Hello there! I'm Diane and I have two grand passions: making crafts and making media. That's what I write about here, and sometimes, I get all thoughtful about internet culture and creative small businesses. Thanks for stopping by! Would you like some tea?

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How to Make a Needlepoint Pendant (Yes! With Plastic Canvas!)

How to Make a Needlepoint Pendant (Yes! With Plastic Canvas!)

  I get thousands of emails each week, begging me to offer more plastic canvas coverage on this blog. (…Okay, well – perhaps that actually happens only in my mind. But still.) I’ve been noodling with these needlepoint pendants lately, and liking both the process and finished product. They make up quickly, and use up odds …

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Interview & Giveaway: Totally Twisted!

Interview & Giveaway: Totally Twisted!

Today, we’re taking a short break from the Archive-Along so I can participate in the blog tour for Totally Twisted, a new book from jewelry artist Kerry Bogert. Totally Twisted combines really interesting wire-working techniques with beautiful handmade glass beads. The designs are whimsical and elegant, and the educational quality of the book is excellent. …

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Ebook Review: Crunchy Granola Charm

Ebook Review: Crunchy Granola Charm

I’m interested in reviewing more self-published books and ebooks this year. Yvette Doss sent me a review copy of Crunchy Granola Charm, the first title from her new indie publishing company, Blooming Editions. The title refers not to breakfast cereal, but to a moniker some people give to the 1960s cultural scene. The ebook contains …

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How to Make a Stiffened Fabric Flower Brooch

How to Make a Stiffened Fabric Flower Brooch

Yup. I’m still messing around with fabric stiffener. Here’s the latest result – a cool little dimensional fabric flower brooch. Suitable for crocheted hats, handbags, lapels, and scarves! …And they’re pretty easy to make. If you like, you can download my template for the flower shapes here. Or you can design your own. Then, use my templates …

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How to Make a Button-and-Wire Brooch

How to Make a Button-and-Wire Brooch

I’m still noodling with buttons and wire over here… and this is the latest result. I like how the design can take on a “shooting star” effect, or resemble a little flower vase. This isn’t a complicated project – please don’t let the number of photos here fool you! I was just trying to be …

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How to Make Stiffened Fabric Jewelry

How to Make Stiffened Fabric Jewelry

This project is a real example of crafty serendipity. I’ve been noodling with this stiffened-fabric idea since June, but with one thing and another and another, haven’t gotten around to posting it. When I finally went to photograph this tutorial, I realized the season was changing, and I’d need to switch from the summery fabrics …

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Embroidery + Metal?

Embroidery + Metal?

Here’s something I’ve been noodling around with lately – embroidered metal discs! Wait – what? I bought a bag of these perforated beading discs a while back, intending to make some beaded pieces a la Miriam Haskell. Only I never quite got around to those, and eventually a different light bulb went on over my head. I …

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Review: The Complete Guide to Wire & Beaded Jewelry

Review: The Complete Guide to Wire & Beaded Jewelry

I circle back to wire crafting pretty regularly. Wire is such an intriguing medium for jewelry, and doesn’t require any special soldering or cutting skills. And, thanks to The Complete Guide to Wire & Beaded Jewelry, I can see just how many cool possibilities it has. Clearly, Linda Jones knows her wirework backwards and forwards, …

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How to Wire a Button Letter

How to Wire a Button Letter

I was teaching a button pendant class at a wonderful local shop called All My Favorite Things over the weekend. And in chatting with the shop’s owner, Melanie, I stumbled onto this fun little idea. You’ve likely seen this style of button necklace. Well, this project replicates that kind of stringing, only with wire. Wanna play? …

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Makin’ for Maker Faire: Cricut Jewelry

Makin’ for Maker Faire: Cricut Jewelry

This coming weekend, I’ll be at Maker Faire! I’ll be at the Provo Craft booth, helping to demo some of their products, and doing lots of podcast recording. Yes, super excited, thank you! Provo was kind enough to send me some machines to play with in advance. Here I’m using a Cricut Expression, which precision-cuts …

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