Artisan Headpin Challenge

I am a huge fan of  Art Jewelry Elements.

It is a bonus to have so many talented artists all sharing in one place.

It is one of the few blogs I subscribe to and always read.

When they suggested an art headpin challenge, I was intrigued and emailed right away to sign up.

Just one problem....

I did not actually own any art headpins.

Which leaves me 2 options: buy some or make some.

Well, I am a making kind of girl.

So here is what I came up with this weekend.

Well that is just the first half of the story.

Want to see some of the designs I came up with using those headpins?

Ok, here they are....

Which is your favorite?

Leave a comment below for a chance to win this pair.

Just tell me your favorite pair shown and your email address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  

I will choose and announce a winner September 17th.

This is a long contest...

Tell all your friends

And good luck.

Want to see more fabulous art headpins?

Visit each of these blogs for more fabulousness.

Guests:

Alison Herrington

Renetha Stanziano

Karin Grosset Grange

Gloria Allen

Deb Fortin

Cate van Alphen

Mona Arnott

Shai Williams

Sarajo Wentling

Kathy Lindemer

Solange Collin

Melissa Meman

Patricia Handschuh

Tammy Adams

Melissa Trudinger

AJE Team Members:

Caroline Dewison

Lesley Watt

Cathy Mendola

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Susan Kennedy

Laney Mead

Diana Ptaszynski

Lindsay Starr

Niky Sayers

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment with your favorite pair from this post and your email before September 17th for a chance to win....

Bracelet stacks

Sorry I have been MIA lately.

Sometimes life throws you some curve balls.

But I am back now.

How about some pretty bracelet stacks to celebrate?

I love this set for summer...

And this one is actually a single piece that looks like a bracelet stack.  

I wear this one all the time.

I made it just for me.

I never do that...

So what have you been up to?

Hope it has brought you joy and relaxation...

Thanks for stopping by....

Mermaid Crown

I am fascinated with crowns.

Which is sort of funny because I do not consider myself a diva kind of girl.

I guess every girl has a secret princess inside.

So I wanted to take a hand at making my own mermaid crown.

Here she is....

Talk about fun....

You know when you get to use seashells, pearls and glitter that it is going to be a great time....

The tulle added just the touch I was looking for...

And I am in love with the graphic appeal of a starfish...

I am drawn to any piece that has starfish incorporated...

I love the additions of the little bits of tulle here and there....

I need a pretty mermaid model to wear it...

I used the finest glitter....

Love the tiny shimmer of it...

This was a great use for all the seashells I am always buying at yard sales and the thrift stores...

Truth be told, I have many jars filled with tiny (and not-so-tiny) seashells.

So I have my own little piece of magic now...

It is a bit heavy to actually wear, but it brings me joy none-the-less.

How do you celebrate your inner princess?

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Thanks for stopping by....

Star Fish Napkin Ring for a Beach Wedding: A Quick DIY Tutorial

Summer always makes me think of weddings.

Today I wanted to show you a very quick and easy beach wedding favor.

You can use this as a napkin ring at the wedding and as a take home favor.

Your guests can use it later lots of ways.

You will need:

Rope

Starfish

Hot Glue Gun

Glue sticks

Paper towel tube

I got my rope at Lowes but you should be able to find it at any hardware or home improvement store.

Decide how big you want the rope ring to be and find something you can use to wrap the rope around.

  I used a paper towel tube.

You could make yours smaller or larger.

Wrap the rope around the tube twice and tie.

Cut your rope, leaving short tails.

Get your starfish ready by turning it upside down.

Add a drop of hot glue to the center of the starfish.

Turn it over and press it onto the knot.

Slide the ring off the paper towel tube and press the rope firmly into the hot glue.

Let it cool.

Use it as a napkin ring that can be taken home as a favor.

I used flour sack towels for napkins.

I bought a large pack of them at Sam's Club.

They are laundered but not pressed.

I like them soft and supple.

 These would look fantastic on your table with a sprinkling of sand, shells and stones.

These can be made in less than 5 minutes each.

It actually took me longer to wait for the glue gun to heat                    than it would take to make one.

If you can't find starfish, you can use seashells instead.

Guests can take them home and use them there as napkin rings.

Or as a tieback for curtains.

It would dress up a bathroom in the summertime on a towel or washcloth.

Slip it over a wine bottle to dress up a gift.

  

Or just use it on a table or shelf to bring in a touch of the beach.

I love the way these turned out.

For other fast and easy wedding crafts, hop over for the Wedding edition of Craft Lightning.

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.