Archive for the ‘Jana Ewy’ Category

Jana and Liz ARRIVE – THE COUNTDOWN continues 2 more days

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
So...purposefully, I am writing this post in the morning...but not sending it out until the afternoon...because.... I don't want to spoil the suprize! (just in case they get this in their email before they leave...)

We want to especially welcome our international guest instructor...and to do that we made her a welcome sign....

Can you just imagine walking off the plane to find to "grown" women walking around the airport each flashing these signs and asking if anyone has seen this person??????? I said we're grown....not grown UP! That would be boring right?

After we pick up Liz Welch.....we will head to "somewhere" to get some afternoon tea and wait for our next arrival....


Did you notice the "digital" friendly plastic flair? The flair was made from a CD case that I made from FP last year for the CHA trade show....and with a little help of photoshop...VIOLA! Friendly Plastic Flair.....

I will add another update with more photo's later tonight....OOHH THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING!!!!!

COUNT THEM 2 MORE DAYS!


The countdown to the Starving Artist Playground BEGINS!

Monday, October 5th, 2009
It may seem like a small thing, just gather up a few supplies....head over to a friends house....and PLAY! To some extent that is true....but for an instructor...there is soooo much prep work that needs to be done to ensure a successful class.
Here's Jana Ewy's story as she prepares for the retreat:


Getting ready for my Fracture & Fusion playshops was quite a job. Just look at this pile of Friendly plastic cut into perfect 1/4" strips. I wanted to make sure everyone would have enough time to really get the hang of the F&F, so I thought I would pre cut all the plastic into strips for them. It may take a week for my hands to recover. What was I thinking. I need to get a special die made, to make this process a little easier.



You can never have too many colored sheets to choose from, so I decided to lay out a few color coordinated strips in order to created a few F&F sheets to go along with the sheets my playmates will be creating.



Of course... once the all the strips were layed out I had to fuse them together. Can you tell I haven't taught in a really long time? Here I am practically making the projects for them. I have a hard time knowing when to stop. The truth is... I am really excited to teach again and I want everyone to be successful. So maybe I am doing a little too much. All the kits are make up and have been shipped off to Jen's house. I can't wait to see what the results will be and to share them you. I am sure there will be a lot of blogging going on, so be sure to check back here... and on the Friendly Plastic blog.

KEEP CHECKING BACK THERE'S MORE TO COME~

A quickie post…….. Starving Artist Playground featuring Friendly Plastic coming soon

Sunday, September 27th, 2009
The 2nd Annual Starving Artist Playground starts October 9! SO be sure to subscribe to this blog so you dont miss any of the action.

Friendly Plastic SuperArtists - Liz Welch from the UK, Jana Ewy, Jen Lowe and Myself will all be attending to share and play along with 20+ other crafty souls!

We'll be blogging away as this event goes on....we have two computers available for those who want to join via skype....

Saturday October 10 we'll be hosting another Friendly Plastic Radio show live from Denver Colorado...so join in!!!!

More information on this retreat is on Jen Lowe's blog at: www.jen-lowe-designs.blogspot.c0m

For all who are attending...can't wait to see old friends and meet new faces!!!

Friendly Plastic Jewelry by Jana Ewy featured in Belle Armoire magazine

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Congratulations to Jana Ewy on the publication of her jewelry featured in Belle Armoire Jewelry.
Visit the website to pick up your own copy!
Jana writes:

I can hardly believe it is September... although I am looking forward to the cooler days that the fall season will bring.
And the first arrival of the season was my fall issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry. What a wealth of inspiration... page after page of fabulous jewelry designs to get your creative wheels turning. There is something for everyone.

The Friendly Plastic designs in this issue feature my "SPLASH" technique, with a vintage touch. If you love the vintage look, then this may be a project for you to try. With step by step photos and instructions, the beautiful pendants are easy to re-create. For the wonderful brass filigree findings, head right over to Vintaj.com and do some shopping. Their selection is huge, and the idea gallery is nothing short of amazing.

