Sea Sprite Napkin Rings by Emma MacDonald

Have you ever picked a color at the nail salon solely based on the name of the nail polish? Well, I have! (Cajun Shrimp is my new favorite-as you can see by the pics below!) Colors inspire me tremendously, but when they’re also paired with a clever name, it becomes creative destiny! And glitter is no different. I was shopping on artglitter.com and the name, “Sea Sprite,” captured my eye! I automatically knew I wanted to create something “nautical,” with it!

Bring a touch of coastal living to your kitchen or patio table with these nostalgic napkin rings.

Materials used:
-Art Glitter: Vintage Glass Glitter, Sea Sprite (621)
-Art Glitter: Vintage Glass Glitter, Diamond Dust (613)
-Designer Dries Clear Adhesive
-wooden napkin rings
-small white sea shells
-strips of burlap
-jute
-tape
-paintbrush
-condiment cups
-scissors
-hot glue gun/sticks
-spray lacquer

All of these items can be picked up at any retail craft store.  But if you are vacationing at the beach this year, save some money and find your own shells.

Apply tape to the middle of the napkin rings, leaving a thin border on both ends and brush Designer Dries Clear over it.

Pour a small amount of Sea Sprite (621), Vintage Glass Glitter, into a condiment cup.  I love using these cups because they make transporting glitter back to their containers- a cinch!  While the glue is still wet, dip the ends into the glitter.  Remove tape and let it dry.

Brush a thin layer of Designer Dries Clear over the tops of the shells and dip it into the Diamond Dust (613), Vintage Glass Glitter. Let it dry.

Now use Designer Dries Clear again to glue the burlap strips to the center of the napkin rings.  Tie a small piece of jute around the center of the each ring and cut off the tails. Finally, hot glue the glittered shell over the knot.  Let it dry.

NOTE: Please use caution with Vintage Glass Glitter and eating utensils. Make sure to brush off any excess glitter after it has dried and give it a quick coat of spray lacquer for safety reasons. Another alternative is an Ultrafine Art Glitter choice...enjoy!

Falling Into Place by Sherri Reehil-Welser

One of the great things about creating is finding unique uses for things that might very well be thrown away! Kids love puzzles but how many times do puzzles come up  with missing  pieces and then they are hard to use again as a complete puzzle. The kids loved the idea of this project (I think some of the kids wanted an excuse to use the pieces from complete puzzles to make their jewelry!!) This is a very easy project for ages 5 on up and half the fun is finding  the” best” pieces to design with!

I have put a small list of supplies together below :

~Art Glitter: Ultrafine Glitter, Dazzlers
~Puzzle Pieces
~Designer Dries Clear Adhesive poured into a plastic container
~Earring Hooks- Silver or gold toned
~Jump rings- 3mm or larger
~Paint brushes for applying the Designer Dries Clear
~ Metal hole punch pliers ( 1.25 mm)

1) After choosing your puzzle pieces (1 or 2  puzzle pieces per side) stamp a hole with the metal hole punch at the very top (while still maintaining a solid hole) where the jump ring and earring hook will attach.

2)  Use the paint brushes to coat the backs of the pieces with the Designer Dries Clear and let dry. 1-2 coats should work well.

3) After the backs are completely dried turn over the pieces to work on the front.

4) Paint Designer Dries Clear to the fronts and immediately apply the pieces with Art Glitter, have fun and find new ways to apply the glitter to the pieces, (dipping corners, sprinkling on top, only doing half of the pieces etc...). Backs can be done too!  Another creative idea one of the girls had was to make” dangling” puzzle piece earrings by fitting 2 pieces diagonally together and gluing in place. You then would design it as the others.

5) Before the top dries another addition can be Glass Micro Beads or seed beads sprinkled on to further enhance your design!

6) When completely dry it is time to assemble to earrings: open one jump ring for each earring (open by sliding side to side not by pulling apart) and place the jump ring through the top of the hole in the puzzle piece. Next attach the earring hook to the jump ring and  slide from side to side to close the jump ring back up.

~ You now have a very fun and funky pair of earrings to wear and you will never look at puzzles the same way again ~

Enjoy and get creative!

Sweet & Sassy Tulle Pom-Poms by Emma McDonald

This project was inspired by my “now” 5 year old niece’s Strawberry Shortcake birthday party this year. My sister-in-law asked me to come up with some decorative ideas using rolls of tulle. So of course I searched the web and saw a picture of these simple and playful tulle pom-poms. I immediately remembered making some similar out of yarn, years back, using a pom-pom maker. But being the frugal crafter that I am, I decided to make my own instead.

