'WOYWW 2/27/2013 - Lucious Lovely Fabric Beads - Freebie Tutorial!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes


Howdy and welcome,

For WOYWW, wanted to share these wrapped fabric beads on my table that I just finished making - plus the tutorial based on how they were made!

Photo credit:
David Daruszka for Creative Media Wizards

I used red  fabrics from Maria's stash that I recently 'inherited'.

She had a box of handmade blue fabric beads in her stash - that were incredible. I had never seen fabric beads before...I had seen samples of wrapped paper beads in the past, but I always thought they were ugly. I examined Maria's fabric beads under my magnifying light to see how they were made. Then I made mine - but a bit differently. 

DURATION

I made my beads over the course of one week...Here's a tutorial if you want to try your hand at this!


Tutorial


SUPPLIES / MATERIALS LIST

· Beads - assortment of small beads and seed beads

· Coffee stirrer straws – smallest diameter

. Containers - small divided containers -  I used containers from The Container Store

. Craft mat

· Fabric scraps – cotton (minimum of 2” x 6”) - I used about 6 different patterns. I tried different types of fabrics and blends - but only cotton worked for me

· Fibers - assorted thin scrapbooking fibers - I used eyelash novelty yarns and metallic

· Glue - for this project I experimented with several (White glue, Fabric glue, 3-in-1 (my fave for this project))

· Paint - gold acrylic paint - 2oz. bottle

. Paper towel

. Palette (optional)

· Quilting ruler (or metal edge ruler)

· Rotary cutter (any size)

· Round-nose plies

· Scissors - fabric

· Scissors - Tonic

· Stamps – rubber or acrylic - foreign sript and foreign text designs

. Styrofoam scrap from old packaging - approx. 12" x 3" x 3"

· Toothpicks - equaling the number of beads you want to make

. Water spritzer

· Wire – assorted colors of thin gauge craft wire (I used black, red, gold) small enough to fit through your beads

. Wipes

· Wire cutters

PREP COMPONENTS

1. Stick a toothpick in Styrofoam every inch - make 2 or 3 rows, staggering the placement of toothpicks between rows.
2. Cut some coffee stirrers 2 inches long - then cut a few to 1 inch. Set aside in container.
3. Cut short length of fibers approx. 1 3/4" long. Set aside in container.
4. Cut wire approx. 3" long - one wire for each bead you are making.
5. Using round-nose pliers, make a loop on one end of wire. Set aside in container.
6. Cut cotton fabric into rectangular strips measuring 2" x 4" using rotary cutter or fabric scissors. I chose red fabrics with gold prints or bold prints.
7. Cut cotton fabric strips into long triangles with a 2" base.

GOLD STAMPING

1. Alternately stamp script or text on right side of fabric triangles using gold acrylic ink. Dry overnight.

WRAP FABRIC

1. Lay stamped fabric triangle wrong side up/right side down on craft mat.
2. Squeeze a thin line of glue onto triangle about 1" from base and 1/4" from each side of triangle.
3. Place straw between base and glue.
4. Wrap fabric tightly around straw pressing base of fabric triangle into glue.
5. Hold straw and fabric with left hand.
6. With right hand, squeeze a thin line of glue down center of triangle stopping 1/4" from tip.
7. Continue rolling fabric tightly around straw, smearing glue into fabric to the tip. Drop bead onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
8. Spritz paper towel with water to slightly dampen it.
9. Wipe glue off craft mat with damp paper towel. Then dry craft mat with dry paper towel
10. Clean glue off your hands with wipe - then dry your hands on dry paper towel.
11. Repeat steps 1-10 until you have made all the beads you need for your project.

TRIM ENDS

1. With the Tonic scissors, lightly trim the two ends of each bead so that the straw is flush with the fabric. Also use the fabric scissors if the fabric starts to fray. Set aside in container.

PAINT ENDS

1. Lightly dip both bead ends into a puddle of gold acrylic paint - enough to cover the fabric edges and hide the straw. Use a palette - or I used the paint inside the bottle cap. Drop onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
2. Repeat step 1 for all remaining beads.

