Saturday, April 21, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway

 And the winner is . . . comment #11 - which was
So sweet! love it! Thanks for the chance!
delcodealdiva@yahoo.com

Congrats Kelly aka Delco Deal Diva :)  please e-mail me your mailing address at alwaysdeeper at hotmail dot com so I can send you your prize package :)  Thanks so much for playing along and if you do make a necklace using this tutorial I'd love to know about it!  Drop me an e-mail or leave a comment with the link.  


One thing I love about blogging is the chance to meet some great talents.  Amy from Then She Made is one of those crafty ladies :)  She is here today with a tutorial on how to use your stamps in an unconventional way and to give away one of her fabulous necklaces!  So without further ado . . . Here's Amy! 

Hello There!  I'm excited to be visiting here and offering a little giveaway today.  I'm Amy from Then She Made... Then She Made... is my own little corner in blogland where I like to share, well, the things I've made.  One of those things is this pendant necklace made from oven bake clay and stamps that I bought from Elizabeth.


I'm thinking this would be great for Mother's day.  It's just a few weeks away after all and you're probably trying to think of what to get your awesome mom, right?  Well, here's an idea, make her a personalized necklace using some of your CTMH stamps.  Here's the step by step tutorial...


Step 1:  Start by picking out a stamp you will use.  I used the cute little flowers from the "A Garden" set above.   


Step 2:  Next, pick a clay color.  I went with Sculpey Turquoise.  There are lots of different oven baked clays out there.  Just check your local craft store or Hobby Lobby on-line.  Sculpey is my favorite though.  Once you've picked your color, break off a small piece and do what is called "conditioning".  Basically you are just going to knead the clay and play with it for a few minutes to get it soft and workable.  Then, press your clay flat like shown above.  Kept it's thickness consistent, around 1/4 of an inch.


Step 3:  Then, take your stamp and press it into the clay.  You could use an acrylic block for this but I didn't have one handy so I just used the stamp.  You want your stamp impression to be fairly deep and show well. If it doesn't happen that way the first time, just roll your clay up and start again.  


Step 4:  Using a cutting tool, cut the clay into the shape you want and remove the extra clay.


Step 5:  Next, and this is optional, I like to add a little more detail to my stamped impression.  So, using a sharp, pointy tool like a needle or toothpick, I basically trace the design by poking small holes in it.  Later on in the tutorial we use paint and poking these holes will help your paint settle into your design a little better.  Just don't poke them too deep or they will show on the back.


Here's a closer up look of the little holes in the design.

Step 6:  Poke a hole in the center top of your pendant.  Don't forget this step, it's an important one. You want the hole big enough so that  a jump ring or jewelry bale can fit in it.


Step 7:  Now that the front of your pendant is designed, if you want you can turn it over and add a personal message.  I choose "love blooms" and added it by first spelling it out in small dots - kind of like in Step 5, then carefully connect the dots and make lines.

Step 8:  (not shown)  Once you are done, place your completed design on a paper lined cookie sheet.  I just use regular, plain printer paper.  Then bake in a pre-heated 275 degree oven for 15 minutes.  Once it's done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely before moving on to the next step.


Step 9:  Now we paint.  Choose a color that you'd like to go in the design on your pendant.  I usually go with a dark brown.  You will also want to keep a little water and some paper towels close by.


Step 10: Paint your pendant like shown above.  Be sure to get paint into the design area.  Then, while the paint is still wet, using a dry paper towel, carefully wipe the paint off of the top surface.  Don't push the towel into the design, you want the paint to stay there.  Then, after the majority of the paint is off, dip a paper towel in to water, remove the excess water so it is just barely damp, and clean the pendant up.  You want to remove any paint on the top surface that didn't come off when you did the dry wipe.  Be sure to check the sides too.


 Technically you could end there but I like to give my pendants a finishing touch.


Step 11:  I use a polyurethane finisher, it needs to be water base and I just paint a thin coat on the pendant and let it dry.  Two coats is usually enough.


