Carey Burns

A while back, I was given some unwanted laminate samples and I took them, not knowing what I'd make with them. They were in my junk bin and when I was purging items this summer, they made it to a zipper bag for the "free pile" of our upcoming yard sale. The other day, I thought "Hey, use them to make a more durable tag!" So this little taglet was born. In total, I made seven different ones and had six larger tags left. This tag is inspired by the taglet. New project on left, inspiration taglet on right Inspiration taglet Supplies: 1 laminate sample or paper tag Tim Holtz Ancestors Paper Doll: Witches Tim Holtz Botanical Tissue Paper Distress Collage Medium (matte) Tim Holtz Clippings and Big Chat stickers Distress Crayons: Twisted Citron, Picket Fence, Squeezed Lemonade, Tumbled Glass Distress Ink: Black Soot, Aged Mahogany Distress Marker: Black Soot Glossy Accents Tim Holtz Baroque Frame (rusted with Sophisticated Finishes) Tim Holtz ...

It's Maker's Monday! Today’s project is a pair of natural brass and Swarovski pearl earrings with a simple loop cold connection. Some people have sensitive ears so they may not be able to wear brass ear wires. Please substitute accordingly. I've linked supplies to where I have purchased them but you may buy them elsewhere. Supplies: 2 natural brass fishhook ear wires 2 8mm Swarovski pearls in Night Blue 2 Vintaj Wandering Pathway embellishments 2 lengths of Vintaj 20 gauge Artisan Copper wire (about 5 inches each) Tools: Jeweler's pliers (one or two pairs, depending on your preference) Flush cutters Instructions: 1.  With the tips of your pliers, make a 90 degree bend in the end of one wire, roughly 1/2 inch from the end.  2.  Line the very end of that 90 degree bend up with the mark on your pliers. Make sure the mark is facing up and clamp the pliers around the end of the headpin—hold the rest of the wire tightly with your other hand.   Line th...

Happy Maker's Monday! Today’s project is a pair of sterling silver and Swarovski crystal earrings with a simple loop cold connection. If you don’t want to use sterling or Swarovski crystals, you may make substitutions. I've linked supplies to where I have purchased them but you may buy them elsewhere. Supplies: 2 fishhook ear wires 2 8mm round Swarovski crystals in Indian Pink 2 sterling silver headpins 4 3mm (4mm works too) round sterling silver beads Tools: Jeweler's pliers (one or two pairs, depending on your preference) Flush cutters Instructions: 1.  Slide the beads in the following order onto your headpins:   sterling silver – Swarovski – sterling silver 2.  Take the very tips of the pliers and clamp them around the headpin, just above the last bead.   Hold the pliers tight and push the end of the headpin away from you so that it makes a 90-degree bend in the headpin.   Pull the pliers out of the bend. Repeat for the sec...

I'm starting a new series for  blog called "Maker's Monday" where I share with you the how-to details of recreating the things I make. Mostly it will be jewelry project instructions but I might throw in some recipes and other crafty projects. Yesterday's project was delayed due to technical difficulties, but here it is now! First up is a pair of Wise Owl Earrings perfect for the jewelry novice. For this pair, I used sterling silver jewelry findings and the small owl charms are brass with an antique silver finish. If you cannot find the charms or want something else, feel free to substitute. Wise Owl Earrings Supplies: 2 fishhook ear wires 2 scroll components 6 3mm open jump rings 6 small owl charms 11mm x 4 mm (It appears my supplier no longer carries them...) Tools and Supplies Tools: Jeweler's pliers (one or two pairs, depending on your preference) Instructions: 1.  Open all of your jump rings. You can either use just your fingers...