crafty update..new addiction and other stuff

Ok so I took yet another class on Craftsy.com. For a while I've been wanting to get into crocheting. My grandma tried to teach me as a kid. Although as many kids I didn't want to sit around and crochet I rather be out riding my bike or something lol so I never really picked it up. I noticed the crochet class was on sale and decided to pick it up. I'm halfway thru the series but it's hard because the instructor, like most people in life are right handed and I'm not. What's nice about craftsy is that students can use the message forum that displays next to the video to ask questions, answer questions from other students, make comments and so on. So on one of the comments the suggested that lefties try a youtuber who goes by the name of crochet guru. So I decided to give her vids a try. I also found another channel crochet guru.  Both channels was very helpful and they have patterns done with both hands so I've been watching them both along with Vickie's vids. I figure it would be good to watch as many as I can to learn different techniques such as how to do a slip knot. Not everyone does it the same way so its interesting to watch. I've done a few swatches and halfway thru my techie cozy project,  but with my ADD I quickly get bored working on one project and decide to jump to the next lol.

I'm a hooker!

Ok so years and years ago (I'm getting old ok) my grannie tried to teach me crochet. I think I paid attention for like 5 mins and ran off and rode my bike (I loved that thing). Anywho here I am trying to pick it and knitting back up again as an adult. I'm still a nob but I'm getting the hang of it. So far I did a few swatches and grannie squares which I decided to sew together to make a blanket for Zo, the newest addition to the family. Its' almost the end of June Zo's still not here yet. I've decided to give up the jewelry hustle for now and concentrate on just crocheting squares. Just until I get in the new place. I'll have a table and plenty of space in my new room which I'm uber excited to diy up lol.

I love youtube diys and an update other random ish..

So I've been trying to make new bracelets. I love youtube its been my teacher for most of the diys. I also took a class on craftsy.com. They have tons of different online crafting classes which can be view at anytime once purchased. I took the jewelry workshop class which goes over some basics including pearl knotting, wire wrapping (can't wait to get to this section), photo etching and even chain making. I got the class on sale so I would wait around and see if they do another sale or you can do the full price that is still affordable.  The last hands on class cost me 50 bucks and that was just basic beading/ stringing. So I think your getting a good bargain. Also Ms. Goodman is young but an excellent instructor.

I'm still working on a bracelet and necklace for my friend. I also did a paracord bracelet for my other male friend (a vet and survivalist).  I thought I didn't do a great job but it was my first time. I forgot to use both colors and used one color as the base. So it turned out being a mono-color bracelet instead of the duo color one it was supposed to be. Yet he still love the compass combo. I wanted to try again so I brought anther version of the kit in the same camo colors (Micheal's didn't have a whole lot of kit choices). This time I watched a vid on youtube which explained clearly same the instructions that were on the package (which had more photos then words). My second attempt was much better.  Next time I'll just pick some colors and do it myself since I think I got it down now.

I seem to be in this natural and african trade bead and fabric phase right now lol. I'm using wood and lavastone to create my friends bracelet.  Stringing it simply on some black strech cord I found at Bedazzled. I also found a new jewlery store in Arlington. Was going to take a shamballa class there but got stuck at the tax office (ugh). I'm thinking of going to go back tomorrow and buy some suede and or leather to string his key necklace. Just keeping it simple but I really like the keys I hate to give them up (got them free from Lista). Lista is a great place to find beads, thread, and other crafting supplies for free (you use credits instead of cash). My profilie is under nikkied76. Just gave away a bottle of mod podge, but I have another 16oz as well. Craft supplies, of course are popular items so be prepared for bidding wars.

As soon as I finish my friends projects I'll post them up. Forgot to mention you can also see my bracelets on IG (Instagram) under nikkied76. Please feel free to follow me. I hope to do a lot more bracelets so I can do something in the near future but its getting late so I'll save that for another post up.

