Happy Birthday Harry Potter

Hey!
  Did you know it's Harry Potter's (the novel's character) birthday?  Well it is!  (July 31st) And, to celebrate I have been working on these bookmarkers to go with my paper bag covered books for the Harry Potter series.  Here are the first three books I've done bookmarks for.  Hope Harry likes this tribute to his birthday.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

1. Nimbus 2000

2. Snitch

3. Harry Potter in School uniform

4. Hedwig with glow in the dark eyes

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

1. Kawaii style Mandrake root

2. Tom Riddle journal

3. Dobby the house elf

 

 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

1. Harry's Patronus

2. Hermione

3. Time Turner

You can't really see these though so I have another picture below.

 

All of these have been made using colored polymer clay.  Preferably Sculpy III or Premo.  Fimo is good but really hard with no flexibility when cooked, sometimes this can cause breakage.

Below are the Harry Potter series and a connection to the metal bookmarks and clay.

 

Paper Pom-Pom Tutorial

 

Below are some quick steps on how to make your own paper Pom-Pom flower.

 

Materials:

Tissue paper

Scissors

&

Flower wire for gardening

 First cut your tissue paper in the equal squares.  This is just one sheet cut into fours and than layered on top of each other to create a small pad of tissue paper.

2. Accordion fold the sheets into even creases.

3. Repeat step 2 until you reach step 4.

 

5. Cut the end of the accordion folds in a crescent cut leaving behind a nice scallop edge.

6. Use floral tie-wire to tie off the center of the accordion fan.

7. Fan out the tissue and begin to pull up gently from one side to the center.

8. Repeat step 7 from the other side than back again from one side to the other.  This should end up leaving more of a round flower form than a squared flower form.

 

In the end you will have a nice full paper Pom-Pom Flower.

This can be used as all sorts of decorations.

Present toppers,

Wall décor,

Table settings,

Chair backers,

Etc. 

 

So have fun with it.  Layer it with different colors, and try different cut edges.  Sunday I will show you how to make a full circle pom-pom and how your can make those into garlands. 

**sorry for Sunday's posting technical difficulties**

Keep on reading and check back in tomorrow for a special Harry Potter Birthday Celebration post.

Technical Difficulties

Sorry reader, I am having some technical difficulties with Sundays post.  You should have it back up by this evening. Thank you for your understanding.

Doctor Who Phone Case

The galaxy marvels at Doctor Who's tour of the universe between time and space. 
My husband wanted his cell phone to be Doctor Who-ified.  So he not only has Doctor Who music as his ringtones, Doctor Who wallpaper but he also needed a case for his cell phone.  Since I have gotten back into clay crafting and decoden I thought I'd finally oblige him. 

Here is what I came up with. 

I had started by painting a galaxy on the phone and then I glued with epoxy the Doctor Who button we found at Kwirkworld.

 I glued down the handmade clay cabochons I made and then glazed the entire piece.  I added a couple of extra characters later and so I had to place them wherever there was space.  **I just wish I had made that decision before I started gluing.**

 What you have is a Tardis, Cyberman, Dalek and a Doctor Who button.

Here it is all finished. 

I would like to redo it a little more thought out but maybe later.

 

 Comments below and don't forget to follow me!

 

Limited Glaze and Gloss Review

For years all I used to use as a glaze would be a spare clear nail polish I had lying around.  **Hi-ya!** I can hear the sighs now.  Clear nail polish can yellow, crack and whatever.  I just wanted my charms to shine and the nail polish was doing it.  But, I figured I needed to do it right if I wanted to start showing these little creations off.

Well, a big "thank you!" to Pinterest and Youtube for helping me figure out what would be the best choice for a glass like shine on my polymer charms and cabochons. 

It is amazing how many people suggested Mod Podge as the end all recipe to any glued, glazed or decoupage sealed crafts.  I am surprised because, I live in a warm environment and when I say warm I mean a 100 degree average high through the summer.  So, Mod Podge has never been an option for me.  Every time I used Mod Podge on anything it is dull, tacky to the touch, and it had every single brush stroke left behind in the finish.  I don't use it, I don't like it and I don't suggest it.
Now on to the good stuff...

