Tag Archive for Handmade Stuff

Small Folk Fairy Wand diy Ideas

One of the things that I’ve been inspired to create are fairy wands.

I love nature. I sense a lot of wonder and magic in nature. I easily see nature spirits, especially in trees, rocks and flowers.

About a year ago, I was inspired to take a course in Fairies and received a certificate in fairyology!

Sometime after I finished the course I was inspired to create fairy wands.

I’m still at the start of this idea but I’ve created two so far.

I collect wood sticks that I pick up on my hikes, along with rocks and driftwood. As for sticks, I pick up what I consider good sticks for walking, guiding my dogs on a path or to point and reach. So, I already had sticks on hand to start. Most everything I already had on hand: acrylic multi-surface paint, feathers, wire, twine, glue, glitter, tulle, fancy stickers and small crystal wands.

The first one I made is right below.

DIY Fairy Wand

On this first one, I tried to wire wrap the crystal to the stick. This was a little bit trickier than I had expected. I used glue to make sure the crystal wouldn’t fall out of the wire wrapping. There ended up being some glue residue. I used E6000. I don’t think I’d use this glue again for something like this.

DIY Fairy Wand

At the end of the wand, I stuck some gem style stickers onto the tulle bow. This created a fun light-hearted child-like look. Great for making wishes come true here and there!

In the second version of the fairy wand, I decided to use a tiny little stick I had kept, hoping that one day it would come to life. The little stick finally found a purpose. And it was a great purpose …a fitting fairy wand for small folk.

This time I knew that wire wrapping a crystal to a stick this size would probably not work out so well for me. Then it hit me. I needed some kind of plaster or clay. It does still incorporate wire though; it further enhances the wand’s energy!

diy small folk wand

Here’s another side of it..

diy small folk wand

I like how this version turned out overall. I’d like to improve the sculpting of the clay … next version!

The clay I used worked magically. It’s called Premier and it’s light weight stone clay. I found it at my local Michael’s store.

I went through a bunch of clay descriptions before I decided to venture on this one. The Premier stone clay turned out to be just what I was hoping it would be. I’m happy with it. I think it will really help me to bring ideas to life.

Oops! I almost forgot to show the final touch I added to it. It’s the leather strapping around the wand handle. DIY Small Folk Fairy Wand w Leather

I’m excited to work on the next one!

Until next time … it’s the little things in life 👍 

Vintage Turquoise Blue Bib Statement Necklace On Etsy

This post is a little bit on how to wear a bib statement necklace and features one of the jewelry items listed on my etsy boutique.

If you are looking for a bold statement, this necklace is perfect for you.  Bib necklaces are usually big and eye catching. They’re called bib necklaces because, well, they look like (baby) bibs around your neck 😊

Vintage Blue Bib Necklace

If you’re looking to spice up your look, this beautiful turquoise blue bib necklace will be striking on your wardrobe. This one is available at my etsy boutique at an excellent value. Plus, you get to feel good about being kind to the environment because this product is handmade and not mass produced.

Bib Statement Necklace

With bib statement necklaces you’ll want to keep your other accessories minimal (especially earrings or on your hair) because this necklace is meant to be the highlight of what you’re wearing. Since the bib necklace is making a statement, you don’t want to “overcrowd” or “clutter” your look. Be careful that your look doesn’t look overly busy. The whole point of your bib necklace is making that bold statement. You don’t really need much else on your top portion.

Since I’m really into hats though, I might try to fit in a hat that could work with it. ✌️

Bib statement necklaces look best with simple necklines. This vintage bib statement necklace for women that I’m featuring would look fantastic with a strapless top, like an off the shoulder blouse.

Though wearing it with a solid color is easiest to style, a patterned outfit is possible, too. It just may take a little more effort.

Vintage Bib Statement Necklace

The most important thing about bib statement necklaces is to let them do most of the work on your outfit so that you can have fun effortlessly looking good!

Enjoying Needle Felting

I really enjoy working with wool felt and the needle. The craft of shaping and sculpting the wool is called needle felting.  A couple of reasons why I liked needle felting right away is because I noticed that it could quickly reduce stress and  because it’s very forgiving to a beginner. Even if whatever I’m  working on doesn’t come out exactly as intended, it doesn’t come out horrendous, either. That makes me want to keep on trying it out. Another reason to like it is that it’s a pretty minimal craft. The basics are: a needle, wool batting and a foam felting pad or you could use a kitchen sponge. From that point, you can make whatever you want! I just love that.

The first time I ever felted was from a kit. It was one from Woolbuddy. I found my kit while browsing in Maido, a stationary  and gift store in SF’s Japan Town. It was a penguin kit. My First Wooly Friend

woolbuddy felt making kit

This is the Woolbuddy kit for my first felty

The penguin wooly had a good albeit short life. Unfortunately, recently its life ended abruptly after a visiting dog mistook it for a toy stuffy after the wooly had fallen off its shelf. Sad. I reflected on it being my first needle felt wooly and comforted myself by promising the creation of more wooly’s to come.

The latest wooly art that I made was for my Aunt’s birthday. Like me, she likes little cute things, especially if they’re small, have fur and are rodent- like.

Image of a wool felt hamster

Wool felt hamster with a food bowl and hamster wheel.

 

Image of a wool felt hamster approaching his food bowl

Wooly hamster approaching his/her food bowl

 

Image of handmade wool felt hamster eating out of pretend food bowl

I can’t wait to eat! Then go on my funwheel!

 

9 Neat Things To Know About Felt:

  • Felt is an industrial material.
  • Felt is used on stuff like the underside of cars to protect the car body, as well as in the construction of a home.
  • The finer the wool, the softer it is. Think of merino wool, you see it a lot in clothing. Coarse wools are used to make carpets.
  • Coarse wools felt quickly. Softer wools take much more time to felt.
  • Wool roving  is rolled up wool that  you get in thin 5 inch wide strips. The fibers are all straight and go in one direction. It looks smoother and can feel softer.
  • Wool batting is wool that’s rolled up into sheets. They’re wider than the wool roving and can be fluffy-like. The fibers are not straightened nor directional. It looks a little coarser than wool roving.
  • Felting needles have different gauges and therefore will felt the wool a little differently.
  • The felting need was created and used for industrial use. In the 1980’s, David and Eleanor Stanwood developed the felting needle into a handcraft.
  • Needle felting is different than wet felting. Wet felting is the oldest technique of the two. Historically, it’s also been the one that artist use more. Wet felting involves rubbing soapy wet fibers together. Needle felting is a dry process that has been growing in popularity.

Do you want to try needle felting? Just go for it!

It’s fun, doesn’t require a lot to begin, and it’s not rocket science. But I mean, if you’re into rocket science, that’s cool, too. I get it … Still! You’re going to love needle felting.

‘Til next time, keep enjoying the little things: because it’s about the little things in life!