Craft Diva

ArtFire Collections

CraftDiva

Art Supplies

Craft Diva ArtFire Store

Last month I started an online store for my craft supplies and beaded jewelry on the ArtFire site. My ArtFire store front is located at: CraftDiva.artfire.com. I have a Pro account on ArtFire, which lets me list unlimited items for sale, and post up to 5 photos per item being sold.

ArtFire Collections

ArtFire also lets you created collections of handcrafted items and craft supplies grouped into themes. I created two collections, so far, of items I like on ArtFire. The first collection is Hot Tamale and features handcrafted items and craft supplies featuring the colors of red, orange and yellow. The second collection I created is Linen & Lace and features handcrafted items and craft supplies featuring the materials and colors of linen and lace.

If you get a chance, click on the links, shown below, to view either of the collections.

Linen & Lace Collection

Linen & Lace

Curated By: CraftDiva

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Hot Tamale Collection

Hot Tamale

Curated By: CraftDiva

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

Take care,
Lynn Smythe, AKA the Craft Diva

Unfinished Project Day

Above: Bead embroidery necklace by Craft Diva Lynn Smythe.

Late Spring Cleaning

I should clean out my craft studio more often. I've been working on cleaning out and reorganizing my home based craft studio so that I can start teaching classes again. Read my previous post for additional information on some of the classes I will be offering: Craft Diva Classes.

I also want to start making some beaded jewelry, fiber-art and fused glass pieces for myself and to give away as gifts, but the studio has looked like a bomb went off for the past few months. It was totally disorganized; beads mixed with gemstones mixed with glass mixed with yarns and ribbons. Kind of hard to get excited about creating anything when faced with the prospect of spending too much time just trying to find the right supplies for each project. So starting about a week and a half ago, I finally took the plunge and ventured into the disaster area, AKA the Craft Diva studio.

Above: Close up of bead embroidery necklace by Lynn Smythe.

Rainy Day Projects

Well, we have been experiencing a drought in south Florida, and have been having problems with forest fires burning out of control. So it looks like it's about to rain, but when you step outside it smells like a giant wood fire, those clouds are mostly smoke from out west blowing towards the ocean. I have so many planned but never started and started but never finished projects in various storage containers, that I'm trying to ban myself from starting any new projects before I complete some of the old ones.

I found the piece, pictured in this blog post, in a box full of projects waiting to be finished one day. Looks like today was that day. :) The piece features two fossil stone cabochons. I attached them to a base of Lacy's Stiff Stuff then embroidered and peyote stitched around the pieces using size 14/0 seed beads and one row of size 8/0 Miyuki delica beads. I covered the back with a piece of snake skin textured light brown leather and added an edging stitch with the size 14/0 beads sewing through both the Lacy's Stiff Stuff and leather, that's a great way to bend a beading needle out of shape!

Then I attached a hanging loop to the top using the size 8/0 delica beads and the technique of odd count peyote stitch. I made a beaded necklace for the piece which features two bone beads, moonstone, smokey quartz, freshwater pearls, citrine, tiger eye, antique brass beads and gold-stone clasp. I'm pleased with how the piece came out, can't believe it's been sitting in a box, waiting for me to finish it for over 3 years!

Take care,
Lynn Smythe, AKA the Craft Diva

Craft Diva on Facebook

Facebook Page for Craft Diva

I just added a new page to Facebook for Craft Diva: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Craft-Diva/150257278375933.

I'll be adding some of my bead assortments, jewelry findings and fused glass beads and pendants to the Facebook store within the next few weeks.

I also added my first photo album to the Facebook page. The album contains photos of some of my pin woven jewelry and sculptures pieces.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Craft Diva

Smythe Family TNT Coffee House Fundraiser

 

Team in Training Fundraiser

Join Rob and Lynn Smythe, of the Tucson cycle team for a coffee house fundraiser to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Coffee and tea will be served throughout the event, along with lots of homemade goodies including cookies, cakes, brownies, quiche, finger sandwiches, and much more.

Above: a variety of scrapbooking supplies will be available for sale too.

