Twisted Crafts in Montana

All the help I can get.....

2015-04-24T11:20:00.001-07:00

This came to me at 2:00am

2014-03-10T10:43:00.001-07:00

Free standing earring/necklace display!

2014-01-29T14:22:00.001-08:00

Heres the ugly truth.... I hate setting up and breaking down my displays at shows. Back in the day you just needed a table and a tablecloth, nowadays....not so much. There are more and more artists and crafters signing up for shows and competition is getting fierce. And let's face it, the craft show world isn't hurting for jewelry vendors. So how do you get seen and not have lug a bunch of heavy, expensive, or elaborate displays? You go get yourself a pair(or two) of reclaimed slated bifold doors. Like these!

Tools and items required:

Drill or screw driver

Pliers

2 hinges with screws

Now I scored these wood beauties at a Habitat for Humanity salvage sale for $7 for the pair! I originally picked them up for the shop to use as a backdrop for my bigger window display but when I decided after a few months it wasn't working they sat in the hallway here in the store taunting me. I walk past them for months waiting for that "A-Ha!" moment. Finally yesterday I decided they were going to get demoted to the back storage room. As soon as a touched them "Jewelry Display!" screamed at me.... Well not really but you get the point.

Now sometimes the "obvious" eludes me. I know it and I can laugh at myself for it. So as I stared at them again I thought "How am I going to put jewelry on this? The slats are in the wrong direction." And I gave in to defeat.

Now you have probably figured out the "obvious" solution. It took me picking them up and getting ready to move them into the back to "see" the "obvious".... The back side.

So I removed the knobs and used stain I had on hand to cover the exposed wood under the knobs.

Now I forgot to take a pic before I removed them but were 4 of these plastic thingies on the bottom.

They were used to keep the doors in place....and also to torture me. First one popped right out.... The other 3 made me work for it. I pried 2 out using determination as my fuel. The last one broke just perfectly where I couldn't grip it with pliers, but it stuck out out enough to make it an issue.... I beat the crap out of it with a hammer and it sunk all the way in. A short temper works in my favor on occasion.

I stood them up together and measured for hinges leaving a slight gap( less the 1/4 inch)for wiggle room for moving the hinges.

Since I am a collector(hoarder) I was lucky enough to find these in my stash.

I've gotten old hinges from yard sales, salvage sales, thrift stores, I keep them off old projects, dumpsters outside of house renovations(with permission),.... But if all else fails check out Etsy and eBay.

I used a scrap piece of industrial strength Velcro to keep the gap consistent.... You can use whatever. FYI I thought I was sooooooo smart using that Velcro because it was sticky on both sides so it stuck in place. Industrial stuck. It was not fun to remove.

Both hinges on and stupid Velcro removed

Viola!!!

I am leaving it the color it is for now.... But imagine what you could do with it. White wash it, spray paint it, use fabric in the lower panels, paint designs on the panels......

I left the plastic bits on the top.... Because they are functional( that's a lie. There was no way I was fighting with them)

Now how to display your jewelry....

Hanging earring card-

S hook- I had a few spray painted S hooks left over from a previous project.

Or... Bent colored paper clip

Now as far as transporting it...

I played around and I found that with my earrings I can load the display up, sandwich a piece of thick fleece in between the panels for protection, and fold it up. Now it doesn't lie flat obviously, but it closed. I'm going to sew a sack to store it in for travel that way I don't loose any escaping earrings and it's easier to carry. But if couldn't sew one I'd wrap it in a sheet and secure it with ribbon.

Just remember to not put anything on top of it while traveling or you'll bend or snap a hinge or break your jewelry. Also if you are going to keep your jewelry in there I'd store it standing up while not in use.

Dollar Store Hat Makeover

2013-12-05T23:33:00.002-08:00

With just $2 you can make this really cute hat!

Here's the YouTube video tutorial!

http://youtu.be/k3JO_0wx74U

Another crafty Rottencard ecard

2013-07-19T12:35:00.001-07:00

Yup it's me today....

Making everything old new again...then old again?

2013-06-15T18:07:00.001-07:00

Seriously how crazy is this.

