Gourd Bangle Bracelets- Workbench Wednesday

 Have you seen the current issue of GreenCraft magazine?

If you are not familiar with it, it contains dozens of fun, green crafts and projects.

It has everything from organization to jewelry to home decor.

It is right up my alley.

I am thrilled to have a few projects in this issue.

Probably my favorite are these bangles made from gourds.

You can take a look at the magazine for the complete how to instructions.

I thought maybe I would share some of the behind the scene photos not shown in the magazine this week for workbench Wednesday.

Start with a dried goose neck gourd.

I got this one from my friend Linda.

Cut rings.

You can tell I took these pictures last summer.

No green grass here yet.

Every so often, I have to cut a watermelon slice on the curves to maximize the number of usable rings.

I will find something to do with these later.

Same with the bottom part of the gourd.

I have a plan for it.

The tiny top part is also saved.

The pithy center pulls right out.

Once sanded...

Let the fun begin.....

 These first bangles were a fun way to play around with the process.

This one reminds me of a giraffe.

A friend told me I should save this one...

I probably will...

These are so lightweight.

I love that.

They make a very interesting sound when I wear them...

Sort of like bamboo wind chimes...on my arm.

I like my slices sort of wonky so I did not measure them or mark  them when cutting.

If you like things precise, you can mark them with pencil or tape.

I tried to most different patterns on the Brave bangle.

If you want to learn how to make these, pick up a copy of GreenCraft.

You can find it on news stands in craft stores or large book retailers.

Or you can order it directly from Stampington here.

It is always a pleasure...

Thanks for stopping by....

            Linking up with these great blogs.

Workbench Wednesday: Leather Cuffs

I always have to chuckle when it comes time to photograph Workbench Wednesday.

The location varies from week to week.

Sometimes it is in my garage/studio.

Sometimes it is in the living room. 

 It can be in the annex on the workbench outside.

I work in different places for different tasks.

Any hammering is completed on a cement floor.  

This time it was on our back porch.

Yes, the cement porch floor is carpeted.

  The couple that built the house glued it down. 

It is there to stay.

This week I was stamping cuffs.

I love picking up leather belts to use for making bracelets.

I have my handy dandy leather stamp alphabet set.

The sponge is for wetting the leather before stamping.

The sweet double enamel bucket was a clearance buy years ago at a drugstore in town.

It has a handle so it is easy to move current projects.

I usually do more than one of each word or phrase on different cuffs.

These have all been cut, trimmed and had the holes punched.

I will sit and stamp until they are either all done, or I am tired of sitting on the floor.

My body does not enjoy sitting on the concrete as much as it used to.

Next I will use some gilders' pastes and waxes.

I am so proud that cuffs similar to these are in the current issue of Somerset Studio.

I actually am choosing a reader to receive a free copy of the magazine this week.

  If you  missed out on the post, check it out here.

I am a messy worker.

This is actually neater than usual because I can't leave the mess here.

I will have to clean it up as soon as I am done.

Not pictured are my two art buddies, the dogs. 

 Both are off camera.

One on each side.

Hope you enjoyed a peek at what I am working on...

What is on your workbench?

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.