The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

April 24, 2016
by Tammy
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Upcycled Crafs and Freebies

Upcycled Recycling Box

Do you recycle in the bathroom? Many people don’t, and it’s often because there’s no go place to put recyclables there. Here’s an easy upcycled box to hold items for recycling in the bathroom or anywhere else.

Crochet Designing

If you have the right tools and a little crochet knowledge, you can design your own crocheted afghan pretty easily.

Jewelry Creations Using Bead Box Bargain April 2016

I had a viewer ask me, “What do I make with the Bead Box Bargain shipment…well, here is what I made with the April 2016 goodies.

‘Ya Can’t Please Everyone, So Ya Got to Please Yourself’

Don’t compare your efforts with those of accomplished crafters and think you’re not good enough. If you give up, you’ll never get better. This is the voice of experience speaking.

Free Cat Trio Pattern

Like cats? Connie’s got a free pattern that will be perfect for you!

Beading Arts

Upcycling old plastic bracelet bangles into something fun and wearable has become Cyndi’s mission!

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!

Jean reviews Jeweler’s Enameling Workshop Techniques and Projects for Making Enameled Jewelry by Pauline Warg. Get the full basics on this wonderful technique and make something pretty!

April 21, 2016
by Tammy
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No Brainer Crochet Afghan Designing

Years ago before I eventually learned how to read crochet patterns, most of my crochet was freestyle, which included lots of afghans. I knew Granny Square, of course, and I knew various stitches that I had picked up here and there. I would simply pick up a skein of yarn and hook and go at it, and that means repeating a stitch or stitch pattern over and over until I had an afghan. I made lots of rectangles, as in afghans and scarves.

I finally managed to get the hang of following patterns, which opened up a new world of crochet to me, such as amigurumi. However, returning to my freestyle crochet and designing on the fly is still something I enjoy doing, and it really is pretty easy if you know a few stitches or can follow basic instructions from a stitch dictionary. One of my favorite crochet stitch dictionaries is Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Crochet (Leisure Arts #15906) (Donna Kooler’s Series). It includes written as well as diagram instructions, so between the two of them, I can usually come up with something.


I have a few relatives expecting babies in the coming months, and that means I get to make baby items for them. Baby afghans are a must, so after picking up this massive skein of yarn, in the Country Pink colorway, I cracked open my dictionary and experimented with a few different stitches before deciding on a shell stitch.


While I think a good crochet stitch dictionary is a good investment, you can also find similar information online at various sites for free, such as the Lion Brand web site.


April 19, 2016
by Tammy
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Book Review: How to Create Your Own Jewelry Line


How to Create Your Own Jewelry Line: Design – Production – Finance – Marketing & More by Emilie Shaprio is published by Lark with a copyright date of 2016. It’s a hardback 178 text that, as the author explains, is pretty much everything Shaprio knows about the jewelry industry and how jewelry designers can not only create their own line of jewelry but go on to sell it. Obviously, this means there is a lot of information in this book, so it is not a casual read. I found myself hopping around to different parts and using it more of a reference guide. However, those with no jewelry business knowledge could start at the beginning where basics are covered such as taxes and how to set up a jewelry business and move on as each of the many areas required for this are covered in detail.

Because of the title, I thought this book would focus only on creating a jewelry line, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that much more is covered. In fact, the subtitle is “Design/Production/Finance/Marking and More,” and all of these subject areas are included in the book. It can be a little overwhelming, but again, I see this more as a reference book to go to when needed versus a step by step manual. It takes awhile to get to the actual idea of creating a “marketable collection,” which does not show up until page 41.

If this book’s purpose is to describe every single item you need to know for a successful jewelry business, then the only area I felt was a little weak is the part concerning social media. It seems to gloss over this, but there are books written about social media and business, thus this is understandable.

Clearly, Emilie Shapiro has a wealth of information, and in an industry that sometimes can be a little tight with information, it is refreshing to see a successful designer and business person like her step forward and share.

April 17, 2016
by Tammy
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Flowers, Beads, and Stitching Fun

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Take a look at what arrived in Andrew’s mailbox! An advance copy of Series 2400 of Beads, Baubles and Jewels! So exciting!

April’s Bargain Beads!

Tammy un-bags her April shipment of bargain beads.

Embellish a Tote Bag with Circles

Cover up the logo on a cloth bag (or a crafty mistake) by cutting out fabric shapes and applying them to the bag. Easy!

Watercolor Passion Flower Cards

Painting something several times teaches you a lot about the subject. How to make it a bit quicker with templates.

Comfy Quilt Pattern

The free Comfy Quilt pattern was one of the first freebies Connie added to the site. Check it out and be sure to look for all the other free patterns she offers.

Beading Arts

Do you have any old plastic bangle bracelets hanging around? Don’t throw them out! Let Cyndi show you how to quickly and easily upcycle them into something you’ll love to wear!

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!

Jean reviews the book More Lovely Knitted Lace Contemporary Patterns in Geometric Shapes by Brooke Nico. So pretty!

April 14, 2016
by Tammy
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Blythe Doll Poseable Body Doll Clothes and Shoes that Fit and Don’t Fit Plus Dark Haired Doll Update

This is a follow-up video showing a factory aka fake Blythe doll I acquired. She has a unique body that you can pose, so it has some differences when it comes to doll clothing and shoes. I show you some clothes and doll shoes that work and some that’s don’t work, and I generally give you my thoughts on the doll now that I have had her for a little while.

April 11, 2016
by Tammy
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Crafts Around the Web

Draw a Map of Your Daily Route

Look at your routine in a new way by drawing a map of your route to work or school.

Embossed Aluminum Postcard Art

Embossed aluminum postcard art is made with inexpensive aluminum foil tape stuck onto scraps of card stock. Four examples using different techniques.

Interested in a great creative learning opportunity this summer?

Allegory Gallery is pleased to present: Creative Camp! This weekend intensive features workshops taught by Eva Sherman, Heather Powers, and Cynthia Thornton!

What Inspires Me When Making Jewelry

Having a hard time coming up with beading ideas? Terry Jeanette of the Tappingflamingo gives you some ideas…

Charms!

Charms make for a great way to start jewelry designing just for the fun of it.

Beading Arts

Cyndi shows you how to finish up and “frame” a single block quilt.

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!

Jean reviews Play with Chain Mail: 4 Weaves = 20+ Jewelry Designs by Theresa D. Abelew. Lots of fun!

Free Journey Proverb Free Pattern

Graduation season will be here before we know it. Connie’s added a super simple free chart that will be great for making up in to graduation cards. It is also suitable for a friend who is moving or making a job change.