Creations by Wendy

Something I haven't tried before

2011-10-07T04:10:00.002-07:00

I saw, about a year or two back, someone made a similar necklace but with sterling sliver and a yellow colored stone. I thought the design was neat and wanted to give it a go. I used wire I got at Tuesday Morning. At 99 cents a spool I didn't feel bad about using so much of it. Unlike sterling, which would have killed a tiny bit of me with every cut of the wire.

The LOST necklace, that was a monster to make.

2011-10-02T14:56:00.019-07:00

Ideas hit me at the strangest times, and in the worst place possible.

During work one day (former job), our dispatcher was drinking an energy drink. I had never seen this brand before and the graphics on the can caught my eye. I wanted to make something out of the can but I just didn't know what. I asked the dispatcher to save me about 8 to 10 of these cans. They came in 3 different colors/graphics.

So, I sat and looked at the cans for a couple of days. Little did I know what kind of a monster I would create.

I rinsed all of the cans out. Cut the top and bottom off and mounted the can on fun foam with spray adhesive. I knew I was going to use my trusty Sizzix machine to cut out the graphics I needed. I read somewhere that mounting the can on fun foam would elminate the sharp edges of the metal when making jewelry out of soda cans.

I used the Sizzix mini tags die for the "charms". I blinged them out with mini nail gems that are usually used for manicures. Mini rhinestones and some plastic beads that I saved out of a kids dress up kit.

Then I needed a chain, which I did not have. So I made my own.

I don't like it at all, but someone in the Netherlands did. A very nice lady traded me a BUNCH of Dutch licorice for it.

I sent pictures of the necklace to the company that makes the energy drink, but I never heard back from them.

Oh well.

It was fun making it though!

New batch of earrings 9-18-11

2011-09-18T12:55:00.004-07:00

Swapbot trade and a necklace.

2011-09-08T17:28:00.005-07:00

The necklace is for sale. the Alasakan themed bird, the domino pendant and earrings are for a Swapbot trade.

Northern Exposure and Inspiration.

2011-09-08T05:38:00.006-07:00

Due to not having cable, or any kind of local TV signal for that matter, my boyfriend and I have been limited on what we can watch. Personally I LOVE Northern Exposure. The boyfriend has never seen it. I've been kinda forcing him to watch the entire series from the beginning. We're up to season 5. Somewhere towards the end of season 4 I started noticing that one of the characters, Shelly Tambo, wears some really unusual earrings. Like records, baby bottles, hula dancers, and most strange of all.... TOILETS! So I figured I'd go through my craft stash and see what I could come up with. A few I'm SURE Shelly would wear, some, maybe not. I did have fun just goofing off though. Was a good break from trying to figure out bead combinations.

Green earrings and 3 domino Pendants

2011-08-30T14:45:00.005-07:00

Wasn't too sure what to do with such a big bead. Was playing around with wire, made a red one similar to it. As for the pendants, I live in a different climate and need to get used to more humidity. I freaked out when what was on the reverse side of the picture started showing through. But thankfully it cleard it's self up.

2011-08-20T11:44:00.003-07:00

I would have used all the same color wire, but it was only a test to see if I could wire wrap a cabochon. Next time (IF there is a next time) I will use a bigger cabochon and square wire in all the same color. I think it came out "OK".

Earrings made 8-19-11 & 8-20-11

2011-08-20T11:38:00.003-07:00

Top one is Garnet chips.

The bottom one is the first time I've used wire that way. I had no idea what to do with the big red bead.

Hematite set.

2011-08-18T07:52:00.006-07:00

I was working with some memory wire I picked up at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show, and realized hematite may not be the best beads to use. They are danged heavy. I didn't want to use a clasp with the memory wire, but I liked how it kept the nice round shape for a choker.

So I cut it another round longer and added some chain with a few more beads attached. Problem solved! And the best part? the choker is totally adjustable to ANY size neck. I also like how the chain and beads give it a little extra focal point.

I also made earrings, a ring and bracelet to go with it. I'd post pictures of the bracelet and ring on me, but realized the picture looks AWFUL. So I'll just post a picture of the set.

Batch 'o earrings.

2011-08-18T07:48:00.003-07:00

In a fit of boredom I made earrings. Simple, easy, and quick. They are currently collecting dust.

Barbed wire skull.

2011-08-18T07:42:00.003-07:00

I had an idea back in March, and just didn't know how to execute it. I like how it turned out, but realized there is no way it can be worn as jewelry because the barbs are way too sharp.

Sorry the one photo is so washed out, I just wanted to be able to show the scale of it.

