Tuesday, December 11, 2012

2012 Boston Phoenix Gift Guide~
Guiltless Giving


dekt out skateboard rings

I am psyched to find my dekt out rings and bangles have
made their way into the 2012 Phoenix Gift Guide!

You can find them in my dektout etsy shop,
at re-maker or up close and personal,
this week-end at the Holly Fair in Cambridge, MA!



Images & Text © re-maker
All rights reserved.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Art Jewelry Magazine~
Acrylic Challenge

 Shoo fly!

I was one of the lucky few chosen to participate in
the Art Jewelry Magazine Acrylic Challenge!

I received three small pieces of colored acrylic,
violet, very dark purple and orange.

Although I've been drawn to all things orange lately that piece of acrylic just didn't speak to me. I did love the very dark purple, but it's very dark. I have something in mind, but not for this challenge. So, the violet it was!

Shoo Fly! pendant with chain

I started by etching a housefly on two sheet of stainless steel. While they were doing their thing, I roller printed a swirly pattern into copper sheet. Once the metals were ready and cut to size I "patinated" one of the flies and the swirly copper frame with a blue violet alcohol marker. When the violet acrylic is place on top it gives the fly an almost holographic effect. It's pretty cool.

Shoo fly! pendant back

I cut a larger back plate from stainless, cut a window for the fly on the back and engraved "shoo fly" under the window.

I'm not a photographer and this was a particularly tough piece to photograph. In real life, the back of the piece does not have a copper glow, just copper rivets.

Riveting everything together was a little challenging. Stainless is tough on #58 bits. On the last rivet the bit broke inside the "sandwich" of metals and acrylic. Honestly!?

I finished the piece up by making the jump rings, bail and clasp using steel and copper wire.

It enjoyed working with the acrylic. It has a buttery texture. I love that it's a solid color, but it's transparent. Cool.

My next acrylic project is a ring for my son using the very dark purple. I'll keep you posted!


Images & Text © re-maker
All rights reserved.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

We Have A Winner!


Thanks to everyone that entered to win one of my

There were 21 entries
(20 comments & 1 Tweet!)

Dice roll please.....

and the winner is...

Lucky Number 13, KayzKreationz


Images & Text © re-maker


The deets:
There were 21 comments plus 1 tweet. My comment was deleted from the randomizer draw. Two unique number were chosen by randomizer. The first winner is entry 13 (the tweet!). If I don't receive a response from the first winner by Saturday Dec. 8th I'll contact and post the runner up.


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Challenge of Color 2012


Welcome to the 2012 Challenge of Color!

I decided to jump into this challenge for two reasons...
The first is because color is a challnge for me every day!
The second is because I love an Erin Prais-Hintz challenge!

Erin chose an assortment of amazing satelite images and sent each participants two from which to choose. I loved both of mine, but chose to go with the Colima Volcano because I really like the contrast between the hot and cold colors.

And a shout of thanks also goes out to color guru Brandi Hussey who created all of the beautiful color palettes!

 My inspiration photo courtesy of USGS

The focal is a very large "Mountain Jade" which is actually dyed dolomite marble. I've created a bezel setting by wrapping it in an oversize flower stamping from Nunn Design. On the back you'll find a small paua shell which has been dyed a beautiful blue. The chain has segments of wire wrapped apetite and red bone beads.
Bright blue tin bezels

The bezels are canibalzed from a link bracelet, also from Nunn, and are "set" with pieces of a vibrant blue cookie tin under glass cabs.

Close-up of the pendant back.



Be sure to check out my fellow participants
simply click on the links below...







You Are Here! Pam Farren

Saturday, November 24, 2012

How2~ Gift Tags & Stickers

re-maker gift tag

I like to be able to make changes to my marketing materials in a minutes notice. So, I've come up with a quick and affordable way to make this happen!

The last time we visited the American Folk Art Museum in NY a quick stop to the gift shop resulted in lots of fab gifts and souveniers! They included a neat little gift card for giving. It was such a great idea I created one of my own.

