New Tutorial - Wrapped Key Charm Necklace

click here to download the full instructions now

Things that are not steampunk...

and if you like things that ARE steampunk, don't miss ConTemporal in Chapel Hill, NC, June 21-24.

Click here to find out more about ConTemporal.

ConTemporal First Friday

Join us in February for a special First Friday when we have 2 free crafty projects for you to choose from. We'll also welcome the crew of ConTemporal, the NC-based SciFi convention as they cruise the streets of Raleigh telling folks about their upcoming event.

Yes, there will be amazing costumes to see and probably more than one person with a dramatic story to tell. The crew of ConTemporal will stop by Ornamentea that evening and join you as you make one of two charming free projects. We'll have a sparkly Swarovski heart dangling charm and a riveted gear charm for you to choose from.

The ConTemporal event will be held June 21-24 in Chapel Hill, and will host special guests including author Cherie Priest, comic book author Studio Foglio and others. Get more information about ConTemporal right here.
If you want to get updates about this even and other First Friday events here at Ornamentea sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

the perfect wedding bouquet...

My husband and I have been married for 19 years. Our wedding, way back in the dark ages, was just perfect for us - lots of friends and family in a casual outdoor setting with good food, laughter and a very fancy dress for me. I had two Diva Bride moments. I wanted dark-purple cloth napkins (totally un-rentable items in Ohio in 1991. Thank you Mom and Aunt Beth for sewing 110 napkins!) I also wanted an all-white bouquet of giant lilies. No greenery. No ferns. No spikey leaves. That was also almost un-heard of in 1991 in Ohio. The florist went against my wishes and slipped in some ferns but because of the high heat that sunny August day I ended up being happy she had. The lilies shed their petals as I walked down the aisle, unintentionally dramatic, until I stood under the trees next to my husband with a green bouquet of ferns and lily stems. Of course, that could have 'ruined' my wedding if any of the magazines are to be believed, but it really didn't matter.

I love it when I hear of couples who create their own fabulous wedding days that reflect them. Afternoon, pig-picking, blue grass wedding with a preacher in overalls? Great! Midnight, all-black Goth wedding with kabuki bridal makeup and Wiccan priestess? Awesome. Saturday morning Baptist church, white dress and veil, Reverend Miller officiating? Tremendous.

Hopefully, you'll only do it once so I think you should make it as memorable as possible.

This bouquet that our customer Sarah told us about was part of what I imagine was a sweet and memorable day. And I bet the flowers didn't fall apart!

Sarah hand-folded flowers and added watch parts, typewriter keys and vintage rhinestone centers. The bride, Sarah, is a librarian and the couple has 'more books than two people should own!' They chose meaningful pages from favorite books and sheet music from their days as musicians to create origami-folded flowers for the bouquet. The vintage rhinestones add a bit of sparkle to the bouquet. I love the way Sarah watercolored select pages to match her lavendar shoes and magenta petticoats. Sadly, she didn't include any shoe-and-petticoat pics for us to drool over!



Congratulations Kevin and Sarah!
oh, Sarah's etsy page is www.ForgottenThings.etsy.com
go check it out!

How to put eyelets in mica...a new video tutorial for you!

Have you made ANYTHING with mica? If you have, you probably love it as much as we do. Click here to see the video tutorial from Tracy and you'll learn how to put eyelets in your mica. It's tricky, but easier than you think.

You can also enter our Mica Craft Challenge with images of your own mica-licious designs. Just email the images to us at submissions @ ornamentea.com OR post them on our wall on Facebook. We'll choose one winner to receive a $25 gift certificate on 8/31. Whoa, that's next week. Hurry!

Clock hand earrings, for shiny times...

We have these new vintage clock hands in at the shop...and they are nice and smooth and black on one side but the other side, wow, it's all swirly coppery rust. I love it. These earrings pair the rusty side with sparkly Swarovski crystal navettes, splashy brass and a bit of stainless steel there at the top.

Mmm...gotta get a new dress for these.


Read the full tutorial with directions and ingredient list here.

