The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

March 27, 2009
by Tammy
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Craft Bloggers Unite 03/27/09

CraftyPod
Learn how to turn an old paperback book into a cool picture frame.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Would You Stitch With Scented Floss? Vote in the poll and be sure to read the comments and add your own.

Naughty Secretary Club
Get felt up with Jen and her customized felt baby booties how-to.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
With inspiration from Cathi Milligan’s new book Mod Knots a soda bottle goes under the knife and becomes a mod cuff.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares one final project from her new book Beyond the Bead! Plus she’s giving away a free copy of the book and a crystal stash!

Cathie Filian
Blythe and Barbie can now have their cake and eat it too! Cathie whips up some mini cakes and pies perfectly sized for fashion dolls with sponges and seed beads.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week there is an Andy Warhol inspired scrapbook page and ATC’s, an interview with Lisa Kettell author of Altered Art Circus!, a super cute clay pot hedge hog how-to, and a link to two free bottle cap graphics.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Expose yourself….in a good way that is…Tammy tells her thoughts on the process of creative exposure.

About Family Crafts
Discover how you can create an entire fairy village using items from nature.

Aileen’s Musings
Check out which names won for Aileen’s Color Mist Sorbet Collection and help BREAK THE TIE by voting once more! An additional winner will be chosen once the tie is broken.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Swelldesigner gives new life to a plain paper lantern with tissue paper!

Blisstree
Mixing two of Cyndi’s favorite things: fibers and books!

March 25, 2009
by Tammy
1 Comment

Literary Artistic Inspiration, Thank You Emily Dickinson

This is an image I used in an art book I made for a class I took a few years ago. Without going into too much boring detail, our project required that we construct an alternative book. The assignment really made our heads spin. What the heck did this professor want? I sent him idea after idea, and he kept saying, “No,” but he never really would verbalize what would bring a “yes” answer. Finally, a friend of mine who was also taking the class who also knows I’m a huge Emily Dickinson fan said, “Just channel her.”

We were down to the wire at this point with one week before the project was due, and we both realized we basically needed to just “do it” and hope for the best. So I took her advice and thought about Dickinson and how she did what she wanted to do with her life (at least what she could do that was within her socially restrictive environment). She wrote poetry but threw out the poetry rule book. She wrote what she wanted to write without thought about what someone else would think, without censoring herself.

And that’s what I pretty much did for the next week as a labored over my project, which I crafted using all types of techniques from cross stitch to decoupage. My professor raved about it, and I really feel the experience forced me to break through creatively as well as academically. I’m such a rule follower that typically my censor is on full blast 24/7!

I’m calling for her help again as I work on a presentation I’m giving about her this Friday. Wish me luck!

March 24, 2009
by Tammy
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Virtual Crochet Groups

Since deciding to venture more into the world of crochet earlier this year, I have joined a number of on-line yahoo groups who focus on the craft of crochet. Originally, I did this for a few reasons. First, if I had any questions as I was trying new stitches and/or patterns, I would have someone to ask. In my off-line world, I know of no one that crochets (mainly I know jewelry designers). Also, of course, I thought it would be a good way to just get to talk yarn with other yarn crafters.

One point I didn’t consider when joining was the fact that most of these groups are fairly active when it comes to crochet and charities. One group, simply called Crochetlist, has a monthly charity challenge. Each month they have a different project they challenge list members to make for various charities, everything from booties for senior citizens to baby blankets. I haven’t been able to participate in all of the challenges, but what I like about them is that they are organized and the projects are often do-able for the most part. You have a clear goal when starting the project. If you end up with time enough to make more than one item, great, but if not, one blanket, square, or whatever is added to the work of many other yarn-crafters, so in the end it can make a big impact.

Another on-line group I’ve joined more recently, Heartmade Blessings, is totally dedicated to making afghans for charities and people in need of even just a warm hug. They are extremely organized with a group of mentors and specific crocheters who assemble the squares sent to them by members of the group. There’s even a database with lists of who needs what.

There are lots of great groups out there. These are just a few, so if you are in need of some crafting comrades, look no further than your computer!

March 22, 2009
by Tammy
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Craft Blogger Unite 03/22/09

I usually post my crafty links on Friday, but I’ve been a busy crafty bee the last few days. I finally decided to just stop myself today and post them already. I have lots of craft projects in the work, many of which are in the drying stages, so it’s time for a break from crafting!

