Charm Day- Make Out!

Crown Town Handmade is Charlotte's group of artistic entrepreneurs who work and play together while inspiring a spirit of DIY in their community in North Carolina.
https://www.facebook.com/CrownTownHandmade?ref=ts

Polymer Clay Charm and Miniature Maker, Shay Aaron

I'm Shay, a 27 year old guy from Tel Aviv, Israel.

I make collectable and wearable miniatures for a living and sell them online. I also teach how to make miniatures, and host private workshops. 

 The thing I love the most about making miniature food is the endless inspiration. 

 Food is such a wide genre, with so many categories and themes. 

I feel like I can relate to anyone around the world, by creating their special and traditional dish.

I started to create food charms, years ago, when a customer of mine asked me to create a replica of traditional Jewish dish, in miniature. 

 I think it was the first time that I found what I want to do for the next 5 years - miniature food.

Today, I sell my charms and the other miniatures in my Etsy shop www.shayaaron.etsy.com.

You can find me also on facebook http://www.facebook.com/ShayAaronMiniatures

Thanks so much for the opportunity to share my work with you, and enjoy the rest of the holiday

Shay

Thank you for joining us Shay!

A favorite shop on Ebay-

Charm supplies can cost an arm and a leg sometimes. I have found a bunch of great materials here-
http://stores.ebay.com/Jewelry-and-More-FOR-LESS  (Kathee Killingsworth)
over the years at a deep discount.

Not everything is dirt cheap, but some really nice items are!
The shipping fees are reasonable too!

Cris Peacock...

Cris Peacock posted about her Charm Day...
http://crispart.blogspot.com/
Her whole blog is covered with cool charm making projects and idea! Scroll through!!!

A Shrink Plastic Cham Day Workshop...

Cindy Green shares how she celebrated Charm Day this year...

http://www.cindygreen.blogspot.com/

Charm Giveaway on Christine Hansen's blog-

An author of Making Mixed Media Art Charms & Jewelry, Christine Hansen, is giving away some of her handmade charms.

http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-international-charm-day-2012.html
Visit her blog and leave a comment by Saturday, May 5th

______
Chris wrote on her blog- "

Top Ten Reasons Why Chris Loves Art Charms (in no particular order):
1. Making Art Charms helps me to practice and refine my skills.
2. Art Charms are individually handcrafted, never made by a factory.
3. When I collect Art Charms, I’m collecting original mixed media art and supporting other artists.
4. The small size and format of Art Charms makes them easy to display and collect.
5. Art Charms have a variety of end-uses above and beyond the basic charm bracelet.
6. Art Charms hold great potential for fundraisers or benefits – just have everyone participating in the swap make and send in an extra charm for a bracelet or necklace.
7. Swapping Art Charms builds connections between people, creates community, and invites the interest of non-swappers.
8. I LOVE the design challenge of creating an original Art Charm while honoring the swap theme.
9. I love getting my swaps back and seeing how the other artists interpreted the swap theme!
10. Making Art Charms is an easy, affordable, and portable hobby. Many materials for Art Charms can be gleaned from discarded items, available as near as the local thrift shop or garage sale...or even in the junk drawer! "

:)

Thank you for sharing your top 10 Chris!

Visit *US* all week long! There will be dozens of fun posts, giveaways and more!

(((This post was scheduled to post earlier in the day on 4/28 and it didn't!!!)))
(It is now "tomorrow!" Oh well, I hope that most of you had a great Charm Day!- I did!)

~*~*~*~*~
Every day this week- until Sunday May 6th, there will be posts for you to view  featuring international charm makers, both professional and crafter/hobbyists. Be sure to come back and visit through the week!
These are some custom made cookies for Charm Day! :) They are made by SweetAmbs. More info will follow!

:) Have Fun everyone!

