Bejeweled Bliss !!!

                                                 WARNING:

This project is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!!!

        I am not kidding. Continue reading only if you have 

  very strong willpower,

   a little place to create,

 and a penchant for all things 

sparkly!

 Cuz we are going to make some 'out of this world' 

 JEWELRY

   

      from a couple of awesome RUBBERMOON stamps!!!!!

                                           

first, you need a stamp or two...and a hunk of Sculpey Mold Maker Clay,

         and a package of white Fimo clay or Sculpey clay.

                   knead the molding clay to soften it, roll it to about 1/4 "
                          then simply press your stamp into clay.
                     I am using a pair of faves from Rubbermoon,

                               'spiral pods' ge2482a
                                           &
                              'mod marks' kp5098c

*ahem - it's obviously been a while since I used my studio toaster oven
                   it's such a perfect sized cubby for colored pencil tins...

                                         ok, pencils OUT,
                                   prepared stamp molds IN!
                                           

                       just follow directions on package to bake.
                keep an eye on 'em. They brown up pretty quick!
                        generally as soon as you turn your back.

     *ventilation is a good idea too, there can be fumes while baking.

        Your home oven will work just fine too, but I prefer to bake
                   inedibles in a designated studio oven.

visions of my hubby nabbing one, eating it, and telling me how good it is
                   might have something to do with it too.

                     ok, yeah, I turned my back...they're a bit overcooked.

                                   but no worries! they're just fine!

give 'em a quick dusting of talcum powder to discourage stickiness...


                                                                           

               grab a piece of your white Fimo clay, knead into little balls,
                           and press balls into molds, then gently remove.
                                 
                               the molds are flexible, so this is easy

  
                       

here's a few out of their molds... trim off any excess with a sharp knife,

                                     

                                 then pop them into the little oven -
                                     and don't turn your back!!!!!

                         
                                           

                    after baking and cooling,  paint metallic gold!!!!!

                    define raised areas by rubbing with shimmer dust.
                       I used Pearl-Ex copper and bronze powders.
                                     
                 I  glued vintage paper to back of rectangular pieces,

                                                                             

                 
                          and glued pendant bails on to attach necklace chain.....




                                 now..... MUST ADD SPARKLES!!!!
                   
                              ( oh, you had to know that was coming )
                             

   
                                                                         
                                                                                   

                              assorted bits and baubles help inspire....

                                          and here we go!!!!!!


                                             
                                     but we need another layer...

                                                           

                                        yes, that will do nicely!!!!

                                        how about another layer?

                                                                         
                                                   SWELL!!!!!!

                                    one of my veryvery FAVORITES!


                                      insert one of the flower jewels
                                 wherever you choose...and you have
                                                          a

                      *****  refined + re - purposed vintage rosary  *****
                                                                                    

                                    ALL TOGETHER NOW!!!!!


                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                                 
Now that you are addicted,  I invite you to peruse rubbermoon.com

 where you can indulge yourself in a world of wearable sparkling

                                  possibilities!!!!!!!


       visit & follow my blog, sparkly-heart.blogspot.com
       or find my art on ETSY- searchbar -  sparklyheartstudio (one word)


go create something. lori sparkly

Encourage Creativity with Your Very Own Handmade Art Journal

List of Supplies Needed:

140 Pound Watercolor Paper

One Sheet of Patterned Scrapbook Paper

RubberMoon Stamps (Your Choice!)

Black Ink

Watercolor Paints

A Paintbrush

Scissors

Glue Stick

A Laminator

A Hole Punch

Colored Album Rings

Embellishment (Yarn, Ribbon, Beads)

With the holidays fast approaching, I wanted to explore some handmade gifts ideas using my absolutely fabulous stash of RubberMoon stamps.  I decided to create a small art journal using kp5009 New Moon, kp5021 Make Art, kp5000 Cheering Section, kp5004 Airlyte, kp5003 Banner and Beret, kp5006 Shasta, kp5005 Teardrop, and kp5002 Heart Full among many of the other RM stamps in my collection.

Pre-assembled art journals leave little to the imagination.  I wanted something more personal.  Using a sheet of cold-pressed, 140 pound watercolor paper as the background, I took my stamps and created an interesting pattern.  My final design include 3 rows of 5 images. 

I then took my watercolor paints out and added color around each stamped image.  I used the brighter colors in my palette.  I tend to prefer pinks, purples, blues, greens, and oranges best.  You can use your own favorite colors.  After all, it's your unique creation!

Once the paint had dried, I flipped the paper over and glued a sheet of scrapbook paper to what would be the inside cover of the journal.  Using a pair of scissors, I cut the paper in half and used my laminating machine to create a glossy, permanent front and back cover.  (Make sure to cut off all the excess lamination from the top, bottom, and sides of the cover.)

I then cut 10 sheets of watercolor paper in half for the inside of the journal and hole punched everything.  After I was done doing that, I assembled the book by opening the album rings and slipping the covers and sheets of paper onto them.  Once everything was lined up properly, I closed the rings.

Here's what the back of the finished journal looks like:

I added some yarn to the album rings for some flare.  You can also use ribbon, beads, and charms to make it your own.  I thought of a million additional ideas for embellishing the art journal once I was done making it.

That's it!  Other than an hour of your time, this little gem costs nothing to create.  Think about all the people you can cross off your gift list this Christmas by making a few handmade art journals.