You acquire something old and worn down

Clean it and restore it

Paint it and make it look like new

Then take a sander to it to age it again?

But man do I love the look.

Take this heavy wood display thingie I found

It appears to have been a display... I think. Maybe for knick-knacks? But I like it because it was a good solid piece. And then it sat in my studio...then my jeep....then my shop...then in my jeep...then back in my studio...then back to my shop. Why? Because I couldn't figure out what to do with it!

And then it hit me...

Technically I hit it...with a hammer! I knocked out the back, which was particle board.

I sanded it, painted it brown again, and then sanded it down again....

Added legs and made a cushion from some foam and a old burlap coffee sack I had.

And what did I make?

Viola!

What do you think?

Why can't I keep my studio clean!

2013-04-21T10:14:00.001-07:00

It's bad enough that I'm hoarding furniture and supplies for my new shop....but I can't even see my desk anymore! I'm currently working in my living room. Ugh!
Einstein said “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
I don't think that applies to me....

Teenage Girl's Room Makeover....DIY Style

2013-02-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

I decided that I'd give my teenage daughter's room a facelift. I didn't want to spend a lot and of course it was going to have as much DIY as possible.
The first thing was cleaning it....
Was it dirty? No
Does my daughter have a ton of stuff? Yes
Did the cat grab my hand while reaching under her bed? Let's just say I'm glad I had just used the restroom, and I'm glad he didn't understand all the foul words that fell out of my mouth.
The walls were already painted turquoise, so I had that started for me....sorta. The problem with the turquoise walls and matching curtains is that her room was "Too Turquoise". The white cathedral ceiling is too high to break it up. So I decided to break it up with some white and silver accents.
I am big on upcycling and DIY. When you've been a military spouse for a million years(ok, it's only been 18) you learn how to pinch a penny till it screams. So there was no way I was going to spend a fortune on this room!
Let's get this show on the road....

So here's a small list of my universal supplies I used with prices:
-1 gallon White Paint and Primer- $29.99, and I still have more then 1/2 left
-1 quart silver paint- I've had this for a few years. I believe it cost me $12
-Left over room paint...I really don't thrown anything out
-Card stock butterflies. When I am working on paper crafts and I have scraps left I use my "Martha" butterfly punch, make some butterflies, and put them aside. This way I'm not wasting paper, waste not want not....says the craft hoarder

Let's start with the DIY Suitcase Vanity:
Vintage blue suitcase -$1.99
Outdoor table- I already owned
Plastic bins and mirror -$3 all together from the dollar store
Velcro- I had on hand along with hook
Total- $4.99

I painted the suitcase and added the initial. I then attached it to the table with a bolt... Can you imagine if I didn't and this spilled everywhere? Ugh! I attached the mirror to the top with some "Fusion" adhesive.

Dresser:
Cost -$35.99
I used the white paint and butterflies to cover the dresser and the silver paint to repaint the handles.
Total -$35.99

The butterflies were painted over so they were a subtle touch.... I didn't want them to be very dominant. Can you sorta see them?

Mirror:
Mirror -$1. Garage sale find! Was used as a coat rack by the entry way, they used tea hooks instead of big hooks so I just unscrewed them and sat them aside.
I used the butterflies a little more boldly on this.
I sanded the wood, glued the butterflies on, painted it white, then rubbed some of the room paint on it to "Distress" it a little and make the butterflies "pop" more
Total cost
$1

Confused Pomeranian not included.

Wall grouping
First off I had to paint the tree, I felt the room needed it. It would be nice if it had silver leaves! I misplaced my silver paint...it's still MIA. When I find it, this tree will have it's leaves!
Frames- .49 at thrift store. They are wood so it made it easier to sand and paint
Metal clock face and heart-$1.99 each at thrift store. They were black so they had to be primed first.... And yes I did fix the clock face after the pic. Lol.
Total -$6.92

Nightstand:
The nightstand used to be our end table so I already had that
I sanded the wood, painted it white, added the butterflies to the inside of the shade, and used some scrap sheer material under the glass.
Cost.... Nothing