Earrings. Recycle!

2011-08-10T08:40:00.003-07:00

To match the necklace. The picks are punched from laundry detergent bottles.

New project. Recycle!

2011-08-08T13:46:00.003-07:00

Bonus points to anyone who can tell me what the guitar pick is made out of.

Most recent earrings

2011-06-03T06:38:00.003-07:00

The Black disc ones are onyx beads with non tarnish colored wire.

More Jewelry

2011-05-16T09:04:00.004-07:00

Rainy Day Projects.

Cluster earrings

2011-04-25T14:38:00.002-07:00

A new one for me. Never made cluster earrings before.

More ATC's

2011-04-14T09:43:00.008-07:00

For group trades.

Gourd Art

2011-04-14T09:40:00.002-07:00

Gourds, stinky and messy to clean. But makes great art.

Greenman Stuff

2011-04-14T09:35:00.004-07:00

I'm drawn to a Greenman theme. Can you tell?

Egg art

2011-04-14T09:32:00.002-07:00

This is what kick started me into my serious crafting.

Glass etching

2011-04-14T09:30:00.002-07:00

I taught Glass etching for a short time at Michael's craft stores in Tucson.

Painted rocks

2011-04-14T08:55:00.003-07:00

Made for my dad, I did a cat also but lost the picture.

2011-04-14T08:38:00.004-07:00

I saw these interesting graphics on an energy drink can and thought I could make SOMETHING out of it. Little did I know at the time what kind of monster I was about to create.

The chain was made by hand from jumprings in a grab bag purchase. The beads were from a childs dress-up set. All tags were cut with a Sizzix die.

The set now resides in the Netherlands.

More altered dominos

2011-04-08T15:21:00.004-07:00

Dominos

2011-04-08T14:45:00.007-07:00

Altered and Jewelry.

earrings and other assorted jewlery

2011-04-08T14:14:00.006-07:00

Guitar picks, dominos, and assorted beaded jewelry. WARNING....the tiny shell beads on the necklace and earrings....never again.

Gifties for the Steampunk fan.

2011-04-08T14:06:00.004-07:00

I made these for a Steampunk fan. I can't say who he is ;).

Dias De Los Muertos 2009

2011-04-08T13:51:00.006-07:00

Assorted Day of the Dead stuff.

Dragonflies.

2011-04-08T13:45:00.004-07:00

Assorted beaded and domino Dragonflies.

Captured fairy Jars.

2011-04-08T13:29:00.004-07:00

I always thought this was a neat idea but got the idea of making the fairies 3 dimensional instead of flat. This is what I came up with. A good majority of them got given to Valley Of The Moon. They welcomed them with open arms and they are "Home".

Long overdue update

2011-04-08T13:10:00.007-07:00

Since I'll be applying for a craft instructor job. I figure it's time to update.

Been pretty busy since Nov. 2008.

First off, I got published!

Dec/Jan 2011 Stampler's Sampler! Page 52

Not the one I thought they'd pick.

I was hoping they'd pick the Steampunk one.

I submitted 2 more just to be on the safe side.

This was my second try submitting to Stampington. It was for the Tempting template.

Make it with a map swap.

2008-11-10T21:52:00.004-07:00

The only one I scanned. And didn't want to give up. Made it's way to Australia. For swapbot. AGAIN.

Dragonfly swap.

2008-11-10T21:46:00.003-07:00

Dragonfly swap for swapbot again. Some were made with Crayola's "Color Explosions". I LOVE this stuff!

Punk rock Dotee doll

2008-11-10T21:42:00.003-07:00

A swap for Swapbot http://www.swap-bot.com/.

Something new.

2008-10-25T18:16:00.005-07:00

I thought I'd try my hand at Dotee dolls. This is my first try. I may or may not make more. This one gave me a headache.

For a private Swap-Bot swap.

Non-Paper ATC

2008-09-11T06:59:00.003-07:00

For a Swapbot swap.

ATC had to be made out of anything but paper. I made them out of reclaimed leather (toss off scraps) and reclaimed "jewels" (pulled off of old clothing).

I bought the metal studs. Squares, tiger, and stars.

Shake it up swap

2008-08-16T23:30:00.005-07:00

Shaker cards again. I LOVE making shaker cards! I can't scan them on the scanner so I had to shoot them with the digital camera. Sorry if they are fuzzy.

The tiny buttons (2 holed) and the black Celtic objects are shrink plastic. (Shrinky Dinks)

Butterfly swap~ Swap Bot

2008-08-16T20:09:00.005-07:00

Did these for a Butterfly swap on Swap-bot. http://www.swap-bot.com/

The butterflies are stickers back to back with a metallic thread so they can "twirl" in the open part of the card. This was my first shot using the "hole" technique . I think I like it.

