tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47995816017712693102024-03-14T07:25:11.268+00:00Carol Capaldi CraftsHiya. Welcome to my blog page. I am a crafter and mosaic artist. I hope you find some joy reading my posts. All the best!♥Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-25136483661368242014-12-11T10:33:00.001+00:002014-12-11T10:33:33.946+00:00A bit about me!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Let me tell you a bit about myself.</h2>
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I'm a self taught artist/crafter living Edinburgh with a lovely husband and two kitties! </div>
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I've always had a love of making things. I was born in 1973 and grew up in the highlands of Scotland. Since I was a 'wee lassie' I was always cutting things out, making clothes for my care bears, (remember them?!) and I knew I had a love for colour and nature.</div>
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<br />My parents split up in my early teen years so with a change of school and a change of life, I left school with no qualifications to speak of really. But I got a job in my grandfathers butchers shop making pies! I've been fortunate to always have been in work. I also worked in a kilt making factory in Inverness which was really fun.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at 18 years old in Hector Russell kilt makers in Inverness.</td></tr>
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<br /><br />I would say my creative journey flourished when I moved to the Orkney Islands. I got a job working for Jane Glue, a local water-colour artist. She had a lovely wee shop and gallery that sold her paintings, prints, cards and art materials. I learnt a lot from Jane in the way she ran her business. It was also up in Orkney where I first started to do craft fairs. I started out making framed boxes with balsa wood. I then went on to glass painting which I still love to do. I then went on to making jewellery with wire and beads then making my own beads with polymer clay. I've also done some card making in the past too. You know what they say, 'Jack of all trades, master of none!'. I'm like a magpie with my interest of craft.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of <a href="http://janeglue.co.uk/">Jane Glues</a> watercolours.</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Since then I have done many demonstrations and have wrote tutorials for craft magazines over the years. I even came first place in a polymer clay completion with crafts beautiful magazine! I never win anything so I was so chuffed!</div>
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<br /><br />Within the past number of years I got married, moved from Orkney to Edinburgh, moved to Forres in the Moray area and then moved back down to Edinburgh. I've loved meeting other makers with so much talent which has inspired me so much.</div>
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<br /><br />I think my inspirations are art deco and art nouveau. I've had the privilege to go to Prague and see works of Alphonse Mucha. He must be my favourite. I also love Van Gogh and the use of colour he uses. I think my next trip will be to Barcelona to see Gaudis work.<br /><br />I lost my craft mojo and decided to have a complete change. Within the past year I had a massive de-clutter and decided to stick with the one craft. Simplify my life! I have found a new passion for mosaics! I use mostly vintage plates and cups that are found in thrift stores or other exciting places. I try my best to be sympathetic to the item and get the best of reusing it. I try not to waste anything. I love the colours in vintage ceramics which gives my mosaics a fresh and clean look. I work from a spare room at home. It limits me to the projects I can do because of the space. I have only being doing mosaics from late 2013 so I still have a lot to learn but I am enjoying the process.</div>
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<br />I hope you enjoy my story.<br /><br />All the best.<br /><br />Carol :D </div>
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See my lovely mosaics for sale by clicking<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/carolcapaldicrafts?ref=hdr_shop_menu"> HERE</a>!</div>
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Also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carolscrafts">facebook</a> and become a fan!</div>
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Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-28020929481648732112014-12-06T13:19:00.002+00:002014-12-06T13:19:24.598+00:00How I make my mosaics and are they worth it. - Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello to you all. Well its been along time since my last post! Since then I have moved back down to Edinburgh and have been involved with a lot of craft fairs here. I will tell you what I've been up to another time but I want to finish this post! Sorry its taken me so long!</div>
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After filling in the gaps with the glue I am ready to grout. I must say its the least of my favourite bits to do. It takes ages but with a small item its not to bad.</div>
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This but gets a bit messy and I use latex gloves for it. You can get a pack cheaply from most discount or pound stores. I use them because my fingers were getting cut up and the grout was drying my hands out like sandpaper!</div>
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I clean up the grout and leave it to dry a but before I use a toothbrush to clean of any excess grout and it picks up the features of any beads I have put it. I'm a bit O.C.D. about this.</div>
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Once its dry I paint the back with normal emulsion paint since it will be an indoor item. I just give it the one coat because the style is a bit shabby chic.</div>
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I then choose a ribbon which will bring the best out of the item. </div>
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And then I buff it down to make it shine and there you have it!!</div>
