Summer Fun! DIY Beaded Watches, Bottle Cap Pendants, Celebration Centerpieces

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginning crafter, beaded watches are quite simple. Think of them as a stretch bracelet that happens to contain a watch face! You can use one of our brand new watch faces, or swap out the worn watch band on your own watch.

One of my favorite beaded watches is pictured here - a mix of cane glass discs, bali beads, stretch cord onto a watchface from a former favorite watch. Another very comfortable favorite beaded watch of mine is simply several strands of good old seed beads strung on our stretch cord and looped through the watch ends. It's incredibly comfortable and goes with everything I wear.

Here's some very basic supplies you will need to get started on your own beaded watch.

• Our clear stretch cord
• Scissors
• Beads ~ Try our cane glass discs, Jewelry Maker's Mixes, or our lampwork rondelles, mixed with our bali style beads.,
• Watch face

1. Measure a length of Our clear stretch cord to your wrist by simply wrapping a strand around your wrist. Note the point where the thread meets and add approximately two inches before cutting the thread.
2. Cut 1, 2 or 3 strands of elastic thread, depending upon whether you want your watchband to be 1, 2 or 3 strands of Beads.
3. Bead the strands with the beads of your choice in any pattern or design you wish. Leave 1 inch of the thread free on each end to use to tie the strands to the Watch face.
4. Thread the ends of the strands through the ends of the Watch face. Some Watch face will have two separate metal sections on the corners of the watch face allowing for a band, whereas others will feature one large bar spanning the length of the watch face. Still others offer one solitary metal section in the middle of the Watch face intended for a single stranded band.
5. Loop the ends through the openings on the watch face, and then pull them back down towards the beads and tie them between the first 2 or 3 beads on the band. Do this for both ends of the thread for each strand, and cover the knots with the Beads.
Attention impatient crafters, (like me!) we have some gorgeous beaded watches, including new safety pin designs, completely finished, just in! Click here - we have just a few of each design - claim yours today if you see a style you love!


Quick Summer Fun! DIY Flattened Bottle Cap Pendants Ready to Wear!

Just arrived and ready for summer crafting - grown ups and kids alike love these - we've done all the extra work for you! 1 brand new flattened bottle cap pendant. 1" diameter interior. The perfect little blank canvases for your imagination! All the hard work is done! These brand new, linerless bottle caps have been flattened, drilled and finished with a split jump ring. Add any of our necklace cords, cords by the yard, downloadable art, punched art etc. Finish with our1" clear epoxy bubble stickers, 1" circle magnets, 1" craft punches,and/or 3D Crystal Lacquer sealer. Faint gold inside, silver chrome throughout.

How to Make your Own Bottle Cap Charms and Pendants in Under a Minute! (told you this was quick!):

1. 
   
   Punch a perfect circle with our1" circle punch.
2. 
   
   Seal your art front and back with Mod Podge, or basic lip balm.
3. 
   
   Peel and stick our adhesive epoxy 1" circles or finish with one of our clear dimensional sealers

You've just completed an instant finished pendant. Wow! That was easy! Add some of our findings (chain, cord, ear wires etc.) for instant jewelry.


Personalize your Celebration Centerpieces with our Memory Frames
We've been getting many requests lately for wedding decoration ideas. Still in a memory frame of mind, our in-house resident crafting tornado Anne came up with this idea to personalize centerpieces or floral arrangements. With a beaded wire frame around a memory frame you can add a beautiful personalized and professional touch in an instant! Our sample shows a wire heart using our 6mm lavender pearls (SKU 445F) and our Champagne lustre bead mix (SKU 1350) strung on 22 gauge hardware wire surrounding one of our new 1" memory frames (SKU 103C).




Our 1 1/2" size memory frames would work here too and would give you more frame color options. Or you could try one of our 17mm square frames (SKU 103C) with two loops attached to another frame. I'm thinking a picture of the bride on one side, the groom on the other, and then below that in a bigger frame a picture of the happy couple with the wedding date on the back.


Of course, we have beads and pearls to match any color scheme. With one string of 6mm pearls and one bag of lustre beads, you can make at least 4 and possibly 5 of the sample size shown.


PS For you hopeless romantics - this project is timeless - the wedding cake couple pictured here just happens to be Anne's parents - happily married over 50 years now! Congratulations Janet and John! :-) Here's to many many more!