WRAP FIBER
 
After fabric has completely dried on the toothpicks, it's time to wrap bits of fiber around each bead.
 

1. Squeeze a very small drop of glue onto center of bead.
2. Choose one matching or contrasting fiber.
3. Wrap fiber diagonally onto bead in a spiral going from top to bottom clockwise, while smearing glue in the center of fiber. Don't glue the fiber all the way down - leave each end unglued a little with the fiber sticking out.
4. Drop bead onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
5. Spritz paper towel with water to slightly dampen it. Wipe glue off craft mat with damp paper towel.
6. Clean glue off your hands with a wipe - then dry your hands on clean paper towel.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 until you have wrapped all the beads with fiber you need for your project.

WRAP WIRE / STRING BEADS
 
Goal is to string 10-20 beads per fabric bead.

1. Hold fabric bead in left hand vertically.
2. With your right hand, place wire loop on left side at top of fabric bead - and press loop down with your left thumb.
3. Holding bead in left hand, hold wire in right hand, tightly wrap one wire diagonally in a spiral going from top to bottom clockwise, stringing 3-5 beads every 360 degree turn as you wrap the wire. Leave a 1" tail at end of wire.
4. Make a loop at end of wire and press loop tightly to bottom tip of bead. If wire is too long, cut a bit off before making the final loop.
5. Admire your handiwork!

NOTE:  These fabric beads are suitable for hanging on the wire binding of an altered book, art journal or scrapbook. They are NOT suitable to wear for necklaces, earrings  or bracelets because of body oils and perspiration.

Let me know if you try this technique. Send me a link to a photo of your fabric beads on your blog or website.

Thanks for stopping by - and please leave a comment.

Here are more artist desks for WOYWW if you want to take a peek!

Peace,
LuLu

'WOYWW - Back in the Fray with Planners and BuJo's!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes



Howdy and Welcome,

I've been MIA from WOYWW for a while.

Here is my office/planning desk today. There are about 4 different projects going on this desk. I need to re-organize and FOCUS!

There are 2 Passion Planner journals, my current planner/calendar (Paperpads.com), 5 collections of washi tape, fountain pens, Frixion erasable bens and markers, turntable with divided platter of handy supplies, BIC wite out tape runner, stamps, sticky notes,  and more, and, more, and more, and...etc.

If you want to see my exciting news, check out my previous post today!

If you want to see more artists desks on Wednesdays, visit WOYWW here!

Thanks for stopping by - and please leave a comments.

Peace,
LuLu

'WOYWW - My Neat and Tidy Table - huh?!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

After the Scrap-A-Thon retreat I hosted during Halloween weekend and the holidays, my table was a disaster.

I finally had a chance to tidy up a bit recently.

LuLu's Art Studio - Northern exposure - Chicago IL, USA

And I actually sat down and played in a couple of my Art Journals! But mostly I've been practicing my knitting and crochet - which I think are great for cold weather.

Want to see more studios? Head on over to Julia's blog - click here.

Thanks for stopping by - and check out my FREEBIES on this blog!!!

Peace,
LuLu

'WOYWW - Springtime in Paris!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome


On the table is my entry for the 'Springtime In Paris' contest sponsored by Michaels. This is the assemblage cover of an art journal I created for this contest with a Paris theme. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a peek at more artist studios for WOYWW, visit Julia's blog here.

 

Thanks for stopping by - please comment, become a Follower and come back soon

 

Peace,

LuLu

http://makeit-markit-maskit-mixed-media.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

'WOYWW - 2014/09/02 - New Project, A Mess, New Website, Plants & Freebies coming Soon!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes



Howdy and Welcome,

This week for WOYWW, my worktable is a mess.

But in my defense, I'm in transition to a new project. I just got another commission to create another art/journal/scrapbook/fatbook for a new client! She found my shop on eTSY.com!

