[Paper bag, which comes with the groceries! - Free! (Although you should really use a canvas bag when shopping for groceries) Vampire Faces made with with white paper (I ask the checker for two sheets of white paper from her register, she's such a sweetheart!) - FreeTootsie Pops (hello, edible portion of the project) - $2.50 for a bag of about 22 pops.Black marker - fine point tip - $1.75Red marker - fine point tip - $1.75Black marker - thick point - $2.98Scissor and glue gun (which I think we can use from home, yes?)My total - 8.98 plus tax = $9.30 for 22 Vampire Suckers.]

Hello Vampire Suckers

I think these bad boys are pretty functional.  They are a Halloween decoration and edible!

Kids will love 'em (I hope) and these days, traditional homemade treats such as caramel apples are not so popular with cautious parents.
However, decorating store-bought candy is an easy way to give something special to your trick-or-treaters.

To create you’ll need:

Paper bag, which comes with the groceries! - Free!  (Although you should really use a canvas bag when shopping for groceries)
Vampire Faces made with with white paper (I ask the checker for two sheets of white paper from her register, she's such a sweetheart!) - Free
Tootsie Pops (hello, edible portion of the project) - $2.50 for a bag of about 22 pops.
Black marker - fine point tip - $1.75
Red marker - fine point tip - $1.75
Black marker - thick point - $2.98
Scissor and glue gun (which I think we can use from home, yes?)

My total - 8.98 plus tax = $9.30 for 22 Vampire Suckers.

You'll need one vampire face and one vest for each sucker.  I created a Vampire Face with the thick and thin black marker.  (I decided to scan that bad boy in here, so you too can make these puppies, just print the pdf here:  http://www.macaroniandglitter.com/VampireVests.pdf) 

Make your vampire fearless with a dab of red marker on the fangs; want a friendlier look forget the marker. 

To make one sucker:

First, ball up the brown bag to make a it all "crinkly" and then color with the thick black marker, be sure to color the front and the back side. 
Cut a rectangular piece measuring 3 inches by 8 inches long.



Apply glue to the sucker wrapper and fold paper over sucker.



Apply glue to the vest cut out and attach it to the middle of the sucker.

Apply glue to the top two corners of the paper and wrap around to cover the top portion of the vest, forming a collar.



Apply glue to the bottom back portion of the face cut out and attach it to the top portion of the sucker.



Allow to dry and repeat process with remaining candy.

The show is coming up, I thought I would add some more projects.  Check it out, hope to see Bay Area craftsters in class!

This is from the torch work class, several different techniques with one torch:



and this is from the junk to jewelry class.  I like how it turned out, I call the project, Sacrifice.

You'd never guess how it became this, maybe people will?

[finally]

I finally found some free time in my workshop.

Well, it wasn't actually free, as I was putting off studying for a test.

But I think these Sit&Spin pendants turned out well, so at least it was time well spent.

They little arrows actually spin, thanks to riveting! 

I'm going to try and create a video so everyone can see them in action!

Instead of creating a brand new post, I thought I would just give an old one a little nip&tuck.

A quick reminder that registration for my fall classes at Gavilan is currently taking place. At this time registration is only on-line.

Please note these are significantly longer classes, so you can spend the entire day being creative and get more bang for your buck! Learn more below by clicking the class titles. Visit gavilan.augusoft.ne t to learn more and register.

Remember most class sizes are now limited to 10 students, so register early to guarantee your spot in class.

I'll look forward to seeing you in class this fall!

Heat up the kiln...
for these unique enameling classes!
holiday enameling Enameling the Puzzle Pendants - Pull it Together
Saturday, November 1st,
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
$49.00, plus $40.00 kit fee

Enameling - Holiday Ornaments for the Home & Tree
Saturday, December 13th,
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
$49.00, plus $25.00 kit fee

Enameling - Gift Tags & Wine Charms
Saturday, December 13th,
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
$49.00, plus $25.00 kit fee


Project Sample:

Yes, I thought I'd list a set of new classes I have coming up.   Hopefully a few craftsters can join me.

Some of my faves include these two:

Copper Enameling - Hot Times!



http://www.beadinspirations.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=117_123_129&products_id=644

And this one:
Fine Silver Scrabble CUFF - Score High Points


http://www.beadinspirations.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=117_121&products_id=646

Both classes are at Bead Inspirations in Alameda.
Click away to learn more!

http://www.beadinspirations.com

[Back to the Beach]

That's right.  I said FREE.   

However, you have to register!  Do so today, as the first class is this weekend, June 15th.

Here's the schedule:

Sunday, June 15: 2-4pm

Back to the Beach

Mission Bay Branch

960 Fourth Street

It's time to hit the beach!  Warmer weather and sunshine bring out the best in us - why not use it as an opportunity to create one of a kind accessories for your home? Steven from macaroni & glitter will show you how!

Enrollment limited to 15; call 355-2838 to sign-up.

Wednesday, June 18: 5:30pm-6:45pm

Create Your Own Bath Bombs

Ocean View Branch

345 Randolph Street, SF

Why pay big bucks for bath bombs, salt scrubs and tub teas when you can learn how to make them yourself with Steven from macaroni & glitter? Flavored, fantastic and fabulous, home made spa products are the perfect project any time of the year

Enrollment limited to 15; call 355-5615 to sign-up.


