Okay, so I'll post the instructions to make those glass marbles. They are *so* easy. You can make them by the batch. I have another picture of them here.
1.) You can get the smaller or larger glass pebbles from most craft stores, even the dollar store.
2.) Make a template, trace around, or guestimate for the cutting. I used a dime once for the smaller ones. I have a big punch for the larger ones. Just grab some magazines, newspaper, whatever paper strikes your fancy, and cut, cut, cut!!
3.) With a clear-drying glue, spread some glue on the back of the glass bead. I used a little cup, squirted some glue in, added a couple drops of water to thin it, then brushed it on with one of my kid's paintbrushes.
4.) let them dry, glue side up.
Done!!
You can apply magnets to the backs, if you'd like, or use a page of scrapbooking paper to make them all the same pattern, then glue the beads to something to pretty it up. I made a frame with my first batch of beads.
Be creative. Lemme know what you do!!
While vacationing up in Northern Wisconsin, we stopped by rummage sale that 2 old ladies were running. I didn't really find anything, but did seem drawn to these buttons in an old baby food jar for $1.50. I had some vague image in my head from a recent Martha Stewart magazine and some white button thing that was made.
A picture frame?
Donno. At any rate, I decided to pick up the buttons and turn them into a craft project. I can't find the article, but I'm thinking of using them on a frame border.
And then I made some of these glass marbles.
I've had the glass things sitting around forever. I finally bought a big punch, to make the cutting thing easier, and it went like a breeze.
Finally, I got around to putting Grubbies up for sale at my store.
I love these things. Problem is, they're so dang cute, I have a hard time burning them.
Nine-year-old son is terribly bored. Break out the Martha Kids mag and make spongeball:
The instructions call for 3 sponges, but we had 2. Make do with 2. Marked sponges every 2cm, to make 6 pieces. Dante cuts the sponges, while I mark. He also insisted on taking the pictures.
Lie all the pieces out (we had 12) and stack them by 3's, then wrap the string around (I used the string I normally use to make knitted dishcloths.) and pull tight, knot and tie.
Dante takes another picture of me, holding up sponge, before we cut the string. Reminder to son: do not take pictures of mom when her 2nd chin is showing...
Finally, the spongeball gets tested in our full-of-seeds-from-the-rotten-tree pool.
Passes test and will be used this afternoon.
I got some supplies and made some sticks. The "hardest" thing about it, is having p-a-t-i-e-n-c-e. Other than that, it's a snap.
The top picture is of them bundled and drying. I made them apple-spice scented. I used a weeny bit of leftover scent that I had, in case they smelled like crap. I hung the bundle from my clothes line and burned one later that day. Burned very well. Better than some other ones that I have right now, and it smells good, too.
Stamped Soap. This looks easy and fun. I'll have to try it first, to see if it really is as easy as it looks, of coarse...
Mel sent me the link to this and I don't want to lose it. I'm going on vacation for a week, and I'd like to try it when I get home.
Today I made, for the first time, chunk soap. I've wanted to make it for a while, but got the inspiration from an AOL tin that came in the mail. I was trying to think of something to do with the darn thing, and "soap mold" came to mind.
I poured the soap in the tin, then let it get hard. After it was hard (I put it in the fridge), I un-molded it (which wasn't as easy as I thought it would be), and cut it into chunks.
I put the chunks in the freezer, while preparing the pour-over soap. When it was ready, I poured a thin layer of the pour-over, let it set, then added some chunks, poured-over and voila.
I made a few of them, actually. It started out being a Father's Day gift for my dad. I made it kind of a spicy "manly" scent. But, I'm thinking I might offer some at my store as well, as OOAK. (One Of A Kinds)
Ooooh man. Tell me you don't wanna eat that. It looks better than the real deal.
Here's 2 soaps that I'm making to fill a couple different orders. It's the first time I used the turtle mold. I love it. I innitially bought it to make a turtle soap for my mom (who adores turtles), but still never have. Both soaps above are layered. I love the look of layered soaps.
Want a sheep, but own a cat? Oh my gosh. I love it. You can follow that link to more kitty fun.
Burn Again candle kits. You know I love this idea. This is a fabulous kit and gives you everything you need to get started, at a good price, too. Believe me, I know this from buying candle stuff.
Of coarse, you can always do it the Brandy way with the little paper cups. But, if you don't want to do that, and feel like you must have "official" supplies, try the kit.
Stop throwing out old candles!!