These sugary sweet pom-poms will sure to be a hit at your next baby, bridal, or birthday bash!

Materials used:

-Art Glitter: Confection DAZZLERS (D29)

-Designer Dries Clear Adhesive
-rolled tulle 

-embroidery thread or twine
-cardboard
-pen
-scissor
-paintbrush

-tray

To make your own pom-pom maker you’ll need some cardboard.  I took a box, flattened it out, and used various sizes of bowls to trace onto it.  Just make sure you make 2 of each size.  Draw a smaller circle into the centers of each and cut out the inner and outer circles until it resembles a donut.  Determine how big or small you want your pom-poms to be and size the cardboard donuts accordingly.

Place the 2 matching donuts together and wrap it completely with a strip of tulle. (1  yard of tulle was used for this small pom-pom….remember the bigger the donut the more tulle you will need to wrap.)

 Cut between and around the two cardboard donuts.

Spread the donut pieces away from the center and use thread to tie together.  Keep in mind the length in which you wish to hang it later.

Lightly brush the Designer Dries Clear over the top of the tulle and remove cardboard donut.

Sprinkle Confection DAZZLERS onto a clean, dry tray.  While the glue is still wet, press the tulle into the glitter.  Shake off excess and repeat on the other side.  Hang, spread tulle apart, and let dry.

I especially love how this glitter gives the appearance of sugar!  Which is perfect for such a sweet little girl’s party?

Now display them as you wish: staggering the different sizes over a cake table, string small pom-poms together to make a garland, or hang large ones from trees.  Whatever you decide, you can’t go wrong with these! And when the party’s over- hang them as décor in your child’s  room, or give them away as a favor to your guests.

Glitter Savings and Design Team Call at Art Glitter

Big Saving on Big Glitter Sizes 

Continues On Through the end of March!

Save up to 25%, 35% and even 50% off selected Art Glitter sizes. 

Also 30% on Adhesives, Barbara's Stamps and Images!

Get Details Here....

 

Art Glitter Design Team Call Deadline Nearing!

It's not to late! 

You can still apply to share your love of all that sparkles and shines.

Get Details Here...

Give me an ...a by Connie K.

At my house, in my family we do a lot of celebrating in the spring...almost every other week it is someone’s birthday!

I thought I would show you the tag I made for Amy ..her birthday is in April..so just around the corner...She loves anything vintage... I of course love shopping for her...I think this will be perfect to tie on her gift....

It has lots of layers and just some fun elements...but the real star is the big a that is covered with Art Glitter Vintage Glass Glitter in Antique Silver...which will tarnish over time. I love how that looks...and I know Amy will too...

Gather your supplies

A lot of the items I used on this I had in my stash..but it could easily be replicated with what you have on hand...

Get your sewing machine out..there is some top stitching involved here!

*linen scrap...5.5” X 3” pink the edges  
netting yellow.....4.5” X3.5”
manilla shipping tag 4.75 “ X 2.5”
vintage lace 4 “ thrifted
turquoise ball fringe 3”
burlap natural 3” X .05”
yellow flower trim 3” maya road
martha stewart large butterfly punch
pink paislee courage paper
heirloom gold perfect pearls mist
small random button
khaki thread
babylock sewing machine
seam binding 1/2 yd turquoise..snug hug
archival ink coffee..ranger
7gypsies stamp from the conservatory set
2.75” chipboard letter roman lower case accucut
Art Glitter Vintage Glass Glitter Antique Silver #611
Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive
3D foam dots black
*something of a similiar weight..mine was actually a sample cutting from a home decor store..I have a little stack of these...they come in handy..you just never know!

Let’s get started

Prior to assembling all the layers together...you will want to stamp the shipping tag with the 7 gypsies stamp that says carte postage on the left hand side of the tag, 2 inches from the lower edge...using archival ink in coffee by ranger.

Glitter your chipboard letter using the Designers Dries Clear Adhesive..I thinnned it slightly with water, applied it with a brush and then covered with Vintage Glass Glitter in Antique Silver...
using the martha stewart punch cut a butterfly from the yellow pink paislee paper and mist with heirloom gold perfect pearls mist.

