Make It // gold-dipped earrings

It's Monday! And for today's Make It I'm showing you how to make

gold-dipped polymer clay earrings. I'm loving the dipped look! This DIY 

is simple and a quick project. So let's get started!

You will need:

polymer clay

earring posts

razor

gold paint

paint brush

glue

painter's tape

*work on a clean surface when working with polymer clay. It tends to pick

up everything. Also, you can wear latex gloves to keep the clay from 

sticking to your hands and to keep your prints off the clay.

1. Cut a small piece from your polymer clay and knead the clay. I'm using 

Sculpey brand polymer clay. Knead the clay until it has become soft. 

2. Roll your clay into a ball and cut that ball in half with your razor.

3. Shape your two pieces of clay any way you like, just make sure

they have one flat surface.

4. Once your clay is shaped the way you like it's time to put it in the oven! 

Your polymer clay will say on the packaging how long you should bake the

clay. Mine is set to 275 °F  for 15 minutes.

5. After the clay is done baking, let cool. I let it cool for 15 minutes.

Now tape off your clay where you don't want it painted. Next, paint your clay.

Let dry and paint another coat. Repeat for the third time.

6. Once your paint has dried, slowing peel back the tape from the clay.

7. Add a dab of glue to your earring post and attach to the back 

of the clay. Let your earrings cure untouched for 24 hours so the glue

will have it's maximum bond. 

That's it! You now have a pair of gold-dipped earrings! Yay!

These little earrings would make a great gift for mom on Mother's Day!

Also, you can make your polymer clay piece bigger and make a ring or necklace. 

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Happy Making! 

♥

Make It // Mini Zipper Pouch

It's Monday! You know what that means...it's a MAKE IT post! 

Today I'm showing you how to make a mini zipper pouch. This is a great

beginners project; and it's simple and fun to make.

Also, Mother's Day is coming; make your mom one! 

Let's get started:

You will need:

Fabric (One for outer fabric, one for lining)

Interfacing (optional)

zipper 

scissors

thread

sewing machine

1. Cut 2 pieces of the outer fabric and 2 pieces of the lining fabric 

(mine measure 4 1/2 X 5 1/2)

Interfacing is optional but I love using it whenever I'm making pouches. 

I mainly use cotton fabric and the interfacing helps make it sturdy. 

 I used a fusible nonwoven interfacing. 

2. Get one of your lining fabrics and place it right side up, put your zipper

on top of your lining fabric and then place your outer fabric right side down onto the zipper and lining. Make sure all three edges line up and pin them together.

If you have a zipper foot use it; but if you don't, no worries we can

just use our regular ol' pressor foot. Sew along the top between the edge 

and the zipper teeth. 

Pull your fabric back and press it with an iron.

3. Repeat step 2! 

Pull your fabrics back and press with an iron.

4. Now that you have all fabrics attached un-zip the zipper halfway. 

This is important because once you stitch the pouch you will need 

to turn it right side out...through the opening. I forgot once, it was not fun.

5. Bring your outer fabrics to one side and your lining fabrics to

one side and pin them together. Lay your zipper on top of each other 

with the zipper teeth facing the lining fabrics.

Leave a 2 inch opening in your lining. If this is forgotten you have no way

in turning the fabric inside out. I've forgotten this step once before as well,

it was also not fun.

6. Sew around your pouch (except the opening) 1/4 inch from the edge.

Sew slowly when sewing over the zipper.

7. After sewing, snip your corners and excess zipper. 

8. Through your opening turn the fabric right side out.

Your pouch should look like this. Now press! 

9. Pin the opening and sew it closed.

10. Push your lining inside...

And you have a lined zipper pouch! Yay!! 

Wasn't that fun and simple?

If you made this size pouch it is perfect for holding your credit cards, cash,

license, lip balm and coins! You can make any size pouch with this method

just cut out a different size and get a zipper that fits. 

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! 

Happy Making!

♥

Make It // Wood Mushrooms

This is my first Make It of 2012! I'm going to show you how to make 

cute little wood mushrooms! They are easy to make and look adorable on bookshelves.

We like to call them bookshelf enhancers. 

Let's get started!

You will need:

wood candle cup (available in craft stores)

wood split ball (available in craft stores)

Glue

White paint marker

paint brush

acrylic paint

1. First we are going to glue the split ball to the candle cup. 

Let it dry for a few minutes. 

2. Get your acrylic paint and start painting the top of your mushroom.

Let it dry and add a second coat. 

3. After the paint is dry it's time to add dots to the mushroom top

with your paint marker.

That's it! We're done! So simple and speedy to make. 

These little guys are ready to look cute on your shelves! 

Happy Making!

♥