Vintage Owl Locket with Martha Stewart Crafts™ Jewelry Program

When I learned about the opportunity to craft an awesome piece of jewelry with the new Martha Stewart Jewelry Program, I was absolutely thrilled!  I'd never created a piece of jewelry before and was really looking forward to playing with the package of supplies they sent me.  Thanks so much to Plaid® for the excellent box of goodies!

The inspiration for my Vintage Owl Locket came from this pair of earrings that belonged to my Grandma Betty.  I've always loved these and used to wear them when I was younger.  I wanted to give them a new place of prominence, though, in a jewelry piece that was closer to my current style.

Here are some neat supplies that were included in my product box.  I knew at once that I would be using that owl mold in my piece.  I definitely have a thing for owls!  I was excited to use the new epoxy clay, silicone tip brush, and handy silicone mat in the first step of my project.  See how the clay containers are divided?  It's important to mix equal parts of colored clay with white activator when using the epoxy clay.

I wanted a lighter shade of blue to create my owl cabochon, so I mixed some of the blue and some of the white (after mixing them separately with their own activators) to create a shade pretty close to the blue in the earrings.  An easier way to do this would be to make your custom color and then mix with an equal amount of activator.  This will keep it from drying out too fast.  

Using the silicone tip brush, I moved the clay into all the nooks and crannies of the silicone mold.  If you start at the center and work your way out to the sides, it will help to release any air bubbles that would keep your cabochon from molding properly.  After I made the blue owl, I put some white in the long leaf mold and let them set for 24 hours.  In the meantime, I worked on a different part of the necklace.

Since I had some extra clay after forming my owl, I decided to make my own special charm.  I formed it into a circle and used this wax tipped tool to place the blue rhinestones.  I absolutely LOVE this tool!  How many times have you dropped teeny tiny gems and beads when you were crafting?  This two-sided tool takes care of the problem!  It easily picks up the tiniest of rhinestones and allows you to place them right where you want them.  I know I will get a lot of use out of this!

I added a little setting to the top of the charm and then let it dry 24 hours.  I also used some enamel paint to add a little blue to these pretty pieces.  It took several days for the enamel to dry so I'm glad I started early.  I'm also glad I had this silicone mat to work on, because I could move it to a safe drying spot while I waited for everything to set.

More favorites of mine included the flat and round nose pliers.  Wow---how many times have I messed up my fingernails trying to open up a jump ring or clasp?  It was super simple with these well-made tools.  I also used them to easily rip the old earring clips off.  In the past I'd be twisting and pulling, back and forth, to remove them.  SO glad I have these tools now!

When my cabochon, charm, and enameled pieces were finished, the only thing left to do before designing the piece was to attach my owl to this neat locket setting.  Yes, it really does open!  I'm not sure yet what I want to do with the inside of it yet so, for now, I've painted the little circle inside white.  I'm sure I'll be inspired soon!  Anyway, I used jewelry glue to securely attach the owl to the front of the locket.

Once all my pieces were finished, I laid them out in a design that suited me and glued them together with the jewelry glue.  Finally, I strung some wire through it all, added some blue set rhinestones, and I was finished!  I've worn it out twice now and have had many nice compliments!

The Martha Stewart Jewelry line includes over 240 products just right for all levels of crafter.  Whether you want to make a gift for a friend or customize something for yourself, I'm sure you'll find the perfect mix of items to create you're own awesomely unique piece of jewelry.  

These products are available exclusively at Michaels craft stores all over the US.  

To learn more visit Plaid® here:
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I was sent a very awesome package of products, as well as paid compensation, in exchange for this review and tutorial.  All opinions are honest and are my own.

#MarthaJewelry Please also follow my Craft Ideas board on Pinterest!

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Homemaking Party

Hello everyone!!  Whew! It has been a wild and crazy week!  Hope you've had a relaxing week and have fun plans for the weekend.  

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed tonight so I'm going easy on myself by posting a plain ol' Hello! for the Homemaking Party this week.

I can't wait to see what you've all got to share!

Blessings!

Make Bake Create Party #9: Peaches Foster

  

Welcome to this week's Make Bake Create Party! Every Wednesday come and link up your favorite projects from the week. This could be any food, recipes, crafts or DIY! Since there are 5 hosts... your link will be seen on 5 blogs at once. SWEET! Meet your hosts:

We would love for you to follow us on twitter!

@BubblyNature

@hopenevryseason

@momhatescooking

@thecreatvprncss

@RookieSeamstrss

This week, our featured hostess, Brandi is sharing a super delicious recipe for Peaches Foster.  Doesn't this look SO yummy?!

I've got another great recipe from Mom's Favorite Recipes.  Yes, my "week" turned into a few weeks...but that's ok!  Here's recipe #5 of Mom's Favorites.

Mom loves nachos and she wants them made a very specific way!  Round corn chips, a dash of taco sauce, shredded cheese, and a jalepeno, are what's needed to make these just right!  

Microwave or set in the oven until the cheese is melted and you've got a fun sleepover treat!

There were lots of great ideas and yummy food featured last week.  Here is one of my favorites.  If you're featured, make sure to grab a "featured button" for your blog!




<a href="http://www.bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRn09kU2RemU6LsKqKpqOxSc8lLCH9RDGzDVK164-4hJaY289rNS0LDGtgG6gOHfZ3qztHJIBAyR85U5zoDA-wpv7s0wvCPwTpE9Enlgg7f-zlcNbDGukTGMhU6Vz15YkqBkjpsBcl5Vl/s240/MBCFEATURED.png " border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

Sam from The Kitchen Is My Dance Floor showed us how she made a bunch of freezer meals with things she had on hand!  I love freezer cooking and can't wait to get a big freezer so I can store lots of quick and easy meals!




The Make Bake Create Party is like none other. Make sure to follow our Make Bake Create Party Pin Board where we will be pinning the projects linked up here!   

Disclaimer and things to keep in mind~

* You may link up any DIY/ recipe/ food type post.

* You may link as many links as you want.

* Be sure to include The Make Bake Create button or text link to in your linked post; this is recommended in order to be featured!



<a href="http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/" target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn1UUMpAzaGe_3JUer40CRLomsJ8W_qJq-_fEujrdlbIDZnn3aQ4sVuaSAkTSTFAOOvWicE_8TQIhUSwc5Lp_Wa43i8lNKKj2Kt6d9tnTTuRuBB7zUYJTERT9Ryz7Xtz3er0eFuAc035o/s220/makebakecreate.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

* By linking up, you are agreeing that you have permission to use any photos linked, and that we may use them to feature your project on a blog post or any social media, with a link back to your blog.

Now Ready... set... Link Up!!!

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

Linking with:
Make Bake Create @ Hope In Every Season
Wisdom Wednesdays @Simply Helping Him
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays 
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz
Watcha Work-Up Wednesday 
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants 
Simple Living Wednesdays @ Our Simple Farm
Sheltering Linkup @ A Sheltering Tree
Shoe Lace Linkup @ Living In the Shoe
Home Link Up at Raising Arrows
Wednesday Link up at Adorned from Above
Homemaking Party @ Hope In Every Season
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop 
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable  
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six 
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home 
Create It Thursday
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm 
Family Fun Friday @ Happy and Blessed Home
Farm Girl Friday @ Let This Mind Be In You
Fit & Frugal Family Friday
Recipe Swap Hop @ Cuddlebug Cuties