PhoenixFire Designs – The Blog

The Handmade Craft Holiday Market is THIS Friday and Saturday at Tampa Upcycle in Ybor!!

PhoenixFire Designs will be there as a vendor along with a bunch of other awesome handmade crafters and artists! Please share and tell your friends!! Hope to see you there!

Friday, December 7th 7pm-10pm
Saturday, December 8th 11am-3pm

Tampa Upcycle
@ The Roosevelt 2.0
1812 N. 15th St.
Tampa, FL 33605

http://www.tampaupcycle.com/events/
https://www.facebook.com/events/540428599317532/

I did a Halloween swap on Craftster and one of the items I made was a version of the Handbook for the Recently Deceased from the movie, Beetlejuice.

Here’s a screenshot from the film:

This thing reads like stereo instructions!

And here’s my version:

So how did I make it? Step-by-step behind the cut!
Read the rest of this entry »

As I’ve mentioned before, in addition to my jewelry, I’m also a crafty person in general. I enjoy a wide variety of crafts, craft projects and crafty hobbies. I also participate in a lot of craft swaps on Craftster as a result.

Recently, I needed to make bookmarks for someone. At first, I wasn’t sure how to go about it. I tried a few different types and didn’t like any of them. Then I wound up hitting on a great style; simple but with a wonderful result. I used my Cuttlebug, an assortment of embossing folders, a brayer (rolled brush for stamping), an assortment of rubber stamp inks and some assorted ribbon.

Here’s the result:

First, I ran the pre-cut bookmarks through various embossing folders to create a pattern and design. Next, I inked up my brayer with ink and rolled over the embossed image. Because it’s raised texture, you get interesting levels of color intensity. I repeated this process with different colors on the same bookmark until I liked the layered look of the colors. Finally, I punched a hole in the top and looped an coordinating ribbon to finish it off.

I found it was best to do them assembly-line style; all the embossing, then all the inking, etc. It took probably a couple hours all told but doing it a second time would probably be quicker. It’s an easy, afternoon project!

In addition to my Jewelry, I’m also crafty in general. I enjoy a wide variety of crafts and craft projects and I also engage in swaps on Craftster as a way to keep my creative skills sharp.

So I recently made some wall art for a swap which featured butterflies in a rainbow of color inside a shadowbox. I love how it came out.

I used a combination of card stock and scrapbook paper. The card stock butterflies I folded to bring their wings up, as if in flight. Some of the scrapbook ones I doubled, putting one directly on top of another to give it a 3D effect. Because of the depth of the shadowbox frame, there’s plenty of room for them to “flutter” their wings.

It’s a fun take on a traditional specimen or botanical print. No butterflies are harmed in the making of this one! I think I’ll be making some more to offer for sale in the future, so feel free to contact me if you’re interested!

Someone I did a craft swap with wanted a miniature book necklace. I looked around for some tutorials and inspiration and found this so I decided to give it a try.

(Click any image for larger)

I think it turned out pretty cute!

I normally do wire wrapping (especially my tree of life pendants) but I had a customer ask if I could make a pendant that was like a peacock feather but in the same style as my trees. I really wasn’t sure how that was going to work but I gave it a go and here’s what I came up with.

(Click either for larger)

I used 26 gauge non-tarnish sterling silver plated wire and tiny, Japanese seed beads in several colors. I tried to get the general color pattern of a peacock feather but of course, it’s a little abstract. I know if it were actual seed bead work, it could be almost photo-realistic, but this is supposed to be more wire style.

I think it came out pretty good. It was a lot of work and lots of little fiddly bits due to managing all the seed beads at the same time. But I’d love some thoughts on it too since it’s something different for me. Feedback, suggestions, etc. appreciated!!

My spooktastic (and adorable) Miniature Halloween Spooky Hutch has been featured in a witchy treasury of goodies.

‘Almost time to start brewing. ; }’ by KGrahamStudios

Handmade Miniature Hall… PhoenixFireDesigns $100.00	Pentacle Wise Witch SAP… LiorahLleucu $23.95	Moroccan vintage potion… VintageTrip $648.00	potions, 5×7 photograph LittlePaperCit… $12.00
Love Potion… Gothic V… loveandpassion $35.00	Healing Elixir Potion -… esanany $17.50	Cauldron Above Campfire… tanjasova $120.00	Glass Flask Purple Poti… lithiascreatio… $30.00
Medicine and Potion Bot… siefert2 $2.99	Meanie Stitch Head Poti… CovingtonCreat… $25.00	spell. potion bottle an… BloodMilk $170.00	Wicked Witch POPPY poti… beyondthepoiso… $20.50
Magical Miniature Potio… SpiritedWoodla… $5.00	LILY and HERMAN potion … beyondthepoiso… $20.50	Wooden custom Potion ca… beyondthepoiso… $39.95	20% OFF CLEARANCE Cryst… SHAbang $13.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Spooky Hutch available HERE for purchase!

Today we’re featuring another item in the PhoenixFunds Medical Fundraiser shop. A fun, chunky, red scarf!

This bright red scarf is hand crocheted. It’s approximately 66″ long not including 4″ of fringe on either end. Handmade scarf is also about 6″ wide.

The scarf is a fire engine or candy apple red. Rich, vibrant color. It’s hand crocheted and will make a nice, warm Autumn or Winter accessory. It’s pretty unisex and good for an adult, teen or even a child. Comes from a smoke-free home. Long enough to wrap it around your neck several times or double it up. (As shown in second photo.) Gives a neat, chunky look that’s very trendy.

Ready to ship finished product. You will receive the exact item shown!

All items in the PhoenixFunds shop are made by members of the Team. Proceeds go to paying medical bills for a hysterectomy surgery. Scarf available for purchase HERE in the shop!

Another of our handmade, donated items for the PhoenixFunds Medical Fundraiser Shop!

Adorable vintage and 50′s inspired rockabilly fabric cherry coasters. Hand sewn! Black base fabric with bright red cherries and green embroidered stems and leaves. Super cute and fun. Finished edges with blanket stitch.

The coasters are about 4.25″ in diameter. Just slightly padded. Very high quality felt. Unique item – one of a kind! Great item for your unique home! Will give a retro touch to your coffee table or counter.

Available for purchase HERE. All items in this shop are donated by members of the PhoenixFunds Team. Proceeds go to paying medical bills for an upcoming hysterectomy surgery for Miss M. Turner.

Here’s a video I did this afternoon showing off some of the newest items available for purchase at PhoenixFireDesigns.etsy.com.

Just trying something new! Let me know what you think!