Giveaway Time!!!

Hello everyone! I have reached 150 likes on my facebook page which means it is time for a giveaway!

These are the earrings that you could win! The contest will end the last day of July and the winner will be announced on August 1st so enter soon!

Cabochon Earring Tutorial With Fun New Images & Lace Edges

This tutorial is similar to previous tutorials but I have introduced some new items & also discovered a new method that I wanted to share!

This is what the finished product will look like:

You can purchase these earrings here

You can purchase these earrings here

Supplies:

• 12 mm glass cabochon
• E6000 adhesive
• 12 mm circles 
• 12 mm cabochon setting 
• Blank earring post 
• Toothpick
• Mod Podge - not pictured

Optional supplies:

• Jewelry hammer

Prep:

• Protect your work area & make sure you are working in a well ventilated area. 
• Gather needed supplies

Directions:

• Instead of using Mod Podge I am now using the E6000 glue to adhere the image to the glass cabochon. I am doing this now because I was having some issues with bubbles between the glass and image which can be seen below. The first step is to apply a fair amount of glue to the bottom of the glass cabochon. This is a very tricky step and takes some practice. If you apply too little glue you will end up with some bubbles and if you apply too much you will overflow. 

Above you can see the bubbles that were occurring with the Mod Podge

• The next step is to apply the glue covered cabochon to the image. It is very important that you do not press very hard during this step. I found that pressing too hard to spread the glue caused most of the glue to spill out the sides and then I ended up with bubbles. You want to apply a light even pressure just until the glue is spread evenly across the image without bubbles. Repeat this step for the second cabochon. 

• Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the back of the image on the cabochon & allow this to dry completely. This step is to ensure that the image does not bleed when applying the rest of the E6000 glue

• After the Mod Podge has dried completely, apply a small amount of E6000 glue to the cabochon setting and place the cabochon in the setting. Press down lightly to spread the glue. You don't want to press too hard or the glue will overflow. Allow this to dry for about an hour before moving to the next step. 

• This step is optional. This step requires the jewelry hammer to hammer down the lace edging. I prefer to do this step but it is up to you if you want to complete this step. Lightly hammer the edges of the cabochon setting inward. I like to do this step because it gives it a nice finished look and if the glue ever fails, the hammered edges will hold the cabochon in place. 

Below is a comparison of hammered on the right and not hammered on the left:

• The final step to making your earrings is attaching the earring base to the cabochon setting. For this step I also use the E6000 glue. Place a small amount of glue on the earring base and apply to the center of the cabochon setting as pictured below. You will want to leave this to dry upside down for several hours or preferably overnight before wearing. 

You now have beautiful new earrings! 

Check out my Paper section to see more images for earring making! Below is a sample of other paper designs that are available in my supply shop or in my jewelry shop if you wish to purchase the earrings. 

Related Links"

• 12 mm glass cabochon 
• 12 m antique bronze cabochon setting
• Blank earrings base
• Tree paper circles
• Orange & yellow flower paper circles
• Green tree earrings
• Orange & yellow flower earrings
• Kit for making earrings from this tutorial

I am now selling handmade tags and a few other paper products! Here is a preview of my new products!

I have been wanting to do paper products for a while. I was even considering opening up a separate paper etsy store but I just decided to include them in my supply store because it is easier.

Here is a preview of new paper products that I will be listing soon! Let me know what you think or if there is anything you would like to see in my shop!

These are the colors that will be available! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Nail Polish Adjustable Ring Tutorial!

Hello everyone!

This is another simple tutorial using nail polish! How awesome is it to turn your favorite nail polish into jewelry that you can wear all the time!

This is what the finished product will look like:

If you prefer to purchase this ring, it can be found HERE

A kit for making this ring can be found HERE

Supplies: (supplies link to my etsy supply store)

• Nail polish of your choice 
• Antique bronze ring base
• 12 mm glass cabochon
• Toothpick for applying glue
• E6000 glue (forgot to include this in the picture)

Prep:

• Gather all needed supplies
• Cover work area (I use a piece of paper)

Directions:

• Paint the back of the glass cabochon with the nail polish. You want a nice even layer so that you don't get bubbles. If you put the polish on too thick you will get bubbles. I find that the easiest way to paint the cabochon is by placing it in between two fingers as pictured below. If you choose to layer nail polish, paint the one you want on top first. 

