Coastal Crafts Book Review

I recently got a copy of Coastal Crafts by Cynthia Shaffer.

It is the first book published featuring coastal crafts.

I have to be honest, it was worth the wait.

Cynthia has written and photographed the book beautifully.

I love how the book is laid out.

Not only does Cynthia include over 20 projects, she also includes some directions in the first chapter for cleaning shells and making your own drift wood.

I am very excited to be able to make my own driftwood.

While I collect shells every chance I get, I have never managed to be places where I could get driftwood.

There is such a great variety of materials and types of projects.

She has everything from these clay disks made into a cute banner to sewing to making a mixed media necklace.

Here are some embroidered towels.

She includes the simple directions and the patterns.

My daughter has earmarked this project as one she wants to do so we will be watching for white vases and vessels.

These sailboats are on my to do list for sure.

All of Cynthia's designs incorporate common materials that you already have at home or can find at any craft store.

You do not have to live close to the beach to complete the projects in the book- Genius!

The glass jar luminary would look awesome on anyone's deck, backyard or balcony.

The knotted coaster set is broken down into simple enough steps that I think I can do them.

I will do a post when I do so you can see how they turn out.

I love the nautical flag project.

Cynthia gives you the flag for each letter so you can spell out your name or a meaningful message of your own.

What a great gift for just about anyone on your gift list.

This white shell wreath is gorgeous and you can follow her easy-to-follow directions to make your own.

I love how these projects feel like a summer day and yet would be welcome in anyone's home year round.

Her starfish note cards are simple and gorgeous.

Not only does she provide directions for the notecards, she provides them to make your own stick pencils as well.

I am so trying those.

And what I have showed you is less than half of what is in the book.

Coastal Crafts is available on Amazon here.

You can find it in many other book stores as well.

It is a great book for anyone who loves the beach, coastal decorating or just a touch of summer for their home.

I plan to make most of the projects in the book and what I don't make for myself, I will be making to give as gifts.

I promise I will show you how my projects look when I get them made.

Thanks for stopping by....

Rustic Polymer Key necklace

Time for some rustic polymer goodness today....

This fun necklace is a mix of wire, silk, clay, glass, pearls,and wood.

The key focal was made from a mold I made from a vintage key.

It seems like every day, I embrace this style more and more.

What style defines you?

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs.

Disk Bracelets...

In the Spring 2014 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry,  Gaea Cannaday made some inspiring polymer bracelets.

I fell in love and began pinching and making my own disk beads.

Piles and piles of them.

My husband looked puzzled as I filled the tray to bake them.

After they were baked, I colored them in all sorts of ways.

And then the knotting began.

In an evening, a little pile of bracelets grew on the couch arm beside me.

I was in love.

And then I started wearing them and realized they were more comfortable than you can imagine.

The two I wear all the time are rustic stone looking and rustic redware looking.

I am thinking I may need to adopt a big pile of these pales and brights as well.

I have come to prefer my own hand forged clasps.

They add to the look I want and they are really easy to maneuver by yourself.

Worn, beachy blues...

I may have to keep this one...

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Linking up with these great blogs.

Faux Bone Necklace for Sculpey

I am so very proud to have one of my necklaces featured on the Sculpey website.

You can see the full tutorial here.

I took a ton of photos before I sent the necklace.

It is one of my favorite pieces.

I took photos with different tops.

To me, it has a primitive, bohemian quality.

I worked on coming up with a fox bead I liked.

This one was one of my favorites towards the end of the development phase.

I think the necklace takes on an entirely different tone with this coral top.

I personally would wear it with denim.

The faux bone technique is easy and addictive to make.

I also started playing with a white background for photos.

I used to have a light box in the house my husband made me that had tissue paper sides for diffused light.

It always had a yellow cast to the photos that I did not like.

I like these much better.

My very favorite were the photos I did in natural settings.

I feel they really suit the piece.

This one on the stone by my pond is the one Sculpey chose.

I am glad I did not have to choose because I liked so many of the natural settings like this one.

And this one.

Lucky for me, it was overcast for about 30 minutes when I did most of these photos.

I cannot wait to play some more with this technique.

What are your thoughts?

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Linking up with these great blogs.

Guest Contributor at Plucky's Second Thought

Hello!

I have a quick tutorial over at Plucky's Second Thought.

Hop over to see how to make these cute and quick earrings just in time for Mother's Day.

Thanks for stopping by....