Art and Craft Supplies

There will also be a variety of art and craft materials available for sale, including scrapbooking, art journal and beading supplies. This Team in Training fundraising event will also feature the one-of-a-kind beaded and fused glass creations of the Craft Diva, AKA Lynn Smythe.

Above: beaded and fused glass jewelry by Lynn Smythe

Raffle Prizes

We will also have a variety of raffle prizes available. Raffle prizes will include sports themed gift basket, scrapbook supply gift basket, coffee and tea gift basket, and much more! Raffle tickets are $1 each; 6 for $5, 13 for $10 or 27 for $20. The raffle prizes will be given away using a Chinese Auction method. You buy as many tickets as you want, and place your tickets in the prize drawing box for whichever prize(s) you wish to win.

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, July 25
• Time: 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM
• Location: Rob & Lynn Smythe's house
• Country Club Acres
• 5312 Cleveland Road
• Delray Beach, FL 33484

Suggested donation minimum: $20 for adults, $10 children under 12. All proceeds from this event benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you are unable to attend this event, you may still make a donation by visiting the Smythe's Team in Training fundraising website: pages.teamintraining.org/pb/tucson10/lsmythe

Additional Information

Evite invitation: Smythe Family TNT Coffee House Fundraiser

Facebook page: Smythe Family TNT Coffee House Fundraiser

For additional details, visit the Craft Diva blog: http://www.craftdiva.net/2010/06/tnt-coffee-house-fundraiser.html

Greetings From the Craft Diva

Above: pin woven sculpture with fused glass display ring created by Lynn Smythe, AKA the Craft Diva

Greetings From the Craft Diva

Although the Craft Diva site was started in the middle of 2009, I never got around to writing the Welcome to the Craft Diva page. So here it is, better late than never!

Hello,

My name is Lynn Smythe, AKA the Craft Diva. I am the founder and editor of the Craft Diva blog. What are my qualifications to have a site devoted to various art, craft and jewelry making techniques? Here is a little information about myself.

ABOVE: Craft Diva's studio

Craft Diva's Qualifications

1. Level 1 Certified Art Clay Silver Instructor.
2. Teacher of various beading, fused glass and fiber art techniques.
3. Former bead store owner.
4. Former craft and bead show vendor - selling both my finished craft and jewelry items along with bead and jewelry making supplies.
5. Freelance writer of bead, jewelry and craft articles.
6. Working art studio setup with 2 kilns, diamond band saw, rock tumbler, dremel moto tool, grinder, professional photography studio and many, many tools of all sorts.

 

ABOVE: another view of Craft Diva's studio

Freelance Writer Craft Articles

In the past I have written how-to articles for a variety of magazines. Here is a listing of my published magazine articles.

Altered Arts

• May/June 2006 - Clown Album
  

Beadwork

• Fall 1998 - Beaded Needle Case
• Summer 1999 - Patterns
• Winter 2000 - How-to Start a Bead Society in Your Free Time
• December 2000/January 2001 - Flower Garden Loom-Woven Bracelet

Jewelry Crafts

• May/June 1997 - A Lovely Lacy Miniature Pouch
• November/December 1997 - Beaded Comanche Rosettes
• May/June 1998 - Beaded Beads & Macrame
• September/October 1998 - Amulet Bag Earrings
• January/February 1999 - The Art of Glass Fusing
• March/April 1999 - Make a Mini Amulet Bag

Lapidary Journal

• September 1997 - Bead-Netted Cabochon
• July 1998 - Macrame Beaded Earrings
• April 1999 - Loom-Woven Bracelet

Above: fused glass pendants and beaded necklaces by Lynn Smythe

Featured Craft Artist

The Craft Diva's bead work is featured in a few books and magazines including:

1. The Sea; Selections From the 1st International Miyuki Delica Challenge. My dolphin themed beaded amulet bag is featured on pages 44-45. Edited by Barry Kahn, published by Caravan Beads Inc.

2. Beading with Peyote Stitch by Jeannette Cook & Vicki Star. One of my beaded needle cases is featured on page 101 of this book. Published by Interweave Press.