Layer the netting over the linen fabric which is your base.. then top stitch the tag on top of both pieces going around it twice...the stitching can be random and not even...
line top edge of the tag up with the upper edge of the linen..
on the lower edge of the linen, stitch the vintage lace piece across the bottom.
layer the ball fringe on top of this and top stitch...
finally stitich the strip of burlap over the upper edge of the ball fringe.
the yelllow flower trim can be adhered with the designer dries clear adhesive...set aside to dry.
Adhere the letter to the tag using foam squares as shown in photo.
Tie seam bindiing into a bow  and adhere to tag with a glu gun.Thread the button with the khaki tread, add button to center of bow with a glu gun...finally secure the the butterfly to the upper right hand corner.

These tags are fun to make and can be used for any occassion....

Sparkling Treasures by Sherri Reehil-Welser

Creating with children is a beautiful journey… their hearts are filled with so much creative energy  that it’s contagious to everyone around them! For this particular project with the children we decided we would have no boundaries or topics just pure creative bliss.

We began with a piece of white paper ( 11x14 ) where we just splattered, dropped or strategically placed many different colors of fabric paint. Fabric paint has a more translucent appearance and works well with showing off the glitter in the design. After applying the fabric paint we then folded the paper in half to transform the identical image on the other side of the paper. The fun aspect of this process is when the paint mixture blends and creates wonderful designs and colors… it is just like Christmas- You  never know what you will get as a “gift” for all  your creative energy!

While the picture is still wet we applied Art Glitter colors in- Monochromatic Orange Shades, Ultrafine Transparent #212 Blue Whale and Ultrafine Opaque Hologram #248 Nebula. The children are just drawn to all things colorful and glittery and Loved working with the Art Glitter and realizing all the different colors of glitter available from Art Glitter.com! One child even described the Nebula glitter as “Diamonds in the Dark”.

Some of the beautiful pictures created!

This is a colorful butterfly!

Here is a “Queen” smiling!

Button Bonsai by Emma McDonald

I simply adore buttons!  They just make me smile!  And one day I had a random thought, “What would a button tree look like?”  And immediately, I answered myself and blurted out, “A Bonsai!”  So naturally -my Button Bonsai will also be blossomed with some BLING!

Materials used:
-Art Glitter: SASSY Pee Wee Kit
-Designer Dries Clear Adhesive
-condiment cups
-buttons

-canvas and frame
-acrylic paint: white
-paintbrushes

-airbrush
-airbrush paint: peach, white, black

-lace

-bonsai stencil
-painters tape

After I painted the gold (thrift store find) frame- white, to add a touch of sparkle in the corners, I used the Designer Dries Clear Adhesive and sprinkled the #189- Pearl, into the crevices.

I continued using the adhesive to lightly brush the tops of the buttons, dusting them with the remaining glitter colors from the SASSY, Pee Wee Kit. (I find that using the condiment cups- to catch the glitter, makes transferring unused glitter back to their containers, a cinch!)

So after I shook off the excess glitter from each button, I used a straight pin to unclog any button holes that formed.  Then I set them aside to dry.

I also love airbrushing because it’s fast and you can create a graphic-like look with the usage of stencils.  I made my own stencil by drawing a bonsai tree onto poster board and cutting it out with a craft knife.  But first, I used an airbrush-to base coat the canvas with peach paint.  Then I wrapped it with lace and airbrushed over it with white.  “Taa-daa!”  Your canvas will instantly look like lacey wallpaper!

I then taped the bonsai stencil onto the canvas and airbrushed over it with black.  I carefully removed the stencil and let it dry.

So now I need to dress my naked tree with some Bling-y Buttons!  I used the Designer Dries Clear Adhesive to paste them sporadically onto the canvas.  This glue is great! - It has industrial strength, yet remains flexible- which is a perfect combination when gluing items onto canvas.  Now all is left -is assembling the canvas to the frame and deciding where I will hang this playful and dazzling piece!  Hope you have a blast creating your very own blingy-button masterpiece!

Radiant Bird Nest by Connie K.

I was so happy when Emily contacted me to be a guest designer again...

For those of you who know me or have taken classes from me locally or elsewhere you know there is going to be some glitter fun at some point...

This time of year, even in the desert my thoughts turn to spring and all it brings ...right outside my studio window I have a birdbath and love watching them come and go as I get my work done...
So, I was digging through my treasures for inspiration ...naturally when I found this nest I had an aha moment!

