Chain Link Earrings: Part 6

I've been working my way through sharing how to make a variety of simple earrings using large links of metal jewelry chain in combination with beads and a few other basic supplies.  There are already five videos available in the playlist for this series. Today, I'm sharing the sixth tutorial. 

The earrings in this lesson have a bit of leaf chain fringe hanging from the bottom. However, I could see a tassel, charm, bead dangle, or a combination of all of those being used instead - depending on what you like and what is available to you. 

As well, the large chain link hangs from a simple combination of bead and bead caps that is wire-wrapped to the link. This addition to the earrings isn't completely necessary but added a subtle bit of color to the earrings that I like. 

The video is a short one since all the techniques are fairly simple. 

As always, if you have any questions about the materials or techniques I used, I am more than happy to help. Ask away!

June Challenges & Inspirations

I have to admit that I've been pretty lax lately about the art challenges I participate in. I think The 100 Day Project got the best of me, and I needed a break. Of course, I've already jumped onto another daily project but hope I can balance it out some. 

Here are the ones I know about for this month so far. 

• ICAD (Index Card A Day) is the new daily challenge I've begun. I have done it the past several years and thought it would be fun once again. You can find all the information about ICAD from Tammie of Daisy Yellow. She has prompts and instructions and ideas for you to explore on her site. Though the official start date was June 1, you still have plenty of time to catch up if you want to play along!
• Over on the Art Elements page, Jenny announced that the June Theme is Lizards. This makes me smile as chameleons are one of my favorite animals. But, I'm not sure how I can work them into my jewelry and art. I guess I need to explore that some! That's the fun of the challenge. You can submit your contributions to this theme in the Art Elements Community on Facebook throughout the month.
• Halcraft Collection has revealed their Blue Lagoon Pretty Palette Inspiration for June, and I love it. Blues are definitely my jam. Get all the information about how to play along with this challenge on their page. 
• Sarajo and Eric revealed the inspiration photo for June's Honey Do List. Take a look at their photo and create some jewelry! The reveal is set for June 28th, but Sarajo usually leaves the linky tool open for some time if your inspiration takes a bit to strike!

And, that's really all I have for this month. If you know of any other inspirations that could be added to this list, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'd be happy to include them also. Happy creating!

Mixed Media Art Videos in May

In case you missed some of the mixed media art videos over on my YouTube Channel, here's a peek at each of the projects from last month with links to the videos. 

DIY Mixed Media Art Charms

Art Journal Spread: Sassy Girls

Art Journal Page: Discover

DIY Small Junk Journal from Scraps

You, Me, Same 3 May 2021: Art Journal Spread

The above videos are a nice mix of art journal pages along with tutorials for making a journal and making charms using art journaling techniques. I hope these spark your interest and ignite your imagination. Let me know if you have any questions at all!

Chain Link Earrings Part 5

Today, I continue the series of DIY Chain Link Earrings. (I'll include links to the other four tutorials at the bottom of the post.) Each of the earrings in this series include a large link from a metal chain. I knew the chunky chains weren't right for my more delicate style of necklaces and bracelets, but that they would work perfectly as the base for earrings.  This video series was born.

In this fifth earring tutorial, I show you how to use Vintaj Patinas in a simple pattern to alter a set of links before adding a matching bead and an ear wire. 

The materials and tools are simple, along with the techniques themselves.

However, if I failed to give enough information, and you have any questions at all - please feel free to reach out to me.

Here are links to the other Chain Link Earrings

Introduction and First Tutorial

Part 2 (two basic designs)

Part 3 (beads in and below link)

Part 4 (wrapping a bead in a link)

Have fun with these, and please share with me any designs you make inspired by these tutorials!

DIY Junk Journal from Scraps

While picking up around my craft room the other week, I got the urge to purge a couple of my scrap paper boxes. But, I couldn't just throw away any of those beautiful bits of paper. Nope. I decided to grab many of the larger pieces and incorporate them into a small junk journal. 

For the cover, I used an old file folder, but a lightweight cereal box or piece of cardstock would have worked just as well. Additionally, when I tore down the filler papers, those scraps were saved. They were then used to decorate the cover.

For the complete tutorial, here's the DIY Small Junk Journal from Scraps video.

In the video tutorial, I go over the dimensions used for the cover, trimming down the scrap papers to fill the journal, decorating the front and back, and using the basic bookbinding pamphlet stitch to complete the journal. 

I recognize that not everyone has the use for a junk art journal. However, you could still use these same techniques with more common papers like copy or notebook paper to create a journal of any size to suit your needs (list-making, idea-keeping, sketching, bullet journaling, etc.)

