Popsicle Stick Glam Bracelets

Popsicle sticks have reached a new high. We all know they work well in kids craft projects, but what about taking them to another level, wood bracelets. Thin wood can bend fairly well without splintering when placed in a hot water bath for a few minutes. When the wood is completely saturated in hot water it can bend.

With a few simple supplies you can bend popsicle sticks into fabulous bracelets for both adults and children. Once bent, stamp on them, roll in glitter, paint, wrap in paper or decoupage. This project is so fast and easy to make, so let's get started.
Materials:

• Jumbo wooden craft popsicle sticks
• Ornate wrapping paper or large sheet paper, Paper Source
• Clip-on earrings, Forever 21 
• Velvet ribbon, Simplicity
• Drinking glasses or mugs
• Glues; hot glue, industrial glue, modge podge, Plaid



The popsicle sticks inserted into glasses and drying for 24 to 32 hours.

• Tools: hot glue gun, scissors, large pot, foam brush

Directions:

1. Fill a large cooking pot with water, bring to a boil, drop popsicle sticks into boiling water, let boil for around 10 minutes. Reduce heat and let soak in the hot water for 5 more minutes.
2. Remove popsicle sticks from water using tongs, let cool a minute. 
3. Begin slowly bending the popsicle sticks and insert them into a glass or mug. Bend them into rounded shapes that fit around the inside of the glass or mug. You can even wrap one around the glass or mug and hold in place with elastic band or wire.
4. Let dry for 24 hours to 32 hours, so they dry and hold their shape. Remove from glasses.
5. Brush modge podge onto the front of the rounded popsicle stick. Fold a piece of paper over it. Let dry.
6. Cut any extra paper and glue the ends on the back of the bracelet. 
7. Hot glue 2 pieces of velvet trim to each end of the bracelet.
8. Add a clip on earring to the center and your bracelet is ready to wear.

Tips/Tricks:

• Add a bunch of popsicle sticks to the boiling water, as a few may break.
• Always be careful when working with hot water or hot glue.
• Try covering bracelets with washi tape, rub on transfers, stamps and vintage ephemera.
• Paint or ink your bracelets and use rubber stamps to create wording or design of choice.

Hope you enjoyed this fast and fun project.  There are a ton of popsicle stick projects available on the web. This is my version of a classic kids project, made for adults.

More projects on the way and the new blog is coming along!

xoxo

Lisa

Piddlestixs Vol.7

Its finally ready. Piddlestixs vol.7 w/5 extra pages, now 45 pages. featuring so many great artists, and 2 pages of collage sheets. Now available in print. Follow the link below to purchase your own copy!
http://www.lulu.com/shop/lisa-kettell/piddlestixs-vol7/paperback/product-21837069.html
 To submit an article, project, story, artist spotlight, recipe or collage sheet to piddlestixs magazine, email: lisakettell@yahoo.com  Place Mag. Submission in the email header.

Piddlestixs Mag, ArtStixs and Faerie Zine come out 2-3 times a year. All publications are available as print or download. Please note there was no Spring or Summer edition for 2014 only Winter and Fall.

Enjoy!
xoxo
Lisa

Design Team 2013-2014, Spellapalooza Giveaway Winners

To start this post off, I'd like to thank everyone who applied for the Lisa Kettell Design Team 2013-2014 roster. There were so many wonderful entries to choose from. The talent that exists within our art and crafts, design community is outstanding. This is what made the final decision the hardest, but it was accomplished and our new season of designers have been selected.

I know all of you are waiting for this announcement, so here you go. Meet our newest designers:

-Debra Famularo
-Marfi Bradford
-Kim Smith
-Tanya Watts
-Amy Mayfield
-Wendy Aspinall
-Caroline Sherman
-Wendy Howell

Each of these ladies have a style all their own which sparks the creative imagination. I am truly excited to see all their projects for the design team which will include products from Lisa Kettell Designs and our industry friends.

When companies, designs and friends come together the true meaning of art comes to life and masterpieces are created.

Let's all congratulate the new team and get excited for their up and coming designs......


Now without any further ado, let me announce the winners of the Spellapalooza Giveaway, picked through the rafflecopter program.

The grand prize winner of the $100 Lisa Kettell
 Designs gift card is Trudy Woods.

The two winners of the $25 Lisa Kettell Designs gift cards are: Melissa Davis Weathers and Laura Dogsmom.

For all who entered the contest I will be emailing you a free digi collage sheet from my line within 3 days of this blog post. Please share your projects with us at Lisa Kettell Designs when you use our products.

Starting Monday I will be showcasing each design team member and their works. Updates on the new website: www.lisakettelldesigns.com and more fun.

xoxo
Lisa

Look What Bloomed in My Garden!

