Those Who Are Better

I hope you had a moment to read my latest installment for my 2011 Craft Quest. If not, please check it out here: http://shakenmake.blogspot.com/2011/02/month-2-paper-jewelry.html. Essentially, I want to try a new craft each month. For February, I gave my best to creating two paper rings. I really like each one and hope to create more. As with anything, it takes time and practice (read: patience) to really develop skills. Today, I want to give a nod to those who are better at creating with paper. Each selection is currently for sale and is handmade.


http://www.etsy.com/listing/65855892/aqaumarine-recycled-magazine-paper-ring
This ring is made from recycled magazine paper. What a great idea! I absolutely love the aqua color and the heart shaped ring back - not to mention the "green"-ness of it all.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65977309/secret-heart-earrings-mixed-media-with
This pair of earrings were created in Belgium and are so unique! I adore the stitching, as you can probably tell from my own work. I also am in love with the skeleton key with the heart lock. These are just adorable!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67039959/white-rose-brooch
This brooch was made in Italy and looks pretty complicated. It is so delicate and would make a perfect gift. My favorite part is definitely the visibility of the font from the paper the creator used.

Each of these items really makes me want to focus more on using paper in this unconventional way. May the universe grant me ample time for this. :)

Month 2 - Paper Jewelry

Okay so I'm not exempt from the New Years resolution curse. It is February 17th and I just tonight did my February craft. I'm a slacker, go ahead and throw tomatoes at me. But I do think you will like my lastest installment.

I recently discovered that you can sew paper. Maybe I'm the last to know, but I think it's pretty neat. I made two rings tonight out of scrapbooking paper.

First, I cut the paper into strips.

I made sure to crinkle the strips to try to make them softer. I was worried they might tear more easily if I didn't. Then I sewed green and pink stiches down all the strips.

For the first ring, I took two strips and intertwined them and formed them into a square-ish shape that I liked. I put a yellow triangle button on top. OooOoo.. ahhhhh.

For the second ring, I took one strip of the paper and pleated it into a fan shape and secured it to the ring base. Personally, I like this one better because of the "drama" of it.

At the end of the day (night, really) these were both fun to make and it was really neat to work with a different type of medium. Maybe if I don't continue on this bum phase, I will experiment more before March begins. We shall see.