Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Easter!


Happy Easter to all of my readers! 


I made this Ukrainian pysanky (Ukrainian Easter egg) from a regular chicken egg.
It is done with a multi-step wax-resist process similar to batik.
To see how they are made, or if you want to create your own, check out my
previous post, How To Make Pysanky


Happy Easter!





I hope you have a great week!Laura


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns





Thursday, March 28, 2013

Spring It On! Interesting Things Made With Old Springs



Metal, rusty, curly, bouncy, creaky, squeaky, bouncy springs!

Check out what some creative folks have created with old metal springs from chairs and beds and be inspired...







Springs to hold old flatware for crafts via French Larkspur
























Simple but effective Christmas bells decoration from old springs


Spring snowman decoration



















Ice cream holders from The Farm Chicks








Bed spring trellis from BFG


Bed spring wreath by Anita Sprio




 Chandelier made from old springs


Chandelier made from old springs 


 All you need to create this wreath is a wreath base, some old springs, and some wire


 Wind chimes made with old springs




What do you think?

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Article copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2020 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. For any link corrections please leave correct info in comment area.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Look! Mom's Dishes! ...Connections To Our Past




Sometimes I think I have the best job in the world, getting to work with beautiful 
china pieces day in and day out...sometimes it actually feels more like a privilege 
than an actual profession. After all, each of these plates and cups and saucers 
and other dinnerware pieces all have history behind them. They come from 
many different countries, from all around the world, and their beautiful 
patterns and colors give them a unique appeal that brings them to life 
unlike other ordinary household objects. 

We remember dishes. 
They're a part of our family in some ways, a part of each of our own personal histories. 
Have you not once in your life been somewhere, maybe an antique market or 
thrift shop, and come across an orphaned plate or cup that you instantly 
recognized from somewhere in your own past? 

At that moment of recognition, it isn't just "a plate" or "a cup," but mom's plate, 
or grandmother's cup. There is a connection. Often when that connection is 
made we find ourselves flooded with memories of family from long ago, 
or of our childhood, or of holidays and times past. If you're the 
sentimental type like I amit can be a comforting experience. 

I've been working with dishes for so long now that I know the patterns by name.
No, I don't talk to them, but in a way, they speak to me. I see them as
valuable, not monetarily valuable, but valuable in a way that fills your
soul with warmth and peace just as memories of loved ones do.
This was, after all, someone's grandmother's plate. 
Someone just like you. 












I hope you have a great week 
Love, Laura


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Bohemian Beaded Colored Mason Jar Tutorial



In my last post, Colored Glass Mason Jar Tutorial, I demonstrated how to 
create extremely cool and stylish colored jars with Mod Podge and food coloring. 
Now, take it a step further and dress up those pretty jars with some wire
 and beads and turn them into beautiful Bohemian hanging jars...



First, gather your supplies.  
Here is what you will need:


Craft wire (I used 20g around the jar and 26 g for the beads)

Craft chain (I used jewelry chain) and Jump rings (5-6mm) 


A variety of coordinating beads


Jewelry pliers - any type, small


Directions for adding wire & chain hangers to the jars: 



1. Cut a 3 foot length of 20 gauge craft wire and wrap the wire around 
the rim of the jar below the lip. When you get to the end of the wire, 
twist it together with the beginning end of wire until both ends are 
secured together, and then snip off any excess wire. Tuck any pointy 
wire ends against the jar with a pair of pliers. 

(Note: if you are going to add beads to your jar, do this before adding the chain hangers)

2. Measure and cut four equal lengths of chain. I made each of mine 8 
inches long. Attach lengths of jewelry chain to the wire with jump rings. 



3. Gather together the four lose ends of chain and attach together 
with another jump ring or with a piece of wire and close. 


To decorate your jar with beads:



4. Now cut another long piece of thinner, 26g wire (long enough to wrap around 
the neck of the jar a few times) and do the same thing you did before, wrap the wire 
around the neck of the jar, but this time, first secure the beginning of your wire 
to the wire that you already wrapped around the jar. Now add beads to 
the wire as you go along. 



I strung about 4 to 5 inches of beads and then stopped and wrapped my wire 
around the existing wire to secure it, then I continued, adding another 5 inches 
or so of beads, then again stopped and wrapped the wire to secure it, then added
 more beads, and so on. When you get to the end of the wire, wrap it around 
the wraps and tuck in any pointy ends with a pair of pliers.



5. You can also use additional pieces of wire or headpins to 
create beaded drops and attach those to your jar. 



6. Now attach your chain hangers as described above in step 2.



That's it! Hang in a sunny window. 

You can use this as a candle holder, but do not put the candle directly 
into the jar. Instead, place a candle inside a glass votive and then place 
the votive inside the jar. Not made for holding food or water unless you
use some type of liner inside the jar. 


This was my inspiration photo...


What do you think?



This DIY copyright Laura Beth Love 2013



Have a great week!
Laura

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Article copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2019 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. For any link corrections please leave correct info in comment area.