Design Team Member Project

By Kim Smith

Look What Bloomed in My Garden!

I made these little cuties using adorable little painted Doll Heads from MoonFairesWorld, Lisa Kettell's fabulous shop on ArtFire where you can find so many cute things for your altered art projects!

Materials:

-Cupie Head, Cotton Candy Color, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Carnival Cupie, Circus Tamer, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Party Chick, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Pre-made Felt Flower
-Basic Cupcake Topper
-Small Sized Flower Pot
-Paperclay or Floral Foam
-Colored Party Confetti or Glitter
-Umbrella Picks

Directions:

1. Glue cute little heads onto a pre-made felt flower (or make your own). Let dry and then glue the entire piece to a cupcake topper that you can find in the party section of your favorite craft store.

2. Put paperclay or foam inside the little flower pot to hold your elements. Layer over the clay or foam with colored confetti.

3. Poke a hole with the cupcake topper into the foam in the place you would like to have your little face. I put mine toward the front of the flower pot. Add Umbrella picks and other decorative picks, and you're done!

So quick and easy to make...and so very fun! If you love this little project, please visit MoonfairesWorld , I would love to see what you make!
xo
Kim

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To visit more of Kim's works and to see this original post visit her fabulous blog at:
http://www.tabithalenox.blogspot.com

To purchase our embellishments visit my Artfire Store!
xoxo
Lisa!

Below is a list of my top 25 favorite products and manufacturers at this years Winter CHA 2012 show in Anaheim, CA.

1.Ruby Rock-It www.rubyrock-it.com
2.Graphic 45 www.g45papers.com
3.Hemptique www.hemptique.net
4.Vintaj www.vintaj.com
5.Beacon Adhesives www.beaconadhesives.com
6.Scrap Perfect www.scraperfect.com
7.Plaid www.plaidonline.com
8.Ranger www.rangerink.com
9.Ellison/Sizzix www.ellison.com
10.Colorbox/Clearsnap/Donna Salazar www.clearsnapinc.com
11.Basic Grey www.basicgrey.com
12.Kaiser Craft www.kaisercraft.net
13.EK Success:Martha Stewart and French General www.eksuccessbrands.com
14.Glitter Dust www.thermoweb.com
15.October Afternoon www.octoberafternoon.com
16.Offray Ribbon-Sports Line
17.Best Creations www.bestcreation.us
18.Zutter www.zutterproducts.com
19.Walter Kunze Dresden's www.walterkunze.com
20.Globe Craft Memories www.globecraftmemories.com

Today I am showcasing No.2: Graphic 45, I have been a fan of Graphic 45 papers for awhile, every year I wait to see what they come up with next, and I am never disappointed, they always produce a creative line. At CHA, if you are trying to locate them, just look for their famous clock tower that sits at the top of their edgy, fun booth, always lined w/pottery barn vintage style black shelving which are brimming with the latest projects and decor using their beautiful papers.

This year was no exception with another series of fabulous papers which have eye candy written all over it. Take a look at inside their booth and their new series of papers:
Love this collection:Too Cute or what?I so love this frame, isn't it adorable?Several years back I wrote and illustrated a children's story called: "Snuffy and the Flying Pig", a cute little story about a flying pig named Snuffy and his friends, when I saw this line I nearly melted!Now who do you know that loves dolls? Any hints....LOL, I'd say me! LOL:I want this doll too...It was like walking through stages of time inside their booth and the girls were super nice as always, look at their fabulous outfits so 1920's vintage:I hope you enjoyed your journey and the new products from the amazing Graphic 45, another must have for 2012!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

Fantasy Fabric Blocks Art and Crafts!
I am proud to announce that I am a new artist on board at Fantasy Fabric Blocks. My illustrations are now available at Fantasy Fabric Blocks Art and Crafts. Now you can incorporate my illustrations into your fabric works from quilts, handbags, atc's stitched assemblages to fabric books, stitched jewelry and more!

The first set of illustrations I released are the Enchanted Carnival Collection of illustrations. The originals were created using Strathmore Watercolor paper, pen, ink, watercolors and tea/coffee aging, you can find that quick recipe and technique in my book: Altered Art Circus!
Each one of these have a rustic meets whimsical look and are inspired by vintage storybook images, The carnival/circus, parties, primitive art and Indie art all set in a whimsical tone. The aged backgrounds give the illustrations a distressed and prim look.

This series of images are available in the form of printed fabric blocks made from the highest quality, ready for you to use in your works. When you purchase these fabrics, I'd like to see what you do with them to put on the blog and showcase at Piddlestixs.

To start purchasing my artwork designs and other artist's designs on the fabric visit: http://www.fantasyfabricblocks.com

Magic and Joy, Lisa!