Saturday, June 21: 2-4pm

Make & Bake Beads

Portola Branch

2450 San Bruno Ave., SF

Pull your jewelry projects together with ceramic beads you make yourself! In this hands-on class taught by Steven from macaroni & glitter, students learn how to glaze pre-formed, pre-fired bisque clay beads to use in their own jewelry projects, such as a bracelet or earrings.

Enrollment limited to 20; call 355-5660 to sign-up.

Wednesday, June 25: 6-8pm

Wire-Wrapping Jewelry

Golden Gate Valley Branch

1801 Green St., SF

Learn how to create a wire wrapped bracelet. In just a couple of hours you can learn how to wire wrap beads to a chain bracelet.  Use your new skills to make earrings, pendants and more.  Beads and tools will be provided.

Enrollment limited to 10; call 355-5666 to sign-up.


Here's the PDF of the schedule:
http://macaroniandglitter.com/GetCrafty_brochure.pdf


Project Samples:
Clay Beads


Back to the Beach:


Wire Wrapping:


Bath Bombs:




 

There's a new set of classes for June.  Check out this website for details.  Hope to see Craftsters in class!

http://gavilan.augusoft.net/versions/v60/index.cfm?fuseaction=1011&CategoryID=3&SubCategoryID=5

PMC Charms:


C4 - Fused Fine Silver and Glass:

Hey Bay Area Craftsters!
New classes for the 2009
You can register on line here:
http://www.beadextravaganza.com/
or get more information at any of the links below.
Steven James

Torch Enameling

http://www.beadextravaganza.com/2009classes/classhtml/JAMETORC.html

New Realities in Resin

http://www.beadextravaganza.com/2009classes/classhtml/JAMEREAL.html

Torch Techniques: 1 torch + 4 hours = 5 creative techniques



http://www.beadextravaganza.com/2009classes/classhtml/JAMEONEP.html

Eco Chic Jewelry

Plastic Bag Cuffs



This necklace was made from a two-liter bottle.

http://www.beadextravaganza.com/2009classes/classhtml/JAMEECOO.html

Sure, this was one of my first Crafster and ReadyMade projects.  But why not pull it out for Challenge 27.

Now that a digital camera has become nearly as essential to going abroad as a passport, slide shows are a thing of the past-much to everyone’s relief. Still, it’s hard to resist the appeal of those palm-sized transparencies. Here’s a way to put vacation photos on display without holding friends captive. Link a group of slides taken at some far-flung locale together to create a lampshade that offers a colorful, indoor escape-from bad lamp design, if nothing else. On your next excursion, bring along a few rolls of slide film (bonus: it’s less expensive than the print variety) and try taking thematic shots of bad motels, perhaps, or exotic plant life. Sure, you’ll have to go to the photo lab to get them developed, but it’s worth the trip. I mean look at this thing!





Excellent profesh photo here:
http://readymademag.com/printarchive/article?id=509

How to make the slide lamp:

1. Once you’ve decided on the length of your shade, you can determine the number of mounts you’ll need for the project. (I used 48 slides in circles of 12.)

2. Measure and cut the same number of lumen paper squares-one per mount. (The project can be completed without the lumen paper, but it helps diffuse the light and show off your images, so go the extra mile.)

3. Use a paper template (Fig. 1) to drill six holes in the first slide mount, then use this first mount as your template to drill the remainder of the slides.

4. All holes should be at least 1/8" away from the edge of the mount. Don’t drill the center bottom hole in the last row of slide mounts.

5. Use the glue stick to attach one paper square to the back of each mount. The paper should just cover the inside edge, but not touch the film or cover the perimeter holes. Place the paper-backed mounts under heavy books and allow them to dry overnight.

6. With the shade frame attached to the lamp base, use the open jump rings to connect the slides to one another. Create rows of six, to be mounted horizontally.

7. Close the rings.

8. Attach the first row of six to the frame, then, on the other side, attach a second row to the first row at both ends, completing the circle of 12 slides. Continue to add rows until you’ve completed the shade.

9. Add a light bulb and escape all over again

Materials:
    * Standard type A lampshade frame, at least 8.5" diameter
    * 48-60 mounted slides
    * 48-60 1.5" x 1.5" squares of heavy parchment white lumen paper
    * 150-175 10mm 16-gauge silver-tone jump rings
    * Table lamp with standard type A base

Tools:
    * Ruler
    * Pencil
    * Scissors or paper cutter
    * Drill template
    * Electric drill
    * 1/16" drill bit
    * Two pairs needle-nose pliers
    * Acid-free glue stick
    * heavy books for pressing

How could I forget to mention my upcoming classes at the Beadhive in Minneapolis.

Well they are this weekend.  I will try and get up more pics.  But you can check out http://www.beadhivebeads.com for the scoop!

Hope to see some craftsters in class.

Precious Metal Clay Charms


Fine Silver Fusing


Resin Jewelry


C4 - Explosion of Creativity - Fusing and Glass


Sterling Cocoon Pendant