Giveaway for July 2020

Another fun giveaway I wanted to share with you from "Closet of Ange" on Instagram:

Win this set of 4 wash cloths for the kitchen.  Handmade from 100% cotton.

Hurry this giveaway is almost over!  

Participating is easy:

1. Follow Closet of Ange (if you are already a follower, please skip this step);

2. Like or Heart the post;

3. Write in one word, or a few words about why you like a clean kitchen;

4. Tag someone (to tag use the "@" symbol along with their Instagram name without any spaces.  Example:  @closetofange.

Have fun!  Who knows, you may be our next winner.  

**Closet of Ange runs a monthly giveaway, eligible to Canadian and USA residents.**

Large Button Cowl For Men or Women

I'm in love with these large button cowl/scarves!!  They are a unisex style.  The wooden buttons are the perfect color brown to compliment the rustic feel of these handmade scarves.    I found these beautiful buttons on Amazon for a really good price.  You can get them here.  

*Please note that when you make a purchase via a link from my blog post, I may be receiving compensation for bragging about a product.  I only brag about products I love or use which are of the highest quality.

I sell these scarves for $30.  Order yours today.  You can order one via my Etsy shop. 

Choices of colors are: Brown, Charcoal, Light Grey, Mint Green, Wine, Blue.

Scroll to the bottom to see how the scarf fits with a coat or jacket.

I Made Some Boot Cuffs

I find when I wear skirts in the winter, my legs get cold between my boot and my skirt.  The solution I came up with was making a pair of "boot cuffs".  Of course boot cuffs are awesome with leggings and skinny jeans too!!

My first attempt was with a chunky yarn...  I didn't like the finished look of the cuff because I found it to be too "chunky" for my chicken legs (the cuff is nice though, just not suitable for me).  Since this was only a test, I didn't make two;  I  only crocheted one to see what it would like on me.  See the difference between the chunky yarn and the 4-ply below:

I thought a 4-ply yarn would be more delicate looking and I was right.  It looks way better for my leg size.

How did I make these?

Any 4-ply yarn, a size 5.5 hook, scissors and a wide-eye needle.

Make a chain of 23 stitches (or however wide you want your cuff);

Single crochet in the second chain from the hook (into the back loop of the stitch only- this is what makes the ribbed effect and it also makes it stretchy);

Single crochet each stitch in the back loop, chain 1 at the end of your work, turn and repeat until you have your desired size;

When you've reached your desired size, slip stitch the seam (this will make a nice almost invisible seam);

With your last slip stitch, chain 1, and single crochet all around the opening, slip stitch at the end.

To make your little frilly, scalloped finish:

Begin with 5 double crochet stitches in one stitch, single crochet in the next and alternate all the way around.  Slip stitch at the end and tie off (make sure you leave enough tail to weave in).

Finished!

Button Scarf For Hubby

My husband wanted me to make him a scarf with buttons.  I chose this lovely, acrylic/wool blend, roving yarn in this gorgeous cobalt blue color.  This scarf can be worn 2 ways: first it can be worn by buttoning the two lower buttons which gives you a looser fit around the neck as he is wearing it in the above picture, or with the extra button, you can also wear it so that it covers your neck more.  See pictures below to see what I mean.  

I personally am loving this scarf!!  Do you want to replicate this look, find the yarn here, and the large wooden buttons I purchased them here.

*My blog contains affiliate links.  When you make a purchase via these links, I may be compensated.  Please note:  I only brag about items I have researched or I have purchased myself.  Than You!

Finished Adult Messy Bun, Ponytail Hat

I finished the adult-size, messy bun/ponytail hat in black with an oversized flower.  I'm loving this hat!!

Notes about making this hat:  Instead of only using the elastic in the circle, I also added a chain which I slip-stitched into a loop (I thought this might be a good idea in case the elastic ever broke).

Another thing I did, was use a chainless double crochet stitch when I did the slipstitch with each new row (this makes an almost invisible seam).  

I doubled my yarn (I used two skeins of 4 ply yarn, which makes the hat stiffer and a bit heavier).

My flower is oversized with 7 petals (I love the fullness of 7 petals as opposed to only 5).

I just purchased this amazing book on how to crochet different stitches.  You will enjoy the many photographs and clear instructions.  Enjoy!

Working On Adult Messy Bun Hat

I made a cute, messy bun hat for my granddaughter which turned out to be perfect for her mounds of curly hair!  Of course, she makes everything look cute in my eyes (lol).  Now, I'm working on an adult size messy bun (ponytail) hat in an adult size S/M.  Here is what I got so far.  It's going well.  I will be done shortly and will add a lovely crochet flower to the side to give it that glamorous look!

I'll post the pattern when I'm done.  Please take a moment to click on the FOLLOW button (up on the right of the page.  If you love DIY and handmade, you will love the Handmade-Korner!

Here is the one I made for my granddaughter (below).

Rustic Rings His and Hers

These, rustic copper bands are hammered to a beautiful finish and then layered with a rich brown patina and sealed for a lasting finish.  I make these rings out of re-purposed copper pipe.  

It's interesting to completely transform an object into something else, to re-invent it and make it into wearable art.

Although copper does not look great on my skin tone, I love working with that metal; it reacts beautifully to the torch and it's so versatile! Plus, it looks amazing with silver.   

One of the techniques that blows my mind is "torch painting".  

In the future, I will write a post all about the process.  It's fascinating and mesmerizing all at once!

These rustic bands sell as a set.  You can get them via my online store here.

