Ears to You Blog Hop

Hey All-

Awhile back, Amy at Copper Diem posted about an organization called Ears To You.  They donate earrings to cancer patients to give them a little pick-me-up while they are going through treatment.  Amy invited us all to make some earrings to donate and then share them today as part of a blog hop.  You can check out my earrings below and be sure to stop by and visit some of the other blogs!

I chose to use this as an opportunity to play around and make different earrings than I normally do.  So I didn't use any wood, fabric, or paint.  Crazy, huh?  The designs are all much simpler but I hope they find a good home.

This last pair is my favorite.  I have these "Made With Love" charms that I sometimes attach to jewelry I make.  I suddenly thought, why not make them into earrings?  That way the person wearing them will know they were made with love :)

Other Blog Hop Participants:

Copper Diem
My Addictions
Beads, Tea and Sweets
Juls Beads
Fabric of my Life
Blogging Business Artisans
Jeannie's Blog
Lorelei's Blog
One Kiss Creations
Backstory Beads
According to Katie
Cherish Designs
Beads: Rolling Downhill
Falling Into The Sky
Garden Path Beads
Antiquity Travelers
Sissy and Jacks
Erin Siegel Jewelry/Art Bead Scene
Northwood Creative Studio
SilverRose Designs
Dreamin of Beads/SAS Jewelry Design
Cabe Woman
Summers Studio
Honey from the Bee
Shaiha's Ramblings
Mama's Got to Doodle
Beads for Busy Gals
Tanya McGuire
Creative Atelier

EBook on Blogging

Hey Everyone!  I recently contributed some photos to an eBook and I wanted to share it with you.  The book is written by the very talented Lori Anderson and is full of creative prompts for bloggers. 

You can purchase the book by visiting Lori's blog and clicking on the link in the right sidebar.  If you do, look for some photos by me!

Blogger Update: What I Did

Hi guys.  Thanks for the nice feedback on my new blog design.  I worked really hard on it and then got nervous that I shouldn't have changed it, so it's nice to get positive feedback :)  Today I wanted to share a little bit of my process and some tricks that worked for me.  Hopefully it will help you out if you decide to redo your blog.

First of all, I created a new blog just to work on my new template.  I was scared of messing up my current blog so my new blog was kind of like a dress rehearsal.  To do this, go to your main blogger page and click the "New Blog" button.  I just called mine "Jenny's Test Blog."

I then found a blog design I liked from this website.  You will be able to change your template a little, but the less you have to change the easier it will be.  I downloaded it and got a file for a template.  It will be an .xml file.  You can then upload it to your test blog.  In your dashboard, click on Template and then the Backup/Restore button.  You can then upload your template file.

Now you have your design.  This is where the fun begins.  I went through and tweaked a lot of the template to get it to look the way I wanted.  I don't have any sort of training in this, so I just did a lot of trial and error.  The nice thing is you can find a tutorial on almost anything if you search online.    Also, if you are editing you HTML, you can preview each change before you save it.  That way if something is completely wrong, you have the option of clearing the edits without saving.

If you feel totally lost looking at the code, try searching for a key word.  I found this helpful when I was trying to change the names on some of the header tabs.  I would search for what it was and then type in what I wanted it to be instead.

Once you have it looking pretty good, go back to the Backup/Restore button and this time click "Download full template."  Then go to your original blog.  MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE TO BACK IT UP.  If you have that saved, you can always put it back the way it was.  Once that is done, upload your saved template and prepare to tweak it all over again.

One more tip.  Back it up.  If you think you should back it up, back it up.  If you don't think you should back it up, back it up.  And name your files.  Otherwise you end up in tears, scrambling to find a way to put it back the way it was before you deleted that one piece of code (yeah, that was me Saturday night).

Wow.  I thought I would share more but that is a good starting point.  So much of what I did was specific to my template that I won't really try to explain it.  But feel free to ask if you have questions; I would love to help if I can.  I'm still working on things.  My comment reply button wasn't working so my temporary fix was to delete it until I figure it out.  Oh well :)

A Few of My Favorite Craft Blogs

As I promised earlier, I'm going to share a few of my favorite craft blogs.  Most of my favorites are the ones that share unique projects and detailed tutorials.  Here are a few highlights:

First is Craft.  This blog features lots of different projects.  I think my favorite thing about it is actually that it points me to other blogs.  Craft typically highlights a project and then points you to the source.  I've discovered some great projects and blogs through here.

