A Day for Daisies New Release

Hi everyone!  We have a new release at ADFD and they are spectacular.  They're so inspiring that I actually made two projects with them.  I'm actually going to make two separate posts because the second one has a surprise for you too.

So this new release is all about the beach.  I know I'm ready for some nice warm weather here in Calgary.  Its -20C here and even colder with the wind chill.  I don't know how it works with all you other ladies out there, but my husband isn't what I would call the romantic sort.  And I guess I've let him off pretty easy over the years in regards to buying me gifts.  I usually buy what I want and tell him what "he got me".  I'm also not a really big jewelry wearer either, but I do like to gussy it up once in a while and wear a necklace or some earings.  So, needless to say, I didn't get any jewelry for Christmas this year.  I decided to make my own and here is what I made using the new release images Pretty Sea Shells collection:

  

Supplies:
Images:  Pretty Sea Shells collection (A Day for Daisies)
Tools & Embellishments:  Inkjet Shrinky Dink, Bic Mark It markers, Sharpie markers, shell beads, glass beads, jewelry findings & chain, earing shepherd hooks, jewelers pliers, jewelers wire snips

I've had the square beads for a really long time and didn't know what to do with them.  They're made from shells and I paid quite a bit of money for them.  I bought them online about 5 years ago when I was really into jewelry making.  I didn't want to really use them on just anything, so I've held onto them.  Once I saw the new images, I knew that they would be great with these images.

I printed the images onto the shrinky dink, then coloured them with my Bic & Sharpie markers.  I didn't use copics because I find that they don't work that well on plastic for me and I can't get the intensity of colour with them as I can with Bics or Sharpies (however, in this case the colour was a little too dark).  After I finished colouring, I cut the images out.  I should note here that I printed the images 2" on the largest side, and once I heated the shrinky dink, the pieces shrunk down to about 3/4".  If you haven't used shrinky dink before and want to try this, you have to remember to punch a hole BEFORE you shrink them.  The plastic ends up being quite thick and brittle, so you won't be able to pierce a hole afterward.  When I was cutting out the images, I added a little extra at the top of the image and used my 1/8" hole punch.  This left a pretty small hole - just big enough for the head pins to fit through.  Once the shrinky dink was cooled down, I used my jewelry making tools and supplies and created these earrings.  I wore them out yesterday and got a couple compliments on them.  That was fun.

Check out the next post for my second project.  I have a little surprise for you. :)

Cat