NEW Flattened Bottle Cap Charm Pendant w/Split Jump Ring DIY Photo or Altered Art Jewelry

Just arrived and ready for summer crafting - grown ups and kids alike love these - we've done all the extra work for you! 1 brand new flattened bottle cap pendant. 1" diameter interior.  The perfect little blank canvases for your imagination! All the hard work is done! These brand new, linerless bottle caps have been flattened, drilled and finished with a split jump ring. Add any of our necklace cords, cords by the yard, downloadable art, punched art etc. Finish with our 1" clear epoxy bubble stickers, 1" circle magnets, 1" craft punches, and/or 3D Crystal Lacquer sealer. Faint gold inside, silver chrome throughout.  


How to Make your Own Bottle Cap Charms and Pendants: 

1. Punch a perfect circle with our 1" circle punch (below).
2. Seal your art front and back with Mod Podge, or basic lip balm. 
3. Peel and stick our adhesive epoxy 1" circles or finish with one of our clear dimensional sealers below (we stock several). 
4. Add some of our findings (chain, cord, ear wires etc.) for instant jewelry.
5. You've just completed an instant finished pendant.

Warning! Can Become Habit Forming! Make Instant Photo, Collage Jewelry with our New Memory Frame Minis!

We're very excited about our new Memory Frame Minis (10 and 25pc Value/Bulk packs available - see product detail pages) instant photo and collage charms! After giving them a try, Anne e-mailed that these mini frames are so much fun they're dangerous!  You be the judge! We are having immense fun exploring the design possibilities. What has us won over in addition to their extremely wearable size, is how easy they are to use. Each frame has a doubled piece of acetate in the center. You slide the acetate out, slide your art into it, and slide the whole thing back in the frame. Voila! You're done.
Although we'd never think of giving up our Weldbond or 3D Crystal Lacquer, using these charms completely eliminates drying times. Your art is framed and ready to wear instantly. (You can use one of our downloadable collage sheets and one of our matching craft punches for instant inspiration). Another big plus is that once you make your piece of jewelry, you can easily change the art in the frames to match your mood or your outfit, and, as sometimes happens, you don't quite like how the art looks, just take it out and try again. Excellent!
Another thing we like about them is that you don't have to have the art perfectly trimmed before inserting. You can get it the approximate size, put it in the acetate, and then trim to fit using scissors. I was playing with them yesterday and was having such fun that I didn't get any housework done at all.

Some of the samples we show here are a bracelet made using chiyogami paper (a fancy origami paper), inserted into our 17mm squares with loops on 2 sides (103D) and our closed loop 6mm jump rings (806K and 806L) For a 6.5" wrist, 6 frames with 1 jump ring between each and a lobster clasp will create a bracelet that is a perfect fit.

I recently bought seeds from Botanical Interests Seed Company and was struck by how beautiful the seed packets are. Shrunk about 80% and put in the 17mm 2 loop frames, they make a pretty little bracelet. Rather than using 6 frames, I used four and then strung some of our jump rings together to make a length of chain to fit and added a lobster clasp. I'm ready for a garden party.

We have a french exchange student staying with us and she made a necklace with chiyogami paper, by attaching one 103D 17mm 2 loop square frame and one 1" 103C square frame and hanging them from a chain.

A different chiyogami paper pattern made me think of Gaugin, so I used 5 103D, strung 4 together for a necklace, dangled the fifth from the jump ring between number 2 and 3 and hung some of our Czech crystal leaves (1386D) from them. Terribly tropical.

 

Feeling a little musical? How about a pair of earrings and matching necklace?

The sky's the limit? I made one with clouds. Botanticals are all the rage? Copy a piece of fern, reduce to fit and add a band of our magnesite puffed pillow beads with our tiny silver spacers (541a).

I had to stop playing to get some other things done, but when I have time again (and it doesn't take much), I am going to cut up the cover of the May 2010 issue of "O" Magazine and make something beautifully floral.