So this is how my creative space looks just before the big cleanup.

I also just launched my jewelry website. I've been paying for the url address for years - and finally finished all the pages. Included is a Calendar page with my new jewelry classes listed.

I taught a DIY Washi Tape class this past July to an AJ group I joined on Facebook. In 2015, I will be teaching another DIY Washi Tape class in my studio. If you happen to be in the Chicago, IL area, I would love for your to take a class with me. www.nuvoclassic.com

 

LuLu's DIY Washi Tape Class - Samples

 

Before summer wanes, have a look at the lovely coleus that I planted this Spring. They have really grown bushy - isn't their foliage gorgeous? Nothing survives in this shady spot except the coleus. It's a kitchen garden designed by previous owners of our house. But the sun only shines here for a few hours. So it's not sunny long enough to support herbs, flowers or veggies.

YOUR TURN
How do you transition between art projects? Do you do a massive cleanup, to start with a clean and tidy table?

Here are more artists studios from Julia's blog WOYWW - click here to go visit.

Thanks for stopping by. Please become a follower, leave a comment and come back soon. Some FREEBIES are coming later this month to celebrate my birthday!

Peace,
LuLu
www.nuvoclassic.com

'WOYWW - 9 July 2014 - Down to the Wire Mixed-Media!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome,

I'm in the final stages of an art project for a contest with deadline rapidly approaching!

Vintage and foreign book pages for making 'oil papers'.

Compartmental box for Joe Cornell 'homage'.

 

I got a lot to do yet, including finishing 2 art journals - so I better skedaddle!

 

Thanks for stopping by - please become a Follower and comment, too! Come back soon.

 

For more artists digs, click here to drop by Julia's WOYWW blog hop!

 

Peace,

LuLu

 

 

'WOYWW - 38 years, Washi Tape class and Box o' Art!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome,

Yes - it has been ages, for-ev-er, since my last WOYWW post. So much has been going on in life - medical issues with both me and my husband (we're ok now), in addition to technical difficulties. Which apparently will never be resolved - thank you, Google.

Google no longer supports the browser I use on my desktop computer. So now, to upload my pix or post to my blog, I must share my hubby's laptop computer. Egads! Which is hard, because he uses his laptop all day. 

Speaking of hubby, this Thursday we celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary - with a local overnight road-trip! It will be good for us to get away from Chicago and see more local flora. We're visiting a nearby mansion and their famous gardens! My hubby loves gardens and his veggie gardens on our 'estate' are growing incredibly. For our anniversary dinner, I hope to have sushi, too - and maybe a movie this weekend. Can't wait!

Anyway, while hubby is out today, I'm taking the opportunity to commandeer his laptop and upload a photo of my worktable. It shows the genesis of an art project. I hope to complete this piece before the contest deadline and enter it. Wish me luck! I have grandiose ambitions for this project and not enough time.

'Box O' Art'

Spray painted multi-compartment box with some ephemera ideas

Also, I've been invited, by my Art Journal group, to teach a class on DIY 'Washi' Tape! Woo-hoo!!! That's scheduled in a few weeks. I've already developed the Supplies list and description - so I'm on top of it. Hopefully, I'll have photos to post here from the class.

Meanwhile, I would love for you to visit my youtube.com video - it's my Paris art journal accompanied by music from the rock band I led for a 'hot minute'. Please LIKE it and comment!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBhmKB4OtRU

YOUR TURN

Have you ever made a shadow box? If, so did you construct it from scratch - or did you use a 'found' box? What bits and bobs did you use for the contents? Did you use any cold joins? What was your fave adhesive?

Thanks for stopping by - please leave a comment, become a Follower and come back soon!

For more artist's digs, click here to see Julia's WOYWW blog hop.

Peace,

LuLu

'WOYWW 2014/01/15 - Happy New Year Giveaway, Haul, Commission, Tutorial & Giveaway!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Happy New Year to all,

I'm back with a lot of news.