I think this would be a great project for your spring tablescape...

Supplies to gather
3 inch brown nest
2 speckled eggs
tin bird...found this in the easter section hobby lobby
small wooden spool
resin frame...melissa frances
twill ribbon natural...May Arts
reindeer moss
small paper mache birdhouse ...hobby lobby
craft paint americana
tea green
vintage photo distress ink
pool alcohol ink and applicator
designer dries clear adhesive
#33 baby blue ultrafine opaque glitter
#264 ash ultrafine opaque glitter
random branches ...found
girls paperie green brocade
7 gypsies  barcelona
jenni bowlin letters red

Lets get started
Paint the paper mache birdhouse with the tea green craft paint ...set aside to dry. Once dried measure paper and cover both sides, front and back, also cut a piece for the bottom ...using brown dot side from barcelona. Distress edges with vintage photo before adhering  to the birdhouse.

Cut a strip from the barcelona ...and adhere to the middle of the wooden spool. Ink the edges. Adhere this to the bottom of the house with a hot glue gun.

Next, adhere the branches to the front edges and back edges of the roofline on the birdhouse. Cover the roof with the reindeer moss gluing on in small sections until covered.

Cut the twill ribbon and tie around the birdhouse tying in a bow on the right hand side .

Adhere the melissa frances resin frame to the front of the birdhouse. Adhere the word nest to the ribbon inside the frame. Now adhere the bird house into the nest using hot glue on the bottom of the wooden spool ...add additional reindeer moss to the nest ...adhering with hot glue...

Color the speckled eggs with the pool alcohol ink ...once this dries ...which shouldn’t take too long ...glitter with the baby blue glitter. I used designer dries clear adhesive and apply it with a brush. Arrange in the nest and secure in place with hot glue.

The tin bird used was a pastel color ...I gave is a quick coat of paint on both sides with the green tea craft paint ...let it dry throughly before proceeding. Once dry using designer dries clear adhesive, coat the bird lightly and cover iwth the ash glitter ...shaking off excess.

Once throughly dried ...give it a few hours ...secure the bottom of the bird into her nest with hot glue and add a dab on the back side of the bird and adhere to the birdhouse.

Design Team Call

Although we have a GREAT line up for guest designers the next few months, Art Glitter is anouncing a Design Design Team call!

Design Team Call for Art Institute Glitter

Art Institute Glitter is now searching for design team members.  We will be selecting people to use our products in designing creative projects to post on Art Glitter as well as your blog, facebook, pinterest  and other social media. We are looking for artists that can create not only paper crafts but also altered arts, mixed media, jewelry, home décor, fabric as well as a nail artist.  

How to apply:

Email the following to glitter@artglitter.com & kristiparkervandoren@gmail.com  by Monday, March 26, 2012 at 2:00 PM (EST) if you are auditioning.

     Full contact information: include your home address, phone number, email address, blog/website address.

     Tell us what you think are your design strengths.

     Short Bio

     Tell us why you want to be on the Art Glitter design team.

     List any companies that you have designed for in the past or with whom you currently work. Please keep in mind that being on a team past or present is not a requirement.

     Title this post “Art Glitter Design Team 2012 Audition”. In your email, include the link to your Art Glitter blog post. (You must have a blog in order to audition for our design team.) Please have your post up no later than 2pm (EST) on March  26, 2012. We will be reviewing the blogs at that time and several days following.

     Anyone is welcome to apply, if you live outside of the United States you will need to pay shipping above what our normal shipping charges are in the US.

We will choose DT member By April 5, 2012 and will announce publicly the design team April 15, 2012.  We ask that you do not spill the beans before the official announcement.  This term will be from May 1, 2012-April 30, 2013.

Question? Email kristiparkervandoren@gmail.com

What we expect from you:

1) 1 year contract beginning May 1, 2012

2) Post three (3) projects per month on your blog and submit two (2) of those to Art Glitter for us to use on our blog and/or website. You must link back to Art Glitter's Web Page/Blog.   You will receive dates that you will be required to post on your personal blog.  Project submissions must include quality images of the project in .jpeg format along with instructions and links for making the project. Your project submissions will be reviewed before posted to the Art Glitter Blog. Post your blog and link on your Facebook, twitter, Pinterest and other social media sources to advertise both yourself and Art Glitter.  (You will receive a writing guideline document to help in your composition and give tips on photographing glitter.)