Last but not least...because it's my favorite....
The desk!
She had one of those plain industrial looking black and silver Walmart desks. It cost like $20 I think. It really didn't match her room, plus she likes to draw and write a lot and there was no room on it for that.
I found this 2 piece set at the thrift store for $39.99. It had permanent marker all over it, the back of the bookcase was gouged in a few spots, there was a whopping hole in the bookcase back, the paint was peeling off,....
However it is solid wood, I loved the style, and it fit her needs.
I sanded the whole thing, painted it white, painted the handles turquoise, and used the turquoise paint as the accent around the trim and carved accents. I had some cork that I was using for coasters and covered the hole while making it useful. I also had an extra dry erase board in my craft room so I added that. I'm going to make her a different dry erase board....so that's only temporary.
Total cost...factoring in the cork which cost me $12 for the roll... $45

And there you have it!
Is it done yet? No, and that's half the fun.
Have any questions or if you know where that damn silver paint is leave a comment!

My brick and mortar store concept.... Full description

2013-02-10T10:07:00.001-08:00

So it occurred to me that I've been dancing around the description of my shop proposal. It's not a secret.....anymore. I did want to keep it quiet until I met with the Uptown Committee and presented it to them. Since I've done that already let me explain to you what I envision...
1. Obviously selling my handmade items. I want to be able to start selling bigger items like furniture. I'd also do a in shop discount for donated items like furniture.

2. I'll take some commissions.... But not a lot, maybe 5 items or so. They would get 30 days, then the remaining items would need to be changed out. If none of the items sell they'd need to step down and let somebody else have an opportunity. This way I can keep things fresh and new.

3. Classes in the evening! Woohoo! I want to try and have classes taught by different instructors in the evening hours a couple times a month. So if you are interested in teaching, and I get this shop, let me know! The only thing is I don't want to step on local businesses who teach quilting classes, so there won't be any of those.....unless you take it to a different level like Steampunk, Kawaii, Goth,......

4. "Stitch and Bitch" area... I can't knit or crochet but I'd like to have an area where local yarn heads can get together come in kick back and do their thing.

5. The biggest thing....... A "Teen Sew Area". I'd supply the materials and machines, they'd be able to make items to sell splitting the profits 50/50 with the shop itself. I think it's a great creative outlet, teaches them pricing and marketing, and gives them an opportunity to make some money. Now this is where I'm going to have to call out to the community and ask for donations like old sewing machines, notions, material, upcyclable material,..... These type of items get donated to the local thrift stores daily...maybe I can convince some people to bring these items to the shop....hopefully.....

So there it is, my shop concept. So wish me luck, hopefully I get approved from the Uptown Committee and I can start moving forward! If all goes well, it looks like I'd be opening in June...I hope.

Upcycling Action Figures into Something Fun...and Useful!

2013-01-10T20:55:00.001-08:00

Oooo I am in love with making these! I went out to the local thrift store to find some more!
Here's the tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGTR2fpWRj8

2012- An amazing year for me

2012-12-31T09:29:00.001-08:00

Wow...I can't believe it's over! This year has marked the biggest year in my crafting business.
In 2012 I've:
-Quit my day job to pursue my business full time
-launched my YouTube
-launched this blog
-closed down my uptown studio
-Mike built me a brand new studio at our house
-had a pair of earrings worn to the NYC premiere of The Avengers by a Marvel writers date
-was lucky enough to be chosen to be in The MADE fair...twice!
-had items I made blogged by others
-bought some sewing machines....lol
-met some amazing people, while trimming away some selfish negative ones
-learned to laugh at my mistakes and embrace my inner artist

I would not be where I am today without my loving family and you. You've welcomed my madness into your lives and I can not thank you enough for it.

So here's to 2013! I can not wait to see what this year has waiting for me!

I need to make room and Christmas is around the corner!

