Giant Sparkly Button Keyring

This is the second of my button key rings. I made it with ThermoMorph (the stuff I used to make the little Ring Dishes) 
I have these old cookie cutters that used to belong to my Nan.

They are kind of rusty so I don't use them for food any more but they come in for craft projects now and again.
For more detailed instructions on using ThermoMorph check out the ring dishes post here, where I took a few photos of the process, what I found worked, what didn't etc.
I melted about a tablespoon of the ThermoMorph and pressed it into the 5.5cm cutter. Then I pressed the 4.5cm cutter into it centrally upside down to make a dent.

Before the ThermoMorph set I used a cocktail stick to make 4 central holes and another at the top for attaching to the keyring.

Then I let it cool and set.

Like I said, if you want to see a bit more about using the ThermoMorph check out the ring dishes post here.
Next I painted it with a couple of coats of gold spray paint. At this point I nearly abandoned this idea as it suddenly looked a bit lot more lumpy that I wanted, however not one abandon anything too quickly, I put it one side for a day or two waiting for inspiration to hit me!

I was actually making this at the same time as the little ring dishes and whilst playing with that idea I covered one of the bowls in glitter. It came out really well so out came the Mod Podge and glitter again and the giant button got the sparkly treatment too.

It needed 2 coats of glue and glitter to make it really sparkly and then another coat of Mod Podge to make sure it doesn't drop glitter where ever it goes! After each layer of glue and glitter I used a cocktail stick to keep the holes in the button clear.
I like how the glitter makes the slight lumpiness ok - does that make sense?
To finish I added a keyring through the hole at the top. 

I was thinking of trying to make this kind of keyring out of clay or a fimo type product originally. This ThermoMorph stuff is really lightweight though so the keyring is not heavy at all. It's also pretty tough, you could drop this without fear of it cracking or breaking.

If you fancy having a play with ThermoMorph you can get it from Amazon. It costs £19.95 ($19.97) for a 500g tub. 

Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

It seems quite expensive for a tub but I've made loads of stuff with it and barely made a dent.

If you had a cute button mould I think this would work even better. The lovely people at Button and Paint made some and they came out pretty cute. Claire from Claire's Crafty Creations also used Thermomorph in moulds and her lovely results can be found here.

You might also be interested in:

Cardboard Tube Pillow Pouch

Patchwork Gift Box

Button Cluster Key Ring

Rings and Things Dishes

I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties, pop over for a look at loads of projects from other blogs

Button Cluster Key Ring

I've been playing around making button themed keyrings recently. 

This is the first that's ready to share.

Want to make your own, for yourself or as a cute little present? This is what you need:

• A keyring with a chain (mine were saved from old keyrings but you can buy them like that)
• Jump rings (mine are 7mm)
• Small buttons (you need ones where the gap between the hole and the edge is smaller than your jump rings)
• 2 x pliers

Open a jump ring with the pliers,

pop it through one of the button holes

and one chain on the keyring.

Then just close it up.
Easy, then do it again with another button.

Just add as many buttons as you like in whatever colours and combinations you like.

All my chain keyrings were reused old ones so they are slightly different lengths and chain types.

These really were easy peasy lemon squeezy to make and came out kind of cute. I love buttons, and collect button crafts on a pinterest board if you want to check out more ideas. I'm now thinking these little button clusters would be nice on a long pendant or make sweet bag charms (does anyone else still like a bag charm or are they really so 2008 darling?!)

I've got a few more button themed key rings in the pipeline that I'll be sharing soon, hope you like buttons too!

All the top quality photos in this post were taken by our daughter, you can find her website here
You might also be interested in:

Cardboard Tube Pillow Pouch

UK Coin Picture

Special date Coin Keyring

Simple Speech Bubble Cards

I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties

The Blogland Tour continues

I've been nominated by Meegan from What Meegan Makes to join the Blogland Tour.