Blisstree
Don’t miss out on the second annual Collage Mania event!

Cathie Filian
Cathie has a dollar store do over! With a scrap of paper and a little flirty flower you can make this easy headband in under 1-hour.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a how-to for making a Chinese Knot from Kenneth King’s new book Cool Couture, a Scribble Lace scarf pattern, a woven lampshade made from scrap yarn, and 4 upcycled necklace designs.

Crafty Princess Diaries
The Crafty Princess catches you up on her various crafting projects and asks, “What’s on your crafing plate?”

Cross Stitch at About.com
Use the free Street and Traffic Sign Motifs to decorate a cake, a child’s jacket, or whatever your imagination can come up with.

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen asks the question: Would you wear an apron out on the town as a fashion accessory? According to some trendsters, it’s all the rage. Join in the discussion about Apron-ology.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Sweater Surgery meets Sublime Stitching with a fun gun embroidered altered sweater.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge is hooked on Drew Emborsky’s new book The Crochet Dude’s Designs for Guys! Check out her book review!

About Family Crafts
Discover some ways you can save money on your crafting without stifling your creativity!

Aileen’s Musings
Looking for a new spin on store bought plastic Easter eggs….Aileen offer’s you a Glitzy Easter Egg Project!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Swelldesigner upcycles some old tins with Collage Pauge and scrapbook paper!

March 19, 2009
by Tammy
1 Comment

Magnetism of Magnet Clasps?

Pictured above is a light and delicate necklace I attached a magnetic clasp to: Olivine Briolette Crystal & Chain Necklace Tutorial.

What are your thoughts on magnetic clasps? That’s what Ken Fron, the “necklace guy,” is asking on his blog, Necklace News. You can read my 25 cents worth of thoughts on using magnetic clasps in his interesting article about the pros and cons of these unique jewelry components.

March 18, 2009
by Tammy
3 Comments

Creatively Expose Yourself!

After speaking at a writing workshop last weekend, the creative energy came home with me, and I decided to dust off some old creative writing pieces of mine. I’ve been mulling over my next major writing project, and I’m really torn: part of me thinks I should write some kind academic piece that will be a total PIA to get published, few people will read, and I won’t get paid for, but if it were to get published, even in the tiniest little no-name journal, it would be another bean to add to my CV; part of me thinks I should get another jewelry proposal together and get back out there and get another jewelry book published and some more checks rolling in; and then part of me thinks I should finish that ancient novel manuscript I’ve been working on for a ridiculously long time that probably won’t ever be published but at least I can say I finished it.

So, obviously, I’m torn.

However, I did make some progress in this dilemma and sent out an old creative non-fiction piece I’d written for a college class a few years ago. I sent it to a small journal with my fingers crossed and an uncomfortable feeling of angst. It doesn’t matter if you are sending your jewelry piece out there, favorite art work, or personal essay; we all have to expose ourselves somehow when we literally put our work out for criticism, and hopefully, acceptance.

It is so easy not to expose yourself. It is safe. It is a comfortable place. However, if you want any kind of recognition, you can’t hide your creative work under a rock and hope someone famous will come along and trip over it and discover what a brilliant and talented artist you are. Just ain’t gonna happen! Probably won’t even happen in your dreams.

So, this is a challenge for all of those closet creative types or anyone who has hesitated to send out that book proposal, approach that gallery with your portfolio, or whatever it is that you have been avoiding with the idea that you could come back with a big sore spot on your you-know-what: Do it today! Yes, you will feel that same angst, but you may also feel something wonderful down the road.

March 15, 2009
by Tammy
0 comments

Etsy Love and More Thoughts

It was nice to meet many fellow writers at the IRSC Writer’s Workshop yesterday, and though I was rushed for time, I managed to rip through my presentation on how to create book proposals in record time. Just like when you meet up with fellow crafters face to face, when you get a group of writers in one room, you can’t help but feel good vibes. I even came home and blew a little dust off an old fiction piece I’ve been working on for the last billion years.

Other than the workshop and the usual web work, I’ve done a little jazzing up of my Etsy shop this weekend as well.

March 14, 2009
by Tammy
4 Comments

What’s on Your Crafting Plate of Late?

