It includes 10 sections, each with a different type of jewelry: bead stringing, wire, chains, soldering, fabrication, fiber, resin, mixed media, polymer clay, and metal clay. Three of the ten sections I contracted out, and now that I look back, I probably should have done that for a few more sections, just to give myself a little break. Each section includes techniques and then 4 to 5 projects. Yes, do the math, 10×4 = 40, and actually, there are a number of sections with 5 projects, so there will be more than 40 projects total when all of this is wrapped up.

We are finishing up the soldering chapter and will take lots of pictures for that this weekend. My husband actually did all of the projects for that, and boy, they are very cool. He really has a good sense of design. Now getting him to explain his process to me so that I can write it down has been challenging, but we are managing to do it.

I’m also in the middle of the metal clay section, so I have projects in various stages, some drying, some ready to fire, some still rolling around in my head. Again, looking back, I should have done this section sooner because of the time involved with drying and firing pieces. It’s not a huge amount, but you are talking at least a few days. For other types of jewelry, you don’t always have to figure in an extra day or two for stuff like that. We will also be taking metal clay pictures too this weekend.  So, Saturday and Sunday will be pictures, pictures, pictures!

February 13, 2010
by Tammy
0 comments

Craft Bloggers Unit 02/13/10

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
How to make a button covered headband with a recycled t-shirt inspired by a project from the book The Paper Bride by Esther K. Smith

The Artful Crafter
Do you dream of designing and making your own jewelry? Here are some tips from Eileen to help you get started.

The Crochet Dude
Drew offers up a great review on the new Debbie Stoller line of yarns “Stitch Nation”.

About Family Crafts
Need an easy, last-minute Valentine’s Day gift or card? Sherri has some great ideas for you!

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen’s offering some whimsical freebie postcards for you to download and send to a friend!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside is in love with a free tattoo style Valentine graphic from the book Design Parts Sourcebook: Rock and Street Culture, a how-to on making a freeform monoprint, dresses folded from maps, and a lovebird puppet.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Since Connie can’t crochet, she decided to create some Cross Stitch Doilies simple enough for beginning stitchers.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Valentine’s Day is looming and Madge shares a swell idea for a combo pin/card your teen can whip up for Mom or Grandmom. These would be cute anytime of year!

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi’s “question of the month” is what’s your top ten list of mixed media art blogs to read regularly?

February 11, 2010
by Tammy
2 Comments

Fabulous Book on Bags


I’m sick…again..this time it is a sinus infection, and since this is the second time since Christmas that I’ve been ill, I figured it was time to actualy go to the doctor. They squeezed me in, which meant a fairly long wait in the waiting room and then more of a wait at the drug store while I waited for my prescriptions to be filled, but one good thing about all of this was that I had plenty of time to browse through one of my new craft books, The Perfect Handmade Bag: Recycle and Reuse to Make 35 Beautiful Totes, Purses and More by Clare Youngs.

Sewing books can be tricky to put together. I actually worked on a proposal for one last summer, and though I did have one editor interested for awhile, I have to admit that the process was much more difficult than I had expected, and I think that is why sewing books can often be a little less than what I have hoped for. You have to be so exact with measurements because these details are crucial to the final product. This book, however, seems to deliver on the details. While I just purchased it and haven’t made anything out of it, from the instructions they look pretty straight-forward. Plus, from the few reviews over at Amazon.com, some readers have posted that they have made multiple bags from it with great success, so I’m encouraged.

This book makes you want to pull out the sewing machine. The bag designs are great. Out of the 35, there are only a handful that don’t interest me, and that’s probably personal taste. The rest are very useful as well as fun like small bucket bags; numerous shopping totes, one that even folds up and secures with a button so you can easily carry it for those unexpected grocery trips; evening bags, one has some adorable mother-of-pearl buttons sewn all over the front and another has a beaded handle; well, you get the picture. Plus, the author uses all types of recycled material and notions for each bag. I’m not sure if I have that much stuff to recycle around here, but it got me thinking about it.

I’m a bag person, and I know I’m not alone in my love for them. I’ve always wanted to make them too, so once I’m done with my current book project and I have my sewing space back (and more time!), making bags from this book as well as a few other sewing projects I left un-done are on my list of things to do. I’d like to make some of the shopping totes as gifts.

My only warning about this book is probably for anyone without any sewing experience at all. There is a techniques section, and it looks pretty thorough. However, when I think back to how hard it was for me and how many years I struggled with sewing before the lights came on, I wouldn’t suggest this book to anyone who has never, ever sewn, unless you have someone nearby who could help you a little. If you did, then this would be a great place to start because most of the projects are designed around sewing straight lines, and many of the projects just require a few small pieces of fabric and notions.

February 9, 2010
by Tammy
0 comments

CraftyCon in Chicago

I heard about this through the Internet crafting grapevine, CraftyCon 2010. According to the web site, it will be held in Chicago in October and is being billed as “For Crafters, By Crafters.” Right now, there is a call for speakers, so this could be a good opportunity for serious crafters to add a little something to the old artist bio. The web site isn’t full of details right now, but hopefully, that will change. Any way, I think it’s worth bookmarking and keeping an eye on.