2012-12-16T18:16:00.001-08:00

I need room on my giant earring display..... It's too crowded. So I'm giving away 2 sets of 6 feather earrings.
We'll call them set 1 and 2....
How do you win them?
Well it's fairly simple..... It's going to be a scavenger hunt of sorts....
Go to my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheTwistedCrafts?ref=pr_shop
And try and guess what item is the top viewed item for today.
Here's what you'll do
1. Hit "Like" on the item so it posts to your Facebook page or copy and paste it if you don't have an Etsy account.
2. Tag Twisted Crafts Fanpage in the comments of said item so I know you did it.
3. Come over here and leave a post with your name and answer. And be specific...and if you're afraid to be specific, copy and paste it in the comments with your name. This way I know who guessed it first!
If you've guessed the first or second item the earrings are yours! You can only win one set!
That's it. You'll win 6 pairs of earrings free! And I'll ship them tomorrow so you can hopefully have them by Christmas.
I'm taking the screen shot now, so I won't forget....and you'll know I didn't cheat!

Quick and Easy Purse Display for Craft Shows

2012-12-13T21:17:00.001-08:00

Quick and Easy Purse Display!

DIY Suitcase Jewelry Display

2012-12-12T16:45:00.001-08:00

Craft Show Fun With Twisted Crafts

2012-12-10T19:39:00.001-08:00

Now that we're home and unloaded from The MADE Holiday Bazaar yesterday I want to share some experiences that you may or may not find amusing and informative.
1. I am by no means a morning person. I verge on a wee bit cranky, and big shows make me nervous. So when I walked up to my booth to set up and realized my booth spot was 1/2 of what it was supposed to be. I did a whole panic thing, which set Mike off to go find somebody to fix it. The lady in the booth next to me was attempting to soothe me "Oh, is your booth to small?" and "Is in not as big as you thought?". She had no idea that Mike went to go get help.
When one of the sweet gals that run the show came to assist me, we found our problem. My "Soother" was 1/2 way in my booth! The floor was taped off and she thought that her spot was too small and went over the tape..... A lot!...... She wasn't too happy when I made her move to the tape line.

2. When you can't see the entrance to the show and the people running the show yell "5 minute warning". Take heed. I was fighting with stuffie placement when I turned to see the giant wave of people running in the room I was in. It looked like a Black Friday mob. I was a little caught off guard.

3. People love to take pictures, I don't even think twice. I know that some are taking the pictures to copy my ideas. I'm not stupid, it happens. But the women with the professional camera and set up probably wasn't. And I really should have paused while helping a customer to ask why she was..... When I turned to ask, she was gone.

4. Did I mention how packed and crowded it was? I really should have scoped out the restrooms before hand. Trying to get through a crowd after having 4 cups of coffee and a bottle of water was unpleasant. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking I might have been doing the "Potty Dance" when I reached it.

5. I've got to tell you... Craft Shows that have a wait staff coming to your booth to take your lunch order is freaking amazing.

6. Being able to take credit card sales now is awesome. Sometimes the card reader on my phone is a wee bit particular. It tells me to "Swipe Faster", I wish it came with a net to catch the cards that fling out of my hand when I comply.

7. I thought I had stepped up my display....Dude..... I'm still not there. There were people with antique dining room tables, bookcases, WALLS! Seriously WALLs! I still have a ways to go.

8. If you're going to shoot me dirty looks from you're booth I am going to smile, point it out to my hubby, and we are going to mock you...and laugh...and laugh. Hey, I'm a bitch and you're crate corner was in my space and we kept bumping it. So Mike "helped" you keep it in your spot. Believe it or not, that was the other side of me.

9. We borrowed my mom's collapsable dolly/hand cart thingie. She ain't ever getting that back! Those are sweet! You should so get one.

10. Lastly... I really should have kept better track of what I sold that is currently in my Etsy. I now have to take inventory before I open my shop....I hate inventory...

Jewelry Displays on the Cheap!

2012-12-01T18:54:00.001-08:00

I really needed new displays for an upcoming show, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money. What better way to save money y=then at the Dollar Store!

Here's the tutorial for both displays

Oh what have I gotten myself into now!

2012-11-27T15:39:00.001-08:00

So I was playing around with the idea of painting purses..... Now I'm addicted! These will be going up on the Etsy for $45...soooooon.... Plus they'll be at the MADE fair...with an early bird special maybe?