I realized today that it’s been awhile since I’ve given an update on my crafting endeavors, and I am also curious about what others are crafting out in the blogosphere. So, I’ll tell you mine if you’ll tell me yours.

Yarn crafting: Just last night, I finished up another pair of fingerless gloves in red wool for a belated birthday gift. Though we live in the same city, I haven’t been able to see her in awhile since our lives are both so busy, so I’m thinking of actually mailing this out to her this week. Considering how it is already warming up down here in the South, she may only get one more chance (if that) to use these before full-blown summer is here!

I like to crochet in the evenings while watching TV, but I don’t like to work on anything too complicated since I’ve got one eye on the crochet hook and one on the TV. Thus I’ve been making 12 x 12 inch squares for a group of wonderful yarn crafters who all donate squares which a group assembles and gives to those who need a warm hug. I just sent out my first four squares for the group this week. Hopefully, I did it correctly and they are sized right as well. If so, I plan to make more since they are a nice way to help others and get some mindless/relaxing crochet work in as well.

I am finishing up a my third small blanket of sorts for the Snuggles Project. Now that I have a few finished, I may try to get these mailed out this week or the next. These are also good TV watching projects since I keep them fairly simple. They are basically like the squares, just a little larger.

Jewelry making: I’ve been experimenting a lot with resin lately. For example, I received a product called Ferido Formula x1, which is a two-part epoxy resin. So far, I’ve made some cabs that I stuck onto brass components to create a pair of earrings, and I have made some beads as well, which I will put a tutorial up for this weekend. Hopefully, I’ll also manage to use them in a fiber necklace project as well, depending on how my time goes this weekend.

I have a few other ideas for resin jewelry projects, so I’ll keep you posted on those. One of the things I like about resin is that you really don’t need a ton of high-tech type supplies to work with it, and I can often pick up anything I need, such as the resin itself, at my local craft store. However, one drawback is the time you have to wait for the resin to fully cure, so as far as designing and writing up projects with it, this medium takes a little longer than your average bead or wire project.

Speaking of beads and wire, another recent jewelry project of mine (just in time for St. Patrick’s Day) is my Lucky Four-Leaf Clover Wire and Crystal Earrings. I love how they turned out and plan to wear them for at least the next few days, though I don’t think these are so obviously themed looking that I couldn’t wear these any time during the year.

And, finally, as you may know already since I’ve been blogging about it, I have added a few finished pieces of jewelry to my Etsy shop, including some that include some cute little metal clay star charms I made. I’ve been selling the charms by themselves for awhile, but I thought I’d go ahead and sell some finished pieces that incorporate the charms as well.

Okay, enough about me. Now for you.

What’s on your crafting plate lately?

March 13, 2009
by Tammy
0 comments

Craft Bloggers Unite 03/13/09

Oh my, we have another Friday the 13th! Yozers! I hope your day was as nice as mine. Today was kind of like my Saturday. Tomorrow I will be speaking at a local writing conference on how to write a book proposal, so today, I practiced a little, blogged a little, and it didn’t take long before the day seemed to fly by!

Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi shares the simple steps she’s used to create a collage with monoprinted papers

Naughty Secretary Club
Customized wearable cupcake toppers that look as good on your cupcake as they do around your neck!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Stefanie folds up some cool envelopes with the help of Karen Elaine Thomas’ new book Origami Card Craft.

About Family Crafts
Find out how you can make your own cards, party invitations, favors bags, place cards, napkin rings, gift tags, and much more to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Aileen’s Musings
Come help Aileen name her new Color Mists’ Sorbet Collection and earn a chance to win a free Sorbet set!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Are you using Google Image Search to its fullest? Swelldesigner shows you how to find better images and information and save time while doing so!

Cathie Filian
Recycle your junk mail and old papers into beautiful handmade designs with Cathie’s easy tutorial.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there are 2 fun “J” ATC’s made with free downloadable graphics, tons of info about the June session at the Squam Art Workshops, a minijournal made from a recycled card, a cool creative exercise and some interesting quilting folklore.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Jewelry Validation! Nothing gives you validation, no matter what your craft of choice is, like having someone actually purchase one of your creations.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Guest writer Lori Fellows presents another fun and easy Cross Stitch project. Learn to make an Easy No-Sew Vase Cover using your choice of free patterns.