Filigree Butterfly Ring How-To

You can get the tutorial here...
I used teeny-weeny screws that you see in the center of the clock and flower to make this ring...I love the mechanical look they add to the design.

Happy Friday!

Steampunk Book Reception...a fun Friday night!

I took a few quick pictures at the start of the Steampunk Style Jewelry book reception and wanted to share them. We had a great time, with yummy sweet treats from L'Espiga and wine from Seaboard Wine which we drank in fancy teacups. For future reference: white wine looks just like very weak tea.

I am getting ready for the Steampunk Style Jewelry book party tomorrow night at Ornamentea and realized I don't have a thing to wear. Well, okay, I have things to wear but not the perfect thing...I will probably wear a black frock coat-ish coat and a bit of a lacy petticoat if I can remember where it is. If I have time tonight before I head to this lecture and reception at the Gregg I will hit a favorite store and look at their goodies. The whole fashion look right now is more 50s than Victorian so I may have to dream of a sweet, lace-edged dress with just the right belt, or lace up boots.

At least I have the jewelry covered!

Oh, the book party is Friday, February 5th from 6-8 at Ornamentea. We'll have the local designers featured in the book on hand and you can see a lot of their other work, plus many of the book samples AND get your copy signed if you want. See you there!

Free Art from the Graphics Fairy

We love Karen, the Graphics Fairy, here in craftyland. She has lovely images and her frequent thematic posts get us all in a tizzy. Yesterday's Steampunk Post was filled with vintage machinery like this wheelwright's scale. Today she has vintage Valentine goodies. Go see the Graphics Fairy here.

Steampunk Style Jewelry by Jean Campbell

This new book comes out SOON and it features projects by moi, Tracy T., Jane. and the fabulous M. Smoak plus so many others. Pre-order from us now and you can get the Steampunk Starter Kit!

Details here.

It's back...

This Jolly Roger cab fits a lovely 30x40 setting (click here to see one!)
I've got a necklace tutorial that features them coming out this weekend...watch for it!

How to make a bat bracelet

you can view the entire project directions, get a free download and see other projects here at Ornamentea.com.

New Lucky Earth necklace tutorial and free PDF

click on the picture to download a free PDF of this project!

Memory Capsules

Have you tried the Memory Capsules for the Ranger Frames yet? We've had them in the store (and I've had them on my studio table!) for months now but I keep getting distracted (what, me?) Sandy recently made this necklace using a capsule to enclose some keys and watch parts and I fell in love (again!) with the capsules. I am going to get some of the goodies my girls pick up on their walks and see if I can't make a summer memories necklace. Tiny rocks, a bird feather, a dried flower; the kinds of things small girls fill their pockets with every day and now I am going to put them into a necklace.

The Memory Capsules are 30% off right now at Ornamentea.com or in the stores.

Mica Earrings Tutorial

I had several requests to write up a tutorial on how to make the Mica Earrings we have featured on Ornamentea.com. These earrings are lightweight and make a nice tinkly sound when the chains brush the mica. They are also just a tiny bit sparkly. Mica is a mineral that grows all by itself in these really flat, thin layers. It diffuses and reflects light and images and is very heat resistant; old wood stoves often have windows made of thick pieces of mica and blacksmith's goggles from the last century had eyepieces made of mica to protect the wearer's eyes.

Materials
Mica
8 brass eyelets
1 pair antique brass simple loop earwires
assorted chain, cut into 2 -2 inch pieces and 2-1.5 inch pieces
2 antique copper jump rings, 14 mm
optional, Diamond Glaze to seal edges of mica

Tools
1/8th inch hole punch
Awl
Ball pein hammer
Eyelet setter
craft knife (X-acto knife)
Self healing cutting mat
(note, I work on a self-healing cutting mat but for photographic purposes you don't see one in these images! Protect your table.)

To make the earrings:

1. Your packet of mica will contain several pieces that could be just right for earrings as-is, but you may wish to cut the pieces if they are too large for your tastes. A sharp craft knife will slice through a sheet of mica. Drag the knife across the surface slowly to cut through one layer at a time. Be patient, this takes a while.

