Peruvian String Art

So by all everyone knows how much I love being a few generations behind myself. Recently I found some pretty amazing earrings on Etsy that I thought were just beautiful and I wondered how I could make them. The artist called them Peruvian String Art earrings and there were a few others like her selling similar items. I had heard of string art before, but did not know what the difference was between Peruvian and the style they create using boards. Turns out, not a lot.

Peruvian String Art uses wire for the base form with smaller gauge wire coiled and placed on the base wire. Thin string, such as embroidery, cotton yarn, and thread, is place between the coils of the top wire. String can be woven on top of each other at different starting positions to create layered looks and multiple color combinations. I made a set of earrings to match a dress that I made and found them to be quite easy and fun. In my first pair I used 3 colors, proving this is not a difficult technique.

Here are some examples of ones that I found on Etsy:

Funky Lobez

Rubys Handiwork

Southern Breeze Studio

In a few days I will be adding a tutorial on how to make these earrings. I have gathered some supplies and a few tips along the way, which I think you would enjoy seeing. Most of these seem to be in some type of circular or teardrop shape, with the exception of the half moon earrings (which I think are VERY cool, btw). I'm also thinking that there are more shape possibilities. I have also seen double hoop and beaded designs, so there are possibilities for expansion.

Until next time, happy crafting.

The day I realized I was a hippie

Hi everyone. It has been so long since I posted anything - much too long. I have been so busy with school (finishing it up -12 weeks to go!), family, church, crafting, and just life in general that I haven't had time to sit and write. I won't promise that this is the first of many more to come, as there are a lot of variables right now. However, I would like to think that I'll be a little more consistent.

That said - how about some info on what life has thrown at me? I discovered the other day that I am truly a hippie at heart. Born at the end of the 70s, I never really experienced life during that great awakening of America's youth. I had to grow up through the 80s and 90s, a generation X'er with big hair and weird clothes. Somehow, though, I think I was born a decade and a half too late. I have always denied my flower child tendencies, but they came flying in my face last week and now I laugh at all of the things that pointed toward this fateful revelation.

It all began when I found an article by Nicky Epstein entitled "Learning the Ropes" in the most recent (December 2010) issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine. This article was so intriguing in the use of knitted i-cord to create Celtic style knots for necklaces. Needless to say this technique ho was hooked! I sat down that day and knitted an 81" i-cord from cotton yarn and created a pretty cool necklace. I had to know more, so I began looking up knot techniques and before I knew it was on YouTube watching the amazing J.D. Lenzen of Tying It All Together make beauty from a piece of rope. On to the shopping part.

I then bought some waxed polyester cord from Etsy and thought I could make some pretty great jewelry out of it. Well, it was a little small for just tying knots, so I had to look up other uses for it. That led me to macrame techniques. I've been creating jewelry and practicing different knots for the last 2-3 weeks now, with some pretty favorable results!

So what led me to the hippie conclusion? This resulted as a trip to the store to purchase some jute cord (hemp, if you will) and  a lighter for the waxed cord to melt the tips. I thought it was somewhat funny that I was purchasing jute and lighter together, given my straight-laced Christian background. I prayed nobody from our overly large (like 70% of the town!) church would recognize me in there. When I came home that night I watched "When in Rome" and absolutely fell in love with the little yellow Fiat on there. We're in the market for a new car and my sights are set on a Jeep or a Mini  Cooper. Both very much in the hippie scheme of things. I LOVE macrame. The relaxation of taking things and putting knots in them is awesome. I say "man," "cool," "dude" and other such phrases. I like tie-die. I also adore nature and insist that even as a Christian, it is my sworn duty (stewardship) to protect what God has given us. One thing I am missing is that I really like to take showers.

So while I will remain drug-free (I like my mind being my own) and continue to shower, I am also going to embrace my hippy-ness. I think hippy-ness is just another word for happiness, as it feels so free to just enjoy life...and Fiats...and minis...and jute...and wood beads...and saying "cool  man"...and...