It’s no secret that I adore Kristen Robinson’s eye-catching jewelry designs, so you can imagine how giddy I felt inviting her to share a new project with all of us. Please join me in welcoming Kristen Robinson to Somerset Place, and follow along as she shares a clever way to use bezels with this creative and functional wall hanging project (that you can use in any season!)

***

I simply adore creating with jewelry findings in a very non-traditional manner. With a plethora of bezels and chains sitting before me from my Rue Romantique line, my imagination ran wild.

Reigning in my thoughts a bit, I became inspired to create a wall hanging that would not only be perfect for Valentine’s Day but year round. I like that this wall hanging is not only romantic but at the same time celebrates the love of family, friends and home. A perfect addition to the Valentine vignette nestled within our entryway, or any vignette no matter what time of year it might be.

Perhaps one of the best things about a project such as this is the ability to interject very personal styles and techniques. For me I am quite fond of embedding objects into flooded solder. From silver charms to rhinestones I cannot help but marvel at the magic that happens as the solder cocoons each bit and bauble. With a project such as this I find it the perfect opportunity to echo your creativity and style while celebrating all that you love.

~Kristen

Tools and Materials

• 3 Bezels – Rue Romantique
• 1 Rue Romantique Stamping
• Ribbon – Rue Romantique
• Rosary Chain – Rue Romantique
• Rhinestones – Rue Romantique
• Flux
• Chemical Safe Brush
• Lead Free Solder
• Butane Torch (I prefer the kitchen variety)
• Rubber Stamp
• Silver Wire
• Beads
• Jump Rings
• Needle and Thread and or Sewing Machine
• Round Nose Pliers
• Drill and 1/16” Drill bit

I Adore Wall Hanging Tutorial

1. Apply a thin layer of flux to the interior of each bezel.

2. With butane torch heat solder and flood into bezel.

3. While solder is still warm place object to be nestled within solder.

4. With torch at least 4 inches away bring solder back up to heated stage until the object sinks into the solder. (This may not be needed depending on the state of the solder when placing object).

5. If stamping into solder, place stamp onto the molten solder and allow to cool prior to pulling stamp from metal.

6. Once the solder is cool, clean per the directions on the flux.

7. Into the metal stamping drill one hole on each side of the stamping as well as in the center. Repeat this on the ends of the stamping.

8. Determine the length that you wish the rosary chain to be for each small bezel. Open last link of chain with round nose pliers and attach to the bale of each bezel. Place adjacent link through the drilled hole on stamping and close. Repeat on remaining side.

9. To create the centerpiece cut a strip of velvet ribbon twice the length you desire and fold in half. Place the bale of the heart bezel onto the ribbon.

10. With needle and thread and or sewing machine stitch the center in a random manner, adding layers of ribbon if desired. Allow a loop to be left at the top of the ribbon.

11. Place one jump on the end of the velvet ribbon. If desired created a wrapped loop link here and attach to the center drilled hole. If choosing to not add a link place jump ring through drilled hole and close.

12. Adorn top of stamping with ribbon and rosary chain. Attaching both to the holes drilled on the end of the stamping.

Safety Precautions:

• Be sure to use non-plastic materials when flooding, as they will melt.
• An alternate method is to place the item you wish to cocoon in the flooded solder into the molten metal, just be very careful you do not burn yourself with the torch.
• When soldering do so in a well ventilated area.

About Kristen Robinson:

Kristen is a Director’s Circle Artist for Somerset Studio as well as a Bonnes Vivantes for Somerset Life. In addition, she is the creator of Rue Romantique and is currently penning her third book “Explore Mixed Media Collage: Innovative Layering Techniques.” To learn more about Kristen, visit: kristenrobinson.net

Thank you so much for joining us today Kristen! I can’t wait to recreate and incorporate personal touches into my own beautiful wall hanging project.

With Somerset Place Love,

“Have fun with your junk mail journal, and smile at the mailman.” – Mixed-media artist, Nelda Ream

Discover a creative way to upcycle everyday objects into new found treasures, with this free article download by the talented Nelda Ream. You’ll learn how to transform junk mail typically destined for the trash into a pretty art book.

Click here to download the free article, “Junk Mail Journal,” originally featured in GreeenCraft Magazine Autumn 2011.

Also in this issue: Artists explore the possibilities of old book covers, worn measuring tape, and brown paper grocery store bags. Ann Tatum creates jewelry from old faucet handles, Melanie Prior turns old vintage maps into chic home décor, Roben-Marie Smith makes handbags from used sewing paper patterns, and so much more!