Second is Dollar Store Crafts.  This blog highlights lots of cheap projects and tutorials.  It is definitely a great source of inspiration.

Third is Just Crafty Enough.  These are the ladies that brought me the Iron Craft Challenge.  I love visiting this blog to see what other Iron Crafters are making and also see some fun tutorials. 

Finally is Stay at Home Artist.  She won me over with her freezer paper stencil Harry Potter shirt (which I now own).  Her tutorials are always fun and detailed.

That was just a few of my favorite craft blogs.  What are some that you have found and love?

Some Funny Blogs I Love

Today I felt like sharing some of the blogs I enjoy reading.  For some reason, I chose to focus on the humor blogs.  I don't know, maybe I'll share some craft blogs next.

First, The Bloggess.  I discovered this blog after seeing this post pinned on pinterest.  I laughed so hard reading it.  I can identify with the love of buying random junk.  This post reminds me of my at a thrift store, except I usually lack the witty banter.

Next, Hyperbole and a Half.  Funny stories+strange drawings= awesome blog.  They are all gold but here are a few of my favorites.  This post on being an adult reminds me of me because I constantly get on these missions to clean everything super thoroughly; those last about a day.  This post is also amazing simple for being amazing.  Anyone who has ever seen a dog will appreciate it.

Okay, those are my two favorites.  The rest are craft blogs and I will share those later this week.  What are some of your favorite humor blogs?

"Fabric" Blog Buttons Tutorial

Hello readers.  Someone commented the other day asking how I made my buttons on the side (subscribe, facebook, etc).  This question, combined with the fact that I haven't posted a tutorial in awhile, inspired me to create this how-to.  It was pretty simple, so come follow along!

In this example, I will be using a Facebook button.  I started by finding a really simple button to use.  If you find one with only two colors (no fancy shadowing) it will be much easier to fill in.

Next, you need to find the pattern you will fill it in with.  For my blog, I scanned some fabric that I use in my pieces.  You can do this pretty easily or use another pattern.  Whatever you use, start by opening it up in photoshop.

Now, you will need to define a pattern.  This is a fancy way of saying Select-All and then Edit-Define Pattern.  You can then save your pattern.

Now you need to go back to your Facebook icon.  Open it up in photoshop.  Use the magic wand to select the entire blue portion.

Select Edit-Fill.  You will choose custom pattern.  Find your fabric (or other) pattern from before. 

That's it!  Occasionally you will need to troubleshoot a bit with size of pattern if it looks funny. (To do this, just re-size your original pattern and then do Define Pattern again).

How was that?  Do you have questions?  I've never taken a class in Photoshop and I definitely have spent hours figuring things out.  So don't feel dumb if you don't know what I meant with some words like magic wand tool.  I'll try to answer any questions you have but there are also really great tutorials online. 

Custom Microsoft Tag

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you may remember when I created this tag reader necklace.  I was pretty excited about it...till two nights ago.  My husband told me that I could create a custom image tag.  I dived in right away and after a bit of twiddling around on photoshop, I had this:

Cool, right?  Scanning this will bring you to my blog.  It was hard, but definitely not as hard as you might think.  If you want to try your hand at creating your own, this guide was pretty helpful.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Things About Me!

I saw a post on craft blog about sharing 5,4,3,2,1 things about yourself.  I've been enjoying reading others' posts, so I'm going to join in the fun!  If you have done this as well, I'd love to read yours too so please feel free to share them in the comments.  Alright, ready?  Here we go!

One Project You Are Particularly Proud Of

Painted Bunting

1. A tray that I painted a couple of years ago.  It was the first bird that I had ever painted and I did it by following a step-by-step out of a songbird painting book.  We still have it in our apartment because I don't think I could part with it.  

Two Mistakes You've Made in the Past

Success Print on Etsy

1. Only two? Well,  staying in grad school as long as I did.  I was miserable six months in but I kept hoping it would get better.  Nope!  I don't regret going to school though because I think it taught me a lot about finding something that I love and not worrying so much about finding something "successful."
 
2. Painting our kitchen orange.  Ugly, ugly, ugly.  Luckily it is turquoise now.


Three Things That Make Your Work Unique

Song Sparrow Clutch on etsy

1. Using materials in new ways.  It's both my gift and my downfall.  As soon as I make one thing or learn a new technique, I'm looking for ways to use it in a new way or combine it with something else.  It's led to some unfinished projects.  I can't ever knit anything too large because as soon as I figure out my technique works, I want to start over and try something new.


