Contact Paper

[fabunobo.livejournal.com]

So I had this wild, fun idea to slap some of my paper crafts onto a piece of sticky contact paper and cut them out thereafter. I thought this would add some rigidity and also make a cool plastic backing. And it did come out cool.

However, the contact paper stickiness is wimpy. It's sorta like a post-it note. I can easily peel it back away from the paper. Can anyone think of a stickier more permanent alternative to contact paper that would provide a similar effect? I thought of maybe window privacy film - that shiz is like super glue! - but that only comes in clear or frosted colors. Not as much fun as contact paper which comes in a variety of patterns and metallic sheens.

Finished at Last

[mommamacnz.livejournal.com]

I have finally finished a project I started over a year ago. There is no excuse for how long it has taken me as the actual work only took about two hours tops.

And here are the ghosts I knitted.

http://s529.photobucket.com/albums/dd336/Mommamacnz/Craft%20Efforts/?action=view¤t=IMG_0115.jpg

Originally I had two waiting for their finishing touches and it occurred to me as I did them, that I have three kids and the third one was bound to cause trouble, so I made another one for him. Each ghost has an initial in black on it's back so my sons can know which one is their one.

EDIT: The designer of this pattern is Jean Greenhowe. This link is to her website:
http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/

metalwork

[lttle-red-lotus.livejournal.com]

I finally purchased some supplies I needed to make soldered pieces at my home. It's been about 2 years since I touched a torch but I made two rings last night for myself and they turned out pretty decently :)

( Princess )

I made this ring from 12g sterling floral wire, 18gauge sterlingn sheet, and a really pretty gallery wire. The stone is white moonstone and it has a really pretty cat's eye flash/sheen in it when the light hits it. It is very magical looking indeed. This took me about two hours (I am a bit rusty, it's been 2 yrs since I touched a torch).

( Unicorn )

Another ring, this one with twisted sterling silver wire...kinda reminded me of a unicorn horn. I antiqued the sterling on this ring and it really made the blue chalcedony cabochon pop.

( Lotus )

Sterling silver lotus frames (I didn't make those), I made the silver ball pins though. Garnet, pink tourmaline, rose quartz, cape amethyst.

kid conctions

[addled-nutcase.livejournal.com]

Ok the book is out of print and I was wondering if anyone has any recipies from it or links to sites with recipies from the book or other similar book? I am going to use the recipies as party crafts at my son's Bday party.

Help needed from jewelry/metalworkers

[gorengal.livejournal.com]

I like the look of Trollbeads/Pandora bracelets but they're a little lot out of my price range. I saw a knock-off version at JoAnn's called Jesse James Uptown. I bought the makings for a bracelet (the bracelet pictured plus several beads). The beads are very chunky, so they make the diameter of the bracelet smaller. I bought an 8-inch bracelet, hoping to compensate, but it's still a bit too small for me when filled with beads. I thought I might buy another bracelet and cannibalize it, perhaps soldering a piece on the first bracelet. It's not sterling or any identifiable metal...just a silvertone snake chain. The soldered area would be hidden by beads, so that's not a factor. Neither my husband nor I are experts at soldering...do you think this would work? Any tips or tricks? Any other ideas to lengthen the bracelet?

 

Thanks for any advice you might have!