Step 12:  After it's dried for several hours, now you can turn it into a necklace.  You will need a chain and clasp, a jump ring or bale (I like bales) and enough supplies to make a small dangling charm.


Step13:  Put the bale on first.  If you are new to jewelry making, the bale is the little silver piece that hooks the pendant to the chain (it's pinched in between my fingers in the above photo).  Then, hang your charm from the bale.


Step 14:  Now all you need to do is attach it all to a chain!

Now the big question comes, who'd like to win this cute necklace pendant?  If it's you, leave a quick comment and make sure you leave your name and a way that we can contact you other wise another winner will be picked. We'll draw a winner on April 29th!

So, that's it - thanks Elizabeth for letting me stop by for a visit.  If you'd like to see more of my creations you can visit me at www.thenshemade.com, facebook or find me on Etsy.

Thanks so much Amy!  Glad to have you here!!  I have some exciting news for you! Along with this necklace I am also giving away the A Garden Stamp Set so you can make your very own necklaces if you want :)  

To Enter to win this fabulous necklace (wish I could enter - I so want one! Guess I'll go over and buy one!!):
1. Mandatory - Leave a comment with your name and a way that we can contact you if you are the winner

Other Optional Entries (Make sure to come back and comment for each entry):
2.  Visit ThenSheMade and say "hi" 
3.   Visit Amy's Etsy shop.  Come back and tell me which is your favorite necklace.
4.  Facebook and/or Tweet about this giveaway (two possible entries here)
5.  Visit Then She Made facebook page and tell her who you would give this necklace to if you win
6.  Visit Broken Treasures facebook page and tell me what you would do with this stamp set if you win :)

Remember to participate before April 29th when we will pick our winner.  Winner will be announced here on this post so check back and see if you won. 





Elizabeth

Elizabeth Mindemann alwaysdeeper@hotmail.com www.ejoym.blogspot.com
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83 comments:

  1. This is such a fabulous tutorial! How wonderful - I'm pinning it on Pinterest so that if I don't win - I'll either try it some day or just break down and buy one from her! Thanks!

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  3. I tweeted this - https://twitter.com/#!/cassie_recio/status/193798614311645184

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  4. Hi Elizabeth and Amy! After closely examining how the jewelry stuff is added/connected so I can do something similar later, I would give this piece to my mom. I know she'd have fun making more jewelry like this.

    Elizabeth, you can contact me on Facebook, where I'm going now to add Amy to my "likes" page (or whatever they're calling it now).

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  5. - I said "hi" at Amy's blog. :-)

    - The cool green necklace jumped out at me right away. Mom would love that, since she's a fan of greens and rusts. I also like the swirl items. They remind me of the flowers I made at your cardmaking event.

    - I posted on Amy's FB page.

    - Now I'm off to post on yours!

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  6. Gorgeous pendant! I think that is a project I may have to try! I'm at clmk523@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. I just visited Amy's blog. More great inspiration over there.

      I think my favorite piece in her store is the "hope" pendant (although I'm imagining a piece with my One Little Word of the year, proud...)

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  7. This is really cute!! Elizabeth, you have my email from the SEM DT. =)

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  8. I really like your pendants! Thanks for the chance to win.

    Kathy S

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  9. Very cute! Never thought it would be so easy to make!

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  10. SO CUTE!!! My mom would so love it!!! thanks for the great tutorial!!
    theponderingprincess@gmail.com
    Pamela

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  11. So sweet! love it! Thanks for the chance!
    delcodealdiva@yahoo.com

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  12. Left you a little note on your blog.

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  13. Posted a note on Then She Made... facebook page.

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  14. Posted a note on Broken Treasures facebook page.

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  15. I would be happy with anything green from Amy's Etsy shop. The little round inspirational pendants are especially nice.

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  17. Oh how sweet this little thing is!!! I LOVE it and I know my momma will too if i win it for her!!! love your blog as well
    *Ashley*

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  18. Thanks so much for the tutorial. I am ready to make one for my mother. It is just beautiful!

