New Vlog Series on YouTube

Admittedly, I haven't been very active here on the blog as I've been devoting more and more time to video creation. (Once again, I encourage you to follow my CraftyHope YouTube Channel.) This month, I actually even started vlogging over there. 

CraftyHope Vlog on YouTube

These videos are reminiscent of the Peek at My Week posts I used to do here. WOW - It's been about 2 years since I did one of those! I am totally failing as a blogger. In any case, if you enjoyed and/or are missing those posts, you can check out the vlog playlist! I've already published four weeks of videos that you can start enjoying now! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for content you'd like to see either here or there. 

September Mixed Media Video Roundup

Before I completely forget that I have a blog, it's best that I go ahead and share something new over here. Well, it's not completely new...or even different. But, something. Here's a quick roundup of some of the mixed media and art journaling videos I shared on YouTube over the course of September. 

First up are the last of the #CraftyHopePrompts Cards and Projects.
Card 49: Paint pen, Ledger, Dictionary

Project 49: Art Journal Spread


Card 50: Pencil, Rust, Masking tape

Project 50: Assemblage Canvas Art

Card 51: Wire, Tape removal, Distress oxide

Project 51: Easy Art Charm

Card 52: Sewing pattern, Tear, White pen

Project 52: Junk Journal Spread

Outside of my personal prompt project, the only other mixed media projects I filmed were my junk journal spread for the Clean Slate Journal series.
Clean Slate Journal September

And, then there are the several projects I completed within a single video for the 10 Arty Questions Hop. 
10 Art Questions YouTube Hop

Yeah, that month went by quickly, and this one is following close behind. Make sure you're following me on YouTube so you don't miss a thing!


Bead Box 17 - Reveal

It's well past time that I share the jewelry designs that came from the 17th version of my Bead Box. Let me explain my box first. It's a simple 17-compartment, plastic organizer that I use to hold the pieces for seventeen jewelry designs. I turn to the box when I travel or need something already designed to do with my hands. It has honestly come in handy MANY times. 
Above you can get a glimpse of what the box looked like before I started pulling the pieces together. Let me tell you that for this box, I included sketches and instructions for what I had planned for the elements in each compartment. And, to stock this box, I turned to many artisan-made components - things I have been hoarding for some time. Now, it's time to show you how it all worked out. 

This first necklace came together just as planned. You can find it already in the Etsy shop, listed as Soldier's Necklace

Here's where I began pulling in artisan elements that weren't made by me. These super fun earrings flew out of the Etsy shop pretty quickly!

I expected this one to come together without a hitch, and I was right. It's now available at Hello Gallery Art & Things in downtown Fairhope. 

Oh, I really love how well the colors in this long necklace blend together. And, working with the copper wire was so lovely too. Anyway...this one is also at Hello Gallery. 

Simplicity was the key to allowing this Golem Studio focal to be the star of this necklace. I've got it up at the antique store. 

So very many artist-made elements went into this beauty of a necklace. Since it is a work of art, it's available at Hello Gallery

I can't get over how beautifully these turned out. These Patina and Pearls Earrings are currently listed in the Etsy shop.

It was important to me to keep the other colors in this necklace as neutral as possible so that the many colors of the lampwork bead would show through. I think it worked. You can find this Lampwork Tassel Necklace in the CraftyHope Etsy Shop. 

Also in the Etsy shop is this Grow Necklace. It was a wonderful reminder of how I started in jewelry-making - stringing necklaces on beading wire. 

This Filigree Sparkle Necklace was so wonderfully methodical to make with just one bead type (for the most part). Click the link to see some other pictures of it in the Etsy shop. 

In every bead box, there are a few designs that I'm just not sure about. As well, bracelets are a bit of a stumbling block for me. I was so excited about seeing how this one worked out. Alas, I just don't think it works. 

Containing some of my favorite things, this Crackle and Rust Necklace is available on Etsy. Don't you just love that shade of green, and the crackle, and the rust!?!? Yum!

I really hate that this pendant ended up breaking while I was trying to wrap beads around it. It was totally my fault as I simply put too much pressure on the wood with the wire. 