 About the designer: Our friend and coworker Anne Strasser is always busy! When she’s here she channels her inner Martha big time! Otherwise, she’s mom to two lovely daughters and enjoys cooking up a storm and crafting with whatever crosses her path! She’s one crafty force of nature!
About our Memory Frame Minis: We stock these mini frames and inserts in four sizes: .75" and 1" squares with top loops, and .75" squares with 2 loops for connecting as bracelet components or pendants, as well as .65 x .85" (16x22mm) rectangles ~ good for word and message charms.
Coordinates with our 1" craft/paper punches and our growing selection of downloadable art sheets. We like to secure the artwork on the inside with a drop of 3D Crystal Lacquer, Weldbond or Diamond Glaze. Complete the look with one of our jump rings, organza cords, charm bracelets, cords, chains or wires. Plan ahead! This is a wonderful idea for Mother's Day, holiday presents, jewelry and ornaments!
Newsletter subscribers exclusive savings: Use promo code 410NEWS to take 20% off your entire order between now and April 30th! Newsletter subscribers exclusive savings:  If you're not yet on our list, Just click here to join our e-news and savings list and start saving now!

Memory Frame Minis are Here ~ Reversible, Changeable, Adorable Photo Art Charms!

Our new Memory Frame Minis have just arrived - reversible, changeable silver plated brass metal frame charms. 4 sizes from 17mm to 25mm squares and rectangles. Top loading photo frame. 2-sided clear acetate photo/art protector insert included. Make a customized two-sided altered art or photo charm/pendant in an instant! No sealers, no glues, no coating to apply - just place your art or photo between the folded acetate insert, load into the top of the frame ~ that's it.

We stock the mini frames and inserts in four sizes: .75" and 1" squares with top loops, and .75" squares with 2 loops for connecting as bracelet components or pendants, as well as .65 x .85" (16x22mm) rectangles ~ good for word and message charms.

To finish: Place your altered art, photos, collage elements (see our coordinating 1" square downloadable collage elements for instant inspiration), printouts, clippings, etc. between the folded clear acetate sheet insert, slide down into the top of the metal frame, and you've got instant charms or pendants without custom soldering for a beautifully finished art piece to wear or to hang.  Coordinates with our 1" craft/paper punches. We like to secure the artwork on the inside with a drop of 3D Crystal Lacquer, Weldbond or Diamond Glaze. Complete the look with one of our jump rings, organza cords, charm bracelets, cords, chains or wires. Plan ahead! This is a WONderful idea for holiday presents, jewelry and ornaments!

Easy How Tos: Beaded Jelly Jar Tealight Candle Lantern, Fridge Magnets, and Remember Mama!

We've been dreaming of spring for awhile here at Rubber Nation Crafts! Our friend and co-worker Anne has been busy creating some wonderful inspired projects for spring. Here's a recent favorite of ours!

Beaded Jelly Jar Tealight Candle Lantern

These are perfect for spring or summer events - plus they're GREEN - using recycled clear jars that you already have on hand in your recycle bin. This design could be made up in our glass pearls for outdoor weddings - just add a little tealight, maybe a little sand in the bottom and hang. Send us your ideas!

You can find the detailed project sheet on our site by clicking here ~ or just e-us - we can send you the instruction sheet by e-mail. Go play!

Remember Mama!

It's that time of year again - graduations, Mother's Day, weddings ~ we've got some very easy ways to give your gifts a thoughtful touch with ourpersonalized keyrings, photo bracelets or photo charms.

Each of our photo jewelry items comes with a simple instruction sheet.  We even have photo key chains for kids!

Our ready-to wear photo bracelets have been customer favorites for many years now for MANY reasons! Mainly, they're well-made and VERY easy to use. They're ready-to-wear - lead and nickel-free silver plated solid metal alloy - all you need to do is pop in 6 of your index prints or cropped photos under the acetate sheets in each frame - The only supplies you need for this project are a pair of scissors! Voila! Your gift is done! Now that's EASY!

Lip Balm for Photo and Altered Art Jewelry!

You might not realize it just yet, but the lowly lip balm stick at your neighborhood drugstore IS your favorite new craft supply!

To prevent your ink jet print outs from running before you apply your clear sealer (we think 3D Crystal Lacquer works best), just spread a very thin layer of generic lip balm (the simpler, the better) across your art work and allow it to air dry a few minutes. Then continue with your glaze layer. The lip balm forms enough of a water-resistant barrier to protect your art, but still allows the sealer to do it's job. Try it! It's a life changer for altered and photo jewelry artists!