3. Creative Cash; How to Profit From Your Special Artistry, Creativity, Hand Skills and Related Know-How - pages 19, 91-92, 242-243. 6th edition, by Barbara Brabec, Prima Publishing.

4. The New Macrame by Katie DuMont. I wrote two chapters for this book. My beaded macrame projects are featured on pages 27, 41-43, 96-98. Published by Lark Books.

5. Make It Profitable by Barbara Brabec; pages 21, 32, 124, 145, 154, 169, 171. Published by M. Evans & Company.

6. "Insight - Bead Artists"; August 2000 issue The Crafts Report; page 17.

7. "101 Things You'll Need for Every Craft Show" by Barbara Brabec; August 1999 issue The Crafts Report; pages 26-27, 61.

8. "Something for Everybody"; January/February 1999 issue of the Tampa Bay Bead Society newsletter; page 5.

Above: "Isis" - beaded picture by Lynn Smythe

Craft Diva's Awards & Recognition

1. 1996 - 1st Annual Havana Bead & Jewelry Festival - 3rd place seed bead jewelry.
2. 1997 - 2nd Annual Havana Bead & Jewelry Festival - 3rd place seed bead jewelry.
3. 1997 - 31st Annual Show, Gem & Mineral Society of the Palm Beaches - President's Award Best of Show.
4. 1999 - 4th Annual Havana Bead & Jewelry Festival - 1st place non-glass beads for 3 of my snowflake pattern beaded beads.
5. 2000 - 5th Annual Havana Bead & Jewelry Festival - 2nd place jewelry.

Above: pin woven necklace by Lynn Smythe

Craft Diva's Exhibitions

1. Spotlight 1997 - American Craft Council Southeast Juried Exhibition; June 21-August 3, 1997; Hickory Museum of Art, Hickory, North Carolina.

2. Gallery of Art; October 17 - November 28, 1997; Jupiter Town Hall, Jupiter, Florida.

3. Bead Dreams, Future Visions; March 22 - June 14, 1998; Goldstein Gallery, University of Minnesota.

4. 45th Florida Craftsmen Statewide Competitive; February 20 - May 10, 1998; Art & Culture Center, Hollywood, Florida.

5. 2"x2"x2"; May 22 - July 3, 1998; Gallery Ten, Rockford, Illinois.

6. Gleaming Treasures; 4th Annual Embellishments; July 17-19, 1998; Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, California.

7. Millennium: Fiber Moving in a New Age; March 30 - April 20, 1999; Fine Arts Gallery, Kennesaw State Universtiy, Atlanta, Georgia.

8. Bead Something; July 15 - August 15, 1999; Prairie Edge Fine Art Gallery, Rapid City, South Dakota.

9. Gleaming Treasures; 5th Annual Embellishments; July 16-18, 1999; Portland Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.

10. Bead Dreams 2000; 1st Annual Bead & Button Show; June 1-4, 2000; Portland Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.

11. Gleaming Treasures; 6th Annual Embellishments; July 14-16, 2000; Portland Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.

12. Gardensart; January 19 - February 28, 2001; Burns Road Community Center, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

 

ABOVE: Craft Diva's studio

Craft Diva Techniques

Here is a brief listing of the types of projects and techniques that will be covered on the Craft Diva site.

• Macrame
• Kumihimo
• Pin-weaving
• Beaded loom weaving
• Seed bead techniques
• Art Clay Silver i.e. Precious Metal Clay
• Fused glass
• Lampwork bead making
• Altered art
• Scrapbooking
• Art journaling
• Sewing
• Art dolls
• Art quilts
• Costume making
• Wire wrapping

Questions or Comments?
What type of art, craft and jewelry making techniques would you like to learn more about? Leave a comment on this post, or contact me directly at lynn@craftdiva.net with your tips, questions and comments.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Craft Diva

Make a Fabric Covered Memo Board

Above: fabric and ribbon covered cork board

The other day I blogged about my home office decorating project: Craft Diva Decorates Home Office. I mentioned the fabric covered memo board that I made for the office in that post. Here are the instructions on how to make your own French inspired, fabric covered memo board.