To get started, simply decide what size your finished card will be and what images and text you'll include. Create a template with multiple copies of your gift card.


full sheets of gift cards

Once you've made the template you can print them on whatever type of paper you like. I print mine in color with an HP Photosmart on Staples Matte Photo Supreme paper.

gifts tags are cut from full sheets

After printing, I cut the gift tags into strips (see top row of image). Once this is done I apply a strip of ATG tape across the top of each strip. This gives your gift tags a self-adhesive strip. I then cut the strips into individual tags.

To make stickers, simply follow the same steps.
Design and print full sheets.

 1x1" logo stickers

To make stickers you'll have to apply tape to the entire back of the sheet. It's a little OCD, but well worth the effort!

apply atg tape to the back of each sheet

Once the tape is applied you can cut your stickers to size.
I like to have 1x1 stickers available to use instead of tape to seal wrapped items. I also include stickers in gift orders so my customers can use them to seal their packages.


logo stickers ready to go!

I use Corel Draw, but you can certainly adapt these ideas to whatever program you like to use. If you'd prefer to forgo all of the cutting and taping there's an abundance of Avery labels & templates from which to choose! 


Images & Text © re-maker
All rights reserved.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Artisan Cyber~Sale!


I'm excited to be a part of largest
Artisan shopping event for Cyber Week...Ever!!

Starting this Thankgiving Thursday thru Friday November 30th I'm offering 15% off in my Etsy shop! Simply use the code: AWHOLIDAY during checkout to receive the discount.

I'm also sponsoring a give-away!
For a chance to win one of my Tin Can Polka Dot Bracelets
valued at $29 simply leave a comment below to be entered.
Follow my blog, tweet, pin, post to facebook, blog or make a purchase from my shop for an additional chance to win! 


One winner will be chosen on Saturday December 1st via randomizer.org
and can choose from a variety of different colors and patterns. International entries are welcome!


Vintage Fruit Cake Tin © re-maker 
Sale and giveaways start on
Thanksgiving Day & end on Friday, Nov 30th

Check out the shops below that are also offering
a giveaway on their blogs and discounts in their online shops.

There will be 3 exciting "special giveaways" hidden throughout the participants blog posts...so be sure to visit them all and find them!

You can also search Etsy with the code: AWHOLIDAY
to find participating shops...



Thursday, November 15, 2012

It's a Prong Challenge and It's On!


I recently joined a new and exciting on-line group, Artisan Whimsy!
A link from Songbeads' blog brought me to a Prong Setting Challenge.
I knew this was a group for me!

 After checking out the deets I was inspired to combine the materials from my Kalmbach Bead Soup Challenge with the Prong Setting Challange. I'm pretty happy with the results!

Although I've made plenty of prong settings I followed the very nice tutoral put together by Staci Smith which is a little bit different from the way I've done them in the past. Since I was using a slice of tagua nut that was included in my Bead Soup I added a tube set cab to fill the pre-drilled hole at the top of the nut. This adds an interesting focal point, a little color and more stability to the setting.

Click the links below to see the other participants!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Friday, November 2, 2012

Kalmbach Bead Soup~ Reveal!



Finally finished my Kalmbach Bead Soup Challenge!

In celebration of Lori Anderson's new book Bead Soup

Bead shops from far and wide put together little packets of
"Bead Soup Mix" and mailed them off to beaders and
jewelry artists to see what they would make.

I received this beautiful bead soup mix from
Simply Beadiful located in Springfield, Ma...



The focal bead, a tagua nut, had a bit of a blow out in the back where the hole was drilled. I decided to cut a back plate from roller printed brass sheet, solder on a few chunky prongs and tube set a carnelian cabochon in the spot of the original hole. The carnelian picks up the red highlights in the root beer glass cubes I wire wrapped and added to the chain. Before I soldered on the prongs I hammered the outer edge of the front plate to add a little texture.


Close-up of the focal bead with tube set carnelian.