I'll be teaching today! How will you be celebrating?
:)
Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win an assortment of charm making supplies! Link back to this blog and be entered to win 2x! :) Spread the cheer!!!!
peggy aplSEEDS won! (may 6th 2012)

~*Dawn Turtle's Charm Swap Eye Candy!*~

A finished zentangle bracelet 

Take a look at what she has posted to these links- cool charms!

Here's a blue one i made for today http://www.dawnturtle.com/2-uncategorised/75-international-charm-day

Here's feather your nest page http://www.dawnturtle.com/2-uncategorised/72-feather-your-nest-charm-swap

Wild thing charms http://www.dawnturtle.com/2-uncategorised/73-wild-thing-charm-swap

Thank you for celebrating with us today Dawn!

Another Charming Discount!

 LadyK has created coupon code: " charming " for a 10% discount at check out from her Etsy shop!
LadyKJewels!<----  A wonderful selection of vintage jewelry and findings.


 I have been buying from Karen for over a decade! She sells great stuff and ships fast!
Thank you for celebrating Charm Day with us Karen!

~*Charming Giveaway!*~ From Helga's ARTchix Studio, in Canada!

~*Happy Charm Day!!!*~

Helga who runs the ever popular and oh so wildly creative web presence known as ARTchix Studio in Canada would like to share some news with you!

Read on...

Helga made these pretty charms with fabulous new items over on the website! 

(((Aren't they cool?!)))

 In honor of International Charm Day (which is April 28th), she is giving them away.

You can win this lovely collection of 6 charms by simply leaving a comment on Helga's blog post- Here is the link!--- CLICK ME! <----

 One of her kitties will pick a lucky winner next Wednesday.

Thank you for celebrating Charm Day with us Helga!

HAPPY CHARM DAY!!! Kick it off with a very generous giveaway (((A $50. Gift Certificate!))) and a 15% discount code!

It's here, it's been a year, since the last time we celebrated!

If you are joining us for the very first time, welcome! 

If you are a returning celebrant, welcome back! 

This celebration will last an entire week and will end on Sunday May 6th!
It will be a week of pictures, links to tutorials, charm making goodies, featured artists, giveaways, sales and a little bit more!

Be sure to scroll through the blog each time you visit to be sure you didn't miss out on any of the multiple posts that will be added daily.

Kicking off the Party- I am happy to share a wonderful sale offering from Terri Ventura from Dime Store Daze and Dime Store Emporium!

Terri is sharing a 24 hour sale!
Today only!
A 15% discount to both of her web stores and her Etsy store!
The sale is good until MIDNIGHT of April 28th (New York/East Coast time!)

www.dimestoreemporium.com
www.dimestoredaze.com

www.dimestoreemporium.etsy.com

  

Receive a 15% discount when you use the code word, CHARMS , at the checkout on either website or Etsy for this Sat only good until midnight 4/28/2012

Here are some links to some popular charm making items- Be sure to browse through her shops- she finds some really lovely old antique and vintage goodies that she adds patina to as well. I have been buying from her for years now. She provides fast and friendly service! Excellent quality materials!

I highly recommend her!

Here is the section that's bezels,

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dimestoreemporium/search?search_query=bezels&search_submit=&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5293555&shopname=dimestoreemporium

jump rings
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dimestoreemporium/search?search_query=jump+rings&search_submit=&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5293555&shopname=dimestoreemporium

filigree
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dimestoreemporium/search?search_query=filigree&search_submit=&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5293555&shopname=dimestoreemporium&langid_override=-1

frames
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dimestoreemporium/search?search_query=frames&search_submit=&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5293555&shopname=dimestoreemporium&langid_override=-1

Here are some art charms that Terri created, using some of the materials that she sells!.

 Be sure to check this blog on Sunday April 29th for more details on how to enter your name for a chance to win a ~*$50.00*~ gift certificate, good to use in any of her shops!!! If you make a purchase, using the 15% discount code, you will be entered into the drawing for the $50.00 gift certificate - 5x! (Five Times!!!)

Thank you for celebrating Charm Day with us Terri! 