You may also be interested in: Art Journaling │ Home Décor Projects

Is there a creative professional you’re absolutely eager to learn from? Comment below and we’ll do our best to spotlight the most requested artist as our next guest here [On the Blog].

With Somerset Place love,

Comments? Ideas?

Contact me: blog@stampington.com

It would be great to hear from you!

We’re thrilled to share this month’s new titles you, each one bursting with inspiring content to accompany you on your creative journey. Follow along with me as I open up the pages and explore inside each issue, here [On the Blog].

We want to offer our blog subscribers an exclusive promo code to receive $5 off any February title of your choice. Copy and paste the discount code BLOG0214 when prompted at checkout. (Discount code can be used only one time per customer.)

Altered Couture

This spring, how will you wear it? Our fresh, new issue of Altered Couture features a bold array of spring styles.

*Click here to glimpse inside!

Apronology

True apronologists pour so much of their passion and affection for this garment into their work, and it shows on the pages of our latest issue!

What’s inside:

• Unconventional styles like two-piece and convertible aprons
• Trish Vernazza’s flirty and flouncy signature aprons
• A gorgeous, mixed-media-inspired apron by Leeann Pearce

*Click here to glimpse inside!

Art Doll Quarterly

Welcome in spring with this inspiring and informative issue.

• Our Doll Artist Profile features Alana Tibbets, who creates dolls derived from her previous work as a biologist
• Don’t miss the article on Dolls of The Masquerade Ball from the Houston Quilt Festival
• Teeny-tiny dolls created from wood turnings by Margaret Crossland
• Metal sculpture dolls by Lynn Wartski
• Cute clowns, animals, strong men, an illustrated lady, aerial dancers, trapeze artists, and more.

*Click here to glimpse inside!

Artful Blogging

Who’s inside this new issue?

• DIY blogger Amber Kemp-Gerstel from Damask Love
• Scrapbooker Tina Walker
• Mixed-media artist Michele Lynch
• Cathy Ward from The Xtra Suitcase
• Milynn Luong from Love and Whimsy
• Lisa Clarke from Polka Dot Cottage

*Click here to glimpse inside!

GreenCraft Magazine

GreenCraft Magazine is back for another installment, and this issue brings with it some of the most inventive and unique projects to date.

*Click here to glimpse inside!

Stuffed

Sweet and stitched: This issue of Stuffed has creative softies that you cannot find anywhere else.

*Click here to glimpse inside!

Where Women Create

Have you ever wondered what inspires extraordinary women, how they got started, and where they create? This issue of Where Women Create takes you behind-the-scenes and reveals the personal stories of influential and artistic women like June Stocking of Laughing with Angels, Karla Nathan, and designer Kellie Montana.

*Click here to glimpse inside!

Your Chance to Win!

We’re giving away one brand-new February title to one lucky winner! Simply follow these steps to enter for your chance to win:

1) Click on your favorite spread above.

2) Pin or “Like” that particular issue. 

3) If you pinned to Pinterest, share the link in the comments section below. If you “liked” on Facebook, tag us so we can see. 

4) If you don’t have Facebook or Pinterest, please comment below which issue you find most appealing and why.

Good luck! With Somerset Place love,

*Winner is selected at random and will be contacted via email. *$5 off discount applies to purchases of any of the following (February ’14 titles) issues: Altered Couture, Art Doll Quarterly, Artful Blogging, GreenCraft Magazine, Stuffed, Where Women Create, Apronology. Discount code can be used only one time per customer and expires 02/28/14. Contest is open to U.S. residents and ends 02/28/14 at 11:59pm.

Please join me in welcoming creative artist, doodler, doll maker, and painter, Vanessa Valencia, to Somerset Place. Vanessa has been published in Stampington’s Somerset Life, Somerset Studio, and Artful Blogging to just name a few. Today she unveils 6 easy steps to recover your creative power before it has a chance to slip away:

Creativity and inspiration are two elements that not only go hand in hand but are crucial to each other.  I am not sure if one can even exist without the other. There is a fine balance to keeping the fire of both stoked, and it’s much easier than we think.

When I think of the word creativity and how one works to keep it alive, I do not think of one specific creative activity, but more of an array of activities that keep the whole of inspiration flowing.  Almost like a recipe for rediscovering your creativity every day.

As we know, creativity can not be found in just one facet of life.  It’s important to incorporate varied bits and pieces of creative elements into one’s life in order to create a balance, but how?

