April Kit Instructions

Have you seen the NEW April Kit-of-the-Month, yet? If not, let me take you on a little tour while I share some instructions for putting the pieces together.

This month's kit sports a fresh new Art Image Sheet called TEA TIME. It's the next best thing to sitting in a lovely English garden enjoying a steaming cup of Earl Grey. 

A majority of the trays are Duo-Side and contain a recessed area to accommodate a glass cabochon on the front and back. This adds dimension and substance to the pieces and allows the maker to feature not just one, but two images or photos. They also look beautiful from any angle. Let's put these sweet pieces together...

Assembly Instructions

Thanks for ordering the Craft Fantastic APRIL KIT! This kit is available for a limited time. 

Click HERE to order yours today!  

Here's a couple of links to help you complete the projects followed by a few 

assembly instructions for each piece:

ADDING AN IMAGE TO A PIECE OF GLASS

WORKING WITH STICKY (JEWELER'S) DOTS

1. Select images and add them to the glass cabochons using Fantastic Glaze & Glue. Remember you have twice as many glass pieces to put together because of the Duo-Side trays.
2. Attach each tray to the bracelet using small jump rings. In the sample, I attached the first tray to the 5th link starting at the end with the clasp. After that, I attached a tray every 8th link. 
3. Attach a rose charm between each Duo-Side tray. In the sample, I attached the rose charms to the 4th link between each set of trays.
4. Add a Fantastic Sticky Dot to each side of each tray. Remove the red backing to expose the adhesive. 
5. Firmly press a Small Round Cabochon into each side of each tray. 

1. Select images and add them to the glass cabochons using Fantastic Glaze & Glue. Remember you have twice as many glass pieces to put together because of the Duo-Side trays.
2. Remove the small jump ring from the 30" Rolo Chain. Cut 6" of chain from the end leaving 24". Re-attach the small jump ring using pliers.
3. Attach the large jump ring to the pinch bail and string the rolo chain through it.
4. Attach the rose charm to the large jump ring using a small jump ring.
5. Attach the Medium Round Duo Side Tray to the large jump ring using a small jump ring. Attach a Small Round Duo Side Tray to the bottom link of the Medium Round Duo-Side Tray using a small jump ring.
6. Cut a 2 1/8" length of chain from the scrap Rolo Chain. Add a Small Round Duo-Side Tray to the bottom of the chain using a small jump ring. Attach the other end of the chain to the large jump ring using a small jump ring. 
7. Cut a 1 3/4" length of chain from the scrap Rolo Chain. Add a Small Round Duo-Side Tray tot he bottom of the chain using a small jump ring. Attach the other end of the chain to the large jump ring using a small jump ring.
8. Add a Fantastic Sticky Dot to each side of each tray. Remove the red backing to expose the adhesive. 
9. Firmly press a corresponding cabochon into each side of each tray.

1. Select an images and add it to the glass cabochon using Fantastic Glaze & Glue.
2. Attach the Rose Tray to the 24" Rolo Chain using a Pinch Bail.
3. Add a Fantastic Sticky Dot to the tray. Remove the red backing to expose the adhesive. 
4. Firmly press a corresponding cabochon into each side of each tray.

1. Select images and add them to the glass cabochons using Fantastic Glaze & Glue. Remember you have twice as many glass pieces to put together because of the Duo-Side trays.
2. Attach a tiny round tray to each ear wire. 
3. Attach a Mini Round Duo-Side Tray to each Tiny Round Tray using a small jump ring.
4. Add a Fantastic Sticky Dot to the tray. Remove the red backing to expose the adhesive. 
5. Firmly press a corresponding cabochon into each side of each tray

Enjoy the April Kit-of-the-Month and join us on FACEBOOK for fabulous giveaways and project inspiration! Even better, have the latest & greatest Craft Fantastic news delivered right to your INBOX by signing up to receive our monthly NEWSLETTER. Did you know that each month we randomly choose a newsletter subscriber to receive a $100 online shopping spree???!!! Well, we do! BUT you have to be a newsletter subscriber to have your name tossed into the hat, so sign up today!

