New Year, New Computer, New Goals

It's a new year, I finally have an updated computer that doesn't take an hour to down load a simple picture and a new goal of posting on my blog at least once a week. Since last posting only a mere 2 1/2 years ago a lot has changed. Well maybe not so much. I am no longer working for Amate Studios but still keep in close contact with them. I am currently working as a floral designer. My new obsession is making purses. I haven't been able to find a purse that I am in love with at any store with a price tag that I wanted to pay. Seriously, anything over $30 is just ridiculious for my taste. Did you know that there a million free patterns to make purses on line? I never looked until last week and I can't stop looking. Now only if I had the time and money to make all the purses I want to I would be in heaven. On my day off last week I mad a trek to Jo Ann's. I only spent 2 hours looking at all the fabric trying to decide what kind of purse I wanted to make. Well I actually had an idea when I went in but that always changes when you see all the choices! In the clearance section I found a black textured vinyl and a green vinly among other things. I found a pattern over at Ucreate crafts and got started. Here is my finished product!

New Projects on Amate Studios

This is a Pepsi inspired pendant that I made with no hole micro beads and Amate Studios Large Star pentant. Looked great on the 4th!

Flat Rings!

OK I love the flat rings. You can do so many different things with the rings. The last one was a little more industrial this one is much more fun and frilly!

Flower Ring
Created by Susan Johnson

Supplies:

Flat Ring, Amate Studios™
Bitty Blossoms, Bazzill Basics
Large Polka Dot Brads, Bazzill Basics
Dazzle Tac Jewelry Glue, Beacon Adhesives
Stickles Glitter Glue, Ranger Industries Inc.

Directions:

1. Using three flowers, layer them one facing up, one facing down and then one facing up. Layering the flowers this way gives them more dimension.
2. Put brad through the flowers.
3. Use Dazzle Tac Jewelry Glue and put a small amount of glue on base of ring.
4. Attach flower/brad to ring. Hold pieces together for a minute to adhere.
5. Set aside to dry.
6. Embellish with Stickles Glitter Glue.
7. Set aside to dry.Wear and Enjoy!

Has it really been that long?

I am kind of supprised that it has been since January that I posted! Since I keep up the Amate Studios website and now blog I guess I forgot about my own. There definatly has been a lot going on. Hopefully I will keep the post up now. Amate Studios now has a Design Team! YEAH!!!! The Design team is so wonderful. Now everyone can see other peoples designs on the website and not just mine. Here is a project that I created just before Winter CHA09. It is a spinning ring! I used Tim Holtz sprockets and Game Spinners on Amate Studios Flat Ring. For directions click here. There have been lots and lots of new projects uploaded to Amate Studios website.

Vintage Clay Jewelry

Here is a piece of "Vintage Clay Jewelry" that I created. Hopes this helps get your creative juices flowing.

Materials:

Amate Studios XL Square Pendant Micro Beads
Fimo Clay Pasta Machine
Texture Plate Clay Knife
Craft Paint Jewelry Glue
Foam Paint Brush Baking Tray
Metallic Pen Oven
Scrap paper Pencil

Instructions:

Use scrap paper to make a template of the inside of the pendant. Set aside.
Condition clay as directed on package.
Roll clay in Pasta Machine on largest setting.
Press texture plate firmly into clay.
Use template to help cut out clay with clay knife.
Bake clay per directions on package of clay.
Let clay piece cool completely.
With foam brush, brush craft paint lightly over top of clay. Let dry completely.
Use the Metallic Pen to highlight any areas that you would like, you can make dots, dashes or anything else you would like.
Glue clay into Amate Studio XL Square pendant using jewelry glue.
Now for a finishing touch you can add come jewelry glue to the edge and pour Micro Beads over the glue. Press Micro Bead into the glue to make sure that they stick. Set aside to dry.
Finally attach to your favorite chain or to a beaded necklace.

Christmas Ornament

Double Sided Christmas Ornament
Designed by Susan Johnson
Inspired by Robin Beam

Supplies:
Jumbo Double Sided Circle Pendant Trays™
Gluefoil™, Streuter Technologies,
Gluefilm™, Streuter Technologies
Cuttlebug™, Winter Jelly Emboss Folders, Provo Craft
Grungeboard™ Plain, Tim Holtz™ Idea-ology,

Adirondack Ink Metal Mixative Copper Adirondack® Ranger
Acrylic Paint Dabbers, Ranger Industries,
Craft Iron, Clover,
Fine grit sandpaper
High Gloss Acrylic Varnish, Liquitex,
Ribbon
Paintbrush
Towel

Directions:
Preparing the Pendant Artwork:
1. Create a template for the bed of the pendant using scrap cardstock. Hint: ink rim of pendant, press onto paper to use as a template, trimming until it fits into pendant snugly.
2. Turn on Craft Iron to medium setting. Cut plain Grungeboard and Gluefoil to the same size (cut to specific size of pendant or with a larger piece to make multiple pendants).
3. Layer glue side of Gluefoil to Grungeboard. Place iron to Gluefoil; do not move the iron around, as it will cause the foil to move around.
4. Pick up iron; make sure the foil stays inline with the Grungeboard. Press down with towel or scrap paper, allowing the glue to cure and bond to Grungeboard.
5. Place Gluefoil/Grungeboard “sandwich” into embossing folder; move to area of embossed pattern that would look best in pendant. Emboss with Cuttlebug. Repeat the above steps for the other side of the pendant.
6. Trim as needed so foil will fit into pendant; sand edges. Note: some pendants are deeper than others. With a deeper pendant, cut a second piece of Grungeboard and glue with a piece of Gluefilm cut to size. With the foil fitting flush with the edge of the pendant, it will look even more “finished”!
Adirondack Paint Dabbers and Stickles Glitter Glue
1. Shake paints to mix properly. Dab paint onto Craft Sheet and paint in image with Water brush. Paint background first, then details. Make sure there is not too much water on brush, as the paint will tend to bead onto the foil surface.
2. Let dry. If needed, add a second coat as necessary.
3. When completely dry, lightly sand surface to allow some of the paint to rub off and create a vintage or distressed effect.
4. Dab distressed surface with Brown, Black Paint or White and allow to dry.
5. Mist towel with water and rub off excess black, brown or white paint to further age.
6. Use Stickles Glitter Glue to create an extra sparkle.
Paint metal surface with 1-2 coats of Acrylic Varnish. This will prevent paint or alcohol ink from coming off the surface.
Adirondack Alcohol Ink
1. Place Copper Alcohol Inks onto piece of Blending Foam (this reduces any “lint” that is left onto inked surface). Tap onto Jumbo Double Sided Circle Pendant Tray and let dry. Add layers of Alcohol Inks as necessary until desired color is achieved.
Putting it all Together!
1. Cut Gluefilm to size of pendant bed.
2. With heat tool or craft iron, heat pendant. Carefully place Gluefilm into bottom of pendant. The heated metal will melt the glue.
3. Immediately (and carefully) place artwork into pendant, pressing down to create a solid bond between the glue and Grungeboard bottom layer.
4. Tie ribbon on loop and then add an ornament hook and add to your Christmas tree.

Happy Halloween!

Here are a couple of Halloween inspired projects that I have created lately. The first one I used metal tape and grungeboard, the second I used paper scraps to make a Halloween scene. Enjoy!