Above: finished memo board hanging above desk

Fabric Covered Memo Board Supply List

• Wood frame cork board
• Measuring tape
• Old sheet or towels
• Can of spray glue - I used Elmer's from JoAnn Fabrics
• Quilt batting - I used cotton, but polyester would work too
• Decorative fabric - I found brocade fabric for 50% off in the clearance section at JoAnn's. It was the perfect color for my home office decorating project.
• Ribbon - satin, silk, grosgrain, etc...
• Scissors
• Metal upholstery tacks
• Hammer
• Staple gun - with small 1/4 inch long staples
• Screw driver
• Hanging hardware - to attach the finished memo board to the wall

Above: cover back of cork board with quilt batting.

Above: cover front of cork board with a second layer of batting, and wrap around the sides and attach to the back.

Instructions for Making French-style Memo Board

1. Measure the cork board so you will know how much fabric to buy. I bought my fabric on sale, and got what was left on the bolt. I had enough to cover the front and back of the cork board, and enough leftover to make matching pillows for the home office futon.
2. Spray glue is a bit messy. You need to cover your work surface with a drop cloth, or old sheet, or a couple of old towels. I skipped this step, and the spray glue got all over the carpet. Luckily I have a carpet cleaner and was able to clean the rug as soon as I finished making the memo board.
3. Cut a piece of the quilt batting to fit the front of the cork board.
4. Spray the front of the cork board with spray glue, and attach the piece of batting.
5. Cut a second piece of batting that is large enough to cover the front of the board, wrap around the sides and attach to the back of the cork board. I used spray glue to attach the second layer of batting to the front of the board, and the staple gun to attach the batting to the back of the board. Trim the corners to get rid of excess batting.
6. Cut a piece of your decorative fabric which is large enough to cover the front of the board, wrap around the sides and attach to the back of the board. Use the staple gun to attach the fabric to the back of the board. Pull the fabric taught, while wrapping it around the sides.
7. Attach the decorative ribbon to the front of the board in a diagonal pattern. Wrap each piece of ribbon around the sides of the board, and attach to the back of the board using the staple gun.
8. Attach decorative upholstery tacks to the front of the board, where 2 pieces of ribbon cross over one another. Use a hammer, if necessary.
9. Cut a piece of fabric that is just slightly larger than the back of the cork board.
10. Fold the edges of the fabric under, then attach the fabric to the back of the board using the staple gun.
11. Attach the hanging hardware to the back of the memo board using a screw driver.
12. Attach 2 screws to the wall, where you want to hang the memo board.
13. Hang the memo board up, and enjoy!

Above: cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover front of cork board, and wrap around the back.

 

Above: attach the ribbon to the front of cork board in a diagonal pattern. I decided to use orange ribbon, instead of brown, to complete my fabric covered memo board.

 

Above: attach a piece of fabric to the back of the memo board using the staple gun. Attach hanging hardware to the board.

To Measure or Not to Measure

I had a heck of a time trying to figure out how to equally space the ribbons on the front of the board. I measured it a couple of times, then tried to add ribbons evenly spaced on the board. But I kept redoing it because I couldn't get the math to work out. I'm an artist, not a rocket scientist - HA! So I ended up going for the free form look, and adding ribbons wherever. So my diagonal placement is not equal, but I think it came out looking okay. You're going to be adding a lot of items to the memo board, so it doesn't really bother me that mine isn't perfect.

 

Above: close up of board showing ribbon placement and decorative upholstery tacks.

Above: another photo of the finished memo board. No need for thumb tacks. Simply place items to be displayed underneath the ribbons.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Craft Diva

Start a Craft or Jewelry Business

Former Bead Store Owner
I used to own a bead store, called Dolphin Crafts. While I loved having the store, my children were much younger when the store was open, and it proved to be too difficult to be a full time mom and a full time store owner. I closed the around 8-9 years ago, and temporarily put my arts and crafts on hold, while I raised my children.

