Autism Awareness Necklace

Now that the Easter insanity has come to a close, I can finally show you this easy-to-make and able to be worn with everything necklace to celebrate Autism Awareness month. As some of you might know, I am an Autism Support teacher and hold this cause very near and dear to my heart. Autism now effects 1 in 68 children and there is no cure at this time. Researchers continue to work tirelessly to determine its cause and are getting closer to determining factors. Knowledge is power, folks, and bringing awareness to this cause can only help increase support and understanding of individuals on the Autism spectrum. For more info., feel free to check out this awesome site. Here are the steps to make a necklace of your very own!

Materials:

-chain with closures (mine was about 18")

-puzzle piece charm (Hobby Lobby and Michael's both sell them in their "Charms" sections)

-split ring

-blue, faceted glass bead

-head pin

-wire cutters

-needle-nosed pliers

Instructions:

1. Using needle-nosed pliers, open the split ring and place the puzzle piece charm onto it.

2. Place blue bead onto head pin and cut remainder of the pin about 1" above the bead. Create a loop using needle-nosed pliers

3. Place blue bead onto split ring. Close split ring using pliers.

4. String pendant onto the necklace. If closures are too large, simply open the split ring and close once around necklace.

Together, let's Light it up Blue for Autism Awareness!!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Jewelry

October is filled with so many exciting things...leaves changing colors, Halloween, candy, parties, pumpkin-flavored everything, the list goes on and on. In fact, October becomes so chaotic at times that we have to remind ourselves that it is also breast cancer awareness month. Unfortunately, my aunt Debbie needed no reminders that October brings added awareness to the evil that is breast cancer, as she received her diagnosis of an agressive form of Stage 1 breast cancer early on in the month. If I know my sweet aunt, I have no doubt she will fight this battle with determination, class, and quiet strength, just like she handles every obstacle that has ever come her way.

My school recently held a Spaghetti dinner, in which each classroom was asked to donate a raffle basket. For my classroom, our basket theme was a no-brainer. In our "Be Aware" basket, we included a pink journal, shoelaces, scarf, t-shirts, cup, keychain, and tote bag, along with the bracelet and earrings set and necklace shown in the pictures. This one's for you, Deb! We love you and have absolute faith that you will fight and win this battle.

For more information on breast cancer, please visit THIS SITE!

Not-So-Lame Vocabulary Review-Definition Necklace

Remember Fridays in high school, where all you wanted to do was get through the school day so that you could hang out with friends at the football game later that evening or go see the newest movie at the local theatre, and the only thing standing in your way was the dreaded, weekly vocab test? Gah, I hated those things! Who can say they have ever used the words "nonchalant" or "rebuke" in a conversation?

As a matter of fact, I also can't recall the last time I used a dictionary (sorry, Mr. Webster!)...until now! Using some simple and inexpensive materials, and vintage dictionaries, I have been able to make these awesome, definition necklaces and give them out as gifts!

Here are some of the materials used to create this awesome jewelry!

Definition of "hope" necklace for a very special friend

I did a variation on this necklace for this gift to my sweet mama!

The possibilities are endless with these necklaces! Using vintage, sheet music, I made this music note necklace for Claire's Kindermusik teacher.

Multiple definitions can be incorporated, as well! This necklace was made as a giveaway item for my sister's blog.

Please contact me at hoybycrafts@gmail.com if you are interested in a custom, definition necklace.

Revamped-Mug stand to jewelry-holder

                

I currently can't get enough of thrift stores and finding items on the cheap to makeover into items that are fun and functional! This past week, I found a mug holder at my local thrift shop in the ugliest color of green I have ever seen! I've been working very hard lately to see past ugly colors and marks on products like this one, so after determining that the item itself was in great shape and was able to be revamped, I paid my $.99 and brought that bad boy home with me, determined to turn it into a bracelet holder using chalkboard paint (which, I absolutely love and encourage any crafter to purchase and have on hand at all times!). I sanded it, sprayed two coats of chalkboard paint on it, let it dry and Voila! I plan to keep this on my nightstand to hold all of my bracelets, but I may also use it in the future for craft shows to display bracelets I've made, along with their prices, which can be easily labeled with chalk! Yaaay for old items made new again (and for very little moolah, no less)!

Before-seriously, how uggo is this color of green?

After

                         

Ta-Dow!!!

Mod Podge Jewelry

One of the coolest, simplest craft projects that I have seen throughout the many (and I mean many) craft blogs I've perused involves using glass beads, typically used as fillers for vases and decorative pieces, Mod Podge, scrapbook paper or pictures, and magnetic discs to create adorable, decorative magnets.

I decided to alter the idea a smidge and turn them into cute, inexpensive pendants that could be interchangeably strung onto a chain to match every outfit or theme you've got goin' on!

Here's how its done:

Materials:

-clear, glass stones (typically sold in packs of 20ish for $1 at your
 local, dollar store...whoop!)
-Mod Podge
-paint brush
-computer/printer
-scissors
-E6000 glue
-circular bail plate

Directions:

1. Search personal pictures and images/patterns online and print out (I copied/pasted into Microsoft Word and adjusted the pics into circles approximately the same size as the beads).