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  19. I left a note on Thenshemade's facebook page.

    Heather Haugen
    heatherhaugen@netzero.com

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  20. My mom would love the Blue Brocade Pendant. It's beautiful. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Heather Haugen :)
    heatherhaugen@netzero.com

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  21. This is a beautiful pendant. Love Amy's tutorials, follow her on her blogspot. She makes these look so easy, but I can't do them as well as she does, so I'm better off ordering, or winning one :-D

    Barb
    petebarb@wctc.net

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  22. Wow! That is great! I am not a jeweler but I think I may have to try this one, or win it!

    Courtscraftcorner@gmail.com

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  23. What a wonderful tutorial! I would love this necklace....it would make a wonderful gift for my daughter, as she is a new mom and it will be her first Mother's day. Thank you for the chance to win! :)

    Jackie
    jackieinmi67@gmail.com

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  25. From the adorable things in the shop, I guess I would choose the "Hope Tree Pendant" Such a pretty shade of green, and I love trees. :)

    Jackie
    jackieinmi67@gmail.com

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  26. I stopped over to Then She Made and left a comment.

    Jackie
    jackieinmi67@gmail.com

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  27. I tweeted about this giveaway here:
    https://twitter.com/#!/JackieReini/status/194077966362349568

    Jackie
    jackieinmi67@gmail.com

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  28. I shared this giveaway on my Facebook page:
    http://www.facebook.com/JackieReini

    Jackie
    jackieinmi67@gmail.com

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  29. I visited Then She Made on Facebook and left a comment. I also 'liked' her page. (Jackie Reini)

    Jackie
    jackieinmi67@gmail.com

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  30. I visited Broken Treasures on Facebook and left a comment (Jackie Reini)

    Jackie
    jackieinmi67@gmail.com

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  31. This is adorable. What a clever idea. Thanks for sharing.

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  32. Left a comment on broken treasures FB page.

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  33. Left a comment on then she made FB page.

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  34. I visited the etsy shop and loved the nativity set, but that cute camera necklace came in a close second.

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  35. I said "hi" on the then she made blog.

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  36. This is ADORABLE!! I am so adding this to my things to make, for gifts!! I'd love to win this, too!

    inspiredbyhEvan@hotmail.com

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  37. This necklace is very cute! I am not crafty, but I think I would be able to make one of those with my girls! Future project?!
    My email is nmse79@yahoo.com

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  38. I also shared this blog post on my facebook wall!

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  39. I love the arise necklace, but I also may have to purchase the Nativity Set soon!

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  40. Great tutorial! Pinning it & getting some of those stamps! So cute! Thanks for the giveaway!

    myboyblue11@gmail.com

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  41. Said hi to Then She Made!

    myboyblue11@gmail.com

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  42. Said hi and thanks on Then she made
    delivery.RN at gmail dot com

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  43. I would love to win one of her necklaces or anything she makes is wonderful. thanks for the giveaway!
    delivery.RN at gmail dot com

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  44. Went over to her etsy site and still my favorite necklace of hers is the swirl pendant and earring set
    delivery.RN at gmail dot com

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  45. Went to then she made facebook page (Kelly Fox) and told her i wanted to give the necklace to my niece who is graduating from college
    delivery.RN at gmail dot com

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  46. tweeted
    https://twitter.com/#!/foxdelivers/status/194204304448561152
    delivery.RN at gmail dot com

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  47. I posted comment on your facebook page about what i would do with the stamp set. Sooo Pretty!
    delivery.RN at gmail dot com

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  49. I left a comment on Then She Made :)
    Jennifer
    jenn.meier at gmail dot com

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  50. My favorite necklace on her etsy shop is the blue brocade.
    Jennifer
    jenn.meier at gmail dot com

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  51. I posted a comment on Then She Made on facebook.
    Jennifer
    jenn.meier at gmail dot com

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  52. I left a comment on your facebook page
    Jennifer
    jenn.meier at gmail dot com

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  53. Wow, great tutorial and cute necklace! I would love it! :)
    Jennifer
    jenn.meier at gmail dot com

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  54. i want one - and i want to make a bunch too.

