Just add sparkle!

Sometimes when looking at jewelry pieces like the pendant and scroll connectors below, I see them with added sparkle. It's an automatic response in my head. It occurred to me yesterday that I don't always consider it as receiving inspiration, I just take it for granted.

So, today I'm sharing gratitude not only for receiving inspiration, but also for having all the supplies needed to make what I saw in my head, YAY! This Cousin pendant and connectors were practically made for each other and I was so glad to find them in my bead stash! Not to mention the Swarovski flat backs and 6mm mini rounds in amethyst.

                                       

I was a little nervous about gluing on the flatbacks since most of my flatback experience has been with hotfix flatbacks. 

I set up my little work area starting with the supplies below: pendant still attached to package, Beacon Gem-Tac glue, glue holder (cap from my bottle of water), headpin for applying the glue, tweezers and fabulously sparkly Swarovski flatbacks! As I mentioned in my last post, this craft glue is perfect for projects like this and does not have a strong chemical smell at all which is a total bonus! 

It went so fast and the headpin was the perfect size to dot glue for these tiny little flatbacks. It was a breeze. I finished all the gluing and set everything aside for a couple days before connecting all the pieces...so easy!

If you've been wanting to try a project like this, I encourage you to just do it! I was proud of myself when it was finished. Happy that I didn't let my fear and inexperience get in the way!

After I finished this project, I started gluing flatbacks on lots of things, including winter gloves as mentioned in my last post.

I'd love to see your flatback projects too. Just leave a link in the comments. :) 

It's a new year AND a sparkly new day!

There's something about a fresh new year that makes me want to take a leap forward and leave old ideas, things and habits behind. Unfortunately, it's also at a time when it's necessary to wear lots of clothing layers including coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, etc. Seems to create a bit of a conflict doesn't it?

What to do, what to do?

In hindsight, I see now why I was so intent on making these sparkly gloves when the weather turned cold! I made them for myself, for friends and for family members. Not only that, I took this craft to our annual December craftnight! EVERYONE made fun, sparkly gloves!!

I really have to laugh! It's so transparent now, but I didn't realize it at the time.

I NEEDED SPARKLE! When I get pushed out of my happy place, I look around for sparkle and if I don't find any, I CREATE IT! Wow...this realization will take me a while to process.

So, more about the gloves! I bought quite a few pairs of these smart phone gloves at Walmart for $2 a pair, a great deal! I also found this bag of sequins at Walmart for a few dollars. An amazingly stuffed little bag of sequins.

Make sure to have a ziploc baggie handy because you'll never get them all back in the bag once it's open. It contains hearts, flowers, leaves, stars, butterflies and more...well worth the $3!

Rather than sew the sequins on, I thought I'd try Beacon Gem Tac since I had received it from the Cousin Corporation to try out. I have a bit of a sensitivity to strong chemicals and do my best to avoid them. I was a little concerned until I opened the glue and it was as strong as school glue! How could it possibly adhere well if it doesn't smell terrible?

I have no idea, but it does! I'll share more jewelry projects using Gem Tac in future posts, but wanted to mention the sequins are glued on the gloves. The pink gloves also have Crystazzi flat back crystals glued on and the gray gloves have tiny little Swarovski crystals glued on. SO SPARKLY!!

If you have a get-rid-of-winter-blues sparkle project to share, please leave a link in the comments section. :)