Friday, December 16, 2011

The Christmas Craft and Gift Summary:
As I finally finish the many handmade gifts (which is taking a considerable amount of time) I am going to post the ready to give version.

Office Cocoa and Peppermint Schnapps:
$3.00 a piece
I couldn't figure out how to tie the tiny Schnapps to the tiny cocoa so I folded down a plain brown lunch sack and added some ribbon to hold the little items.  I made some of the cocoa for my kids and if you follow the instructions it makes a very rich drink.  Next year I will modify the instructions to allow for a less dark choc version.  This is a perfect mix for adults and will be super yummy with some peppermint schnapps.



Bracelet and Ring for a Girlfriend:
Twice I have jumped onto Pickyourplum.com and gotten a fun set of resin flowers for an inexpensive price. I paired a couple of them with a cute bracelet from Joanne fabrics new line of Plaid resin flowers and findings.  I love how simple and pretty and it looks.

Bracelet and Ring
Flowers: $.25  (from my favorite set a combined sizes and styles)
Bracelet: $2.49 (half price on sale)
Total: $2.74
The funny part about making jewelry for friends is how much I don't want to give it away after I finish. So the cost of not keeping it for myself should be factored in the overall value:)







Keeping this one for myself:
I found a cool flower sugar skull style image on pintrest. I copied it, shrunk it down and printed it on photo paper after making a black and white image.   Using my circle punch I cut it out and started the process of carefully layering crystal effects like a resin cover.  I had to dab it on to start the process and keep the paper and image from soaking in moisture and smearing.  After it was well coated on both sides I used the crystal effects to press it into the finding (a cool silver flower from Hobby Lobby) and started layering the goo until I had the start of a dome.  At some point in that series I dropped 2 of the resin flowers into the goo on the side and sat them on the lip of the flower inset.

I LOVE the look so now I am keepin this one for myself.
Flower: $2.00 (half price, I only buy with a coupon or sale)
Resin Flowers: $.25