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  55. I would love to win this adorable necklace, thanks for the giveaway!

    sandy dot hardman at gmail dot com

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  56. Left a comment at then she made it.

    sandy dot hardman at gmail dot com

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  57. My favorite is the steampunk necklace.

    sandy dot hardman at gmail dot com

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  58. Latoya

    sweeps785(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  59. I Visited ThenSheMade and said hi on this post:http://www.thenshemade.com/2012/04/guest-post-giveaway.html

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  60. This is my favorite necklace: http://www.etsy.com/listing/96213234/swirl-pendant-and-earring-set

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  61. https://twitter.com/#!/sweeper78/status/194286912574455808

    tweeted.

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  62. http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=282090001879770&id=100002136878982

    facebook.

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  63. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thenshemade/298341610177686#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=417204764958036&id=298341610177686

    commented on thenshemade's fb page.

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  64. https://www.facebook.com/brokentreasure#!/brokentreasure/posts/373276592715770?comment_id=4462415

    commented on broken treasures page...my fb name is bell martin.

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  65. This is a fantastic idea! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  66. Love the necklace and stamp set! Wish I could be creative! ` kristy

    lambros0303@aol.com

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  67. Awesome review, I love seeing this process!
    onecheaplady@yahoo.com

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  68. Elizabeth, I just love your page! You have such great things on here!
    I am going to have to make a necklace for my mom! What a great idea, Amy! I hope mine turns out HALF as nicely as yours did!
    And I love the stamp set! Actually one that I Don't have! =)
    AmyScrapSpot@gmail.com
    Here's hoping! =)

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  69. i think my favorite is the "SMILE" one in the etsy shop!

    dallascunning@yahoo.com

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  70. Adorable necklace!, great tutorial, thanks!!

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  71. Just visited 'Then she made' to say hi :-)

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  72. I love the stuff you have in Etsy...but my fav is the Nativity set!

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  73. This is fabulous. I love it and would love to win it. This really makes me want to try jewelery-making! kyatso@hotmail.com

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  74. Visited the Etsy shop...everything is great. But the bird with "Smile" is my fav!

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  75. So cute. Going to try to make something like this next week w/my 10 and 11 year olds, and an 8 year old friend of theirs. Hoping it goes well - never worked with clay at all! Advice on a "cutting tool"? I don't have any 'supplies' yet and need to go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels - what's the bare minimum in case we aren't too good at this? Thank you!!! Would be thrilled to win this one you made! Also - never done any jewelry making, but realllly like the dangle - any tips on how to attach it? The step by step w/the twisting and wire cutting? or not..and so on? I want the girls to have a great experience - thanks!

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  76. love this Definitely making this if I don't win. Probably going to make some variations any way because it is such a great gift idea. Thanks for the tute.
    Deborah Burchard yzag@saintly.com

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  77. Hi girls, I love everything Amy makes. I have made some of them myself but I just can't seem to get this jewerly one down. I would love to have one myself to learn from. Then I would give this one to my mom. You can contact me at walkerforu2@yahoo.com.
    Thanks

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  78. I've been a fan of Amy for a while now, since I found her wonderful little pieces of polymer clay jewelry over on Pinterest. I've made a couple of her little necklaces for gifts and they've been a big hit, however, I give all the credit to Amy!!

    I look forward to seeing more of her fab creations.

    Georgina

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  79. I would like this necklace very much. I haven't worked with clay, yet. My email account is: wcroto@gmail.com Thank you, Wandy

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  80. A beautiful necklace and a great tute. I am at elee28382@yahoo.com.

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  81. Probably way too late but I just "found" you guys!! I still think I won!! LOL

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