I capped each end of the wood beads with a brass pocket watch gear. They have a tiny tube on one side that fit perfectly inside the bead holes. To balance off the clasp I added a stone flower from my stash whose color echoed that of the tagua nut. Final length is 24".



Thanks again to Kalmbach Books and Simply Beadiful!



Images & Text © re-maker
All rights reserved.

Michael's Toast of the Town Blog Hop


I decided to join in the Michael's Toast of the Town Necklace Blog Hop!

The lovely & talented Erin Prais-Hintz designed the Toast of the Town Necklace and challenged her readers to join in a Quick Fire Challenge.

The only requirement was that the instructions for the construction of her necklace be followed. We could use beads from our stash
or head to Michael's to find more!

Since I have an extensive collection of beads I knew that wouldn't
be a problem. Which ones I would choose, however, presented a challenge! My necklace is a combination of turquoise heshi, wood and copper rounds, Mill Hill seed beads (from Michael's), fire polished and pressed glass leaf Czech beads, funky freshwater pearls and chain.

I didn't have a large toggle clasp, so I decided to make my own.


Close-up of handmade copper and tin toggle clasp.

I had some scrap copper sheet that I had roller printed for another project. So, I punched the disc and cut the bar from the copper and then rivited scraps of printed tin with a leaf pattern to the back of each to add a splash of color. I think they look pretty cool!


View of necklace with strands twisted.

Here is Erin's Toast of the Town Necklace... it's a beauty!

Image © Tesori Trovati

If you'd like to make your own Toast of the Town Necklace simply click here for the materials list and instructions.

If you'd like to see more variations check out Erin's blog.


Images & Text © re-maker
All rights reserved.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

And the winner is...

Vintage Lucite and silver plated ring
Thanks to the fab folks at Randomizer
I have a winner!
 Crafty Hope!
Thanks to everyone that stopped by 
to leave a comment!


All rights reserved



Thursday, August 16, 2012

Rowing on the Charles in Watertown


 Wow! More rowing on the Charles, but this time it's at Community Rowing 
in Watertown. This is his first time out in a single shell.
He worked hard and did an awesome job!


He had a fantastic instructor coaching him from a power boat. We got a little worried that he might get stuck in the reeds along the shore but she talked him step by step back into the open.


 It's quite a busy place.
The sailing dog cracked us up!


It's a beautiful facility and the staff and volunteers are great.
He's looking forward to rowing again tomorrow!


© re-maker
All rights reserved





I stepped out my back door this morning to be 
greeted by birds chirping and hopping about
 and to these flowers begging to be seen!



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Saturday, August 11, 2012

The Big Bead Soup Reveal and
a Give~away!

Welcome to the second round of reveals for Lori Anderson's 6th Bead Soup  Blog Party! My partner, Paige Maxim, sent me a selection of beautiful beads that presented quite a challenge. Please be sure to hop on over to her blog to see what she's made with her soup selection!

The focal bead I received is a decoupaged rose image on a black wooden tile. I decided to make a tin bezel  to house the tile and provide a decorative image on its back. The color of the tin relates well with the earth tone of the beads.

Paige provided a really fun copper clasp which I oxidized and tumbled to create a lovely gunmetal color.

Detail of tin bezel made to enhance the focal tile.

I also received a really fun selection of flower charms that she'd made from vintage lucite jewelry.


I though one of the smaller charms would make a great ring, 
and voila, it's a ring! 

This size seven cutie has as 10mm wide band that's cut from 21 gauge double clad silver plate sheet. I've attached the lucite flowers by inserting a miniature stainless steel nut and bolts. The hardware is concealed with a little dab of colored coordinated resin.

Oh, and didn't I say something about a give~away?!

Yes, I did, and the winner is...
Crafty Hope!

Here's the complete list of all participants.
Many thanks to Lori Anderson!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 
Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 
 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead


Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio


Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads


Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 
 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae


Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders


Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place


 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs


You are here... Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle


Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads


Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 


Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Art


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