The Friendly Plastic article titled a Splash of Vintage Elegance, is six glorious pages of FP ideas and inspiration, be sure to pick up a copy while supplies last.

And don't forget to head over to Vintaj for even more inspiration.

Butterfly Inspiration by Jana Ewy

Friday, September 4th, 2009
Thanks to Jana for posting this on her blog. What wonderful inspiration for your butterfly donation to the Butterfly Project and your entry in the CHA 2010 Friendly Plastic Design Challenge.




Looking for an idea or inspiration on a Butterfly project, for the 2010 design challenge hosted by AMACO? Well, here is a small offering to spark your imagination. Tear-drop shaped pieces of Friendly Plastic have been attached to a beautiful brass filigree Butterfly. It is simple, yet elegant and can become a necklace, bracelet, or even a brooch.

Let your creative flow... try this same concept with marbled Friendly Plastic, or inlay pieces one on top of the other. How about making an impression into the plastic and creating a Friendly Plastic filigree Butterfly? Hope this has helped to get your creative wheels turning. Be sure to check out the AMACO site as well as the Friendly Plastic blog for more ideas and information on the 2010 Design Challenge.

Five Friendly Plastic projects to inspire

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Have you ever worked with Friendly Plastic? Friendly Plastic is a non-toxic plastic which comes in different colored sticks, perfect for jewelry project. We have some really lovely Friendly Plastic Jewelry projects at FaveCrafts, compliments of Jana Ewy for Amaco. I love the bright, vibrant colors in these projects; the finished jewelry almost look like stained glass.

  1. Brightly Colored Bangles

    Brightly%20Colored%20Bangles Five Friendly Plastic Jewelry Projects

  2. Blooming Cylinder Necklace

  3. Blooming%20Cylinder%20Necklace Five Friendly Plastic Jewelry Projects


  4. Butterfly Necklace

    Friendly%20Plastic%20Buttefly%20Necklace Five Friendly Plastic Jewelry Projects


  5. Dragonfly Pendant Necklace

    Dragonfly%20Pendant%20Necklace Five Friendly Plastic Jewelry Projects




  6. Eclectic Cylinder Necklace

    Eclectic%20Friendly%20Plastic%20Pendant Five Friendly Plastic Jewelry Projects


  7. For additional project inspiration, visit the project library @ www.favecrafts.com

Free PROJECT – Autumn Fires by Jana Ewy

Monday, August 17th, 2009
It is back to school time....and even though summer isn't over officially...summer break is over for the kids and it's time for them to go back to school.

Autumn in the US is a beautiful time of year with lots and lots of colorful changes. It's really my favorite time of the year - the air is crisp, tree's changing into vibrant colors and Arts and Crafts festivals galore.

Why not get a boost on accessorizing your autumn wardrobe with this beautiful project designed by Jana Ewy. Add your personal touch to this project to create a variety of variations!






Carft Project - Autum Fires Jewelry

Carft Project - Autum Fires Jewelry




Friendly Plastic® Pendant, Necklace, and Earrings

Designed by: Jana Ewy




Materials Needed:




AMACO® Friendly Plastic® 7” sticks – Copper/Black, Red/Red, Indian Red/Black, Purple/Black, Royal Blue/Black, Swirl/Blue

Small dish of ice cold water with a few drops of olive oil in it.

Note: keep the cutter in this dish.

Non-stick baking sheet

Envirotex Lite® sealer or any high gloss acrylic sealer

Non stick cookie sheet

Jewelry Findings

o 3 Sizes of silver, oval link chain

o Silver pendant bail

o 2 Silver lobster claw clasps

o 2 Silver ear wires

o Silver head pins

o Silver eye pins

o Silver jump rings

o Silver and antiqued brass bead caps

o Silver spacer beads

o 8mm Swarovski crystals in assorted colors

o 3mm crystal and glass beads, bi-cone and square




Tools :




AMACO® Craft Marbling Comb

AMACO® Needle tool

AMACO® PolyRoller

AMACO® PolyBlade

Cutters – rectangles in three sizes

Cutting mat

Matte knife or utility knife

Scissors

Electric griddle set at 265°F (130 °C)

Heat tool

Round nose and needle nose jewelry pliers

Wire cutters




Step 1

Using the cutting mat, ruler and matte knife, cut two 1/4” strips from each color of plastic. Now cut each strip in half with scissors.

