Can you believe it's nearly 2014?
The date still sounds so futuristic to me!
So looking forward to the New Year, here's what's coming from Mercian
Maiden:
- A Monthly Tutorial
Let's get crafty! Each month there will be a simple tutorial for you
to follow to make your own fantastic jewellery!
- A Monthly Legend
Talking a bit about a myth, legend or story, and how to incorporate it into
your art.
- Guest Posts
I've got a couple of guests, and hopefully will get a few more who will be
bringing you news from their crafting worlds!
- Shop Updates
About the new items that I make for the shop, or discussions on prototypes
for possible future items!
- Materials and Tools
There will be a few posts on various materials and tools throughout the
year, which will hopefully get some good discussion going.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas, and I'll see you in the New Year! :)
Monday, 23 December 2013
Thursday, 12 December 2013
Rediscovering Fimo (and Salt Dough!)
When I was little, I got one of those sets - beads and buttons. It came with some findings, varnish and little blocks of Fimo. I had a lot of fun with it; I think I still have the little cat face I made somewhere!
A few years ago, I wanted to have a go with some clay. But it was so troublesome, you needed a kiln, it was hard to come by... it was then that I discovered air dry clay.
I hated it.
I gave it a couple of goes, and made some passable models, but I found it to be like trying to stick bits of soap together. (Since then my sister has made some awesome models with it, and tells me I should give it another go, but with simpler designs. So perhaps a post on that will appear in the future!)
It never crossed my mind to pick up some Fimo.
Then I came across some fantastic models made of something called "polymer clay".
"What is this polymer clay?" I wondered.
I looked it up. It was Fimo! Well, they were actually using Super Sculpey, but the same as vacuum cleaners get called Hoovers, I tend to use the brand name generically. I'll try to stop doing that.
This year I decided to get some, just for fun and start making. I'm still learning new techniques all of the time, and I've been pleased with some of the results. Some of the pieces even made it to my shop.
So although it wasn't featured in the "Basic Materials and Tools" post, it is likely to crop up in some future tutorials. I'll probably do a post on polymer clay basics in the near future!
In the meantime, it's nearly Christmas, and all this talk on modelling has probably made you want to do some making. I made this poinsettia decoration for my Christmas tree out of Red Glitter Fimo Effect and Sun Yellow and Emerald Fimo Soft.
You may not have some Fimo in the house right now, but it's likely that you'll have the ingredients for salt dough - the perfect alternative for instant Christmas tree decorations!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water
1 cup plain flour
For baking and decorating:
Greaseproof paper
Paint
Glitter (optional)
Glue (optional)
Thread/ribbon
Put the Salt and Flour into a mixing bowl.
Gradually add the water, mixing with a wooden spoon as you go.
Turn the dough out onto a clean surface, and knead until you have the right consistency for making shapes - if it's too sticky, add more flour. Too dry? Add more water! (This can take a while; you may have to knead for up to 10 minutes!)
Now use your dough to make whatever you want! It is softer than clay, so you may not be able to do anything super fancy, but simple cookie cutter shapes, or models will work. (I once made a triceratops out of salt dough!) You can use a little olive oil to moisturise the dough if it starts to dry too much while you are working.
Once you have your decorations, you can either dry them in the microwave or the oven.
For the microwave:
Put them onto a layer of greaseproof paper, on a plate.
They will take 2 to 3 minutes.
(I have never tried this method of drying salt dough, so I'd love to hear how they come out.)
For the Oven
Preheat oven to 120C
Put your shapes/models onto a greaseproof sheet of paper on a baking tray.
Dry for 2 and 1/2 hours.
Your shapes/models should now be firm and dry. You can pain your models with almost any type of paint (acrylics are good), stick glitter to them, sequins - whatever you like!
Once they are dry, thread a ribbon or thread to hang them by, and decorate your tree.
Have fun!
A few years ago, I wanted to have a go with some clay. But it was so troublesome, you needed a kiln, it was hard to come by... it was then that I discovered air dry clay.
I hated it.
I gave it a couple of goes, and made some passable models, but I found it to be like trying to stick bits of soap together. (Since then my sister has made some awesome models with it, and tells me I should give it another go, but with simpler designs. So perhaps a post on that will appear in the future!)
It never crossed my mind to pick up some Fimo.
Then I came across some fantastic models made of something called "polymer clay".
"What is this polymer clay?" I wondered.
I looked it up. It was Fimo! Well, they were actually using Super Sculpey, but the same as vacuum cleaners get called Hoovers, I tend to use the brand name generically. I'll try to stop doing that.
This year I decided to get some, just for fun and start making. I'm still learning new techniques all of the time, and I've been pleased with some of the results. Some of the pieces even made it to my shop.
So although it wasn't featured in the "Basic Materials and Tools" post, it is likely to crop up in some future tutorials. I'll probably do a post on polymer clay basics in the near future!
In the meantime, it's nearly Christmas, and all this talk on modelling has probably made you want to do some making. I made this poinsettia decoration for my Christmas tree out of Red Glitter Fimo Effect and Sun Yellow and Emerald Fimo Soft.
 |
| Glittery bit! Woooo! |
You may not have some Fimo in the house right now, but it's likely that you'll have the ingredients for salt dough - the perfect alternative for instant Christmas tree decorations!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water
1 cup plain flour
For baking and decorating:
Greaseproof paper
Paint
Glitter (optional)
Glue (optional)
Thread/ribbon
Put the Salt and Flour into a mixing bowl.
Gradually add the water, mixing with a wooden spoon as you go.
Turn the dough out onto a clean surface, and knead until you have the right consistency for making shapes - if it's too sticky, add more flour. Too dry? Add more water! (This can take a while; you may have to knead for up to 10 minutes!)
