Other Crafts & Crafty People

Create, Create with Paper Beads

Posted on Mar 15, 2010 in Other Crafts & Crafty People | 3 comments

Have you tried turning an old book into a journal?  I have recently discovered how to alter a book into an art journal,  whether it is considered art journal or just plain journal it doesn’t matter it is your own journal and it is your own art.  There’s a lot of information out there I’m sure most of you are already familiar with.  My altered book journal is not finished yet but I am too excited about it, I have to show it to you.  I altered an old knitting/crochet book which is obsolete, I chose this book because first of all it has the sewn binding and it is just the right size.  Anyway, here it is…………

blog1

Here is a good tutorial on how to pick your book for an art journal from EraserqueenStudio:

Since I am the self-proclaimed Paper Bead Princess, I put paper beads on everything as you can see on the cover.

This is one of the unfinished page.  I sewed the sides of five pages put together.

blog3

Here’s one page that I finished last night with paper bead flowers 🙂

blog6

blog4

blog5

The little paper bead flowers are good for project like this.  I hope I have inspired you to do something with you paper beads today.

blog2

Read More

Playing With Paper Doll- My Avatar

Posted on Mar 5, 2010 in Other Crafts & Crafty People | 2 comments

I bought this book Journal Spilling by Diana Trout at Amazon.com after Hanna reviewed her book on her blog, and I’m not sorry I did.  I was was afraid to try my hand at “messing around” with my journal but this book helped me overcome my fear and I hope you will be encouraged to also try this form of art.  I’m not very good at drawing but I practiced and practiced and somehow was able to draw my “avatar’s” face that resembles me -ON A GOOD DAY!

blog1

On page 42 of Diana’s book is how to Make a Self Portrait:

blog2

Here’s how I came up with my self portrait.  I really would rather call it my avatar since this is how I would like to be perceived.  Kind of putting your best “face” forward.  On a good day this is how I hope to look like.  I cut out my top and skirt from my favorite catalog (I don’t go to the mall anymore, I do all my shopping online), and drew a face of me (kind of).

blog3

This is how envisioned myself: nice hair, make-up on, manicured hands, skinny jeans, high heels and a bag which I crocheted myself on a good day when I got all my ducks in a row, did I say that right?  ‘Sorry, English is my second language.  I will not be complete without my paper bead necklace.

blog7

Here I am on my nicely painted journal from an earlier post.

blog9

I still don’t have the heart to just throw paints and scribble on my journal (Sorry, Hanna) but I am just getting my feet wet.

blog11

Let me tell you this, it was so much fun, I was a kid again, transported to the time when I played with my paper dolls.  Would anybody want to try this with me?  We can schedule a play date, meet here with all your cut out tops and bottoms for your paper dolls and play, just leave me a comment here or email me.

blog10

I hope I have inspired you to try something new today  and fearlessly crafting.

blog7

Read More

Lokta Paper Beads by Carmen

Posted on Feb 4, 2010 in Other Crafts & Crafty People | 2 comments

Carmen comes to our shop to admire the different paper beads we have on display.  She tried making the paper beads herself and before long was turning out beautiful paper beads.  I shared with her how the women in the Philippines are able to supplement their income by making paper beads.  Carmen is an active volunteer for hopepartnershipnepal.org and was very much encouraged by the Philippine women story and how it could be possible for the women in Nepal to do the same.  I was admiring her latest creation, paper beads made of lokta paper or commonly known as rice paper.  She incorporated some wood beads and the textured wood bead is from the Bodhi Tree – Buddha sat under this tree during his enlightenment.  I love the organic look to this bracelet.

blog2

Did you know that paper made with lokta plant is non-perishable in water and that it is very soft and often use to wrap precious stones?

blog5

The bumpy looking wood bead Carmen used in this bracelet is made from Bodhi tree.

blog4

Carmen with daughter.

blog7

blog3

Read More

Beautiful Paper Beads by Elim

Posted on Feb 3, 2010 in Other Crafts & Crafty People | 6 comments

Elim discovered her love for jewelry making when her fiance’s mom gave her a bunch of beads.  The internet and youtube became Elim’s online school for jewelry making like most of us.  Isn’t it fun that you can just google anything and everything?  She stumbled on how to make paper beads and according to her “I couldn’t help myself from making so many.”  She couldn’t make enough for family and friends who just love her creations.  To see more of Elim’s paper bead jewelry, you can see it here.

Elim favors the candy colors like this bracelet with the heart charm, perfect for Valentine’s Day, don’t you think?

2eweast

With the matching earrings

eweast

She made this necklace for a 7 year old girl.

eweast3

eweast7

She made this blue paper beads necklace and bracelet set for her mother’s friend who is going to be a grandma.  How neat is that?  Blue for a baby boy and pink for a baby girl.  What a neat idea!

eweast4

I have never tried making them in pure black like this bracelet, I think this came out really nice paired with silver beads.

eweast8

Don’t you think these rings are so fun?  I think they would be perfect with paper beads jewelry.

eweast9

eweast10

Read More