North Carolina Craft Studio
Now that my children are older, 18 and almost 14, I am thinking about opening a craft gallery/artist studio. I'll probably wait until we move to North Carolina, as I really don't want to be in Florida anymore. It doesn't make financial sense to start a new business that will be moved out of state in just a few years.

We purchased land in western North Carolina a few years ago. Our plan is to sell our house in Florida, and move to North Carolina within the next few years. I would like to have a craft studio, on our property, that is separate from the house. I can have my workshop setup, without having to worry about making a mess in the house. I can teach classes and have open studio days a few times each year.

Books for Starting a Craft or Jewelry Business
I have been researching a few books that contain information on the kind of shops and businesses I admire, to get ideas for my own boutique. Here are my book recommendations for anyone looking to open their own boutique, shop, craft studio or gallery.

I own all five of these books, and have read them all many times. While these books are probably available in paperback, I like to purchase hardcover books whenever possible. Hardcover books hold up better to repeated reading, compared to paperback books, and I just think a hardcover book, with it's dust jacket, adds a bit of class to my bookshelves. You may be able to borrow some of these books from your local library.

1. Turn Your Passion Into Profits; How to Start the Business of Your Dreams. By Janet Allon and the Editors of Victoria Magazine. Published in 2001 by Hearst Communications, hardcover, 219 pages.
2. The Specialty Shop; How to Create Your Own Unique and Profitable Retail Business. By Dorothy Finell. Published in 2007 by Amacon Books, hardcover, 226 pages.
3. Specialty Shop Retailing; Everything You Need to Know to Run Your Own Store. Third edition, by Carol L. Schroeder. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, hardcover, 412 pages.
4. The Business of Bliss; How to Profit From Doing What You Love. By Janet Allon and the Editors of Victoria Magazine. Published in 1999 by Hearst Communications, hardcover, 222 pages.
5. A Shop of One's Own; Women Who Turned the Dream Into Realty. By Rachel Epstein and the Editors of Victoria Magazine. Published in 2002 by Hearst Communications, hardcover, 223 pages.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Craft Diva

Craft Diva Store on Etsy.com

 

ABOVE: Glass Bead Assortment available from the Craft Diva Etsy.com store

I have just opened a shop on the Etsy.com website. I will be listing a variety of jewelry making, beads and scrapbook supplies for sale. 

I have a ton of inventory in stock, so it will take me awhile to get it all photographed and added to the website.

Craft Diva's Creations
In the future I may also list some of my OOAK (one-of-a-kind) beaded jewelry and fused glass creations for sale. If you are interested in any of my pieces that are showcased on the Craft Diva site, email me to ask if they are available.

ABOVE: Fused glass pendants and necklaces by Lynn Smythe

Craft Diva's Etsy.com Store
My user name on Etsy.com is Lynn Smythe Creations, so my Etsy.com Craft Diva store is located at lynnsmythecreations.etsy.com. Here's a teaser of some of the items that will be available on my Esty.com store.

Fused Glass Items by Lynn Smythe
Fused glass pendants
Fused glass cabochons

Jewelry Making Supplies
Delica beads by Miyuki
Seed beads
Glass bead assortments

Craft Supplies
Scrapbooking materials
Altered art supplies
Rubber stamps
Stickers

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Craft Diva

Craft and Jewelry Making Techniques

 

ABOVE: Basket of scrapbook supplies

Craft Diva is a brand new site. I want to let everyone know about the various projects and techniques that will be covered on the site.

• Macrame
• Kumihimo
• Pin-weaving
• Beaded loom weaving
• Seed bead techniques
• Art Clay Silver i.e. Precious Metal Clay
• Fused glass
• Lampwork bead making
• Altered art
• Scrapbooking
• Art journaling
• Sewing
• Art dolls
• Art quilts
• Costume making
• Wire wrapping

Questions or Comments?
What type of art, craft and jewelry making techniques would you like to learn more about? Leave a comment on this post, or contact me directly at lynn@craftdiva.net with your tips, questions and comments.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Craft Diva