2. Cut images to fit the flat side of the glass beads

3. Using a paintbrush, coat the flat side of a glass stone with a thick
    layer of Mod Podge. Lay the image on top of the Mod Podge so  
    that the non-image side is facing upward. Allow Mod Podge to
    dry

4. Paint a layer of Mod Podge over the image to seal. Let dry.

5. Using E6000, glue a circular bail plate to the back of each stone and let dry.

6. Trim off any excess paper around the glass stone.

These make adorable pendants, but could also be put onto ring bases to be made into chunky rings! Enjoy!!!

Washer Necklace



If I were to make a pie chart based on all of the time I have spent crafting in my lifetime, a giant chunk of that pie would be reserved for jewelry-making; however, small, metal pieces and beads plus an eight-month-old moving around and putting everything she grabs into her mouth makes for one VERY anxious madre! Needless to say, that pie piece keeps getting more and more narrow; however, every once in a while, I have a jewelry-making binge fest while my sweet pea naps. My most recent binge resulted in this washer necklace. I was inspired by a variety pack of washers I found at my local dollar store, so I got right to work on turning them into a super cute necklace using split rings and chain, bringing the total cost of the necklace to under $2.00.  Here are the steps I took to complete this sweet accessory:

The box of washers purchased for just $1. Whoop!!!

Materials:

-split rings

-chain cut into 9, 12-link pieces

-6 extra small washers

-6 small washers

-4 medium washers

-1 large washer

Instructions:

1. Cut chain into 9, 12-link pieces

2. Attach a split ring to the end of a piece of chain and a split ring and lobster clasp to another piece. These will form the necklace closure.

3. Attach one of the smallest washer to the opposite ends of each of the chains using a split ring and needle nosed pliers

4. Attach a split ring to the opposite side of the washers on each side of the necklace and connect to another piece of chain.

5. Continue this process with washers gradually increasing in size. At the end of the 7th and 8th pieces of chain, attach one split ring to each side and connect both rings to the largest washer.

6. Attach a split ring and the final piece of chain to the bottom of the largest washer.

7. Using split rings and washers of various size, attach them to the middle chain randomly.

And there ya have it, folks! Frugal and fab!!





Make Your Own Mustache Necklace




Mustache necklace

Yes, I am well aware that I have created at least two other posts involving the use of a mustache or multiple mustaches (which I can't promise won't get worse in the upcoming months, as my nephew's first birthday theme is "Mustache Bash"), but come on....they're just so much fun, and I will never be able to grow my own, so I must find creative ways to use them artificially!

This particular necklace is easy to make if you have some basic, jewelry-making knowledge. In fact, I found the hardest part to be finding the awesome mustache pendant (for those of you interested, this one was discovered at Hobby Lobby), but now that you know where to find it, this should be smooth sailing!

Tam modeling her very own mustache necklace

Materials:

-4 split rings
-lobster clasp
-chain link (size and style is your choice)
-mustache pendant
-wire cutter
-needle nosed pliers

Steps:

1. Wrap chain around neck and use wire cutters to cut on each side according to how far down you wish the pendant to lay
2. Using needle nosed pliers, open a split ring and put through one end of the open chain
3. While still attached to the chain, place the split ring through one hole of the pendant and close the split ring with pliers
4. Repeat steps 2-3 on the opposing side of the chain
5. Using wire cutters, cut in the middle of the chain opposite the pendant (If necklace is long enough, clasp may not be necessary and you can skip this step altogether). Attach one split ring to one side of the open chain and a split ring with lobster clasp on the opposing side.

TA-DAH!!!

Wedding Jewelry

2010 was certainly the year of the wedding in my family, and I had the privelege of being the official wedding "jeweler" of three of those weddings! Here are some pics of the jewelry made for the weddings of my sister, brother, and cousin. If you know anyone looking for their very own "wedding party jeweler," please let me know, although I do require advanced notice, as my upcoming months will be very hectic, haha!



Jewelry (necklaces and earrings) for wedding #1 of the season (my cousin Elizabeth's) modeled by her beautiful bridesmaids Rebecca, Kyra, Sarah, and Jill




A closeup of the jewelry, modeled by two of the beautiful bridesmaids, Kyra and Rebecca

The lovely mother-of-the bride, my Aunt Rene, looking gorge in her necklace and earrings set

Three of my sister-in-law's bridesmaids modeling their necklaces, Katelyn, Leann, and Naomi (matching bracelets were also made but are not shown) for wedding #2

Myself, my mother, and my sister modeling the necklaces made for them (also for wedding #2); mom wore a really cute black, white and turquoise dress as the M-O-B, so her jewelry was made to compliment her look

My beautiful sister, Kyra, modeling the  jewelry (necklace and earrings) made for her for wedding #3

The spectacular Tammie modeling her bridesmaid jewelry (my sister wanted a different set of earrings and necklace for each bridesmaid featuring pearls and silver, so this was a really fun wedding to "bejewel")!

Kyra and three off her bridesmaids, myself, Sarah, and Tammie modeling their jewelry

The lovely Elizabeth modeling her spectacular bling!