Meegan is a lovely creative lady who shares her craft and DIY projects, recipes and beautiful sense of style.

What Meegans Makes is such a pretty blog with loads of ideas for creating a cottage style. Visit her to see beautiful photos of beautiful things as well as craft and DIY tutorials, her thrifting finds and recipes.

You can visit Meegan's leg of the blog tour here.

Now my bit, first I answer four questions:

Question 1: What am I working on?

I always have at least a dozen things on the go at any one time! Here's a sneak peek of what I've been up to recently: 

I've been doing a bit of  crochet too and thinking that it's ages since I did any knitting, so I think that needs fixing some time soon. 

Question 2: How does my work differ from others of it's genre?

I don't know! I'm not an expert on anything, I guess that's different.

I just have a ridiculous ability to get super enthusiastic about everything, honestly it's exhausting!

I like trying new crafts, I like rediscovering old crafts. I guess, at the end of the day, I just like making things. This little doodle sums me up!

Question 3: Why do I write/create what I do?

I started this blog as a bit of a tribute to my mum and grandma's who were so different in many ways but who all liked being creative. They each taught me different skills and I wanted to share with others what they shared with me. 

Print available from Pin Wheel Designs Etsy shop

Question 4: How does my writing/creating process work?

I try loads of things, if they come out ok then I share them with you. 
This is the process: 

• I have an idea (from magazines, TV, pinterest, walking down the street...)
• I start playing with relevant craft materials to see if it's a good idea
• I try to remember to take photos as I go along
• If it turns out ok I celebrate with a nice cup of tea
• Then I start editing photos (and cross my fingers that I didn't miss important steps)
• Meanwhile, in my head, I think about what I'm going to write. This usually happens in the car, in the shower, whilst cooking dinner etc 
• Then I start writing the post adding photos as I go. I currently have 17 in draft form
• When it looks ok I publish
• Then I check it and see loads of typos!
• 6 months later I notice more mistakes (sorry about that) 

Now the fun bit, I get to introduce you to some other blogs that I love. Check them out over the next few weeks when they will be continuing the blogland tour.

Kate from Crafts on Sea has all sorts of crafty goodies to share. Mostly, but not exclusively, she shows us lovely things to make with young children. There have been some fab projects with book themes this summer in conjunction with some other great blogs. Elmer, Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs and my favourite picture book of all time A Squash and a Squeeze. She also hosts Tuesday Tutorials link party, has recipes and crafty ideas for grown ups too!

I discovered Clare Willcocks about 6 months ago when I was looking at paper cutting ideas. Clare's work is AMAZING! Not only does she do the most beautiful paper cuts she also does cute little doodles that are just adorable. Then just a little while ago Clare revealed that she can also do the most lifelike drawings too. Her pictures of pets are just brilliant. You MUST visit her site if only to be in awe of her talent.

My last nomination isn't for another craft blog but just a bit of flagrant nepotism - sorry! My daughter is a photography student and recently started her own blog Carla Nyanyo Photography. (actually I'm not even a bit sorry, I think she's fab)

Thanks for joining me on my leg of the Blogland Tour, I hope to see you again soon!

You might also be interested in:

Tetris Tote Bag

Circle card Crazy

Personalised Wedding Picture

Crocheted Owl Brooch

I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties, pop over for a look at loads of projects from other blogs

Silent Sunday 7th September 2014

Guest Post at It Happens in a Blink

Hello, I'm very excited as today I'm Guest Blogging over at It Happens in a Blink

Melanie has started a "Lets Write a Note Challenge" to rekindle our relationship with old fashioned snail mail. I love all our modern super fast, instant communication, but sometimes there is nothing quite like a handwritten note. A card, postcard or lovely piece of writing paper. I guess it's a bit like the difference between a book and a Kindle. 

So as part of the series I'm sharing a fun way to make plain boring envelopes a little bit more exciting.

Pop over to It happens in a Blink to check out the full tutorial.