Peel n Stick Magnet Squares 3/4" 10pc Fits Our Scrabble Tiles for Fridge, Art, Photo Magnets

10 rectangular/square 3/4" adhesive-backed magnets. Fits traditional Scrabble game tiles. Make scrabble tile letter fridge magnets and much more! Scrabble tiles sold separately, by letter or by lot. We also stock circular 1" magnets which fit our bottle caps and glass tiles perfectly! Finish your art with our 3D Crystal Lacquer for professional level results!

Price: $2.99

Buy Now

Unmounted Rubber Stamps Return! African Textiles, Mayan Carvings, Celtic Designs, Vintage Suns, MORE!

Our unmounted rubber stamps return! Each is a 4x5.5" sheet deep-etched red rubber sheet with freebie adhesive indexing sheet (for tops of mounts or for your storage binder or flat storage system) along with a free Rubber Stamp Primer on the basics of using unmounted rubber stamps. We have lots of really interesting designs restocked - from African to Tribal, Vintage to Snickers, Celtic, Mayan -  there's some really great high-quality images ready to use in your altered art, jewelry, scrapbooking or clay projects.

I like to combine some of the cultural imagery with our bamboo domino tiles, along with metallic inks for some really interesting ready to wear pendants. I'll post a new pendant pic shortly! We also stock some beautiful unmounted rubber alphabets - also very fitting for a personalized piece of jewelry. Send us your finished project to post here - we'd love to share them!

By the way ~ one of the fun freebies we have available on our site is an inspirational Fun With Bamboo Tiles ~ you can find it by clicking here. Enjoy!

Make your Own Message or Photo Gifts, Necklaces, Typewriter Charms

Wow! We are having so much fun with these new word sticks and typewriter charm kits. Just add our jump rings, ball chains even a memory frame to personalize or complete the message or theme. I made these necklaces for my kids for Valentines Day - they are really FUN and very EASY to personalize with different words, messages and initials. An A+ beginner's project!

These also work great with our mini dog tags and photo charms. Plan in advance for Mother's Day, Father's Day, wedding and graduations. Have FUN and happy creating!

Combine with our memory frames to make a customized two-sided altered art or photo charm/pendant in an instant! Get the look of a soldered custom art piece with the flick of a hinge! Add a few doo dads with eye pins, head pins, a couple simple flourishes (like our friend Betsy did in the sample above) and you've got a fun little arty treasure on your hands.

A crafty reminder - our  embellish any of these little treasures with our gorgeous Jewelry Maker's Mixes, some jump rings, ball chains or cords, some headpins, bali bead spacers, and some millefiori glass beads from our smorgy selections.

Save $5 off your next order of $10 or more through end of next month! Good once per month per subscriber. Type your subscriber's savings code: SAVE5MAR10 in promo box at checkout on our site.

Newsletter subscribers - save BIG with your special subscriber discount - 20% off everything in the store thru FEB 28th (end of this month) with your savings promo code FEB2010 entered in the promo box on your payment page.

Armchair travelers! Looking for some instant inspiration?Check out our South Seas collection! Over 100 beachy-related items - have fun!

We've been very busy around here loading up the site with so many cool new goodies there's no good way to show them all here - please check out What's here's what's NEW for February click here! And, here's what's NEW for March click here!  Lots of treasures! We now stock 3D Crystal Lacquer Glaze starter kits for use with all of our dimensional photo charm blanks. The best of the best. Acid free, won't run water-based artwork. Use where dimensional and glass like finish is wanted.

3D Crystal Lacquer  is a recommended finish for our deeper walled pendant blanks, scrabble tiles, glass tiles, altered art jewelry! You rim the edge first with the needle-point tipped applicator, then fill, pull the glaze toward the middle. Less bubbles and crystal clear results! Use as a gel glaze on flat and thicker walled pendants - see our Diamond GLAZE for thinner projects. 3d Crystal Lacquer is a dimensional adhesive that dries to a clear glass-like finish or can be thinned with water for a lacquer-like finish. Needle point tip and instructions included.

3D Crystal Lacquer is the perfect crystal clear finish for our fridge magnets too - front or back. Check out our jewelry maker's glass tiles - they're crystal clear ~ just divine.

Customer favorites sparkle beads are back - along with some new cousins ~ our collection of glass pearls, lustre mixes, and confetti foil swirl beads.

They all look way fancier than their actual price and they're SO much fun to create with ~ make sure to check them out!

Don't forget to check our all-new Dollar Bin! The deals keep stacking up - we add new items several times a week - watch out - it's habit forming!