I'm Addicted to Knitting and Crocheting!

What do you do when it's time to unwind with hubby?  Why not watch a bit of Netflix together.  Sure.  Except, I get bored when I watch tv.  So, I would usually download some puzzles on my device and multi-task while keeping my husband company.  

So, one day, I thought I would make better use of my time by actually making practical things I could share with family and friends and also sell in my Etsy shop.  Now, I have a hidden bin next to the sofa where I keep my goodies and materials at an arm's length; ready to explore a new project at any time.  

Here area a few projects I've done recently:

Check out those faux racoon-fur pompoms!  I love them because they snap on so that you can easily unsnap for washing the hat without ruining the pompom.  My favorite pompom style too!! I got them here on amazon.  There are different colors to choose from.

Of course, you could make your own pompoms too.  That's what I did for a few of the hats in this post.  For a beautiful, puffy pompom every time, I used this really simple, pompom maker.

You can purchase my hats and my cowls from my Etsy shop here.

The two following hats are made for those who brave the cold.  The thick, double brim will keep your ears nice and toasty!  Plus the hats are made a genuine wool mix (there is nothing like natural fibers).
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Wide Copper Spinner Ring

Here is one of my latest rings:  a wide (12-13mm / 4/8"), copper spinner ring with three different silver bands.  I'm loving this ring!  The copper is finished with a rich, dark patina.  You can purchase this ring here. 

I recycle copper pipes to make these rings.  I love every step of this process!  What can I say, I have a thing for rustic, hipster jewelry!  See more copper jewelry here.

The Clay Caterpillar

My little granddaughter's clay caterpillar creation!

She is quite creative for her age and comes up with the cutest 

little clay creatures!  

A child really doesn't need much to have fun:   a bit of colorful

play dough, a flat surface and their imagination!

Although she is quite well equipped with play dough tools, 

I remember my children having just as much fun by raiding my 

kitchen drawers!

Free Hand Engraving on Rustic Copper Rings

I am often asked to engrave my copper rings.  I do not have the equipment to do a professional engraving job, but I do have the tools to engrave free-hand.  I quickly wrote a date on the outside of this ring to show a potential customer what a free hand engraving would look like.  It was sooo difficult to take a decent picture.  Too much glare from the metal.   I had to darken the photograph a bit.  I usually don't engrave on the outside, it's mostly on the inside of the rings that I am asked to do this.

I think the free-hand engraving adds and compliments the rustic feel of my rings!

Acorn Pendant With Oak Tree Remnant

I designed this little acorn to dangle along with an Oak Leaf Pendant I made.  

I made it so that it sits flat.  The whole thing is made of copper sheet which

was cut, formed, textured and soldered together.  

The best way to form a ball shape is with a dapping punch, a block and a hammer.

The wooden bead I made from a piece of an Old Oak Tree.  

I drilled a whole through the wood and through the copper cap (this step is not in the photographs).

Hipster Ring with Robin Egg Enamel Experiment

Little experiment!  

Do you like the result?  I kinda like the overall rustic look of this earthy ring.  The robin egg enamel color combined with copper is just gorgeous!

http://www.baysidewiredesigns.etsy.com

Comparing Pebeo Vitrail Greens

I’m running another test (you will notice I do this a lot):

I wanted to compare the differences between these green  Pebeo Vitrail paints and how they would look on metal.  I was looking for a beautiful leaf color.  The local art store only had these greens available in the opaque series and although the finishes are beautiful, it’s not going in the direction I want so I won’t be using these paints in my particular project.  

More money invested, but never wasted!!  I love these paints and although I will not be using them in my present project, I will be storing them for a future use; I have something in mind for using these little gem-like paints!

Enamel Leaf Pendant Test

Enameled Leaf Pendant Test: 

I’m working on a leaf pendant and wanted to run a test before enameling the actual leaf, so I made this little copper leaf and applied the enamel and it turned out pretty good! 

I'm loving the way the black formed all around the perimeter of the leaf, the center and the smaller crackles near the tip.  To some this might seem like a non-successful test because of the black.  But I’m the type of artist who most of the time prefers my results to be different!  If you’re like me and you would like to a achieve this look add less of the enameling powder before you fire it so that the copper will oxidize and will show up as black in any portion where there is less enamel (you gotta love copper!)

In order to make the center vein running through the leaf, I used a fine, stainless steel rod and dragged it through the molten enamel while holding my torch in the other hand… 

I loved this project!  So much fun!

Bayside Wire Designs

Beautiful Flowers From my Sweeties!

My little granddaughter and my daughter came in the door with a bouquet 

of these beautiful white Tulips! It made my day! 

The flowers opened up and I couldn't resist taking a picture to share with you!  

Have a lovely day!

Metal Forming White Oak Leaf Pendant

This project is coming along wonderfully!  Overall I really love the Oak leaf so far!

It still needs a few finishing touches such as rounding out the tips and a couple of 

inside corners before adding the enamel finish.

I will soon be starting the copper Acorn dangle.  

Factoid, White Oak:  The White Oak tree is a large tree than can reach up to 100 feet tall.  

The trunk can span up to 4-feet across.

Awesome Giveaway for Quilters!

Click Here for Giveaway Information-

Blood Moon Earrings Featured in Etsy Treasury

My Red Moon Earrings are featured in this beautiful treasury collection!

To view this treasury in all its beauty, click here.

Copper Rings In Various Widths

New collection of hand made, copper rings in different widths

varying from 2-mm to 6-mm.

Great unisex rings!