Heart Crumbs. Up-cycled Cookie Tin Charm

This is -
Heart Crumbs.
An up-cycled cookie tin charm
by, Sherry Laks.
Alcohol inks,wire, embellished head pins, various spacers, bead caps, and rivets, wire lace ribbon, wire coils and glass beads.

------------------------------------------------------
Do you have a charm to share?
A site of handmade charm photos?
Your Pinterest board?
A blog with your charm work? Share it!

Charm Fun @ the Mahopac Library, April 26th

Cindy Green is hosting a mini shrink plastic charm making lesson at the  Mahopac Library in NY April 26th

in honor of Charm Day!

Make charms & dangles using shrink film, stamps, markers & colored pencils.

http://www.mahopaclibrary.org

You can register to attend if you are in the area! 

It's only $5.!

Cindy will post some photos to her blog later this weekend.

http://www.cindygreen.blogspot.com

-

Confetti Cake Charms, Polymer Clay Tutorial by, Toni Ellison

~*Are you getting ready for CHARM DAY this Saturday?*~
Here is a sweet treat of a tutorial for you! A bright and beautiful
confetti cake by, Toni Ellison! Enjoy!

~*Lori Anderson's BEAD SOUP and Pretty Things!*~

When I first started hosting Charm Swaps several years ago, 

I met a very kind and talented designer named Lori Anderson. 

I fell in love with her and her work right away!

If you are not yet familiar with the designing style of Lori Anderson, 

I encourage you to check her work out!

You may already know her by many articles, interviews and beautiful jewelry, published in international bead magazines and books or by her own personal blog where she hosts BEAD SOUP jewelry events.
 Some know her as the designer of my favorite bracelet to wear. It's crafted with encased floral lampwork beads, shimmering pearlish pink hand sculpted polymer clay rose beads (made into charms), mica coated lampwork beads, sterling silver beads, handmade sterling flower connectors and lovely sparkling pink, blue and crystal AB Swarovski beads.
 Every time this bracelet was worn, it was admired and complimented!
Lori is a pro, composing visual harmony with beads and findings!

~*I love it!*~

If you haven't yet heard,
Lori authored a new book coming out, at the end of September!
It's all about the Bead Soup blog event(s) which Lori so kindly organizes and hosts.
Here is some info and a link to see more about the book!

http://www.kalmbachstore.com/64421.html

***
"What happens when one energetic jewelry-making blogger and 26 talented beaders connect through social media and end up swapping their leftovers? You get a mélange of projects busting with every flavor imaginable. Each designer was given a focal bead, a unique clasp, and coordinating beads, and was charged with creating a recipe for a dynamic piece of jewelry. Sample the distinctive taste of each artist through diverse projects that offer beaders simple techniques, full-color photos, and step-by-step instructions."

****
There is everything from art beads to buttons to "regular" beads in this book.  There are more than a few designs that have lots of dangles.  Here are two photos of soups that will have dangles:  





*Doesn't this look yummy?!*



Lori says:
"I'll be selling the book myself as well, autographed and with two extra tutorials, taking pre-orders in June."

~*~
She will also be giving away a big bead soup for Charm Day! 
Keep your eyes on her blog for the chance to win!
If you are a beader, why not join in on her next Bead Soup blog party?!

INTERNATIONAL 

HANDMADE 

ART CHARMS!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This is a bracelet I made using charms from the first 
International Handmade Art Charm Exchange that I hosted in 2007. 
Lori's charm is the pretty yellow/multicolor lampwork bead 
with silver accents and a turquoise colored crystal!

~*Charming Activities in Charlotte, North Carolina for Charm Day!*~

 Crown Town Handmade, and 

Beadlush are getting prepared for the exciting occasion

~*Charm Day in Oz... Brisbane Australia*~

Join Myléne Hillam, (a mixed media artist and designer for the craft industry living in Brisbane, Australia) for a Celebratory Charm Day Tutorial!
Click on the photo to visit her blog, or click on her name above.