Now use your dough to make whatever you want! It is softer than clay, so you may not be able to do anything super fancy, but simple cookie cutter shapes, or models will work. (I once made a triceratops out of salt dough!) You can use a little olive oil to moisturise the dough if it starts to dry too much while you are working.
Once you have your decorations, you can either dry them in the microwave or the oven.
For the microwave:
Put them onto a layer of greaseproof paper, on a plate.
They will take 2 to 3 minutes.
(I have never tried this method of drying salt dough, so I'd love to hear how they come out.)
For the Oven
Preheat oven to 120C
Put your shapes/models onto a greaseproof sheet of paper on a baking tray.
Dry for 2 and 1/2 hours.
Your shapes/models should now be firm and dry. You can pain your models with almost any type of paint (acrylics are good), stick glitter to them, sequins - whatever you like!
Once they are dry, thread a ribbon or thread to hang them by, and decorate your tree.
Have fun!
Monday, 2 December 2013
Tutorial - How to make a Festive Fairy Nest!
Sometimes when you are working away on your wire projects, you'll end up with some scrap wire.
Although there will be nothing wrong with the wire in itself, it will be so bent out of shape you just can't possibly use it for a project... or can you?
Here is an easy little project which uses up those scraps to make some cute earrings!
To make your Fairy Nest Earrings:
(You will also need some jump rings to attach the earhooks - I forgot to put them in the picture!)
This wire I used was left over from prototypes for my Holly Sea Glass necklace.
They already had wrapped loops in them from which I could hang the earring hooks, but if your scraps are not yet joined, you will need to make a wrapped loop in one part, and twist any pieces of wire that you are using together. Your wire lengths will need to be at least 2" (5cm) to work, and you will need a longer piece for the final step.
Step1: If you are working from a wrap, use your wire cutters to open them. You will need at least one piece of long wire with an open end.
If you are working from lengths, create a wrapped loop halfway along the longest piece of wire. Attach your other pieces under the loop using twists - don't worry if they slide a little, we'll fix that in the next step!
Step 2: Leaving your long piece of wire (in which the loop is formed) to one side, use your round nosed pliers to start to twist the other pieces up into a round bundle.
You may also find it helps you use your fingers to do this, but be careful of any sharp ends!
Don't bundle the wire too tightly, but this is where you can work loops over each other to hold the wire scraps securely.
Tips: Try not to bend the wire backwards and forwards too much if you are using pieces that have already been bent before, as this can weaken it.
Make sure you tuck any cut ends into the centre of your bundle so you end up with a smooth ball.
Step 3: Now for the fun part! Thread some seed beads onto your last length of wire. (These are the Fairies that will be flying around the nest!)
Step 4: Using your round nose pliers wrap the final piece of wire around the outside of your bundle, spacing the beads as you go.
Step 5: Repeat with another set of wire - or two if you want to make a matching pendent! It is entirely up to you, and how much scrap wire you want to use up! Be careful to check when you make your bundle that it is of an even size to your first nest.
Step 6: Using your jump rings, attach your earring hooks to the loops.... and you're done!
Tips: The size of the earrings will depend on how much wire you use and how tightly you wrap it. Why not try different amounts to make a bigger Fairy Nest?
I chose to use some multicoloured glass beads for my fairies, as they contrasted nicely with the dark green of the wire, and lent it a festive air, however your Fair Nest can be whatever colour you want it to be. Perhaps try out some silver beads with gold wire for an elegant look... experiment with whatever you have! :)
I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial, and look out for more coming in the new year!
Although there will be nothing wrong with the wire in itself, it will be so bent out of shape you just can't possibly use it for a project... or can you?
Here is an easy little project which uses up those scraps to make some cute earrings!
To make your Fairy Nest Earrings:
This wire I used was left over from prototypes for my Holly Sea Glass necklace.
They already had wrapped loops in them from which I could hang the earring hooks, but if your scraps are not yet joined, you will need to make a wrapped loop in one part, and twist any pieces of wire that you are using together. Your wire lengths will need to be at least 2" (5cm) to work, and you will need a longer piece for the final step.
Step1: If you are working from a wrap, use your wire cutters to open them. You will need at least one piece of long wire with an open end.
If you are working from lengths, create a wrapped loop halfway along the longest piece of wire. Attach your other pieces under the loop using twists - don't worry if they slide a little, we'll fix that in the next step!
Step 2: Leaving your long piece of wire (in which the loop is formed) to one side, use your round nosed pliers to start to twist the other pieces up into a round bundle.
You may also find it helps you use your fingers to do this, but be careful of any sharp ends!
Don't bundle the wire too tightly, but this is where you can work loops over each other to hold the wire scraps securely.
Tips: Try not to bend the wire backwards and forwards too much if you are using pieces that have already been bent before, as this can weaken it.
Make sure you tuck any cut ends into the centre of your bundle so you end up with a smooth ball.
Step 3: Now for the fun part! Thread some seed beads onto your last length of wire. (These are the Fairies that will be flying around the nest!)
Step 4: Using your round nose pliers wrap the final piece of wire around the outside of your bundle, spacing the beads as you go.
Step 5: Repeat with another set of wire - or two if you want to make a matching pendent! It is entirely up to you, and how much scrap wire you want to use up! Be careful to check when you make your bundle that it is of an even size to your first nest.
Step 6: Using your jump rings, attach your earring hooks to the loops.... and you're done!
I chose to use some multicoloured glass beads for my fairies, as they contrasted nicely with the dark green of the wire, and lent it a festive air, however your Fair Nest can be whatever colour you want it to be. Perhaps try out some silver beads with gold wire for an elegant look... experiment with whatever you have! :)
I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial, and look out for more coming in the new year!
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