Holiday Crafts

[coltnlasma]

I usually make everyone a Christmas ornament and draw Christmas cards, but this year I am having a hard time coming up ideas. I just can't seem to get in the spirit.

I remember admiring your cards and sketches in the art thread. Here's hoping that you'll soon find yourself in the holiday spirit.

[inthegarden]

Thanks for the idea L4R and for the encouragement coltnlasma.
Today, I did finish the clock for my Mom's birthday. It is made from polymer clay. So now on to Christmas....

[livin4reality]

Is that the kind of clay you bake? Sorry if that is a stupid question but I only have the tiniest bit of knowledge about polymer clay. It sounds cool.

[doxie]

Once again, I'm doing jewelry for the women in my family - necklaces for my mother and my aunt and a chainmaille bracelet for my cousin, who recently had her house broken into and all of her jewelry stolen. The bracelet is more than I would usually spend (it's sterling), but I wanted to do something a little more special for her this year.

Have you heard about Bead For Life?

Handmade bead jewelry, beaded jewelry, handcrafted beads, paper beads

I have a friend who makes jewelry and I ordered a bag of beads for her. They are beautiful (maybe she'll make something for me!) and the proceeds go to a really good cause.

[inthegarden]

Is that the kind of clay you bake? Sorry if that is a stupid question but I only have the tiniest bit of knowledge about polymer clay. It sounds cool.

Yes, you bake it in the oven. That's not a stupid question. You can make all kinds of things from polymer clay, except for food serving pieces. It is great for making Christmas ornaments, jewelry, and other things too. They have really improved the new clays, they are softer and easier to work with and the colors stay truer after baking. You might enjoy making something out of polymer clay. I posted a plaque on the My Art thread that I made from polymer clay. If you decide you want to try it, I can give you some suggestions on which brands to use for your items as well as some tips I've learned along the way.

[Critical]

Have you heard about Bead For Life?

Handmade bead jewelry, beaded jewelry, handcrafted beads, paper beads

I have a friend who makes jewelry and I ordered a bag of beads for her. They are beautiful (maybe she'll make something for me!) and the proceeds go to a really good cause.

Wow. I really should check this thread more often I hadn't heard of Bead for Life, doxie. It looks very cool! Thanks for the link

Well, this isn't MY craft, but it was a gift someone made for me. My friend's mother-in-law is a quilter and she hangs some of her quilts - from bigger throws to little wall hangings - in my friend's store for sale. I asked her one day if she had anything in black, white and red, because I have a spot in my kitchen that's "open" and I love her work. She said she didn't, but that she's make me something. Cool, since she prices her pieces really reasonably. Anyway, she brought the finished piece to me the other day and just gave it to me for Christmas! It's so cute and will go perfectly in the kitchen, especially since, when I redo my kitchen curtains, I'm doing them in black and white toile. Here it is:

It measures about 12" by 16".

On the gift making front, I have one more piece to finish - a necklace for my mom of red coral cube beads and lampwork glass with some sterling mixed in. It's all black, white and red...that seems to be a theme lately!