 

How To: Decorate a Ring

Here's a SUPER easy project for anyone to try:

Materials:
-Craft glue (I use E6000)
-metal ring base (usually can be found at any craft store)
-large bead (or any craft item you'd like to wear as a piece of jewelry; in my case, I used a flat, turquoise bead)

Example of a ring base used for this project

 Instructions:
1. Squeeze a dime-sized drop of craft glue onto the bead
2. Place the center of the ring base onto the glue to adhere
3. Allow the glue to dry overnight (keep the ring bead-side down to allow to dry appropriately)
4. Enjoy!!!

Trying My Hand at Metal Stamping

I have always admired crafters on Etsy and other sites that create metal-stamped jewelry. Being the type to leave no craft unturned and wanting to try my hand at this task, I asked my mom for a set of metal stamps for my birthday a few years back. Little did I know just how much more I would admire those types of crafters, as metal-stamping is a very precise craft that requires an extremely steady hand. How metal-stamping crafters are able to stamp names, dates, and quotes onto pendants with consistent pressure and uniformity, I will never know. In other words, I stick to one-letter stamping and often go through multiple stamping disks and plates before getting even one centered and looking the way I want it. For this particular project, I decided to create initial and birthstone charms for my sister and sister-in-law in honor of their little ones, Royce and Camdyn, respectively.

Materials:

-metal alphabet stamp set
-metal stamping disk (with hole drilled)
-small anvil -hammer
-necklace chain
-permanent marker
-steel wool
-craft epoxy
-flat-sided rhinestones

1. Line up the alphabet stamp of choice in the middle of the disk and hold it steadily

2. Using a small hammer, hit the flat end of the metal stamp repetively, making sure to hold the stamp steadily

3. Once the letter has been successfully stamped, scribble over the entire letter with a permanent marker

4. Using a piece of steel wool, rub off the permanent marking, leaving only the outline of the letter stamped darkened

5. Wipe off smudges and fingerprints with a dry cloth

6. Using craft epoxy, glue a rhinestone to the disk for decoration or, in this case, to symbolize birth stones

7. Add a split ring through the hole in the disk and string onto necklace chain to wear proudly

Simple Turtle Cuff Bracelet

Turtle pendant made for Tam

My best friend Tammie LOVES turtles! As a result, for one of her Christmas gifts, I simply bought a cuff bracelet blank at Hobby Lobby and an adorable turtle pendant I found at Michael’s. Using 9100 epoxy I glued the turtle pendant to the center of the cuff and allowed it to dry overnight. Voila!!! An item that appears store-bought is actually homemade (not to mention personal, far less expensive, and super easy to complete!). This could virtually be done with any type of pendant, bead or found item!!!

Example of a blank bracelet cuff similar to the one used

How To: Scrabble Tile Pendant-Autism Awareness

Autism Awareness Scrabble tile necklace

So, I tend to develop a new, craft-related obsession every few weeks, whether it be a new craft material I’ve discovered or an awesome project I’ve found online (this is the part where I plug www.pinterest.com once again!). This week, my obsession is SCRABBLE TILES!!! Who knew you could do so much with game pieces and some craft materials (which I happen to have a few of)! My first Scrabble tile-related craft is a pendant.

As a teacher of children with Autism, I not only have the privilege of working with some amazing kids, but also with incredibly dedicated, caring, and gifted adults. In my classroom, I have three other women who work with me on a daily basis which (just ask my husband) isn’t always easy. Despite the challenges that our students present, these women handle every situation with positivity, humor, and grace. When it came to figuring out appropriate Christmas gifts to give them, I knew it had to be something appropriate to what we do on a daily basis and made with love.

The fantastic thing about Scrabble tile pendants is that you can virtually use any picture of your choosing as the centerpiece of the jewelry. Since the symbol for Autism Awareness is a multi-colored puzzle piece, my choice of picture was simple.

Here are the instructions to make your own:

Materials

*Square bail plate (sized a little smaller than a Scrabble pendant)

*Scrabble tile

*Picture printed and cut out to fit Scrabble tile

*Modge Podge

*foam paint brush

*necklace chain

Directions

1. Using a very sturdy, craft epoxy (Tacky glue or a hot glue gun simply won’t cut it, folks!), glue the bail plate (I bought mine in a pack of four at Hobby Lobby) to the lettered side of the Scrabble tile. Let dry overnight.



2. Print out an image of your choice to fit the blank side of the Scrabble tile. Note: An average Scrabble tile is 2 cm. x 1 ½ cm, or .75 inch  x .83 inch and cut out.

3. Using your foam brush, brush a layer of Modge Podge onto the blank side of the Scrabble tile.



4. Adhere your picture to the Scrabble tile. Give it a few minutes to dry a bit so that it does not slide all over the pendant for the next part.

5. Paint a heavier but consistent level of Modge Podge over the top of your picture. Let dry and paint on another layer.

6. After the pendant dries, spray an acrylic sealer over the picture-side of the pendant

7. Once the pendant is completely dry, string the necklace chain through the loop at the top of the pendant.



Voila! Easy breezy!!! PS-If you know any of my classroom assistants, mum’s the word until Christmas!