1.  Mod Podge:  We are aware of my feelings about this product as a gloss.

2. Krylon crystal clear gloss spray:  Nice for a thin protectant but not really a glaze, definately better on solid pieces of wood, metal and so on.  This does not really leave a high shine and I haven't tested out the non-yellowing and I have only really used it on my painted shoe for protection but it really makes them hard.  I have also heard that the brand of Rustoleum is the preferred brand of a spraying medium.  (I don't know that for sure.  I only saw some tip about it on Pinterest)

3. Golden Acrylic Glaze: The next glaze on the list was suggested online to be by far the best glaze ever! I DISAGREE!!!  It is ok.  A little tacky but not as bad as Mod Podge and the shine is subtle at best.

4.  Varathane Gloss:  Suggested by some polymer clay crafters and I will never use anything else types online.  It is very much like the Flecto other people have suggested.  I guess you could find it at a craft store otherwise it's online.  But, just go buy Varathane or any polyurethane, water based glaze at your local hardware store or section.  Anyway, this stuff dries in 15 minutes, hard as a rock, no streaks, and shiny like glass! 

Addition:

 

I have found that it doesn't flake off only if I re-bake my piece for as short a time as 10 minutes at as low a temp as 250 degrees.  It's also not a problem when I have already painted them.  Otherwise it flakes off like a bad sun burn. :(

 

It's beautiful and leaves a very professional finish.  It comes in quarts and gallons and for $15 bucks it's totally worth it.  It's will last forever and your creations will never look more professional.  There are different finishes so if you don't like that high-gloss finish just choose from the other two options, Satin or Semi-gloss.

 

5. Quick Shine: Yes.  This is just a floor finisher but, believe it or not is works as a ok as a glaze.  You can work double duty and Varathane glaze than Quick Shine it after or just quick shine.  It has a 1 hour minimum dry time and it's best if dipped. I don't mind the wait because it seals my Varathane glaze really well.  It's also really cheap compared to Varathane.  I paid about $6.00 US currency for it.

6. Sculpey glaze and Triple Thick:  I haven't tried either but crafters claim it to be sticky and not very shiny.  So, I haven't bothered with it.

Below are some links to videos I have found helpful on what glaze to use and the techniques for application techniques.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTDYot_p3no (pros and cons)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7BWXfaDdLA (Good and bad)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Id-2imr-Qw (Varathane glaze)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk1yIYSXJNo (Tips)

 

Thanks for reading and keep on crafting. 

Finished Decoden Soot Sprites Phone Case

Soot Sprites Ipod Case

Ok, everyone! Now's the time to show off my finished decoden inspired cell phone case(technically it is an iPod case.)  We all know I have been obsessing but to actually make a decoden creation means buying  whole lot of cabochons myself or make them... Well, me doing what I do, I had to make the decorations myself and that takes a lot of time. **snark**

I also struggled with the right glaze.  (I will give a little post on which glaze I've tried and prefer on Sunday 7/21/13.)  Having to find the right caulking was a challenge (pure silicone is the only way to go) and then getting a good case is more important that you think. (does is have front cover?  will it crack easily?  does it have a pattern you will have to cover up?)  Once everything was collected, created, and glazed I was finally ready to start and finish my creation.

 

Here we are.

 

 Things I have found out while doing all this:

1. Only use 100% Silicone.  It's more expensive but definitely worth it.  The other stuff will not dry rubbery so it may not dry all the way through.  Mine never did!

2. Do not put glitter on your silicone.  It will never fully stick and you will have it everywhere!  Everywhere!!!

3. Silicone doesn't exactly stick to plastic.  Prepping the surface with turpentine and even adding an adhesive to the case before piping down the silicone frosting.

4. Lastly get a nice theme to your case before you start throwing the whole thing together.  You don't want to waste all the time it takes to make the cabochons and cleaning up silicone just to be unhappy with the end result.

That's it for now folks.  I hope you like my finished design of Studio Ghilbi, Soot Sprite inspired iPod case.  Many more cases to come.  I am doing a simpler designed cell case for my husband with a Doctor Who theme.  Don't worry kids.  You'll see it when I am done.

Thanks for reading and come again kiddies. 

