Monday, May 7, 2012

Duct Tape Flowers


Last week Tuesday was May Day and I had the chance to spend it teaching others to make lei at Kapiolani park along with some of my fellow employees. Unfortunately, we were so busy that I didn't have the chance to take any pictures in all the rush. It's okay, though, because instead I'll show you what I did for most of the day.


They're duct tape flowers! Aren't they cool? This is something that Brandon here at Enchanted Lake thought up and that I decided to take on the road.


These five petal flowers are made just like the Nylon netting flowers that many of you may remember from a few years back. The only difference is that you're using super cute duct tape instead of super cute nylons. We have a nylon flower project sheet available for free at our store, by the way.


Duct tape just came out with some new awesome colors and patterns like these wild animal prints. These are great for a wild bouquet centerpiece for birthdays or graduation parties.


They're made a little differently than the five petal flowers because they have a total of - count 'em - eight petals, which make them look a little more like lilies than plumerias. Also, the petals are two different sizes. Otherwise, these flowers work up in the same way as their smaller counterparts.


We have project sheets available at our store for these flowers too. Also, stay tuned to our Crankin' Out Crafts You-Tube channel because Brandon is going to be making these for our video blog in just a little bit.

And, as always, you can just stop on by our store for instruction and more inspiration.

Happy flower making,
Puna @ Enchanted Lake

P.S. Don't forget to read the previous blog post about Mother's Day week on Crankin' Out Crafts.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 97 - Child's Handprint Frame

We’ve got some special Mother’s Day crafts for you this week on Crankin' Out Crafts. Today, Puna will show you a touching and easy frame to put together for a special Mother.

Need a gift for Mother's Day? Watch our Crankin' Out Crafts videos this week!


Supplies:
Handprint poem
Frame
Scrapbooking paper
Stamp ink
*Optional – photograph
*Optional – embellishments

Sorry, our framer’s hand is not available for your use. We recommend using your child’s hand to complete this project and make this gift extra special for Mom or Grandma.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Flower Wreath Earrings



Here's another jewelry project that would make a pretty Mother's Day gift! I took a variety of resin flowers from our Bead Soup mix and used the ball end head pins from our Sweet Beads finding line to attach them to the some 24 mm textured rings by Beadalon.  I really like these ball end head pins because they are very affordable since they are made from base metal but also because they are thin, which makes them very easy to bend and wrap!  After all my flowers were in place, I filled up the rest of the ring by using 26 gauge wire to wrap on fire polish beads.  When I reached the top of the "wreath" I wrapped a jump ring to the back to make it easier to attach my ear wires.  Because we carry both the resin flowers and the fire polish beads in so many different colors, it's very easy to change up the color pallet to fit your needs.

I'll be doing this as a demo at our Mapunapuna BFC Bead Shop on Sunday May 6 and 13 from 2 PM so stop by if you have a chance to check it out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lynn H. @ Mapunapuna Ben Franklin Crafts Bead Shop

I took the solid 24mm textured rings from our Beadalon finding and used 26 gauge wire

Friday, May 4, 2012

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 96 - Deco Mesh Pom-Pom Bow


For our last Deco Mesh project of the week Puna shows you how to make a Pom-Pom Bow, which can be used to accent party centerpieces or by itself as a decoration.

Make a bow with strips of colored Deco Mesh!


Supplies:
10” Deco Mesh in your color choices
Scissors
Floral Wire
Bowdabra

Add this Pom-Pom Bow to any centerpiece for a great looking decoration or just hang it by itself like pom-pom party decorations. We hope you liked our new and improved Deco Mesh ideas. Join us again next week for more Crankin’ fun.

Give MOM the Royal Treatment ~ Window Display



Aloha Crafters ~

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13th. Ben Franklin Crafts offers some GREAT GIFT IDEAS. What mom wouldn't love a chocolate fondue pot or a bouquet of flowers? Or you could make her a quick bracelet from the matching bead sets we offer in our bead shop. Unique and fun gifts are available all over our stores, just let your imagination run wild.

Pictured:
Wilton Chocolate Pro (30089044)
Solid Oak Deluxe Bead Loom (30110510)
Vintaj Big Kick (30123340)

Happy Crafting!

-Kahului BFC

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Mother's Day Bouquet Pendant


Mother's Day is May 13 so if you're looking for an idea for Mom, how about a bouquet of flowers that she can enjoy all year long?  I started with Vintaj wire in 20 gauge for the core of the pendant and then  took a variety of resin flowers from our bead soup selection, a few seed beads, and 3mm Swarovski crystals.  I wired everything together with  24 gauge Vintaj wire and then encased the bouquet in a filigree cone from our Sweet Beads line of findings.  The end result comes out to just under 2 inches so it makes a pretty charm or pendant!  The supplies are available exclusively at our Ben Franklin Craft Bead Shops (Hilo, Maui, and Mapunapuna) and I'll be doing this as a demo at our Mapunapuna Bead Shop on Saturday May 5 and 12 from 2 PM so come on by to visit! 

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see ya later!
Lynn H. @ Mapunapuna BFC Bead Shop

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 95 - Tubular Deco Mesh Wreath


JFlo has discovered a different way to use Deco Mesh to make a wreath that’s totally tubular. Today she shows you how to tackle this righteous wreath without wiping out.

Make a unique wreath with Deco Mesh!

View the episode on our YouTube Channel: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 95 - Tubular Deco Mesh Wreath 

Supplies:
Straw wreath
Greening pins
10” Deco Mesh
Scissors
Optional: coordinating tulle, accents, and embellishments

Like many of our wreaths, this tubular wreath can be made in a wide range of colors and themes to fit any occasion.