Don't hesitate to let me know if any of the instructions are unclear or if you have any questions. I'm always happy to help!

Get 25% off CraftyHope Jewelry

If you've been hesitant for some reason about purchasing one of my jewelry pieces, now might be just the right time. I'm having 25% off sales in both my booth at Southern Antiques and Accents in Fairhope AND in the CraftyHope Etsy shop. Here's a look at some of the pieces you'll find in either of those two places. 

In the Booth:

Boho Fringe Necklace

Wrapped Rainbow Earrings

Fairy Bubbles Necklace

Button Love Earrings

And, there's SO MUCH MORE. 

Likewise, here are a few new items in the Etsy Shop.

Tin Mushroom Necklace

Live in the Moment Bracelet

Lovestruck Romeo Necklace

Hands of Time Earrings

Like the booth, that's just a taste of what's available. Head over to the CraftyHope Etsy shop to see more.  No matter where you choose to shop, everything in both locations is 25% off! 

Please note that the sale in the booth runs through June 2nd and the sale in the Etsy shop runs through June 3rd. 

Happy shopping!

Chain Link Earrings Part 4

Making a pair of earrings is as simple as adding a charm to a set of ear wires. But, creating a pair of interesting earrings means looking at your materials in a new way. I had a lightbulb moment when pulling out some metal chain and realizing it was too large for my delicate style of necklaces. Instead, I envisioned a whole line of earrings. With that vision, I set to work. 

And, to help inspire you, I popped on the video camera to share the process I used to work up each of these earring pairs. I've already shared three of those videos. Here's the DIY Chain Link Earrings Part 4 video to set your wheels in motion. 

And, these are the earrings I make in the video tutorial.

I lucked up in finding teardrop links AND beads, but really you could use any bead and link combination for this technique as long as the bead fits inside the link.

Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions about this tutorial or any other jewelry-making. I'm always more than happy to help!

Thrifty Thursday (April's Thrifty Haul)

I found a few great deals and steals over the course of April and forgot to take a single picture. As such, I'm just going to share April's Thrifty Haul video with you and leave it at that.  

Let me know if you had any good finds lately too!

May Challenges and Inspiration

Yesterday was the last day of The 100 Day Project, at least for me, this time around. I can see myself maybe doing another one later focused on more of the mixed media/art journaling side of things. But, for now, there are other challenges out there to focus on since I've let them fall to the wayside a bit as of late. Here are the ones I know of for May. 

• Sarajo has revealed the photo inspiration from her husband, Eric, for the June Honey Do List. The picture of the thistle stirs something in me already, but I can't put my finger on it yet. Take a look at the inspiration and play along. The reveal is set for May 24th, but Sarajo leaves the link tool open for about a month so that date isn't set in stone if you're running a bit behind. 
• Over at Art Elements, the June Theme is Dandelions. Remember that this theme is open to any medium and you can submit your makes in the album on the Art Elements Community Facebook group. 
• For the Pretty Palette Challenge from Halcraft Collection, the color theme is Mixed Metal Mania. You can see the palette and find out all about their submission guidelines over on their page. 

And, that's all this is that I know of this month. If you've found any inspiration or challenges that are worth sharing, please don't hesitate to let me know so I can add them to the list! Here's hoping you enjoy your May. 

In Case You Missed It - Art Journal Videos from April

Last month, I didn't get many art journaling videos up over on the CraftyHope YouTube Channel. However, there were a few. Here's a brief look at each of the projects along with links to the actual videos themselves. 

Art Journal Color Inspiration: Blue Violet

You, Me, Same 3 Pocket Tag

Art Journal Page with No Fuss

I can't promise much this month either as I've been working in my journals off-camera most of the time to reduce the pressure and increase my creative flow. But, make sure to subscribe as I've got something new to offer almost every week. I'm sure you don't want to miss it!

Chain Link Earrings Part 3

When I saw the abundance of large links of chain in my metal chain stash, I realized they would be perfect for an earring collection. And, when I assembled all the supplies on my bead mat, it was even more obvious that this collection would make the perfect video tutorial series. 

So, I popped on the camera and recorded how easy it is to make a whole line of earrings with just some beads and links of chain. I've already revealed the first two videos. The first began with an introduction and a simple tutorial. The second showed how to make two easy pairs of earrings with similar techniques. Today, I'm revealing the third chain link earring tutorial. In it, you'll make a wrapped loop and a few simple loops to create a fun pair of earrings. 

You can click the link above the picture to go to the video tutorial on YouTube, or you can watch it here on the blog.

If you have any questions about the techniques I share in the video, please don't hesitate to ask me in the comments section here or on YouTube. I'm always happy to help!