 Posts every Wednesday and Sunday plus every 12th of the month a book suggestion.

Follow me on G+ or just follow me. 

Please comment below.

 

July Book of the Month

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)

Ok!  So, July got away from me a bit.  I have been doodling about in Decoden, creating clay cabochons or beads and charms, and I have also been reading!  Unfortunately because I haven't been trying anything really new to me in the craft world I am re-reading Harry Potter with a co-worker for fun.  It's awesome!!!  I haven't read this book in over 10 years now so other than watch the movie series one more time I've taken to the book.  It's amazing how much more it all means when you have already read all the books already.  So many more questions are arising, like; where do wizard children go to school before Hogwarts?  Interesting facts have been showing themselves like, the snitch has silver wings not golden. Of course there is more I found interesting but for those of you who haven't read it I don't want to give anything away.

 

I have decided the book of the month is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1). (or Philosopher's Stone if your in the UK)  If you haven't already read it because you just didn't want to be on that band wagon I understand, trust me I do!  But, the craze has died down, maybe it's time you fell in love with Hogwarts, Harry, Hedwig, Hagrid, Harmonie, Ron and the rest with me all over again.

Keep on crafting and thanks for reading.

 Comments and questions?  Please post below.
 

Brown Paper Bag Book CoverTutorial

 

Sorry in advanced. 

 I have been preoccupied so this tutorial is not perfect.  I will try to fill in any gaps with an explanation in between the photos.

 
Starting with the first missing photo... 
#1. Please cut the bottom off the brown grocery bag.  I suggest cutting along the overlapping paper so you don't have an extra flap on any of your book covers.

#2. Put your book down and lay it flat helping to determine how wide you need to make your piece.  Leave yourself a minimum of 2 inches to 5 inches on each side to fold in.

Cut away any excess paper. 

 

#3.  Press along the top and bottom of the paper along the book to determine how far to fold in.

Missing Step #4. Slip the sides of the book into each open end creating a new book jacket.

If you want you can now decorate your book as you desire.  Take notes on the cover as you read the book, doodle when not reading, or take a classier route and try some of these lovely techniques...

 

 

Thanks for reading and keep on craftin' kiddies. 

Comments below are welcome.
 

 

Art is messy

If you aren't an artist or you don't craft you may not understand what I mean by "art is messy", but it is.  As shown in the images above and below I am a messy crafter.  I try to clean up as I go but because I dabble in so many different crafts there is no true way to be absolutely organized.  Sometimes it means just having a whole lot of stuff out at one time.  It may be chaos but for me craft can't happen unless I'm a little bit of a mess. =I'm a mess!=  Here is what I'm working on right now.  As you saw before I am Decoden-ing(click to view a video of someone decoding) and I am trying to perfect this style of art.  I am still trying to come up with the best version of Harry Potter themed polymer clay charms so I am watching a ton of videos.  I use to clay craft but never learned the perfect techniques and tips on it. I bought a few more supplies so now it is back to work to make a finished and hopefully satisfied with iPod case.  When I finally have a complete craft and feel that I understand the process I will post a few complete tutorials on each step. 

Stay tuned kids and keep on crafting. 

If you are working on something let me know.

My Neighbor Totoro clay Soot Sprites

As you all know I have been obsessively stalking Decoden and cabochons but haven't really make anything of all the ideas I'm getting. The face is you need to get a whole lot of cabochons, glitz and etc. to make a full thought out decorative piece.  I already have Polymer clay so I felt I shouldn't waste my money and just make something from scratch.  I have begun with something that makes me think of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli so I wanted a charm of Soot Sprites with Lucky Star food.  Got to work and so far these are the Soot Spirits I have.

I plan to put them on a iPod case. It may turn out terrible since it's my first but I won't give up I'll keep on. The problem with me, there are too many crafts too little time and I get over whelmed than just do nothing at all. Can you relate? Well. I plan on doing something crafty, don't know what but you can be sure it will reach you soon.

Here are some beads I am working on for a phone chain too.  I am trying a fuzzing method like for cut cake clay just to give it texture.  First time trying texture and I really like it.  Hope you do too.

 Talk to you later and thanks for reading. Keep on crafting kiddos.

 

Talk to me below.