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So how much did it cost to make? Well this one was a tad more pricey because the butterfly shape was about a pound each which included the price of the postage.</div>
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So this is the interesting part. With all the little things like the tiles, glue, beads, ribbon, wooden blanks and the time to source and buy these things, many crafters DONT make their costs if you think about it. We are encouraged to cost everything, give yourself minimum wage, then double it and that should be what you should charge. So I should be charging about £18 for this wee butterfly but I'm selling it for £7 on etsy.</div>
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I think the moral of the story is, PLEASE BUY HANDMADE! As for me I love what I make. A bit of my heart goes into my creations. We are not mass producers and you are getting something special with a story behind it. I hope many crafters can relate to this and I hope you can take the time to comment because I would like to hear what you think. </div>
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All the best until next time!!</div>
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Wee butterfly on etsy. Click<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/214231267/shabby-chic-mosaic-butterfly?ref=shop_home_active_1"> here</a> to view.</div>
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Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-14043176490320018992013-12-04T06:27:00.000+00:002014-12-06T12:50:03.552+00:00How I make my mosaics and are they worth it. - Part 1Hello and welcome to my blog. I can't believe how long it was since my last post! Well I've come along way since I've posted last. I have loved polymer clay but have found a new love! I've always loved mosaics in one way or another but I have found a way to combine a new gift ideas with up-cycling broken plates to make something new for your home.<br />
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Also with a lot of discussion on handmade and how to cost your work, I thought I would write a post on the process of how I make a small item and how I cost it. You will find it interesting and maybe look again at why handmade products are a wee bit more expensive than mass produced things.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">First I source some vintage plates. You can pick them up</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> from charity shops and other places. You can see I have quite a selection that I have cut up using my tile nippers and a hammer! I also use letter, glass and other beads to create texture and I can create some nice sentimental sayings too.</span></div>
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I also Have some good bits of MDF wood which I was given which keeps costs down. I use my dads drill to make holes to be able to hang them up. I also sand them down and round off the corners. <br />
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You can get all kinds of shapes of wood blanks. I like using the heart ones and I got a few butterfly ones. You can pick them up from 50p upwards. The butterflies cost me about £1 each. Most items come with the hole drilled in them.</div>
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I've used my tile knippers to cut out focal flowers for my mosaic. I mostly use the no nails glue to stick things on. I get the tubes out of the £1 shop because I've found it to be the best value for money with other shops selling the same product for double the price!</div>
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Next I add beads to the edge of the butterfly then leave this to dry before I fill in with other mosaic pieces.</div>
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So so far I would say its cost me £1 for the butterfly itself which I got online. The difficult thing is how do you calculate the cost of the other parts? Say maybe another 40p. Then take into factor the time it cost to surf the net, source the items and your postage costs. That is part of the fun in making something though but you get the picture.</div>
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In my next post I will give you the next steps. </div>
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You can find me on etsy by clicking <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/carolcapaldicrafts?ref=hdr_shop_menu">here</a>. You will find lots of my lovely things for sale.</div>
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Also find me on facebook by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carolscrafts">here</a>. Become a fan and like my page to see where I will be and what I'm up to.</div>
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♥Hope you enjoyed the post. See you soon!♥</div>
Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-17097235899721118342011-08-26T15:16:00.000+01:002011-08-26T15:16:05.058+01:00Folksy Friday - The pet shop!<div style="text-align: center;">Do you ever find that sometimes the stress of crafting for a living can get to you? Ive been doing this for 3 years now. With sales going down and shops not paying up on time I felt I could do with something that was a bit more secure. It can be tough working for yourself at times. You have to be self motivated and organized which I think we all find it hard to do! