Dream Big - Build Your Castles in the Air

I love this quote from Walden. I have always heard that to reach a goal you had to have a clear vision of the outcome, and I know that's true. 

You will surely get lost on a path without a destination.

Don't be afraid to dream big! Build your castle in the sky and then come back and build the foundation and the beautiful staircase up to it. It's a lot easier to hit the target if you know where to aim. 

✧✧✧

What does your castle look like?

Hanging Mason Jar Lanterns - DIY Wedding Craft {Video}

I know I'm not the only one who has a crush on mason jars. Mason jars are huge in arts and crafts and in DIY weddings, especially right now...in case you have been living under a rock.

Ever since I saw these cute customizable mason jar save-the-dates  I knew I wanted to incorporate mason jars into my someday wedding, even though that was a couple of years ago and I wasn't actually even engaged yet... So yeah,  I totally had a crush on them first ;)

I thought it might be easier to make a video showing the step-by-step process than just take a zillion boring photos of me looping wire that may or may not really make sense. Plus, I like making videos.

For my hangers in this video, I used some electrical wire (Romex) reclaimed from the trash pile after we installed a new ceiling fan. It's perfect for all kinds of crafts, and it's solid copper! But if you don't happen to have any of this stuff lying around, you can find 12 gauge (or 14 gauge would work too) wire in your choice of metals at the craft store or at the hardware store.

I believe the mouths of mason jars are a standard size, but just for reference I am using the quart sized jars.

There's a complete list of tools and supplies after the video. (If you're on a mobile device and can't see the embedded video, you can watch this Mason Jar Lantern How To on YouTube.) Enjoy!



TOOLS & SUPPLIES:
• mason jars
• for each mason jar - 26 inches of 12 or 14 gauge wire (copper, brass, or colored craft wire)
• heavy duty wire cutters ( I use floral cutters)
• round nosed pliers

I'd love to hear what you think about this project. Leave me a note!

 I linked up at: 

DIY Patriotic Manicure - With Foil Stars and Glitter Glue!

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! I have to admit this wasn't a planned post. I just woke up this morning and thought, darn it! I wanna do something FUN today. So I decided to do a little patriotic nail art with what I had available...which turned out to be some aluminum foil, some glitter glue, and a little bit of nail polish. Hmmm, well, you know what? It turned out pretty great if I do say so myself, and I didn't have to make a run to the store, so in my book, that makes it 10x more awesome :)

I also made it into my very first video for my new YouTube channel, which is something I have been wanting to do for a while. (I keep my other channel specifically for jewelry making tutorials, so random fun things like funky nail art designs and other such distractions don't exactly fit in, I think?) So yeah. 15 hours later, here is the finished post and edited video. And there goes my 4th of July, LOL!

Rock Candy Rings - My first live jewelry making class!

You may or may not know that I started a jewelry tutorial website last fall, JewelryTutorialHQ.com, where I have been making and sharing videos and tutorials on various jewelry making techniques. I have been having so much fun, and after hearing so many people urge me to teach a class, I'm finally going for it!

I am excited to say that I am teaching my first live jewelry class, "Rock Candy Rings," at The Artful Bead this summer! Class begins this Sunday, July 7th at the Carrollton location, but there are some classes on Saturdays as well. I would LOVE it if you would join me! Classes are limited in size, so be sure to register early.

Upcoming Classes:

(click to register)

Sunday, July 7^th 12:00pm – 1:30pm (Carrollton)

Saturday, July 27^th 10:30am – 12:00pm (Fort Worth)

Saturday, August 3^rd 10:30am – 12:00pm (Carrollton)

Saturday, August 10^th 10:30am – 12:00pm (Fort Worth)

Sunday, September 8^th 12:30pm – 2:00pm (Carrollton)

A little bit about the project:

I will teach you how to form an adjustable size ring band from a straight piece of wire. We will hammer, forge, and form it into shape, then I'll show you my technique for wire wrapping some lovely gemstones to the band. You will create lovely stackable rings that you can wear home the very same day!

Downloadable PDF Tutorial:

I know lots of you aren't in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, but if you'd still like to learn how to make these gorgeous fun rings, you can purchase an instantly downloadable .PDF file from Craftsy or my Etsy Jewelry Supply Shop.

Hope to see y'all there!