These beautifully bright earrings are destined for the Etsy shop. But, I had to fix them first. Somehow I cut through one of the wires and didn't even notice until I started editing these photos. Do you see the break in the wire? Whew. I'm so glad I did!!

Okay, so I really do love this bracelet. But, I haven't decided what to do with it yet. I feel like it needs a little something else - maybe some fun dangles before I try to sell it. I will admit that it came together so quickly and easily on the beading wire. It made me question why I don't use the stuff nearly as much as I used to. 

This is one of those necklaces that will go with everything!! And, it is available for sale - at Hello Gallery in Fairhope! 

I love it when the last item in the box comes together super quickly. That was the case with these earrings. They are also at Hello Gallery with so many of these other pieces. 

If you're interested in seeing other versions of my bead box, here's the full list of posts. 


Usually, when I get one of these posts up, I've already stocked the next box. However, that just hasn't happened this time. Hopefully, I can remedy that soon and share Box 18 with before too long. In the meantime, let me know if these turned out the way you expected.


Mixed Media and Art Journal Videos from August

I'm well past due for another roundup of the mixed media videos on my YouTube Channel that you might have missed. So, let me get to it. I'll start with the CraftyHopePrompts videos and then finish up with the others from the month. Clicking on the pictures and/or the captions will take you to the video.

Card 45: Receipt, Crackle paste, Green

Card 46: Ribbon, White marker, Colored pencil

Project 46: Abstract Floral Paintings

Card 47: Yellow, Paper punch, Oil pastels

Project 47: Junk Journal Page

Card 48: Rag rug fabric, Photobooth, Thread

Project 48: Flashcard Tag

In addition to my own challenge, I participated in all four weeks of the Seek Gather Create Mixed Media Scavenger Hunt Challenge.

Week 1 

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

I also did a quick flip-though of my finished small junk journal.

Junk Journal Flip-though

And, finally, I did a junk journal spread as my contribution to the CleanSlateJournal series from my friend, Nina. 

Clean Slate August

If you have any questions about any of these mixed media projects, please don't hesitate to ask. And, don't forget to follow the CraftyHope YouTube Channel so you don't miss a thing!


Latest Jewelry Makes for Jesse James Beads Summer Bead Blast

I've been slacking in so many ways lately in sharing what I've been up to here. I recently posted several times about my mixed media art endeavors, but I've made some jewelry too! Hopefully, I'll be sharing a reveal of my most recent Bead Box makes, but I've made a few other things for Jesse James Beads and their Summer Bead Blast challenge. Here's a look at the pieces that have video tutorials. Clicking the picture and/or caption should take you to the tutorial. 

Simple Connection Earrings


Bead and Button Bracelet

Aromatherapy Car Charm

DIY Charm Pendant Necklace

And, that about covers the pieces with tutorials. I've also shared several more makes on Instagram if you want to take a peek over there too. And, there are several weeks left of the JJB Summer Bead Blast if you're interested in a fun challenge. 

Mixed Media and Art Journaling Videos from July

Before any more of this week/month get away from me, let me go ahead and quickly share the July Mixed Media YouTube videos from my channel that you might have missed. 

First up, the videos from my personal CraftyHopePrompts challenge. Any of the videos will explain this challenge in detail.

Card 40: Button, Brayer, Mica Spray


Project 40: Necklace and BONUS Bookmarks

Card 41: Map, Texture paste, Phonebook or Newspaper

Project 41: Junk Journal Spread

Card 42: Spray through stencil, Rickrack, Paint with fingers

Project 42: Mini Wall Art

Card 43: Music, Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Lines

Project 43: Junk Journal with Paperbag Pocket

Card 44: Orange, Scraps, Yearbook

Project 44: Altered Luggage Tag Art

I also participated in the Clean Slate Journal Series from my friend Nina and made this junk journal spread.

Clean Slate Journal - July


In addition to all the above, I finished the Index Card a Day (ICAD) challenge. This year, I did stitches and presented this on YouTube as a Vlog. You can find the whole series in this playlist

ICAD Stitches Vlog Series


I encourage you to follow my CraftyHope YouTube Channel so you don't miss any of my videos!


The 100 Day Project 2024

Yesterday, the 100 Day Project for 2024 started (it's not too late to join in!!) I mentioned last week that I would give you a heads-up ...