Once you have a piece of mica in the shape you want you will need to split it into two identical pieces. Fit the tip of your craft knife in between the layers of mica and gently split the layers by twisting the knife sideways until you have two pieces. If the edges of the mica seem like they will continue to split you can put a thin layer of Diamond Glaze on the edge with a paint brush or your fingertip. Allow the glaze to dry at least 20 minutes before continuing.

2. Lay your mica shapes next to each other and decide where you want the eyelets. You may wish to mark the spots with a pen. Place the holes at least 1/4 inch (1/2cm) from the mica edges to make sure they don't pull through later.
Place the hole punch over the mica where you want the hole. Use the hammer to tap the punch through the mica layers. Be patient. You may wish to remove the chipped mica that accumulates in the hole you are punching with an awl or toothpick.
Thread an eyelet through the hole in the mica. Place the Flowered Setter over the eyelet and line it up straight. Use the hammer to gently tap the Setter until the eyelet splits and begins to curve outward. Continue until the eyelet is flattened against the mica. It is important to hold the setter perpendicular to the eyelet and tap the hammer gently to prevent the eyelet from bending or folding.

Repeat these steps to set remaining eyelets.

This is an eyelet that split into four groups of two 'petals' each. I couldn't reproduce this, no matter how many times I tried! Remember that your eyelets will look hand set, not perfect. Note that in the earrings pictured I set some eyelets from the 'front' of the earrings and some from the 'back' so that the eyelet flowers show in both directions.

3. Lay out your pieces of mica and determine where the top and bottoms of your earrings will be. Lay the chain out where you want it to hang. Use your chain nose pliers to gently open a jump ring. Thread the jump ring through the hole at the top of one of the pieces of mica and through both pieces of chain and the loop on the ear wire. Close securely. Repeat with remaining mica and findings to make the second earring.

Mica is a perfect forum for embellishment with stamps of all kinds. Consider using Staz-on inks to add words or images to the mica or split the sheets and place photos, watch parts, feathers or leaves in between them.

You can download a free PDF of this project right here.

You can see a video of how to punch mica here with a great necklace idea.

Earthenwood Studios Keyhole Pendant necklace

I ordered a bunch of links and stones from Melanie of Earthenwood Studios and have been enjoying them. Really, I have many of them on a dish on my work table and they are so pretty I just keep playing with them. The other day I decided some commitment was in order and I worked up this simple necklace using a Keyhole pendant and a rusty key and some scraps of chain. I began by attaching the ring to the chain with a rectangular jump ring and used the second rectangular jump ring to attach the chain dangles and the pendant to the ring, making sure the chain dangles hung behind the pendant. I should tell you that I am inordinately proud of the way I went about attaching the chain directly to the key for a toggle. It made me giddy when I did it, the chain just fits. I love when that happens!

To make this necklace I used the Rolo Borneo chain, the Rolo Epact chain, a 2 Rectangular jump rings, a reproduction key, a keyhole pendant and a carved stone ring. That's all. It wears nicely.

We have a great selection of Melanie's pendants and links at both Panopolie and Ornamentea or you can order them on line directly from her here. Let her know that you saw this project on shiny little things.

Contest to enter TODAY

Enter the Art Bead Scene September challenge and you could win fame, fortune and a copy of my book! The challenge is to combine art beads with filigree and you can find out how to enter here.

We love the Art Bead Scene folks and their challenges. Try mixing some of Melanie Brooks-Lukas' beads and steam stones with ornate filigree. These are available at Panopolie right now...I would mix the steam stones with gunmetal filigree for a real technoVictorian feel.

You could also blend Elaine Ray's lovely glazed beads with some filigree. Try mixing the lentil beads with some floral filigree like the one pictured here. They are about the same size in real life, even if they don't look it here on my blog. If you want to do a bit of bending to the filigree, stick with the Antique Brass finish, it bends more easily and looks great with the organic finish on the beads. Elaine's beads are available on line or at Ornamentea.