3) Join in on 2 or 3 blog hops during your 1 year contract.  (First one will be with Want 2 Scrap June 14/15/16 and other dates to be set in the future)

4) Art Glitter Design team member grants permission for Art Glitter to use those projects for display on The Art Glitter Website, Facebook Page, Blog and Pinterest.

5) In the event that you do not complete any of the above requirements Art Glitter has the right to remove you from the design team and fill the position with another candidate on the wait list.

6) Post our widget on your blog with a link to the website and blog. You will receive this at a later date.

7) You will be added to the Art Glitter yahoo group for easy communication, calendar, data base and photo albums. (All projects made will need to be added to your album.)

8) There may be times you are asked to create additional projects for use in the booth for trade shows or in conjunction with cross promotional companies.  We may also request you send some of your projects to us for professional photos for the web.

9) We will need a short bio with photo to place on our site.

10) Not required but requested that you list all the Art Glitter DT links on your blog and comment on other designer’s projects.  This shows a cohesive group and support for each other.

What you can expect from Art Glitter:

1) Send product for your term.  You will receive a “Welcome” shipment of goodies for your first 3 months.  This will include cross promotional products as well.  You will need to list these companies and link them as you use their products.  After that you will get to order items you would like from Art Glitter for your projects.  This will be on the three month basis for $50.  You will receive 25% off and may order additional product at the discounted price. 

2) Art Glitter will promote your blog on our blog and/or website.

Design Team Overview:

The Purpose of being a Design Team member is to promote Art Glitter by using our products in projects that may be posted to the Art Glitter website, blog, Pinterest and your own personal blogs.

Posting Dates:

Posts are to be on Art Glitter blog and your blog by 2 PM EST on date required. If you do not post on time - twice we will  remove you from the design team.  IF there is a problem with any of these days we need to know ASAP. The sooner we know of a problem or conflict the sooner we can address the issue.

PET PEAVE: Posting Late, You can always post a little early if you need to, but please make every effort to have your blog post on time and information sent to me on time for Art Glitter's Blog.

Kristi Parker Van Doren is our Design Team Coordinator.  Please contact her with any questions you have on posting & dates.

Her email is: kristiparkervandoren@gmail.com

There will be a yahoo group where you can ask questions to the group and post photos of your work Art Glitter can then pull photos as needed for promos, blog, facebook etc.  You as the artist will always get credit for your published work.  In addition, if you are published in a national publication you will be paid $10 for a single project, $15 for articles.  IF you have multiple projects in the same publication you will receive a min. of $10 and Art Glitter reserves the right to change the amount on how your project is presented and how prominent Art Glitter products are used.

NOTE: Art glitter will not be held responsible or liable for any claim, loss or expense attributable to any injury, damage or destruction arising out of a Designer’s service for Art Glitter.

Introducing New Art Glitter Guest Designers

It is my pleasure to introduce to you Art Glitter's Guest Designers for the next three months. First up is Connie K Casement, whom you may recognize, she has designed for us before. Here's a bit of her bio:

"As a published designer her work has been featured in numerous publications, most recently Somerset Holidays and Celebrations; Somerset Life; Somerset Gallery; as well as Paper Creations Magazine. Connie K’s enthusiasm as an instructor is contagious, she is well organized and prepared"... more here

Next up is Sherri Reehil-Welser, this is her first go around with Art Glitter.

"Sherri Reehil-Welser is the owner of~ IndigoEarth~ an artisan based company creating unique jewelry with beads, silver PMC, wire wrapping , metal stamping and mixed media. Stunning scarves with beautiful textures and colors also compliment this artisan company"... more here

Last but not least is Emma McDonald, she's joining the Art Glitter crowd for the first time too."   I began taking formal art lessons at school and in 7th grade I completed my first real painting on canvas. And I actually still have it. What do you think? The assignment was to paint a portrait of royalty, but my Queen ended up looking more like a young Delta Burke (pointed out to me by my Dad). I pursued art throughout high school -participating in the AP Art program and was nominated “Most Artistic” my senior year. In 2002 I started working as a cashier at a Michaels store"... more here

I'd like to give a special thanks to our outgoing crew. 

Candy Spiegel

Cassandra Midkiff

Laura Fraedrich 

They are true glitter enthusiasts who have put forth some wonderful projects and I appreciate their professional as well as artistic skills. I'm sure they will continue to spread the sparkle!