My New Studio!

2012-11-20T21:00:00.001-08:00

How to find craft shows to sell your goods at

2012-11-02T11:43:00.001-07:00

Crafters can be so secretive about craft shows, it drives me crazy!
Because we are a military family we move every 3 years. And every move I go searching for craft shows to sell at. I've tried asking fellow crafters about shows in the area and usually I get the silent treatment. I was doing a show once and to craft vendors were talking about some great show they were going to do right in front of my booth. So I asked about it.... They looked at me and walked away! I wasn't surprised, but a little angry. I saw their booths, we didn't even sell the same things! But that's the way it goes... You are competition and they don't want you there....period.
So after years of dealing with this nonsense I came up with my own strategy for finding shows.
Here it is!

1. If you have an Etsy, try joining a local team. I joined the Montana Team, that's how I found out about the MADE fair in Missoula.
2. Craigslist- Arts and Crafts for sale section, not the Craft discussion area. A lot of times your churches and schools that do craft shows will look for vendors there. Fellow crafters may not want you there, but the people running the shows do!
3. Craft stores. Best to ask an employee when it's kinda slow in the store. Sometimes it's a hit or miss...
4. Newspaper classifieds online. I would look for "Vendors" on the search.
5. Look for Farmer's Markets in your area. A lot of them allow Handmade crafts.
6. Craftster.org has a section called "City Happenings". Love that section! That's where I found a lot of shows when we were stationed in Florida

I hope this helps and you can find some leads to shows.
If you run a craft show or know of craft shows in your area with contact info message me on Facebook and I'll share the info!

Collecting Skulls, Repurposing Jewelry, MADE fair,.....

2012-10-26T13:17:00.001-07:00

I'm waiting for the people with the straight jackets to come knocking on my door....
I was asked if I was interested in doing Painted European Mounts. I had never thought about it before, ever. So I'm hitting up all the local hunters I know for their heads.... My neighbors are going to hate me.... I have to clean and boil them outside....if I can do it....
I don't normally sell a lot of conventional jewelry at shows...but I do have a lot of the pieces. So right now I'm currently trying to use as much as I can of my jewelry stash.... I also picked up some owls to make some necklaces from....Owls=Awesome
MADE fair... I am so excited! I'm going to be making some new displays so keep your eye out for some video tuts...I hope. I currently have no where to film, but we're working on that!

So sweet!

2012-10-04T11:12:00.001-07:00

I love when people do write ups on my work and don't ask for anything at all. I found this by accident.
http://www.nerdgasmo.com/2012/10/aretes-con-forma-de-superheroes-y-villanos-de-comics/

New video!

2012-10-03T14:25:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3kd148gj8

Filled out my MADE application, so send me some positive vibes

2012-08-18T16:52:00.001-07:00

Getting accepted into big craft shows always makes me nervous....I'm not the type of person that likes putting my art out to be judged. I never think it's good enough and I always second guess my choices. So now I'll wait till October 16th...it's not even September yet. Yikes.
Hopefully I'll get in because I would love an excuse to make a holiday dress for my new manniquin!

She's a 70's mannequin I did a repaint on...her name is.............Bitch Pudding!

One of the things that makes me Twisted Crafts....

2012-08-11T16:43:00.001-07:00

.....is the fact that I don't box myself into one genre or medium. I sew, paint, sculpt, woodwork, make jewelry,.... and in every genre Steampunk, Gothic, Rockabilly, Traditional,....
Here's some of my newest pieces....and I'm not going to lie. I love them! If I do say so myself.
I made these from antique wood and antique hardware salvaged from homes and furniture found here in Butte. I used boiled Linseed oil to preserve the wood but not change it in anyway. I left the paint and finish on as much as I could.
I did use some new elements like hooks and upholstery tacks, but the leather itself for the sunglasses holders is salvaged too....just not old.
These will all be available at the Butte's Farmer's Market on August 18th!
The pics...well...the pics got a little funky sometime and I have no idea why. Oh well.

Look at this beautiful old hook!

Record Bracelet.....and more

2012-08-03T15:23:00.001-07:00