Halloween Town sign

A tradition I’ve started is having a Tim Burton marathon at the start of ever October. And one of my favorite shots from The Nightmare Before Christmas is the close up of the Halloween Town sign, with the pumpkin head scare crow swinging in the wind. This gave me an idea for my annual Halloween Table display-the one part of my house I’m allowed to go nuts with for the holiday season!

I remembered a yarn doll design from one of the American Girl craft books that I made years ago, and decided to resurrect it for this project. It’s very easy; take get a large piece of cardboard about the entire length that you want your doll and wind the yarn around it until. Cut the yarn from one end to detach it from the cardboard, secure the folded centre with a strand of yarn, then about 2 or more inches down tie and knot about strand to make the head. Section off the arms, cutting the extra yarn to a shorter length and tying more yarn around to shape the hands. Then secure the torso, and do the same for the legs. You now have your scarecrow! Dress him as your please-I used some old pieces from my doll projects.

Now download some good pictures off the net of hardwood floors-the more detailing in the wood, the better! Print it, then cut and paste to pieces of cardboard to make the beams of the post. Have a crossbeam for the arms of the scarecrow to hang from, slightly off centre for a real creepy rustic look. 

Now add the direction signs. I chose scary towns in the States, such as Sleepy Hollow and Savannah, but you can do anything, from your home town to Warning signs if you like! 

Customised Treasure Box

Several years ago for my birthday, my elder sister Marika gave me a small wooden box, a perfect blank slate to design to my heart’s content. For ages it sat among my jewelry collection, awaiting the dawn of it’s redesign. Like most crafters, I was terrified at the idea of wasting the opportunity. The simplest mistake could take this box from beautifully redone to tacky!

Finally, after reading Mark Montano’s Big As Book of Crafts 2, the perfect treatment came to me. With some old magazines pages, spray primer and bronze paint, this box was transformed into a antique like container! From a distance the texture and color has a gorgeous antique detail. I’ve used this box many times for my doll photography, like my Pirates collection. And what was most fun was how easily you can lay out the rolled up tubes of paper in any direction, curving easily around the outline of the container.

Simple with amazing results, this customization technique isn’t just limited to specific containers either. If you’re like me and save every single little boxes you get at Christmas (I have them all sitting in a shoebox at home!) this would be a great method to spruce one up, making it special enough to store your precious treasures in. For more delicate keepsakes like jewelry, I suggest lining the inside of the boxes with felt. Also be sure to shave off the excess edges of the paper tubes-the smallest bit of unrolled paper stick out on the final piece.

Button Cluster Collection

So I wore my button cluster necklace last night to a dinner, and my friend Valentina loved it. She has amazing taste, from her signature pink plaster heart shaped ring to her strapless Spongebob Squarepants dress! So I was really flattered when she asked if I make earrings. To be honest, I haven’t really considered making any earrings yet. My signature bob haircut has little call for earrings, the reason I stick to bold neck pieces instead for my jewelry crafting. Val none the less requested if I ever made something again to do a little something for her with the leftovers.

On the tube home, I had a moment of inspiration for ways to continue the button cluster theme, but putting them into earrings, and even a cool cocktail ring! I have all the materials, so why not just see?

I drafted three bases out of black sugar paper-a small circle for the ring, ovals for the earrings. The ring was easy, the tiny scale caller for smaller buttons and sequins to still maintain that cluster effect. The earrings, however, I had to put the cluster on both sides of the base since the pieces would hang and be seen from all sides. Also once attached to the earring loops, they became far too heavy. Next time I’ll try a smaller base, and consider less cluster detail. 

So did I waste my time creating those pieces? Heck no! I’ve turned one piece into a keychain, and have the other on reserve for a necklace centre piece. But I did learn that when excited about a new project, I should probably be sure before investing too much time into its creation that it’ll work.  

Project Budget: None-leftovers from previous project!

Chunky Pearl and Pins Necklace

A project found in my absolute favorite craft book, Tarina Tarantino’s ‘The Sparkle Factory’, this necklace was been my second attempt at jewelry making. Right away I was struck by the boldness of the shape of the beads, and keen to try some techniques such as making a proper head pin and crimping.

Tarantino’s original necklace, entitled the ‘Techno Tribal Pin Collar’ as the name suggests was a little too wacky for me, with its acid neon beads. But I loved the outline and collaboration of large pearl beads and chain, so I set out to make it in my own vision, with a more vintage tone. So far my personal style has sky rocketed simply from being more adventurous in my accessories. 

Originally I wanted to make this necklace with gold chain and safety pins, but it looks like there aren’t any gold pins in large sizes on the market. Besides, in the end the silver toned chain with the different sized white pearls looked more street style without being too granny-ish. 

I substituted the wire that threads the beadwork and pins together with jewelry making jelly cord. The wire I got couldn’t even fit through the smaller beads. It was great to practice some crimping, but I am petrified of the cord snapping due to the weight of the beads one of these days. Also on the end of the chain, I added Tarantino’s bead detail. This really gives it a very professional touch!

With pride I wore the finished piece to work this week, with burgundy colored jeans and one of my favorite oversized jumpers. The necklace caught everyone’s eyes! I can see this being a brilliant statement piece. Also I’d love to try making another in a more versatile tone, like gold, if I could just find a good supplier that stocks these materials. It was fun to make, and has a funky-feminine feel to it. 

Project Budget: £25 (includes various size beads, chain, cord, safety pins and head pin)

October Book Review: The Unofficial Harry Potter Party Guide by Jessica Fox

In the spirit of the season of Halloween, I thought this title would be appropriate. However, I should highlight that when I downloaded a sample onto my Kindle, it had been taken from the crafting section of the book. Yes, I should have reread the book’s name, but I grew up in a household of hardcore Potter fans, can you blame me?

Granted, the author offers some amazing tips on how to throw the ultimate Harry Potter themed party. I don’t have kids myself, but I can see these ideas instantly piloting one’s rep as an awesome parent. From making potion drinks to party games, such as using large packing boxes to make a maze for your own Triwizard Tournament to how to have your own sorting ceremony, this book considers every aspect of this experience-and all more simple that you’d think.

The author does have in the beginning a section filled with some sweet items that you’d recognize from the books that would be brilliant to bring to life with any Potter fan. But I guess I was rather hoping for more. After visiting the Warner Bros Studios last year, I never realized all the incredible richness all the props hold! So while this book does give details on how to make a pair of Luna Lovegood’s radish earrings, I could think of projects that would be more appealing, like making your own Owl or Slytherin’s locket-though I’m really tempted to make my own Pygmy Puff! 

Now that I think about it, there’s a book idea here,folks-Potter Crafts, an entire volume on making your own Harry Potter themed items.

The instructions are clear, though I find the budget the author’s gives for each project to be a little underestimated. Also I wondered why, when inspired by book as rich in visual details as Harry Potter, you’d opt to do the photos for this title in black and white? So maybe not a volume that’s vital to a crafter’s library, but a damn good read for ideas for your kids’ birthday party.

Final Score: 1/5