2. Variety.  I can't stick to one craft so I'll try anything.  Painting, knitting, sculpting, metalwork.  If there is a class or book on it, I'll try it.  Shoot, I don't even need that, just give me a craft store and I'll read the back of the box.


3. Novelty.  I try to keep my pieces fresh.  I definitely am inspired by others and don't presume that no one has ever made something similar to me.  But I do my best to make every piece really stand out.  


Four Tools You Love to Use

1. Pliers. Essential for jewelry-making and pretty much anything I do.  They are my daily crafting tool.

2. Sandpaper.  It's such a small thing but can make a huge difference between a finished and unfinished piece.

3. Sewing Machine.  I just learned to use it this year, but it's been so helpful.  I'm no longer limited by thinking "oh well it would take so long to sew that."  I can do a quick seam whenever I want!


4. Photoshop.  Of course for editing photos for showing off my work, but also for editing images to use in my work.  I paint birds but then love to use the images over again in different ways.  Photoshop is great for editing them in the way I need.


Five Inspirations

1. Nature. If you've spent any time on here, you know I use birds in a lot of my work.  They're so pretty!

2. Pinterest.com.  Yeah, I could spend hours looking on here.

3. Thrift stores.  I like to go about once a week and do a lap.  I'll find fabric to use in my pieces or a cool wooden box to fix-up.  


4. My Husband.  He is so supportive and a great designer himself.  I love bouncing ideas off of him and listening to his thoughts (yes, you can go awwwww).


5. Blogs.  I subscribe to way too many blogs because there are about 150 new posts in my google reader every morning.  Oh my.  There are just so many creative people out there!


 

I Want To Know About You!

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I like featuring the work of other artists' as well as my own.  I've added something to my blog to help me find out about the cool work that you are doing!  I now have a section called "Get Featured" that you can find in my top page bar.  Click there and you will find a handy-dandy form to tell me about yourself.   If you are interested, just fill in as much as you can/want and you may just read about yourself on my blog!

Please let me know if you have any questions about this.  I'm not sure how often I will be doing these features yet; it may depend on the responses I get.  I look forward to hearing from you!!

I Won a Giveaway!

Oh man, I am so excited.  I recently won a giveaway from Pretty Things blog.  My prize, some really pretty sequins and vintage beads.  I'm so excited!  Plus, isn't the packaging adorable? 

A New Blog Feature-Tutorials

Have you noticed the new tutorial page on my blog?  You can find the link on the tabs near the top.  I thought it might be a nice way to group my tutorials for easy access.  I had quite a time getting the pictures to lay out the way I wanted and link to the proper tutorials.  Luckily, I found a great tutorial on editing the HTML to get it to look the way I wanted.  Thank you etsy blog team :)

Fiesta!

Pinata Picture Source

Last night we had a fiesta-themed birthday party for me.  Complete with tacos and pinata (poor little pinata).  Friends, food, fun.

With no where to hang him, we used a paint roller extension pole, held by my husband.

My sweetie pie husband continued the trend of animal birthday cakes and made me a sea otter cake.

The sea otter is holding a shell and swimming through a rocky cove.

 My friend Kim gave me a fantastic bird business card holder.  It will be perfect for my upcoming show!!

And finally, in keeping with this theme, here is an etsy treasury inspired by the event.  And special bonus, every item on here was posted by the EtsyBloggers Team.  Enjoy!

iHanna Postcard Swap

Each day, I read LOTS of blog posts and during this process, I found a great blog called iHanna.  She talks about lots of great crafty things and recently organized a handmade postcard swap (look at some of the postcards here).  It sounded like fun so I thought I would give it a try.  I was randomly assigned 10 people to mail postcards to.  Let me show you what I've been working on!

I decided to try something new for these, so I did ink illustrations and painted them with watercolor.  I stuck with my signature birdies:

I'm a little nervous about mailing watercolors, but I sprayed all of the postcards with sealer, so hopefully that will keep them safe.  I'm flying blind here, so we'll see what happens.

Here are some finished pictures of all of the birds.  I tried going for a less realistic image and more stylized.   I'm happy with most of them, although my dark-eyed junco looks a bit like a penguin.