So go, start designing...

Steampunk in Beadwork!

There is a fab article on Steampunk in the newest Beadwork magazine. Melanie of Earthenwood Studios wrote the article and it features some of her lovely projects. We are listed as a supplier of steampunk style, which makes me smile. Until a year or so ago I didn't know I was steampunk-y. All this time I just thought I liked filigree and old gears and weird machines and full skirts. Kinda funny, for an old lady like me.

Melanie is a talented bead and charm maker. She has the project above featured on her studio blog. She uses our nifty tiny hinged box to fabulous effect. I like to use these boxes with mica and paper, but this idea got me thinking of stone inserts. Seeing it also reminded me to place an order for her fab charms. I am going to try to sweet talk her into sending it out ASAP, I will let you know when they get in. If you can't wait or aren't nearby please visit her etsy store and see more.

(I nicked the above photo from Melanie and hope she won't be mad. I think I will have to send her a goodie box of do-dads to make it up to her. If you are reading this, Melanie, feel free to nick a photo from me to retaliate if you wish!)

Sweet Ribbon Necklace How-To

I love to use ribbon instead of chain for a sweet touch with pendants and lockets. A simple 36" length of ribbon can be knotted to suit the wearer and is a quick and lovely way to show off (and sell!) one-of-a kind pendants or romantic lockets. For a more finished look without much trouble or expense, I always turn to fold over ends. The fold over ends on the ribbon give it a permanent finish and allow me to use a hook and chain to secure the necklace. I use fold over ends with a variety of ribbon widths, folding the ribbon to fit inside. For thinner ribbons, I like to do a knot (shown below) to make it a little more secure. A drop of glue will help the ribbon stay within the end forever.

If you sell your work, consider making up a few dozen ribbon necklaces in a variety of colors and ribbons. Display them on a stand near your pendants and charms and allow purchasers to pick out their ribbon necklace when they buy a pendant or charm. They can customize the look of your pendant to suit their tastes and you can even sell the ribbon necklaces separately for a quick add on.

Visit our new expanded ribbon selection and choose your own favorite color or style of ribbon to make this necklace all your own. Materials used in this project are available at Ornamentea and Panopolie or buy them all on line.

You'll need:
15 inches of striped ribbon, 3/16ths wide
2 antique brass fold over ribbon ends
1 antique brass heart locket, 20 cm
1 antique brass round bezel setting, 14 mm
1 vintage mother of pearl button to fit in bezel
1 antique brass square jump ring, 1/4 inch
3 antique brass round jump rings, 5 mm
3 antique brass head pins, 1 inch
3 inches of antique brass extender chain, 4 x 5 mm links
1 antique brass hook
3 black Czech glass beads, 4 mm

You'll also need:
glue (I like Beacon's 527)
chain nose pliers
round nose pliers
scissors
(get all your tools here!)

Need to know how to open a jump ring? Loop a head pin? Visit our Tutorials Page for all these and so much more...

1. Trim ribbon to length and make a tiny knot in each end. Place a small drop of glue inside one of the fold over ends and place the ribbon knot on top of the glue as shown. Using your chain nose pliers fold the flaps over one at a time to seal the end of the ribbon. Repeat with the other knotted end. Place a small dot of glue inside the bezel and position the button within the bezel. Set bezel aside to dry.
2. Using your chain nose pliers carefully open one of the 5 mm jump rings. Thread it through the loop on one of the fold over ends and then through the ring at one end of the extender chain. Carefully close the jump ring. Repeat to attach the hook to the other end of the ribbon. Set this aside.
3. Using the round nose pliers loop the 4 mm beads onto the head pins. Carefully open a 5 mm jump ring and feed the three looped beads onto the jump ring followed by the locket. Link this to the scroll at the bottom of the bezel and close securely.
4. Using the chain nose pliers gently open the square jump ring and feed it through the scroll at the top of the bezel. Close securely. Thread the chain end of the necklace through the square jump ring to finish the necklace.