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I thought that I would look for a wee part time job that could give me a regular income and then I can do my crafting as a hobby again. In my village I saw an advert in a shop window of a pet shop. The hours looked right so I put my CV in and hoped for the best. I've always wanted to work in a pet shop. I'm forever going in them just to say 'hi' to the wee animals. (No I'm not mad. I bet you have done the same thing!!) So I was so chuffed that I got a call back and I went for an interview the next day. But I got the text today saying I hadn't got the job. Boohoo!! Oh well, I will keep trying so my folksy Friday is my next thing to it.I hope you like it♥</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVeH_kRDe1Pwu-wj0bplVJKAMXKakaN9uphdZSjeid0d2z0IiG_48NKPpUIsS_Rxu0oengmIJ7UfOBy-WjnaVMiQsOy9Lk38fwR0Hg2tGSmbvjfElER8O34M9AuRjjA1YA1GSutxWi80/s1600/mosaic6fd9cc63becef736dccf62a054616d3fca88f2c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVeH_kRDe1Pwu-wj0bplVJKAMXKakaN9uphdZSjeid0d2z0IiG_48NKPpUIsS_Rxu0oengmIJ7UfOBy-WjnaVMiQsOy9Lk38fwR0Hg2tGSmbvjfElER8O34M9AuRjjA1YA1GSutxWi80/s640/mosaic6fd9cc63becef736dccf62a054616d3fca88f2c1.jpg" width="428px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1:Quernus Crafts with wee tan mouse with green apple </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1894269-Wee-Tan-Mouse-with-Green-Apple?shop=yes">Wee Tan Mouse with Green Apple</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">2:Carole's glass with stained glass angel fish sun catcher</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1668621-Stained-Glass-Angel-Fish-Suncatcher-Teal-and-Turquoise?shop=yes">Angel fish sun catcher</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3:Mary Elliott with cute Guinea pig ring</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1755977">Guinea pig ring</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">4:Handmade by Kitty Clark with homespun bunny</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/2001089">Homespun bunny</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">5:Hoot ceramics with ceramic birds</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1891489">Ceramic birds</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">6:The other mousie with rare Tibetan sneezing hamsters</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/2014609">Rare Tibetan sneezing hamsters</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoy my selection and please feel free to give a comment. Also you can have a browse in my folksy shop by following the link.<a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/carolscrafts">Carols crafts on folksy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥</div>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-14572469002993268732011-08-20T04:22:00.001+01:002011-08-20T06:43:18.730+01:00Alcohol inks and polymer clay.<div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to share one of my favourite techniques with you. It give a fantastic effect that I just cant get enough of just now. What I use here is black polymer clay, alcohol inks and a sheet of silver leaf. I had run out of the gold leaf but I had gold alcohol ink so that did fine. The inks can be quite expensive but they do last a long time. Make sure you store them in a cool place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I firstly conditioned some black fimo through my pasta machine at the thickest setting and gently placed a piece of silver leaf on it being carefull not to break it. You can use silver leaf too. Then a splogged some gold alcohol ink on the top and took a wee sponge and dabbed it all over the silver leaf until it was covered.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next I dropped some blue and purple ink on in a random patten letting the colours run into one another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next I took a wee sponge and dabbed the colours to merge them a bit more and then I let it dry a bit. The alcohol in the ink eventually evaporates.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I then dropped a third colour of a blue just to give it another dimention. I conditioned another piece of black clay at the thickest setting then I placed the inked clay on top and cut out shapes ready to use to make beads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I peirced the bead before baking. When cured at the manufactors recomendation, I varnished the top of my beads them made a lovely bracelet from it! I love these colours together so I think I may keep this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think when you see how easy this is you can find alsorts of colour combinations. Remember to think of the colour wheel and use colours that will complement one another. Its good to think carefully about this because it saves you from getting a muddy pallet and ruining your clay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nYspf-jztZ0GI1TE7NjHVy432uUgXkeoWN1htQyBFUJ7Q0TaBtvFUcrTxnMXhKCi464kL9M8TJuWKVgb9dSomZh_75YfqmGXaa6ZZTy6NMAqRaFwoW8RCKRAttHeX1VLgnMM5KvV8U0/s1600/IMG_1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nYspf-jztZ0GI1TE7NjHVy432uUgXkeoWN1htQyBFUJ7Q0TaBtvFUcrTxnMXhKCi464kL9M8TJuWKVgb9dSomZh_75YfqmGXaa6ZZTy6NMAqRaFwoW8RCKRAttHeX1VLgnMM5KvV8U0/s320/IMG_1909.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you have enjoyed this blog and have found it usefull. Below are some usefull links on where you can find some materials for this project. Have fun!♥</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Polymer clay:<a href="http://www.craftcellar.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d57_fimo.html">http://www.craftcellar.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d57_fimo.html</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alcohol inks:<a href="http://www.ejrbeads.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=17_138_140">http://www.ejrbeads.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=17_138_140</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please feel free to leave a comment. All the best. Carol♥</div>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-88305905044720140952011-08-09T08:01:00.002+01:002012-02-06T07:16:12.663+00:00New tutorial! - Polymer clay flower pendant and beads.<div style="text-align: center;">Many who have polymer clay are not sure what to do with it. They have maybe made some marble type beads but can't think how to get complex patterns. There are many tutorials out there on-line and on you tube. That's where I started to learn myself the basics of polymer clay caning. I was very grateful that the information was out there. So as I progressed and made my jewellery many others expressed interest in learning too. They were to far to go to my classes so I decided to write my own tutorials to send over the email in PDF form so they can do it at home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My first tutorial was Carols Celtic Cane. It taught you what you need to make your cane and also how to use it when made. It shows how to make pillow beads and how to make what I call a 'fimo slab' which you can use to make shapes from or cover items with.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvxjk_Myr2YTIXsipwJxbRO2du7BwYIbn0ab9ITjJU_xt_fqzNFL7eXjEP2Hzz4q5x5EAomE3F44A6VMz76Igz7zGrEf87U1rai2lJyFFtNPovkZMIsjkfoA5GrvkoIGD7yzhAVJir4Y/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvxjk_Myr2YTIXsipwJxbRO2du7BwYIbn0ab9ITjJU_xt_fqzNFL7eXjEP2Hzz4q5x5EAomE3F44A6VMz76Igz7zGrEf87U1rai2lJyFFtNPovkZMIsjkfoA5GrvkoIGD7yzhAVJir4Y/s400/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>This tutorial is still available in my folksy shop.<br />