HAUL
Here's my recent haul from a local Archivers scrapbooking store that, I'm sad to say, is closing next month.

Haul from Archivers store closing

 (ink pads, ink sprays, Distress stains,

SNAP & Brag Book photo albums,

 SNAP page protectors) - yeehaw!

COMMISSION
I just got a rush commission late  last week for a set of invitations - carte blanche to design, print and assemble, stuff envelopes, address and mail. When I get a rush job like this, I charge the client a 'rush' fee in addition to the project fee...

In progress assembly for 2 components of invitation commission.

I stamped and signed the back cover first.

 

 

Over the holidays, hubby and I went on a road trip to Paducah KY. We wanted to visit the National Quilt Museum (awesome and overwhelming) and also research real estate in conjunction with the artist relocation program Paducah offers to artists. Before we left I cobbled together a collection of custom Travel Valet Trays. Did not have time or money to buy valet trays - plus, store bought trays are all too heavy for my 'travel light' experiment. (I wanted to practice 'packing light' in anticipation of our trip to Paris - someday).

 

The first picture shows the Travel Valet trays I made from Duck tape and/or Shelf Liner Paper. They are connected using (scrapbooking) brads. (In the top left corner of the scoring board are box lids I made from folding squares of paper origami style  - as experiment samples. I decided to use duck tape instead of folded paper because of durability.

 

This tutorial is for the trays I created when we returned from KY after testing the duck tape trays.  The duck tape trays with brads took too long to assemble when we got to our hotel suite in KY. So upon our return to Chicago, I developed trays using inexpensive chopping mats (dollar store) which are flexible - attached with rubber bands that stretch. These trays can be opened flat for packing and setup quickly with a rubber band upon arrival at my destination. Eventually, I plan to adhere the PARIS pattern duck tape to the chopping mat trays!

 



Purpose of trays: corral chargers, jewelry, lozenges, hair pins/barrettes...

 

TUTORIAL - Travel Valet Trays



Paper (unused) and Duck Tape (used) trays -

 Prototypes

 

Chopping mat package (from DOLLARTREE - 2 for $1 USD) + 

completed Travel Valet trays

 

Top - Travel Valet tray (assembled)

Bottom - Rubber band +

 inside of Travel Valet tray (unfolded, disassembled)

 

Top - Travel Valet tray (assembled),

Bottom - Rubber band + outside/bottom of 

Travel valet tray (unfolded, disassembled)

 

Supplies:

1. Chopping mat (dollar store 'DOLLAR TREE' - set of 2 in package)
2. Scoring Board (I used Martha Stewart)
3. Bone Folder (included with M.S. Scoring Board)
4. Craft knife (I used Exacto)
5. Cutting mat (I used Fiskars Rotary Cutting mat)
6. Ruler (prefer metal edge)
7. Rubber bands - thin (office supply)
8. Scissors (I used Tim Holtz Tonic scissors)

Directions:

 

1. Place chopping mat, frosted/matte side up (that is, shiny side down), on cutting mat.
2. Using craft knife and ruler, cut a square or rectangle 2" larger than the size tray you want (most of mine were cut 5" square for final size of 3" square).
3. Place square or rectangle on scoring board, and using bone folder, score 1" on each of the four sides.
4. Using Tonic scissors, cut a 45degree angle into each corner from outside edge to scored edge.
5. Using Bone Folder, lightly fold and burnish lightly each side towards center.
6. Using Bone Folder, heavily fold and burnish each angle cut towards it's corner.
7. Cut a small triangle into the center of each of the folded cut 45degree angle corners. (This is the notch where the rubber band will secure the closed tray)
8. Attach the rubber band, starting from  from any corner, sequentially around the outside of  tray by sliding rubber band into each notch. (I also tried an experiment with elastics (from a scrapbooking website) but the elastics were too 'fiddly'. The rubber bands worked quicker to setup the trays)

Let me know if you try these Travel Valet Trays. They can be used at home, in studio too of course!