Cuppa Joe swap

2008-07-22T20:23:00.004-07:00

The Stok ones are the packaging from some black coffee shots I got from Grocery outlet. All the Starbucks ones are made from stuff I swiped from their shop. I don't drink coffee so I went with the sole purpose of swiping stuff for the ATC swap. Some fliers a coffee sleeve and a "Coffee Passport" whatever the heck that is, but there were cool pictures to be had in it. One is an ad from the Tucson Weekly and another is a label off an instant coffee with Milk can. All but 2 of them were made at work between phone calls. And the Java Pop is actual coffee soda I picked up at Big Lots. It says it's Hazelnut but the stuff tasted like Halloween candy corn...ICK!

June ATC's-Paint Chips

2008-06-20T20:05:00.003-07:00

So they aren't due until August. BUT I did get them done in June! The challenge was using paint chips, swiped from Home Depot. Yes I did it and they helped!

I made 4 of the one with the pottery. Call me lazy but I made the quota of 6 cards!

2008-02-18T20:58:00.003-07:00

Hand of Fatima swap. Just so you know, I STILL hate to draw. And this was my first shot at metal embossing.

Light As A Feather swap Jan 2008

2008-02-03T11:16:00.002-07:00

The theme was use feathers as a focal point. Real feathers or otherwise. The card with the white background was embossed with clear embossing powders then "cracked". Which wasn't hard to do because the darn card curled and I had to crack it to have it lay flat. Ah yes the "happy accidents" that always work out in the end.

Geisha swap. Jan. 2008

2008-01-12T21:01:00.001-07:00

Yet another long break. My New Years resolution was to do at least 1 swap a month. This is the first one. The first card is a shaker card. It's hard to see but there is a Geisha stamped on the transparent part of the card. Like a ghost image. Let's just say it's not my favorite.

Just foolin' around

2007-07-21T08:12:00.001-07:00

My try at faux stained glass. Leading is fabric paint. "Glass" part is a combination of glass paint and/or diamond glaze with Pearl-ex.

Anything but paper swap

2007-04-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

You were required to make ATC's out of anything but paper. 3 are fun foam (lizards, Gecko, I love ATC's) 2 out of 35 mm negatives, the humming bird was make on a piece of plastic from packaging from something I bought. Hey it was the right size and it worked!

Wallpaper swap

2007-03-25T18:50:00.001-07:00

After a long break from ATC's, no thanks to Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs (just kidding) my first swap. Wallpaper.

2006-08-13T15:23:00.001-07:00

And now for the "& Stuff" part of my blog. I threw caution to the wind and sent 2 shirts and a "Thank You" to Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" (Discovery Channel). I also sent one of my Devil's Claw dream catchers. I just hope to the powers that be, that I don't get tagged as a stalker or a fanatic. I was just given an idea and ran with it. The symbol is the Greek letter Mu which is also the symbol for micro. Get it? Micro=Mike Rowe. HEY IT WAS ALL STEVE'S IDEA!!! It was my idea to put it inside the Superman diamond. The worst that could happen is he hates it. Oh well. I gave it a shot.

Simply Charming take 2

2006-07-01T20:36:00.001-07:00

Simply Charming swap

2006-07-01T20:31:00.001-07:00

At least 1 charm per card required......This is what I came up with. Oh by the way, if you plan on using a wood burning tool on leather...it works very well. BUT it stinks like...yuck.

Pink and Green Swap

2006-06-28T21:50:00.001-07:00

Pink and Green swap 4 x 4 ATC Disco Tiki

& flowers

Weave swap

2006-06-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

5 cards I did for a weave swap. I didn't realized I signed up for (funny I only remember asking about it) but completed 5 anyway. The circle weave (purple & green) one was a test in patience. I'm sure there was an easier way to do it. The Greetings from Arizona one was 2 different photos of theGrand Canyon that I wove together, Paint chips for the "stone" look. The "Apple" and "Art" is quilling paper.

Americana swap take 2

2006-06-04T16:34:00.001-07:00

Americana Swap

2006-06-04T16:32:00.001-07:00

I'm not real big on the "Counrty" look but I think they came out pretty well.