<a href="http://folksy.com/items/2950030-Carols-Celtic-Cane-Polymer-Clay-Tutorial-">Carols Celtic Cane Polymer Clay Tutorial - Folksy shop</a><br />
<br />
So my latest tutorial is a polymer clay flower pendant and beads. In this tutorial I have written instructions on how to make your own petal cane and how to make it into a lovely pendant. Also included is how to make a flower cane and make your own beads with it. Its perfect for those who know the basics of polymer clay and would like to know more . It includes 15 PDF pages 47 colour pictures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbHePh_C0vUulz6GHnjGCTHUqu87qiw8COeNhTps_aRduvKvk-_G57ZjD3Lm2230MN2xQ0Dik0msz_mdsOxsMlulFbAi5gFncxqbM-CYdVNp0cktT-UGyTM0psPbhQ8HukDWNiA2uLQY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbHePh_C0vUulz6GHnjGCTHUqu87qiw8COeNhTps_aRduvKvk-_G57ZjD3Lm2230MN2xQ0Dik0msz_mdsOxsMlulFbAi5gFncxqbM-CYdVNp0cktT-UGyTM0psPbhQ8HukDWNiA2uLQY/s400/2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> This new tutorial is available in my folksy shop with hopefully more tutorials coming out soon.<br />
<a href="http://folksy.com/items/2954710-Polymer-clay-flower-pendant-and-bead-tutorial-PDF-form">Polymer clay flower pendant and bead tutorial PDF- Folksy shop</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOkO6Abti-HaQ_un_sHwJqNW2qnQ-qGreEYWsbexi8p93XX9o4kQDVA22VdufAjXT8SLMM26y_uj9wViSw_3zdT6_EvXBLtHmFLAVHE7YLk6o-HeVOZmNcubQMLz1vf680UgIspdtvp4/s1600/tut_pic_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOkO6Abti-HaQ_un_sHwJqNW2qnQ-qGreEYWsbexi8p93XX9o4kQDVA22VdufAjXT8SLMM26y_uj9wViSw_3zdT6_EvXBLtHmFLAVHE7YLk6o-HeVOZmNcubQMLz1vf680UgIspdtvp4/s320/tut_pic_1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Please feel free to leave a comment. <br />
All the best.<br />
Carolxxx</div>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-70730645143942942092011-07-28T13:44:00.000+01:002011-07-28T13:44:05.078+01:00♥I love colour!! - Folksy Friday!♥<div style="text-align: center;">Well my next folksy Friday is a colourful one. I love colour especially the rainbow spectrum. Ive found some lovely finds on folksy with this theme. There was so much to chose from it was difficult to make up my mind so I have 10 to choose from. Its been such a rubbish summer so far so this might cheer you up. Enjoy ♥<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB81nW5cgQ7I7JFmboPERYQtFwo8oS2LuNgpeOV9zpOhNoEfC9MB5gt531ISmKVun3HwGarUVGRsHprp-Io8kryJswKcrlWblHH-TKslzBQDHL4s-nOC05cEYejl-su0HC92YIS_LIL4/s1600/rainbow+folksy+friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB81nW5cgQ7I7JFmboPERYQtFwo8oS2LuNgpeOV9zpOhNoEfC9MB5gt531ISmKVun3HwGarUVGRsHprp-Io8kryJswKcrlWblHH-TKslzBQDHL4s-nOC05cEYejl-su0HC92YIS_LIL4/s640/rainbow+folksy+friday.jpg" t$="true" width="283px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1:Rainbow lavender bag by Vintage Patchworker <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1636301">http://www.folksy.com/items/1636301</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2:Rainbow silver plated bracelet by Pink Chihuahua Kisses <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1971761">http://www.folksy.com/items/1971761</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3:Pencil hair grip by Funky Jewellery <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1639085">http://www.folksy.com/items/1639085</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4:Rainbow flower buttons by Lilley <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1537913">http://www.folksy.com/items/1537913</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5:Rainbow star stained glass panel by Diomo Glass <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1897725">http://www.folksy.com/items/1897725</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6:Rainbow tutu by Strawberry Annies <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1600729-Rainbow-Tutu-">http://www.folksy.com/items/1600729-Rainbow-Tutu-</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7:Rainbow bookmarks by Maggiepatch <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/2012385-Rainbow-Bookmarks">http://www.folksy.com/items/2012385-Rainbow-Bookmarks</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8:Glass rainbow windchimes by Abundant Glass <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1972353">http://www.folksy.com/items/1972353</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9:Rainbow mirror by Clair Seely Glass Design <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1933393-Rainbow-mirror">http://www.folksy.com/items/1933393-Rainbow-mirror</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10:Pocket rainbow-Baby felt plush rainbow by The Rainbow Room <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1903913">http://www.folksy.com/items/1903913</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
♥And here if a few of my own rainbow things.♥<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QkjKYzGHWB_uOtnL8xAAGRhY0G0m9ojcKWtwFTrvDE4BYpcBBwxdtBn5tMDPj7eXgHw-LdYSTFZjuHr-Tq3TiXRh_OghVeQTx_g5B8g0QGlyYfAci3zQoC0AHWDKm3dClrmHkQDLa40/s1600/carols+rainbow+folksy+friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QkjKYzGHWB_uOtnL8xAAGRhY0G0m9ojcKWtwFTrvDE4BYpcBBwxdtBn5tMDPj7eXgHw-LdYSTFZjuHr-Tq3TiXRh_OghVeQTx_g5B8g0QGlyYfAci3zQoC0AHWDKm3dClrmHkQDLa40/s320/carols+rainbow+folksy+friday.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div>1:Funky chunky stacker bead polymer clay bracelet <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1597289-Funky-Chuncky-Stacker-Bead-Polymer-Clay-Bracelet-">http://www.folksy.com/items/1597289-Funky-Chuncky-Stacker-Bead-Polymer-Clay-Bracelet-</a><br />