• Allow the cabochon to dry completely and then if needed add a second coat. You can test if a second coat is needed by placing the cabochon in the ring tray. If the color darkens or changes at all then paint a second coat and allow that coat to dry completely before moving on. 

• Using your toothpick apply a small amount of glue to the inside of the ring tray as pictured below. Don't overload the glue or you will have glue spilling out.

• Place your painted cabochon in the ring tray and squeeze firmly between two fingers. 

• Allow this to dry and rub off any extra glue and your ring is finished! Now you can wear your favorite nail polish all the time! 

Related Links:

• Antique bronze ring base
• Silver ring base
• 12 mm glass cabochon
• Antique bronze ring making kit

Mint Leaf Earring Tutorial- Made With Nail Polish!

Hello again!

These earrings have been very popular so I though I would share how I make them with you. You read the title correctly, these earrings are painted with nail polish! Just think; you could turn your favorite nail polish in to a wearable piece of jewelry! How fun is that?

I like to use nail polish for these because the polish adheres well to the rough metal. I have not tried this with other paints but I am sure there are other paints that would work as well.

This is what the finished product looks like:

If you prefer to purchase these earrings, they can be found here

A kit to make these can be purchased here

Supplies (supplies link to my etsy supply store)

• Nail polish- a color that isn't transparent
• Earring hooks- antique bronze or silver
• Filigree leaf pendants
• Jewelry pliers

Optional supplies:

• Additional nail polish colors
• Acrylic sealer

Prep:

• Gather supplies and protect working surface
• You will want to work in a well ventilated area

Directions:

• The first step is to crinkle the leaves. Doing this gives them a more natural look and adds depth to them. The leaves come flat so you have to crinkle them by hand. The metal is thin and easily bendable. I just use my fingers to bend them until I am satisfied. Please be careful while bending the leaves as they may have some pointy edges. 

Flat:

Bending with my fingers:

Crinkled:

• Step 2 is painting the first coat of nail polish on both of your leaves. Do not push hard on the brush. For the most coverage you want to create a 3d layer of polish on the leaf. Think domed like a water droplet. Slowly and lightly drag the brush across one side of each leaf. If polish spills over the side make sure you move the leaf from that spot on the surface. Otherwise the leaf will be stuck to the surface. Now let that side dry completely, moving them every once in a while to ensure that they aren't sticking. You especially want to do this is you are doing this on paper. I have ruined a couple by getting paper stuck to them. Drying time differs depending on the nail polish

• Step 3 is exactly like step 2 except on the other side of the leaves once the fist side is completely dry. Paint the back of the leaves and let dry moving them as they dry. The easiest way to move them while they are drying is to carefully nudge the edge of the leaf with your finger or a pen.

• This part is optional depending on the coverage that you want. I painted a second coat of polish on each side just to get better coverage and better color. This is done exactly like steps 2 & 3. Allow the leaves to dry before moving to the next step. 

• This part is also optional but recommended. I have made these without using an acrylic sealer and they hold up just fine but I like the extra protection to prevent chipping. Using an acrylic sealer, spray both sides of the leaves completely ( I like to do 2 coats). If you choose to seal them do not just lay them on paper because they will just get stuck and make a mess. Below is the setup that I use for sealing jewelry. You can buy these at Michael's or make your own from a cardboard box. I taped beading string across the top and made S hooks from wire to hang the leaves.  Let the leaves dry completely before moving them or touching them (the acrylic spray contains acetone which will cause the nail polish to smudge if you touch it).

• Once everything is dry we can finish the earrings by attaching the hooks! Bend the loop on the hooks to the side using your pliers. Hook the loop through the circle on the leaves. Close the loop by bending it back the the original position. You now have a pretty new pair of earrings!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Here is an example of using multiple nail polish colors:
  

 Related Links:

• Buy silver earring hooks
• Buy antique bronze earring hooks
• Buy leaf pendants
• Buy a kit to make these earrings