 

GIVEAWAY

Ends January 20, 2014. Please enter on Giveaway post with a comment - and spread the word!

 

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment.

 

You can visit more artists ateliers at Julia's WOYWW site - click here.

 

Peace,

LuLu

 

'WOYWW 12-4-13 - GIVEAWAY, The Mess, Spray Mini-Move and Eye Candy!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes


Howdy and Welcome,

Here's the mess...The table really was tidy a few days ago - didn't take a photo then. This was the state of things on my craft studio table after I had attended 2 back-to-back weekend retreats. And had moved on to play on another project. Now 'the mess' goblins attacked again...

 The MESS

EYE CANDY

When I went to upload 'the mess' pix, I found pix I had taken a while back and forgotten about. Months ago, I spent a few hours embellishing some acrylic tags by painting them with Copic markers and alcohol ink. Don't they look luscious? I call them eye candy. That was a really fun and easy project!

 Eye Candy Tags

 

 Eye Candy Tags

 

 

SPRAY MINI-MOVE

 

Hubby and I are in the process of moving portions of my craft studio to our basement - more space and shelf units down there. Yes, it is a long walk when inspiration hits, but the studio is just too crowded. I had to do some re-organizing. Spray painting in the basement made sense to me because this is where I will be closer to the water faucets.

 

He gave me an old table he had used for BBQing - it was just storing some old supplies. Below is the BEFORE photo of the sprays in my studio corner cabinet (under my owl collection and Granny White's bust). Next are the AFTER photos of the sprays in the basement plus the giant spray box my hubby had made for me.

 

This spray box was on the front porch. So now all the supplies I need for spray painting are consolidated into one area. The papers inside the box are ready and waiting to be spray painted... Yes, the basement IS ugly, but I don't care as long as I can spread out and work comfortably.

 

 Before Spray Mini-Move

 

 After Spray Mini-Move

 

Giant  Spray Box and

repurposed table

 

GIVEAWAY

If you are a scrapbooker or do art journals or altered books, visit my Blogoversary Giveaway. Fun prizes for one lucky winner. Ends in December!

Want to see more artists work tables? Click here for Julia's WOYWW!

Thanks for stopping by - please leave a comment and come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu

'WOYWW - 26 Nov 2013 - Tech Difficulties and How's your Japanese?!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

Since September things have been a whirlwind! Celebrating my birthday, plus prepping for and attending 2 out of town weekend scrapbooking retreats.

For this week's WOYWW, I tried to show a photo of my current table in complete and total disarray - but camera card won't work in the computer.

So, instead, here are a couple of pix of my sushi birthday dinner.

My fave fish and creations are: Unagi, Saba (love, love, love saba), Sake, Caterpillar roll, Rainbow roll - and for desert I like a piece of Ikura!

In the top photo, that's a seaweed salad in the square dish with caterpillar and sake sushi rolls and a couple of unagi sashimi. (Note: 'sushi' is fish on rice, 'sashimi' is fish without rice).

Plus, I like to drink a chocolate strawberry martini when I go to our fave restaurant: Sushi Thaime in Oak Lawn IL.

What's really funny is that the first 3 times I tried sushi, I HATED IT! But the presentations were always so beautiful that I just kept going back - and now I'm a huge fan. I carry my own chopsticks (I found them in Paris) in my purse at all times, in a pretty sleeve that I made. Even my hubby, who is allergic to fish, likes to go to Japanese restaurants with me - and eats veggie sushi and other cooked meat or chicken dishes!

YOUR TURN
I know Japanese cuisine is not for everyone...Do you eat Japanese cuisine? If so, what is your fave restaurant? What city? Do you eat sushi? Sashimi? What is your favorite sushi creation?

MORE
4th Anniversary/Blogoversary Giveaway  is coming after Thanksgiving (Nov 28, 2013) - so stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by - and please leave a comment.

Here are more WOYWW artists digs!