2:Polymer clay rainbow charms <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1911741-Polymer-Clay-Rainbow-Bead-Charms-?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/1911741-Polymer-Clay-Rainbow-Bead-Charms-?shop=yes</a><br />
3:Rainbow ball polymer clay bag charm <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1893813-Rainbow-Ball-Polymer-Clay-Bag-Charm-?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/1893813-Rainbow-Ball-Polymer-Clay-Bag-Charm-?shop=yes</a><br />
4:Rainbow butterfly polymer clay necklace <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1929405-Rainbow-Butterfly-Polymer-Clay-Butterfly-Necklace-">http://www.folksy.com/items/1929405-Rainbow-Butterfly-Polymer-Clay-Butterfly-Necklace-</a><br />
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♥I hope you like the selection and please feel free to leave a comment. All the best!♥<br />
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥<br />
</div>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-68576350492728083282011-07-26T18:38:00.000+01:002011-07-26T18:38:54.560+01:00Glass painting - Storm lanterns<div style="text-align: center;">I was asked for an order for these lovely storm lanterns. After polymer clay I must say that glass painting comes next. Painting glass has a special place in my heart. It was with this that I started to do craft fairs and where Carols Crafts as a business really took off. I must have been doing glass painting for about 12 -14 years now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I use the solvent based paints myself rather than the water based ones. I like the colour better but it does smell though!! When I start I make sure the place is well ventilated and I have some white spirit, cotton wool buds, kitchen towels and table coverings.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So this order was for 3 storm lanterns with pictures of a panda, a brown bear and a polar bear. I sourced the pictures on google. When you type in what you want in google eg. panda, and go to images then line drawings you will find loads off images you can choose from. So here is some step by step pictures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4yde5_dxVhOi8qgZh1A4ja9aZOl-MKCPj7jU9QifVD-DJ13ahoKteKMpcP-1gH-gU0ad7SjK2LH9nxY564fFqs1EtfPTPQivnabUmuNj-wzmfqdOmI2-Wv4UpNWPjPfcI3X7KoXKn_Y/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4yde5_dxVhOi8qgZh1A4ja9aZOl-MKCPj7jU9QifVD-DJ13ahoKteKMpcP-1gH-gU0ad7SjK2LH9nxY564fFqs1EtfPTPQivnabUmuNj-wzmfqdOmI2-Wv4UpNWPjPfcI3X7KoXKn_Y/s400/IMG_1602.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the template pictures I used for my lanterns. I would stick these in the inside of the lanterns and use a glass outliner to trace the outlines of the pictures. I would do this for all the sides of the lantern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCSXFYuqiknfuIWO77n6098tKCKiIrYhc1I9rimUYVLxD3yCtaDNSPHF587I7WlOMD5ALlZP5ZM7jElTgSxY_RBAxEyy_CSD9ek63c8II32rC2BL_DUiEgpkMwqH8HTVX-qqvkL_vED4/s1600/Picnik+collage33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCSXFYuqiknfuIWO77n6098tKCKiIrYhc1I9rimUYVLxD3yCtaDNSPHF587I7WlOMD5ALlZP5ZM7jElTgSxY_RBAxEyy_CSD9ek63c8II32rC2BL_DUiEgpkMwqH8HTVX-qqvkL_vED4/s400/Picnik+collage33.jpg" t$="true" width="290px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the polar bear one. I first used the pearl glass paint and panted all the sides. I waited for it to dry first before filling in the rest of the parts because if you are not careful the other colours will bleed into the white.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3qRnJssVSa5jHiQSTT4WwjJxeOmhQWJEQQ0cQcq2rPGJS355T6bGa5LzHdZHZQO_8Dj8ECDPCWBVCBIV5MJCNldDDdfgbbRsqZbtfhVYYgyVT3nVZo0FqjhsVqFr5axwq0uIiW111aY/s1600/Picnik+collage+98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3qRnJssVSa5jHiQSTT4WwjJxeOmhQWJEQQ0cQcq2rPGJS355T6bGa5LzHdZHZQO_8Dj8ECDPCWBVCBIV5MJCNldDDdfgbbRsqZbtfhVYYgyVT3nVZo0FqjhsVqFr5axwq0uIiW111aY/s400/Picnik+collage+98.jpg" t$="true" width="290px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did the same thing for the panda one leaving the white to dry first. Then I did the black part then the rest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY6hwsYzesiaUtMq2YzJiOBorW4spjUxXtKh0mYHfV86WopQ80dCzum61SApH8XY8GFXENHk7ShpG0i58pYOPAIvQqBTP2dcjTRfT8rtLZ73EJ8RFAajht3vCYzm3bhpDKrXHZKIqbY8/s1600/Picnik+collage44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY6hwsYzesiaUtMq2YzJiOBorW4spjUxXtKh0mYHfV86WopQ80dCzum61SApH8XY8GFXENHk7ShpG0i58pYOPAIvQqBTP2dcjTRfT8rtLZ73EJ8RFAajht3vCYzm3bhpDKrXHZKIqbY8/s400/Picnik+collage44.jpg" t$="true" width="280px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The brown bear one was the easiest to do. I mixed a wee bit of orange and gold paint into the brown to give it a different texture. I went over each lantern with the outliner when I was finished to sharpen the edges and neaten it more. When the are dry I will give the insides a clean and tidy them up. When lit, if you put them near a wall the pattern reflects on the the wall a bit like stained glass. They look really pretty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I'm fair chuffed with the way they have turned out and they are bound for a lovely lady in Burghead. I hope she likes them. For more of my painted glasses please contact me or buy them in the Handmade in Moray shop in Elgin. I hope you have enjoyed this blog entry and please feel free to comment♥</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Made-In-Moray/195141480516649?sk=info">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Made-In-Moray/195141480516649?sk=info</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/carolscrafts">http://www.folksy.com/shops/carolscrafts</a></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-535881356347184782011-07-21T10:48:00.001+01:002011-07-21T12:24:00.281+01:00Folksy Friday - Scottish Gems!