Example of what Autumn Fires looks like after step 1




Step 2

Pre heat the griddle to 265°F (130°C). Place the baking sheet onto the griddle. Place the plastic strips onto the baking sheet one at a time in the color pattern shown. Make sure each strip is stuck in place before adding the next strip. Try to press each strip tightly against the one before, to prevent any gaps. Allow the plastic to soften and seal together. If any gaps do appear, simply tap over them with your finger pressing the softened plastic together. Example of what Autumn Fires looks like after step 2




Step 3

When all the strips have softened and sealed together, place the teeth of the Marbling Comb against the baking sheet and draw the comb towards you in a wavy “S” pattern cutting through the plastic.




NOTE: It is very important that you keep the teeth of the comb against the pan while cutting through the plastic. If you only rake over the top, you only split the metallic finish and take the chance of exposing too much of the base plastic. Example of what Autumn Fires looks like after step 3




Step 4

Place the teeth of the marbling comb in between the lines you just cut. Now push the comb away following the same wavy pattern, bisecting the previous pass. Example of what Autumn Fires looks like after step 4




Step 5

Remove the pan from the griddle. While the plastic is still warm, cut two large rectangles (pendant, front and back), 4 medium rectangles (earrings, front and back) and 8 or 10 small rectangles (bracelet, front and back) by pressing the cutter into the softened plastic. Dip the cutter back into the cold water after each cut. This will help keep it from sticking to the plastic. Allow the plastic to cool. You may place the pan under cold running water to speed the cooling process along. Example of what Autumn Fires looks like after step 5




Step 6

Use the Needle Tool to press under the edges of the cooled plastic and remove it from the pan. Pop out the rectangles. If needed, use the craft knife to cut around each one. Repeat steps 2 through 6 two more times. You need at least 10 marbled pieces.




Step 7

Apply the Envirotex® Lite sealer following the manufacturers instructions. Example of what Autumn Fires looks like after step 7 NOTE:Place pieces on a non stick cookie sheet. This way if there is any run off, it will be easy to remove later. If you are working with small pieces like in this the bracelet, place a strip of double sided tape across the cookie sheet and adhere the pieces onto the tape. This will help keep them from moving around. For the other pieces, just hold them in place with the needle tool. Once the Envirotex® Light sealer is mixed, pour it into a small squeeze bottle. The application will be more precise. Blow softly through a straw, in order to pop any bubbles that remain. Allow to dry, at least 12 hours. If there has been any run off, remove the piece from the pan by pressing the needle tool under it and lifting. You can cut the excess off with scissors. Envirotex® Light cures completely in 24 hours.




Step 8

To create the components for the pendant, earrings and bracelet heat and soften the back of a marbled rectangle using the heat tool. You don’t want to soften the whole piece, just the surface, enough to press the jump ring with bail (pendant), jump rings (earrings), or eye pin (bracelet) into place. Be careful not to touch the softened plastic with your fingers. Once the jump rings eye pins or is in place, align the two pieces (front and back) one on top of the other and gently press the two together. Moisten your fingers with water and lightly rub around the edges of the component to smooth and secure the bond. Allow the components to cool completely. For the bracelet components trim the long end of the eye pin to approx. 5/16”, use the round nose pliers to form a loop. Example of what Autumn Fires looks like after step 8




Step 9

Assemble the jewelry pieces into a pleasing composition. The beaded components are created, by sliding the beads and bead caps onto the head pins and eye pins. Trim the long end of the pins to approx. 5/16”, use the round nose pliers to form a loop. Use the jump rings to attach the beaded components to each other or to the chain. Try cutting and attaching different size chains together for a more updated and interesting look.


For more project ideas order Jana's Book:


Friendly Plastic 101


Join Jana on her etsy site to get your very own one of a kind piece from the artist herself!