As human beings we need a certain amount of food from different food groups a day, to have good nutrition, to feel well and to thrive.Yet as creatives, we do not often afford ourselves the same concept of taking bits and pieces of creative elements to nourish the soul, and in turn, keep the flow of overall creativity healthy.

In order to be inspired to paint or sculpt, I often do other creative things that balance my desire to create and also fuel my inspiration: digging in dirt and gardening, going for walks and playing with my dogs, cooking and baking, cleaning my house, decorating, reading books, hunting for treasures in antique shops, watching good movies, crocheting, doodling, sewing and more. The point is, doing all those things that I “enjoy” are in fact part of my creative vibe, and they infuse my soul in a way that then inspires me to create art.  They are the elements I enjoy and incorporate into living a creative life.

It’s a balance of all those things that are nutritious for my own creative well being, and that allow it to thrive.  They are all creative elements, arts and crafts, in their own right. But what if, by chance, you have misplaced your creativity?  And you find yourself confused and frustrated, not knowing how to re-find the creative magic you long for?

6 Handy Ways to Rediscover Your Creativity:

1) Don’t Force, Just Be

One of the most important things is to stop forcing the issue, and do something else.  If you are standing in front of a blank canvas and you don’t know how to begin, step away.  It is your soul’s way of saying, please take me out to play.  Take me on a walk, or to the bookstore.  Take me out for ice cream.  Let’s do something fun.  You see, it all begins with a good frame of mind.  And we all know that, creativity does not respond to demand.  It responds to feeling good, being well rested and content, so go do something that feels good.  Creativity will smell the good stuff baking, and turn up for the party.

2) Set the Mood

Create a mood board, tacking up all sorts of things you love and have collected onto it.  From photos to notes, to jewelry, to a pretty piece of textile you love.  First of all, creating a mood board is utterly inspiring and fun, and second of all setting the mood for your creative vibe with a space that houses all that you love is an instant way to get the creativity flowing.

3) Enjoy the Outdoors

Spend some time outside.  The most important way that I refuel is by digging in the dirt.  I also keep house plants, which really inspire me (and are wonderful if you don’t have a garden).  Being outside or digging in pots is one of the most invaluable parts of my creative spirit’s health.  Whenever I need a mental health day, or hour even, you will find me planting or seeding or rooting something.  You may find that your garden is just like a blank canvas, waiting to be painted.

4) Jam Out

Dance, throw a party, dress up, be silly!  Whenever I feel down or stuck in a rut, I crank up the music, get out my good tea cups, and throw a tea party, even if it is just for one.  Changing up the scenery is fun and necessary.  Adding a light happy spark always infuses creativity.

5) Stage Your Creativity

One of my go-to tricks is to create vignettes for inspiration.  I might set up an old sewing machine with pretty things, and take photos.  Or, decorate a corner of my coffee table with flowers and books, crystals and little statues.  I find inspiration in doing little décor projects as such.  I love it as much as painting and sculpting, and it inspires me greatly.

6) Let it All Go

Let yourself create “just because” items.  Doodle like mad or take a big canvas or board and go crazy painting it.  Just splattering paint for no good reason other than because it is fun.  Not worrying if it will be good or bad.  Literally painting emotions onto canvas.  Let it out, and go crazy.  If that doesn’t work – don’t worry, it will!

A special thank you to Vanessa Valencia for walking us through the ways to uncover creativity that existed all along.

If you’re interested in more of her work, check out her blog A Fanciful Twist.

With Somerset Place Love,

We already know that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, but how do porcelain cups “stack up”? In this charming teacup craft project, Shoppe Manager Vanessa Spencer uses her creativity to transform thrifted chinaware into an organizational unit for her favorite art supplies.

How did this organizational idea come about?

“It’s funny, really. I bought the cups with the intent to use them for tea. I quickly realized they were not microwave safe, which prompted me to think of other ways to use them.”

How do you keep the plates and cups in place?

“It’s very simple to do. I used Gorilla Glue to adhere them together, but any strong adhesive will work. Just apply (according to the label’s directions) and let dry.”

What art materials do you suggest to organize using the stacked cups?

“Based on the size of the cup and saucer, it’s best to organize small items. I chose to display different colors of twine on spools, patterned washi tapes, and little mini jars of sparkles.”

Thank you Vanessa for sharing this easy (and adorable!) DIY. Looking for more artful storage solutions? Click here to find more free organizational projects at The Studio.

With Somerset Place Love,