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Its that time of the week again!!! I always love to encourage to shop local and shop handmade. Since I am a Scotland based jewellery maker and crafter, I thought I would showcase a fraction of the talent we have here. Folksy is a great platform for this. So here is my picks for this week. Some are just newbies so please have a look!!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOrp0qf9kEvhdzOEKkG_s3-eeTUXRAdJSWFEilYMibo5csXtK9d0P7DftPbJY32Z09GrB9Eaj2-m3wpLnCuPOjVfYDNA4nkyHU-7ePBA_mF2xzSiuWeTf0Hp8hbcLeRCNnNosD4QMBqQ/s1600/flok+fri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOrp0qf9kEvhdzOEKkG_s3-eeTUXRAdJSWFEilYMibo5csXtK9d0P7DftPbJY32Z09GrB9Eaj2-m3wpLnCuPOjVfYDNA4nkyHU-7ePBA_mF2xzSiuWeTf0Hp8hbcLeRCNnNosD4QMBqQ/s640/flok+fri.jpg" t$="true" width="442px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No 1:Stag brooch by Alexis Southam Jewellery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1334617-Stag-Brooch?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/1334617-Stag-Brooch?shop=yes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No 2:Silver and garnet necklace by Karen Heriot Jewellery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1810385-Silver-Garnet-Necklace-?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/1810385-Silver-Garnet-Necklace-?shop=yes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No 3:Floral charm bracelet with raspberries by Bedecked Beads</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/2040645-Floral-Charm-Bracelet-with-Raspberries?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/2040645-Floral-Charm-Bracelet-with-Raspberries?shop=yes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No 4:Silver seashell pendant with lilac crystal by Deep Blue See Silver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1875769-Silver-Seashell-Pendant-with-Lilac-Crystal">http://www.folksy.com/items/1875769-Silver-Seashell-Pendant-with-Lilac-Crystal</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No 5:Shooting stars by Shoogly Beads</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1948873-Shooting-Stars?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/1948873-Shooting-Stars?shop=yes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No 6:Leaf brooch by Aileen Clarke Crafts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1886561-Leaf-Brooch?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/1886561-Leaf-Brooch?shop=yes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there you have it! Some lovely bits and bobs from Scotland. Please have a wee look and let me know what you think. All the best!!</span></div>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-3081395413317570152011-07-13T21:37:00.003+01:002011-07-14T09:07:20.368+01:00Arrivederci Edinburgh!Well after a long thought, after 3 years of being in Forres I had decided to take my products out of the Edinburgh shops. For about 12 years I was supplying a shop in Leith called Flux. Then they opened a shop in North Berwick so I supplied them there to. It was a sale or return basis and I had great success there. These are great wee shops that help local artist and support fair trade too. You will always find something different there. I must say that 12 years ago when i moved to Edinburgh the shop owner Bea Taylor was very glad to have my glass painting and was always encouraging to have the new thing that I had created. And for that I will always be grateful because it helped to build my confidence.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDH9WxmS5Y51IZtcM-YbS2tGWWfuNea0dd028nTpXYvEv_LdanC0RBVkj4uQ6t1g_q69K6MNkyV-YoSG1pRO1BbkCdGHxm9pSCFDiQOFVqWNWGT9aw4Q_uRoYz7R8gqg6_mIUgoNABcA/s1600/1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDH9WxmS5Y51IZtcM-YbS2tGWWfuNea0dd028nTpXYvEv_LdanC0RBVkj4uQ6t1g_q69K6MNkyV-YoSG1pRO1BbkCdGHxm9pSCFDiQOFVqWNWGT9aw4Q_uRoYz7R8gqg6_mIUgoNABcA/s200/1.bmp" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leith shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table> But as times have changed I decided to take my things out and recall my stock. I worked out that I had about £2,700 worth of stock there! And thats just what I would get if it sold in the shops! But as you crafters know sometime you have to re-jiggle things about to find out what sells best for you. So I felt an up date was in order. So down I went yesterday with my big suitcase and rucksack. (I don't drive so I took the train!) I'm chocked with the cold too but I said I would go down because I had booked it a month before hand. I didn't have to go out to North Berwick because all the stock was in Leith so that was handy.<br />
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Sometimes its a bit of a leap of faith when you change things. When you make things for a living you have to have you finger in alot of pies as it were. You may supply shops, do craft fairs and have an online outlet like folksy or etsy. Facebook has been a great outlet too. But you know what is best for yourself and you have to keep on testing the market for what sells the best. So I hope to concentrate on being local but I still have my folksy shop. I have an etsy shop but haven't used it for a wee while but I maybe will do more in that end. <br />
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Great thing is that I have a load of stock now to sell at craft fairs and the up and comming Nairn Agricultural show. I hope to do some more facebook sales too because these go down so well. Look what I have for sale now from the stock from Edinburgh!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGidD4zQRfi9iIjiJjUn_7n6NFAugV_LOoPVoXcPW3m1NdED3nJFlggqXNPP9mmQAEryLnr5Ag_vfTNN7q6RST10yj4FkMdcK5e_sW5E_9dP6-5JcTvNZRealT8t38oVJi-JSOGpQSN4/s1600/mosaicb7eaf66a93820c1c5fb0d965d963c6a44b119a67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGidD4zQRfi9iIjiJjUn_7n6NFAugV_LOoPVoXcPW3m1NdED3nJFlggqXNPP9mmQAEryLnr5Ag_vfTNN7q6RST10yj4FkMdcK5e_sW5E_9dP6-5JcTvNZRealT8t38oVJi-JSOGpQSN4/s400/mosaicb7eaf66a93820c1c5fb0d965d963c6a44b119a67.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
This is only part of what I got back! So this will be sold in the next craft fairs and shops soon. This leaves me more time to create more new things! I will be posting soon all the shops I and markets I will be attending. I hope you like this post and will love your comments♥<br />
