How To: My Adventures With Lace

A while ago, I purchased some vintage lace with the idea of making a few pennant style necklaces. When I got the lace, I realized that it wasn't going to work because the lace was so wonderfully soft and wouldn't hang right. What to do? What to do? I convo'd around on Etsy and started a thread in the forums asking questions about lace. Between the information I received from some lovely folks (thank you!) and my days of experimenting, I came up with results that were perfect.

Here's how I did it: I used Aleene's Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid. I diluted it by 50% with water in a small bowl. I put the lace in. Squished it around, with rubber gloves on. Squeezed out the excess. Set it on plastic wrap and formed it into the shape I wanted, blotting with paper towels, making sure that no holes still had liquid in it. I used a tooth pick to shape the tiny areas. When it was dry, I rinsed it in hot water. It felt a bit rough for my liking. (The directions didn't say to do this.) Blotted it with paper towels and set on plastic to dry. When it was dry, it was stiff, but not scratchy rough to the touch.

I have the necklaces for sale in my shop. One is natural creamy white. The other is tea dyed.

For directions on dyeing with black tea, go here.

Until next time.....

How To: Tea-Dyed Bone Beads

I recently took out my stash of bone beads. I've had many of them since I started making jewelry, which would make them vintage according to Etsy's 20 year law! I wanted to dye some of them with tea to give them an antiqued, rustic look. Where to go to find out the info?

I remember a while back reading something on Lisa's blog. Sure enough, I found what I was looking for. A convo or two later with this fab woman and I was good to go.

Here's how I did it, in case anyone else is interested.

I put two tea bags (black tea) in a one quart size yogurt container.

Pour in one cup boiling water

Add beads

Leave overnite

Take out. Rinse. Dry. Use.

The pictures of the deer pendants give you a good idea of the before and after. I like the tea stained one best. John likes the white, natural one. They are both available in my Etsy shop in a limted number.

Until next time.....

And Then I Said.....

The weather is all over the map around here. Last weekend it was pure summer. This weekend, I have the heat on. Too early to garden, but not too early to start seeds and nourish them. I'll be glad when we're eating fresh veggies again!

I do have a lot of time to work in the studio this time of year. Enjoying it while I can. I've been listing new things regularly in my shop.

I think the cat's got my tongue.

Until next time.....

'Round The Yard

^Grandmother's tulip tree is in full bloom. This is a treat for the eyes; the first tree to blossom.
The following are some of my MIL's outdoor sculptures.

Side one

Side two

Enjoy the sights around you. And don't forget to turn your clocks ahead tonight. Yay Spring!

Until next time.....