Link Party Time - Anything Goes!

Today's link party is wide open.  Anything goes.  Post your Halloween projects, tutorials, blog buttons, etsy items, whatever you want.  There is no limit on the number of items you can bring to the party.  Here are the kinda, sorta, somewhat official rules....

1.)  Become a follower if you are not one already.

2.)  Post as many items as you want.  No limit.

3.)  Have fun.

Would you like to become a part of the "Tools Team" and become a regular contributing author?  Just email me for details.

toolsr4women2@gmail.com

Link Party Time........And Maybe A Halloween Joke Or Two

Time to post some links and have a few laughs.  Anything goes this week.  Buttons, tutorials, Etsy items, whatever you want.  To have even more fun, let's post our best Halloween jokes in the comment section.  Here are this week's rules.....

1.)  Become a follower if you aren't one already.

2.)  No limit on number of links you can post.  Feel free to take advantage of it.

3.)  Leave us all a comment with your best Halloween joke.  Here is one to get us all started........

Q: Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?

A: No guts, of course.

Okay, it's really lame.  But, I am leaving up to all of you to do better, so have fun with it and make us all laugh a little.

Would you like to sponsor a link party?  Just email me for rates and details.

toolsr4women2@gmail.com

How To Make Your Own Ear Wires - A Tutorial By Brooke Miles

Making your own ear wires is incredibly easy to do, it provides you with a variety of design options and it will also save you money. I work with a variety of metals in my Etsy Store, Sunset & Vine, and but I prefer to use 20 gauge half-hard wire for my ear wires. The choice in wire gauge (thickness) is all yours, I just find that 20 gauge is thick enough to hold its shape while being lightweight and comfortable for your ears.
Materials Needed: Round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, wire cutters or flush cutters, 20 gauge wire (half-hard), round pen or I used a chap stick lid, metal files and a ruler.

Begin by measuring out your pieces of wire to about 2 inches. After I measure my first piece I measure my other pieces against it for perfection.

Next you will want to hold one of your wire pieces against your pen and mold it around the shape of the pen. Repeat this step with your other piece of wire. I do this step differently than most people who first make their loop and then make their hook shape.

After both of your pieces of wire are formed and have a hook shape you will want to pick up your round nose pliers and one ear wire and make a loop on the shorter side. Repeat this step with the other ear wire.


To ensure the best shape possible I repeat step 2 once I have completed step 3 with both ear wires.



Next you can make a small bend in the end of your ear wires if you choose or you can leave them straight. To achieve this look use your round nose pliers and grasp the end of the wire and slightly bend at an angle. Repeat this step on each side.
Finally you will want to use a metal file or burr cup to soften the ends and smooth away sharp edges in the wire.







Tips:

• If you are planning on using sterling silver I strongly advise that you practice on copper wire first. Copper is cheaper and you will get all your major mess-ups out of the way before you graduate to the more expensive wire.
• Use a rawhide mallet to harden your metal before working or after your ear wires are finished to harden up the shape.
• You can use a chasing hammer to get a textured look on your ear wires.
• You can use different sized pens and caps to get various sized ear wires.

Have fun making your own ear wires, the possibilities are endless. Once you give this a try you will never go back to buying them again. If this is the first time you have made jewelry don't be wary to give it a try, every craft store sells these materials and you will love the satisfaction of telling your friends that you made the earrings you have on. Just pick out some charms or beads and headpins to add to the ear wires when you are done.

These are just a few of the fun shapes you can create!

Link Party Time - Everybody Welcome!

Time to link up!  Everyone is welcome.  Here are the rules this week...

1.)  Become a follower if you aren't one already.

2.)  No Limit on items posted.  Post as many links as you want.  Buttons, online store items, pictures of your Halloween costume, whatever you want.  The sky is the limit.  Have some fun with it!

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor?  Just email me for rates and details.

toolsr4women2@gmail.com

How To Make A Pumpkin Topiary Tutorial by Stacy

 I made some Frankenstein lights out of terra cotta pots the other day and it gave me this idea. I LOVE topiaries. I have a few already in my house. But this one is perfect for Halloween!


I am a big believer in "use what ya got". I already had this pot in my garage that I had painted and used for a houseplant. Since the house plant has long since kicked the bucket (or pot in this case) I decided to re-paint it. I made it look like a candy corn. The pot is the perfect shape for this. Another idea would be to fill this with candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters. I just might have to make another!

 I chose to antique mine. . . because I antique everything. It is a sickness. And I love it.
If you don't want to do this to yours you can skip this step.
I use water based stain. I have one rag to dip in the stain and another that is slightly damp so I can rub off the stain. Wipe some stain on, wipe some off. Play around with it. It is hard to mess up because you are pretty much just trying to make it look dirty.

 Viola! One dirty ole' pot.

Going along with the "use what ya got" idea, I used real pumpkins because. . . well, it was what I had! You could use those fake foam pumpkins as well. That way you wouldn't have to replace them every year.

I tipped the pumpkin on its side and used a hammer to gently knock off the stem of the pumpkin that I wanted for the bottom of the tier.

I used my handy dandy drill with a drill bit that was slightly smaller than the stick that I was using for the topiary. The bottom one will need a hole drilled in the top and on the bottom. The top pumpkin will only need a hole on the bottom.

 Because I was using real pumpkins I was worried they would be heavy enough to cause the whole thing to be top heavy. So I used quick set cement instead of plaster of paris. I had some left over in my garage from installing a fence this year. I put duct tape in the bottom of the pot to cover the hole first. I really didn't need to have this much. Seeing as it weighs as much as my first born, it was probably over kill. But it won't be tipping over!

The stick that I used just came out of my yard. I used my miter saw to cut it to length. I put some moss in the pot to cover the cement. You can buy it at crafts stores. I always have some on hand. I stick it everywhere! Plus you can use it to make a regular topiary (see HERE).

 

Happy Halloween!!!

Stacy

Link Party Time! - Sponsored by CSN

CSN is our party sponsor today and they would love for you to take a look at their console tables.  I have personally done business with these guys  and am thrilled that they are continuing to support Tools Are For Women Too.  Along with console tables they also carry tools, kitchen items, and a huge variety of other products.   I bought a bench vice from then a few weeks ago, and  was pleased with the entire transaction.  Please check them out.

Now,  on with the party.  Here are the rules.....

1.)  You must be a follower to participate. 

2.)  Enter as many items as you want.  No Limit. 

3.)  Everyone is welcome.  You can post items from your blog or online store.  It's all good.

4.)  Items posted can include just about anything.  Blog buttons, store items, tutorials, a picture of crazy cat, or your Halloween project.  Have fun with it!

Would you like to sponsor a link party and give your site a little jump-start?  Just email me for rates and details.

toolsr4women2@gmail.com

Link Party Time! Let's Do This Thing!

Here are the easy peasy party rules this week....

1.)  Everyone is welcome including buyers and sellers.

2.)  Post as many items as you want.  You can post projects, blog buttons, Etsy Store items, your smiling face, whatever you want. No Limit.  Link like the crazy bunch I know you all are!

3.)  Become a follower if you are not one already.

4.)  Have fun!

Would you like to advertise your new blog or online store and give it a little jump-start?  Email me for rates and details.

toolsr4women2@gmail.com