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<a href="http://www.get2flux.co.uk/">http://www.get2flux.co.uk/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/carolscrafts">http://www.folksy.com/shops/carolscrafts</a>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-15588845758968750212011-07-11T16:51:00.001+01:002011-07-11T17:19:01.019+01:00Polymer clay pebblesI have been wondering how to make these for a long time. You know how there are so many things to do with polymer clay that sometimes you don't get around to doing new things. So with the granite fimo I had going hard in my fimo draw and some new premo clay that I had got, I decided to give it a go and now I'm hooked! I have a few stony looking clay from the effect glittery grey ones to the granite and transparent clay.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdKZPmqPgscdtTIlme3sQl4WVzc1-D4dkVl-qo_OXpZJhtc4HNU9PSAWzX8djr9aaB7x2ElbFY2kozygTWN47GB7qqXSU1sgA81Gj13lhJ8Pug3JlZxM704iSx2MiiNgk84U18wJlH0U/s1600/mosaic39779c178d6a3ebed6c22fe2cb90ae319597c93c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdKZPmqPgscdtTIlme3sQl4WVzc1-D4dkVl-qo_OXpZJhtc4HNU9PSAWzX8djr9aaB7x2ElbFY2kozygTWN47GB7qqXSU1sgA81Gj13lhJ8Pug3JlZxM704iSx2MiiNgk84U18wJlH0U/s400/mosaic39779c178d6a3ebed6c22fe2cb90ae319597c93c.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see from the left hand picture some of the colours I have used. So I chose 2 - 3 colours and mixed them a bit but not too much. Then I twisted the clay so some of the merged clay lines could go sideways as you see in the picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpSaOO0gldqLIluUQKL_Ph4PRLItDdIlm38Fug2pAlY223JdQ_ySESyi4oyTGoipUGsudIgZhSNl0SPzOshQHEmzgBSLZPtcPQUrMFIS3qiqFJilgp3w9jz6q6WRn2xOSd1s7PAo199M/s1600/mosaic3d7f96af16ea0a346f8326bda16c6c83dfc63374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpSaOO0gldqLIluUQKL_Ph4PRLItDdIlm38Fug2pAlY223JdQ_ySESyi4oyTGoipUGsudIgZhSNl0SPzOshQHEmzgBSLZPtcPQUrMFIS3qiqFJilgp3w9jz6q6WRn2xOSd1s7PAo199M/s400/mosaic3d7f96af16ea0a346f8326bda16c6c83dfc63374.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then a took a piece of clay and rooled in the palm of my hands then squashed it down into a rough pebble shape. Then that was about it!! It was just that simple! The great thing about it that you dont know what each pebble will turn out like. Then you woild peirce it before you bake it according to the manufactures instructions. If you want to make it more rough you can rub sand into the pebble before you bake it.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupWsJe3bzN79q_1uSTGnR_Q8q_6MDC1q1c2bT0I9XJpeo1buKl3E13Mvtb_s11Dx6inG8Hea-DVFnlgNi4tL49lCnBWiIB3hl0lMlGtsS4_2ZKNH61xs0nHUnIeMv6buG-9WQdDefY0s/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupWsJe3bzN79q_1uSTGnR_Q8q_6MDC1q1c2bT0I9XJpeo1buKl3E13Mvtb_s11Dx6inG8Hea-DVFnlgNi4tL49lCnBWiIB3hl0lMlGtsS4_2ZKNH61xs0nHUnIeMv6buG-9WQdDefY0s/s320/IMG_1505.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I lay out the shape of the necklace I want to make before baking. It saves a bit of hassle. You don't have to do stone type of beads. You can apply the same method with other abstract colours to make a different type of pebble jewellery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJHF5zcEyepg6b9sRHNo1JbygyxA8YVWf_H63W-yCTL7wGKHA9353p9MpqFdmiKECYNebGekFO1x7jBpE51PBZ9XCGkZwWUup8W4dSBFjwDHaeB3oeRRDksjLRsjY7LNC5rKV-n81670/s1600/mosaic79f2e945e268a15c127630698001b9f5b2ad3bf8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJHF5zcEyepg6b9sRHNo1JbygyxA8YVWf_H63W-yCTL7wGKHA9353p9MpqFdmiKECYNebGekFO1x7jBpE51PBZ9XCGkZwWUup8W4dSBFjwDHaeB3oeRRDksjLRsjY7LNC5rKV-n81670/s400/mosaic79f2e945e268a15c127630698001b9f5b2ad3bf8.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've used here purples and golds on the left hand picture and blues and silvers on the right hand picture. The purple one is not baked yet tbut the blue pebble has been baked, sanded and buffed. I'm a bit of a lasy clayer and dont tend to buff my beads but what a difference it makes with these pebbles. It seemes to give a 3D effect and the mica in the metalic clays really shine out. The feel of the pebbles are so smooth to. They feel like worry stones!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX6aqJ3HWVU5U2Y0hAZORYpb0L98zPD3iB57CHPv2XB6ghoGhIhY7wGMozOG4W55ifmfjTcWNpXOPjQ_-I2AtO7P4cIGhsQnPw-m8UvhuTv7wiuenER356qXyxjb3_VSjicOWAbstrV4/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX6aqJ3HWVU5U2Y0hAZORYpb0L98zPD3iB57CHPv2XB6ghoGhIhY7wGMozOG4W55ifmfjTcWNpXOPjQ_-I2AtO7P4cIGhsQnPw-m8UvhuTv7wiuenER356qXyxjb3_VSjicOWAbstrV4/s320/IMG_1446.JPG" width="282px" /></a></div>Then when you are happy with your beads you can make them into the things you want.These beads are bound for a shop in Creiff and The gallery called Hung in Inverness. I will be putting some in my Folksy shop too. I hope you have enjoyed this wee insite into polymer clay and please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks♥<br />
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Links for Hung in Inverness and An Cnoc in Creiff.<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/carolscrafts#!/pages/Hung-Inverness/205325119477900">https://www.facebook.com/carolscrafts#!/pages/Hung-Inverness/205325119477900</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/carolscrafts#!/profile.php?id=100002207899569">https://www.facebook.com/carolscrafts#!/profile.php?id=100002207899569</a><br />
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</div>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-694227816134184442011-07-07T20:27:00.002+01:002011-07-07T22:09:26.460+01:00First Folksy Friday! Ginger Cats ,,^..^,,Well this is my first folksy Friday showcasing some of the lovely things that are in the folksy website. All those who know me know I love my cat. Yes that is me, the mad cat woman that lives next door!! So in honour of my lovely cat Biskit here are my picks of the week! Enjoy!!♥<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rbhnCzaPGqk/ThYDIBCFO4I/AAAAAAAAABo/xPRC4TVapMY/s1600/khwilc16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rbhnCzaPGqk/ThYDIBCFO4I/AAAAAAAAABo/xPRC4TVapMY/s320/khwilc16.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dash crafts<br />
