BOTTLE CAP CRAFTS

BOTTLE CAP EARRINGS

BOTTLE CAP MAGNETS


One year, when I was on vacation, I was at a local arts and crafts fair, and I saw a clever idea. An artist was selling earrings made from pop bottle caps, like Nehi Orange, Grape, etc. When I returned home I decided to expand on the idea. It's hard to find soft drinks in bottles anymore, but beer bottles are easy! I started out making earrings from my favorite beer bottle caps like Blue Moon, Bud Lite, Michelob, etc. They were very popular with many of my co-workers and I gave them away as gifts.
Then I saw the possibility of making earrings with different logos such as my favorite college team, the University of Louisville Cardinals. I was able to find a variety of stickers and logos to glue on to the bottle caps, as well as painting my own.  I then expanded to magnets, which was so much easier! I painted the bottle caps with regular acrylic craft paint, attached a sticker or painted on a logo, then applied a coat or two of clear varnish or polyurethane.
I found small round magnets at Michaels. I cut a round piece of foam to put inside the bottle cap, glued it and then the magnet. I wanted the magnet to sit out a bit from the back, so the edges of the bottle cap wouldn't scratch your fridge or wherever you placed your magnet. You don't even really have to glue the magnets on, since they already stick to the metal bottle cap!! Easy and fun!!
The possibilities are endless, you can make pendants for necklaces  or hook them together to make cool bracelets! Love to hear any other ideas you crafters come up with for using bottle caps!!!!!!!

LET'S GO CARDS!! WIN FOR WARE!!

JUST WANT A QUICK POST TO CHEER ON THE LOUISVILLE CARDINALS MENS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR REACHING THE FINAL FOUR!!

For those of you who might not know, Louisville player Kevin Ware was seriously injured in the win against Duke. He suffered a horrible compound fracture of his lower right leg.
So, the team is dedicating their efforts to #5, Kevin Ware!!!

LET'S GO CARDS, PLAY HARD AND BRING HOME THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP !!!

DRY, CHAPPED CRAFTER'S HANDS?? HERE'S A SOLUTION!

EASY, QUICK, INEXPENSIVE SOLUTION FOR THOSE 
                  CHAPPED CRAFTERS HANDS!!!

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with my blog lately, but I'm very busy in graduate school, working towards my Master's in Nursing. Also, a friend and former co-worker was killed in a tragic car accident and it's been difficult to deal with....

Chapped, dry hands are always a hazard for crafters, especially with the glue, paint, stains, etc. we deal with.
Years ago a hair stylist gave me a terrific tip, which I have expanded on. I was complaining about how my hands get so dry in the winter, which was compounded by my crafting and washing my hands so much.
She told me to use hair conditioner or creme rinse as lotion for my dry skin!
Ever since then, I've been hooked! You can use any type of conditioner such as the example above, Suave, White Rain, etc.
I also use the little packets of conditioner that come with my hair color (yes, I color my gray hairs, don't tell!). Those are great to tuck in your purse or suitcase when travelling.
The best part is you can find these and other name brands at your local dollar store!!
Believe me, the conditioner works just as well as any lotion, and you can get them in a nice variety of scents. I generally use the ones for dry hair. Dry skin, dry hair, they work on both!!

Another tip from hair salons:  Many use their line of shampoo in their restrooms for hand soap!
So, when you're at the dollar store buying conditioner, pick up a bottle of shampoo and put it in your kitchen and bathroom soap dispensers.
Again, you can find shampoos in a variety of scents and colors to match your mood and decor!
Note: Some people believe you need to use antibacterial soap, but I will tell you that as a Registered Nurse I know that studies show antibacterial soap is no more effective than regular soap. The key is the physical act of washing your hands thoroughly.
Antibacterial soaps are also more drying to the skin.

SO, CRAFTERS, NO MORE DRY HANDS!!
IF YOU TRY THIS, LET ME KNOW, AND GIVE ME YOUR TIPS ON WHAT WORKS FOR YOUR CRAFTERS HANDS!!

Glitter Bows

GLITTER BOWS!!

Just found some great sale ribbon and made these cool bows!!
The top one is red velvet glitter, the bottom ones are pink and purple glitter, of course with bling!


So, you might be asking yourself, who are these bows made for?
Good question. Many years ago I owned and showed American Saddlebred horses. I showed at local county fairs, prominent horse shows in the south and at the World's Championship Horse Show held in Louisville, Ky at the Kentucky State Fair every August. There are strict rules for what you wear when you show, and they include for daytime a three piece custom-made suit, jod boots, derby hat and gloves. Everything has to be properly color coordinated to match not only yourself but your horse. You want a put together look that stands out and makes a good impression.

For women, the look, especially the hair, has to be neat and well groomed. Most with longer hair pull it back into a small bun. It has become the rage to attach a color coordinated bow to the middle of your bun, and that's where my bows come in. Glitter and bling are super popular today, especially with the younger girls. Colors have varied over the years, ranging from pale pastel pinks, purple, lavender to eye-popping neons. Most love a bling crystal in the middle of the bow. I started making and selling bows a number of years ago and have been mildly successful. I love finding the right color ribbon, making each bow by hand and then knowing some show rider will be wearing my creation in the show ring!  

Here's a lovely picture of a World Champion horse and rider. You can't see it, but riders like her are wearing bows on their hair buns! Maybe mine! That's what keeps me excited about what I do!

SOCK SNOWMEN

Sock Snowmen!!

These cute guys are made from crew socks. They are filled with rice and then tied off. The top of the socks are folded over to make their hats! Then you can add embellishments such as ribbon, glue buttons on, etc. Their faces and arms are drawn on with magic markers and the noses are painted on. Easy and cute!

Wine Cork Keychain Tutorial

Step by Step Instructions: Wine Cork Keychain

You will need:     

wine cork (real cork or plastic, both work well)

(2) flat washers (size #10, available at any home improvement or

                               hardware store)

(2) screw eyes (size #212, home improvement or hardware store)

(1) large split ring (24 mm)

(1) small split ring (12 mm)

charm, silver-tone of your choice (get at Michael's, Hobby Lobby)

clear hobby glue (such as E6000, etc.)

                                             Step One

                Glue washers to each end of cork, allow to dry.

                                                                   Step Two

                After glue is dried, twist screw eyes as far as you can 

                     into each end of cork through the hole in washers.

                  Hint:  Apply a little glue to the threads of the screws to 

                            help secure them and ensure they won't back out.

Step Three

             Let glue dry, then attach large split ring to one screw       

                   eye and small split ring to the other screw eye.

                                              Step Four

              Attach your charm of choice to the small split ring.

                        The large ring will be for your keys!

                              Voila!! Your keychain is done!

Here are some examples of great wine cork keychains                              I have made and sold. I try to match the charm with the 

cork, for example, for a Turning Leaf wine cork I used a 

leaf charm, and I found a cute fish charm for Fisheye wine!   

                           

                                    Use your imagination and have fun!!

           These make great stocking stuffers, secret Santa presents,

                             great for bunco or door prizes...

Bottle Cap Crafts

                                                       It's college basketball season!!

                                                        Got crafty with bottle caps!!
                                   Made some earrings to wear when I watch my favorite team
                                                         the University of Louisville!
                                                      Now ranked #2 in the country!!

                                                             GO CARDS!!!!!!!\