Hexnut tutorial

So earlier I posted that I did that I did  a hexnut macrame bracelet  My first attempt. My macrame skills are about as good as my friendship bracelet skills so the bracelet came out somewhat impefect lol. But I still like I made an ultra cheapie version using a box of small hexnuts or machine nuts screws  from Home Depot and Plastic canvas cord (I believe this is for shades or blinds?) brought from Joannee Fabric which I already had.
here a vid of the tutorial that inspired me http://youtu.be/QT7iHShl-pM but I'll list what I used

If you want to copy mine you'll need

6-12 small hex nuts

plastic canvas cord (found at Joanne Fabrics ribbon and string section)

clipboard, clips, tape, desk leg and safety pins or just something to secure your base cord while braiding

some glue (e600 or beaders glue work best)

a good pair of scissors

cut 3 strings bout  2 yards long or 3 times the size of your wrist I always do it extra long as you'll need a lot extra for the braiding you can always trim lata

measure down 4 inches and knot your 3 string together with a overhand knot.

The middle string is your base strand and the 2 on either side are your working strands.

Make a knot onto your right strand this will be your starting strand. Make 5 macrame knots (refer to video if you don't know how)

add a hexnut and do 2 more knots or you can add more for a different look with less hexnuts

repeat until you use all your desired hex nuts

do 5 more knots or until long enough to reach you wrist

untie staring knot

cut side strings from both ends

secure last knot with a very small dab of glue

take another hex nut and pull thru both strands on oposite sides

tie knots on both ends (I also tied a knot in the middle and I was still able to adjust the strands.)

that's it enjoy your new bracelet!


I like this I think its very unisex style. I plan on buying some Chinese knotting cord and fancying this up a lil bit. I also tried spray paint on the hex nuts but it didn't work out very well. Paint took for ever to dry and was very sticky. If you have a better idea on how to paint these let me know.

I made it

I made it! a macrame bracelet with hex nuts..going for an industrial unisex look. Got 100 pcs for a few bucks. Think I may make use of some spray paint if it stops raining and go for another look later....

Miss me? (+Beadazzled and Michaels haul)

glass tile and Japanese origami paper

I know its been forever since I last posted but I have still been crafting. Bare with me as this  is a long post but I have pics! I have gone back to my first love DIY jewelry.  I admit it can be an expensive hobby. I took a class at a local bead store, brought a necklace kit on etsy some time ago, and finished one piece. Although I haven't really done anything since. I made some stretch bracelets for myself, my mom and sis for xmas. I also practiced some friendship bracelets and macrame, but otherwise backed off of it for quite a while. Then a guy friend of mine saw the necklace and wanted one a custom piece. So it inspired me to get cracking again.  Just this past weekend I spent a small fortune at a brand new Bedazzled that just opened up in my backyard (o my the temptation). They were having an opening weekend sale so I went a lil crazy. Here are some of my finds (most of them on sale).

Recycled glass beads (African?) wood and purple wood beads  white"jade" and black obsidian, yellow (died amethyst?) some Asian coins and beads and a pretty rhinestone bead (the only thing not on sale)

of course I didn't stop there Michale's was having a charm sale so I copped these hoping to make a bracelet or two for my MS walk in April even though I found some silicons on Ebay but that's another post..

along with these cords...

Of course I couldn't wait to get started so I worked on that para-cord bracelet kit shown above (new at Michales) that I'm hoping my vet friend would like... 1st pic is somewhat unfinished 2 pic all knotted and cleaned up...

another obsession is friendship bracelets...even though I see kids do them they can get seriously complicated and time consuming, although I love the designs. (still a beginner obviously)

Valentine hearts on stripped background

ribbon/fish 

double chevron I like to call the the WW pattern  needs blue though :)

some stretch bracelets

My project over the w/e while I make the time between lookin for a new apt...

I hoping to do both a male and female version.  And this just brought washer and bolts from home depot (along with a cheap storage bin)

new project?

Ok I know its been a while since I last posted. Trying to think of a new project I brought some beads for a necklace (was suppose to be a christmas present but it never happened lol). Just didn't think I'd finish in time. I'm also interested in knitting and crochetting. I got inspired by these two chicks here....

Maybe you heard of them The Double Stich Twins. The hail from Chitown and pretty much took your ordinary crochet to this chic hot level. These are not your grannie's patterns lol. Anywho I want to knit/crochet some booties or a blanket for my coworkers baby. She's only 4 months but I need to get started. But yeah imma start small. The sister's patterns are a lil advanced for me. They fly though lol