Hello Kitty swap

2006-05-21T18:02:00.001-07:00

Hello kitty swap. I haven't made any Atcs lately due to the fact that I had a problem with an ex-family member. All ATCs are 3-D. The princess Hello Kitty has pearls on her dress and crown, well pearl color fabric paint. And the dots on her necklace and bow are kinda glass looking (fabric paint also)

Kitty-fly

2006-04-15T22:19:00.001-07:00

One of a kind, yep only 1 made. I'll probably not make another one. The wings a pearlecent/iridescence. And the Jewel on her collar is glass. The wings are made out of Makin's air dry clay.

Retro

2006-04-13T23:00:00.001-07:00

I did a series of 3 for this swap. I think I had too much fun with the Spirograph, it brought back alot of great memories from childhood. I had a hard time stopping! The spirograph ones vary a little. The series with the white peace sign on black has 6 different sayings, "Peace" "Groovy" "Groovy Man!" "Make Love Not War" "Far Out" and "Flower Power"

Last of mommy-isms

2006-04-09T14:33:00.001-07:00

"Trust me I know what I'm talking about."

"When I was your age..."

More Mommy-isms

2006-04-09T14:24:00.001-07:00

" Sit up straight"
"Mom"
""Can you be serious for 1 minute??"
(Obviously not by the looks of the card.) You can't see it but in the picture of my mom she is sticking out her tongue. The charms inside the card say "Fun", "Love", "Play", and there is a piece of tin that says MOM on it. That was a fun card to make and my first attempt to make a shaker card.

Mommy-isims

2006-04-09T13:58:00.001-07:00

All cards were made with pictures of my mother.

"Do as I say, not as I do."

"You're not going out looking like THAT!"

"Would you like to see your next birthday??" I heard that alot in my teen years.

Last of Stick Man, at least for now

2006-04-05T15:28:00.002-07:00

This is it until I make some more
Stick Man hikes Catalina Mountians (Tucson, AZ. He really should be carrying some water!) Stick Man visits the Biosphere (Oracle, AZ.). Stick Man visits Georgetown ,Colorado. ( I just LOVE Georgetown, it's soo pretty)

more stick man

2006-04-05T12:04:00.001-07:00

Stick Man goes fishing. Stick Man goes to the beach. Stick Man Visits Old Tucson Studios, Tucson,AZ.

Bored ATC's

2006-04-05T11:17:00.001-07:00

When I get bored or can't come up with ideas for ATC's I resort to my "stick man". Stickman gets doodled all over any kind of paper when I'm bored at work. I just took him one step forward and turned him into ATC's.

This post has stick man at the Luxor in Vegas, Stickman loves NY (I cheated the picture was taken at the New York New York casino in Vegas.) Stick man visits Roswell New Mexico, and Stick man visits the Grand Canyon. All the backgrounds were vacation pictures that I took and didn't like.

Sun And Moon swap

2006-04-03T18:54:00.001-07:00

I never realized how hard it was to
come up with 5 totally different cards.

The wood one is really wood. It was a thin
wood that Michael's used to put on their
mats for framing. I hate to say it but..
I went dumpster diving after that stuff.
Thankfully it was in a box!

The real sparkly one is actually holographic
wrapping paper between 2 sheets of paper
that I punched.

I don't like drawing (because I'm so bad at it)
but the ying/yang one was the last idea I
could come up with.

More....

2006-04-03T18:27:00.001-07:00

Kinda like chips,
once you start,
you can't stop.

Catchy Cats swap

My Thank you.

(for birthday ATC's)

Wild wild west swap.

Just for fun

2006-04-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

Psychodelic Bee
Yep I meant to spell
it that way!
I'm goofy !

Egyptian ATC

2006-04-03T18:03:00.001-07:00

2006-04-03T07:48:00.001-07:00

The next few posts are of an Egypt
swap I did. The background paper
is from a wall paper sample book
(yes it is real grass) that I
rubbed a coffee colored ink pad on
then ebossed with clear embossing powder. Comments?

Questions?

2006-04-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

Ok these are the ATC's I have made so far. If anyone has any comments, please tell me. If anyone has any questions...fire away, I'm more than willing to share what I know. I'm a teacher at 1 of the 4 Michael's craft stores here in Tucson, and I like sharing what I know.

More to follow tomorrow.

My new addiction

2006-04-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hello all who visit,

This is my blog on ATC's (artist trading cards) and stuff. I'm wanting to post pics and comments of my crafts. And would love any kind of feedback anyone is willing to share, good or bad. I'm open to all feedback, otherwise how am I going to learn what people like and what they hate about what I make. So far all feedback I have gotten have been from family and friends, pretty biased if you ask me. I want comments from people I don't know. So...let me have it, I'm a big girl I can take it. =)

thank you,
Wendy