If you have a charm making tutorial that you would like to share, please let me know!
:)

Mother's Day Charm Bracelet Workshop, At -The Henry B. Plant Museum, in Tampa, Florida on April 28th

Calendar:	The Henry B. Plant Museum
Title:	Mother's Day Charm Bracelet Workshop
When:	28.04.2012 14:00 - 16:00
Description:	On mom's special day, there's no better way to show your love and appreciation than with a homemade gift from the heart. Come to our workshop and create a beaded charm bracelet. Instruction by local jewelry maker, Joyce Howell. Price includes bracelet and refreshments. Adults must accompany children during workshop. $20 members, $30 non-members and includes Museum admission that day. To make your reservation contact Heather Trubee Brown at htrubee@ut.edu or 813.258.7304.
Location:	Henry B. Plant Museum, Music Room http://www.artstampabay.com/event/detail/441587177/Mothers_Day_Charm_Bracelet_Making

                           http://www.plantmuseum.com/gcalendar.html#year=2012&month=4&day=11&view=month

Countdown to Charm Day! Introducing, Jewelry and Beading Artist, Heidi Parviainen

Welcome to the start of our International Handmade Artistic Charm Day countdown, everyone!

I will be featuring lots of links, tips, techniques, and featuring artists and designers from all over the planet!

 Stay tuned for some of our favorite products and sellers of charm making wares as well!

I discovered some very gifted and talented designers, whom I am looking forward to sharing with you, during the weeks ahead!

It is not too late to join in- if you are hosting an event, would like to share or just want to share your love of artistic handmade art charms, then by all means, contact me!

I'll add you to the list!

To kick off the event- I'd like to share a selection of handmade art charms by a talented designer, who works with a variety of mediums. I saw these charms posted on a forum and asked if I could share them with you! 

Introducing- Heidi Parviainen 

(United States) 

This is my first year celebrating "International Art Charm Day".
I had heard about it through books and magazine articles.
Then I found out, I had been corresponding with the founder!

Well, if that wasn't a sign to get motivated and join in the fun, I don't know what would be.

So, I created a few with different media. I have to tell you. Every time I make one, I want to try another. They are addictive, really.

I love the idea of all the care and creativity poured into these tiny works of wearable art. It's like wearing a mini museum for all to see and share.

What better way to promote friendship and understanding, than trying to bring a smile to someone with something handmade from the heart?

~*~

 Metal clay-

This piece is precious metal clay and 

dichroic glass with a crystal bicone.

I find the simplicity of this piece soothing. 

The media speaks for itself without any extra embellishment.

  Howlite and Forged Copper Wire-

I really had fun with this one. 

It is about as minimalist as you can get: 

1 piece of wire, I barrel bead, 1 head pin.

It's deceptively simple, but I can't help feeling 

a sense of angst or tension looking at it. 

It appears the misshapen wire, clinging desperately 

to the slippery surface of the bead, 

is about to pop off at any moment.

   Embossed copper- 

This piece was created with a 26 gauge annealed copper blank. 

It was embossed, patinated and dapped.

I really like how the metal forming process 

"aged" this piece.

 It looks like it could be 100 years old.

 Happy Harpy- 

This is a little creature I drew. 

I thought she would be great coupled with 

a snippet of a quote from Oscar Wilde, 

"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken."

I fused clear shrink plastic with colored pencil 

and sharpie to a white shrink plastic backing.

      Scooby Doo,   

Hong Kong Phooey,

  Secret Squirrel and Morrocco Mole- 

I've always been a huge fan of animation. 

These are some of my favorite characters. 

These were all made with Shrink Plastic, 

colored pencil and sharpie.

If you like her work, please leave a comment here, her blog or send her a message!
Thank you for celebrating with us Heidi! :)

 http://createunique.blogspot.com 

beadingmaven@gmail.com 

Heidi Parviainen