Peace,
LuLu

'WOYWW - 18 Sep 2013 - Bookbinding and mini-Giveaway!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome,

For WOYWW this week, I wanted to show how my 'tidy tidy tour' from last week progressed into a fun  project this week! My first hardcover book project.

This bookbinding project, for a custom art journal, has been languishing all month. Creating a book 'from scratch' takes a lot longer to complete than I'd imagined.

This photo shows the 2 short ends glued down with weights (antique and vintage irons) and binder clips to aid drying overnight. Because I'm using (faux) leather as the cover material which is a tad thick, I need the weights and clips to apply pressure while the glue (Alenes tacky Glue)  dries. Later I'll glue down the long sides. You can see the text block in middle of photo - ready to adhere to the cover....

For the internal book hinge, I created custom book cloth from fabric inherited from Maria's stash and fusible web!

YOUR TURN

Have you tried bookbinding? What are your favorite binding stitches? Have you tried the 'piano hinge'? What about Coptic? Japanese stab?
Have you made any custom art journals to use in your own artwork? What kind(s) of papers do you use?
Have you ever tried to cobble together your own Junque/Smash journal? If yes to any of the above, please send me a link - I'd love to see your efforts!

LIBRA BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!
P.S. This is my birthday month - so if you are a Libra celebrating your birthday on Sep 27th or celebrating your birthday on Sting's birthday Oct 2nd, indicate that in your comment. I'll put together some HAPPY MAIL for one lucky Libra birthday girl! Any lady worldwide with Sep 27th or Oct 2nd birthday is eligible! One birthdate closest to either of these 2 dates will be the lucky winner! (I'll announce winner after Oct 2nd and respond to your comment to get your snail mail address - make sure that there is a way for me to respond back to you).

P.P.S. My annual Blogoversary GIVEAWAY for Followers is coming soon! Stay tuned...

For more fun studios, click here to visit Julia's WOYWW blog hop!

Peace,
LuLu

'WOYWW - LuLu's Mini-studio Makeover and Tour - 11 Sep 2013!"

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

This weeks WOYWW is a mini-studio tour of my recent Makeover!

Workstation table was just not working well enough for the art I need to produce. Also, I'm desperate for more counter space. Decided that WOYWW was impetus to re-organize.

This is a mini-studio tour and mini-studio makeover - 'mini' because I still need to move my scrapbooking rolling totes out of this studio. Thanks to Hubby who is cleaning up basement so I can store scrapbooking supplies downstairs!

BEFORE -

Tuesday P M

 

IN PROGRESS -

Tuesday Evening

 

 

IN PROGRESS -

WEDNESDAY A M

 

 

 

AFTER -

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

 

 

 

Look at all the clear space - just begging for the next project - yippee!

 

No longer used glass vessels on top of kitchen cart that I'd originally commandeered from the jewelry studio. I'll be using the middle shelf of this rolling cart for my most used tools. The glass vessels will be returned to a vintage hutch my jewelry studio.

Top shelf of cart will add much needed counter space! Yay!

 

 

YOUR TURN

Are you happy with the configuration/layout of your studio? If so, what are your 3 fave things you like the most? If not, what are the 3 most annoying/aggravating things you like least or want to change/fix ASAP?

Thanks for stopping by - would love for you to comment on this post - or any of my other posts.

For more studio spaces, click here to visit WOYWW!

BEFORE
Mini-Studio makeover
Tue, 10 Sep  2013

AFTER

Mini-Studio Makeover

Wed, 11 Sep 2013

P.S. My Blogoversary GIVEAWAY is coming soon! Stay tuned...

Libra Birthday Girls - shh-hhh-hhh-hhh-hhh!
P.P.S. This is my birthday month - so if you are a Libra celebrating your birthday on Sep 27th or celebrating your birthday on Sting's birthday Oct 2nd, indicate that in your comment. I'll put together some HAPPY MAIL for one lucky Libra birthday girl! Any lady worldwide with Sep 27th or Oct 2nd birthday is eligible! (I'll announce winner later this month and respond to your comment to get your snail mail address).

Peace,
LuLu