<a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1284061">http://www.folksy.com/items/1284061</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPLOPUFzvos/ThYDKoqD-tI/AAAAAAAAABs/v1Pbwi-oivI/s1600/IMGP6944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPLOPUFzvos/ThYDKoqD-tI/AAAAAAAAABs/v1Pbwi-oivI/s320/IMGP6944.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quernus Crafts<br />
<a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1440297-Rainbow-Flower-Cat-Orange-?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/1440297-Rainbow-Flower-Cat-Orange-?shop=yes</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLedWcnQN1jAeTq1vR-H2laAucwVu44MZkZvOz2ZDeB0W62EteBXTwRVPgX5f9Zi3-KITxEic6aInyg99W8Ul3A3Kitnpgjg13b6R-lvUuAoWFTti0NFze60JtpQDm1UJ31mDCMYAsvA/s1600/DSCF4652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLedWcnQN1jAeTq1vR-H2laAucwVu44MZkZvOz2ZDeB0W62EteBXTwRVPgX5f9Zi3-KITxEic6aInyg99W8Ul3A3Kitnpgjg13b6R-lvUuAoWFTti0NFze60JtpQDm1UJ31mDCMYAsvA/s320/DSCF4652.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly Artworks<br />
<a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1733225">http://www.folksy.com/items/1733225</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0BnSxEYKPUDqpJkgaqImS1LoLq7WEr098ReBTis28hkAqNhU93PPrdvn2HQwg8jFulUcOZCyiYnrglXnChNMWVka1FKfciZAgWRIC-DpKV6Mh3z1YRGM_ORDWlb3pfKnJluRcIysru4/s1600/IMG_4265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0BnSxEYKPUDqpJkgaqImS1LoLq7WEr098ReBTis28hkAqNhU93PPrdvn2HQwg8jFulUcOZCyiYnrglXnChNMWVka1FKfciZAgWRIC-DpKV6Mh3z1YRGM_ORDWlb3pfKnJluRcIysru4/s320/IMG_4265.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crafticats<br />
<a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1871737-PIF-Relax-and-Paws-Sticker?shop=yes">http://www.folksy.com/items/1871737-PIF-Relax-and-Paws-Sticker?shop=yes</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-omx4EZCI6fu43_XT7lS9KniOIS8URg_NSXb60NJUc3d_ecMGlj0HYBO9N6M13ey7wRFTd8gPC3j0LMLHU4ptJ9cSYp0dRqe9jARQgkKzk7Yc4txxh3EFggwS7Z1w78X0LMIrz0dfd2U/s1600/st1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-omx4EZCI6fu43_XT7lS9KniOIS8URg_NSXb60NJUc3d_ecMGlj0HYBO9N6M13ey7wRFTd8gPC3j0LMLHU4ptJ9cSYp0dRqe9jARQgkKzk7Yc4txxh3EFggwS7Z1w78X0LMIrz0dfd2U/s320/st1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mypipsqueak<br />
<a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1736381">http://www.folksy.com/items/1736381</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjzMPkDsNGoDig7YF2B9zbbtpUkMV7uWRfRYKoXxz9rPWTKdqf8abjTh9UVe7pfwCTANBIS3SEWA7y6WeOXFv5jnkyS__Zvi0GnfedSODIaDVy1Zz7IMZUZJSmYOcf6rgxKQLzb9UH3k/s1600/Cotton_Hugs_2_022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjzMPkDsNGoDig7YF2B9zbbtpUkMV7uWRfRYKoXxz9rPWTKdqf8abjTh9UVe7pfwCTANBIS3SEWA7y6WeOXFv5jnkyS__Zvi0GnfedSODIaDVy1Zz7IMZUZJSmYOcf6rgxKQLzb9UH3k/s320/Cotton_Hugs_2_022.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Cotton hugs designs<br />
<a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1466797">http://www.folksy.com/items/1466797</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-67828629781833558182011-07-06T14:49:00.002+01:002011-07-06T15:10:32.585+01:00I love cake!!Mmmm....cake!!! Well not the type you eat! I've been making loads of cake beads. These are so popular just now. They are going really well as bag charms and I will be putting them on folksy soon. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATaEj-yyO5E/ThRkAee7PUI/AAAAAAAAABY/7uxY-yLtPw4/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATaEj-yyO5E/ThRkAee7PUI/AAAAAAAAABY/7uxY-yLtPw4/s320/IMG_1452.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>These will be cut into 8 slices then textured to give them that sponge look. These are only half of what I have made!! The white star one on the top right is really a rainbow cake inside. I think my favorite bit about making these is when I cut into them. Makes my mouth drool!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-pnl5V23RU/ThRkqslDgoI/AAAAAAAAABc/EARmmwA5YCw/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-pnl5V23RU/ThRkqslDgoI/AAAAAAAAABc/EARmmwA5YCw/s320/IMG_1453.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>I've also used some of my citris canes to make the orange and lemon slices. Ive also used a needle to texture the inside if the cake. This takes ages!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwpTPmGWSJo/ThRleg0UptI/AAAAAAAAABg/0cpDkioVcVE/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwpTPmGWSJo/ThRleg0UptI/AAAAAAAAABg/0cpDkioVcVE/s320/IMG_1455.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div> Then when I've done all I need to do to them I peirce them ready to be used. They are baked at about 130C/275F for 30 minutes. Its best to err on the side of cooler and slightly longer. But that just what I've found. Then they are all ready to be made into beads and charms!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QU2kv0QBqwc/ThRmtfXcQpI/AAAAAAAAABk/nmqq7lsvcC8/s320/IMG_1422.JPG" width="282px" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And there you have it. Please go to my folksy shop for more beads and items. Enjoy!! :D</div> <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/carolscrafts">http://www.folksy.com/shops/carolscrafts</a><br />
Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4799581601771269310.post-84042596182584511302011-07-04T23:32:00.001+01:002011-07-05T00:45:06.059+01:00Learning how to set up my blog!!<div class="separator" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="188px" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-ZYrE--u0g/ThI_PSGRNjI/AAAAAAAAAAM/IABe3eaEakI/s200/IMG_1348.JPG" width="200px" /></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well I thought it was about time I started with a blog! Its a good place to find out what Im up to and some things I am doing at the moment. It will help with folksy Fridays too. Please bear with me and I hope I can be of use to all my craft peeps out there. All the best!!</span>Carols Craftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11930144079240704623noreply@blogger.com4