Stay crafty! 

Elegant Multi-Strand Pendant!

 

I was so inspired with the multi-strand, mixed metal necklace I featured on the blog last week that I just had to keep going! I have so many ideas that were sparked by that simple piece I don't even know where to start, however, I'm in a clean and elegant frame of mind, so I'll stick with the simple theme this week.

As I draped my finished piece from last week onto a black velvet neckwear display stand I couldn't help but picture a beautiful chunky pendant hanging from it. This week I have pared down that multi-strand necklace from 8 chains to just 3 and added a large basic pendant. The effort was minimal, but the results are rich and sophisticated. The additional chains give the pendants a lush feel. The look is substantial and tricks the eye into thinking this is a lavish, high-end piece.

This is not so much a tutorial as it is a recipe to create this special multi-strand design. Refer to last week's tutorial to see the mechanics of creating this necklace.

What You'll Need

Craft Fantastic Rolo Chains - 3 chains in your choice of finish and length.

Craft Fantastic Small Jump Rings

Craft Fantastic Large Jump Rings

Craft Fantastic Lobster Clasp

Craft Fantastic Pendant - You'll need a pendant with a large enough bail to accommodate 3 rolo chains.

Craft Fantastic Glass Cabochon - To match the size of your pendant.

Pliers

Opera Tray

Extra Large Round Pendant Tray

Long Rectangle Pendant Tray

I am really smitten with this multi-strand design and I hope you are, too! The additional chains add so  much eye-catching detail, but maintain a sleek profile. Give this project a try and share your pics with us on the Craft Fantastic Facebook Page! 

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See you next week!

Mixed Metal Necklace!

Mixed metal finishes in jewelry designs are all the rage right now! Layering bangles of gold, bronze, and silver on your wrist feels lush and extravagant. Stacked rings in varied metallic hues exhibit a chic, confident appearance and layered necklaces, well, don't get me started. Plus mixing metals  augments the pieces that can be paired with an ensemble freeing you up to wear all of your favorites in one outing. 

This trend stands in opposition of traditional style guidelines, which dictates only wearing one finish at a time. But, why? We are living in an age where we have the fashion freedom to ditch the stockings, shed the girdle, and don white AFTER Labor Day, so why not mix our metals, too! 

Not sure about this fashion statement? Let me ease you into it with an easy, sophisticated multi-strand necklace project. 

Let's get started...

What You'll Need

30" Craft Fantastic Rolo Chains - 4  chains in the silver finish

30" Craft Fantastic Rolo Chains - 4 chain in the antique brass finish

Craft Fantastic Small Jump Rings - silver finish

Craft Fantastic Small Jump Rings - antique brass finish

Craft Fantastic Large Jump Rings - silver or antique brass finish. I used silver.

Craft Fantastic Lobster Clasp - match the finish to your large jump rings. 

Pliers   

This is going to go quick. My favorite kind of project! 

Using pliers, remove the clasp and small jump rings from each of the antique brass rolo chains. Keep the clasp for future projects, but toss the jump rings. They're just a bit too small for this project and once they've been used, it's difficult to maintain a smooth circular shape if used multiple times. I like to start fresh with new jump rings.

Attach a new small jump ring to each end of the rolo chains.

Do the same using the rolo chains in the silver finish.

String one end of each of the chains onto a large jump ring.

You should end up with this.

Do the same with the other ends and remember to attach the large lobster clasp. As you can see by my photo, I forgot this step and had to do a little last minute adjustment to add it.

Here's a my finished piece! The length is long and elegant and the mixed finishes make the piece eye-catching without the addition of a pendant or additional decorative elements. This would be beautiful draped against a dressy black blouse, or it would elevate the look of a simple basic tee.

I have LOTS of ideas for multi-strand and mixed metal pieces so be sure to check back frequently to see what I'm working on! Remember, you can find ALL of the supplies to complete this project in the Craft Fantastic Online Shop! 

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See you next week with something new!