Oh So Charming

Wire Wrapping

The monthly technique for February in the Oh So Charming membership group is Wire Wrapping.

Join in for some of the fun - see the details on the left.

Lately, I've been into making chunky knots with wire.  How about you?  What's your favorite thing about wire wrapping?

Big Announcement - Join the new Mixed Media Art Charm Group !

When I hosted the Oh So Charming International Charm swap last year I thought to myself - "If I can get 25 people to join this swap will be a success" - boy was I ever surprised.  Not only did I far exceed that goal with 111 packets of charms sent in, totaling over 3,600 art charms, but charms have become so popular that there are swaps everywhere you turn.    With the ongoing interest in art charms and the number of hits this blog consistently generates, I've decided to start a mixed media art charm group.  In order to keep things interesting and for me to have time and resources dedicated to the group, I am asking for an annual donation of $12.00 to join.  Of course this isn't mandatory and no one will be turned away.  Think of it as a subscription to everything Oh So Charming.  I have started the bare bones of the group and will be adding things as the membership hopefully grows.  I will be selling limited edition charm kits, including vintage and hard-to-find charm supplies.  I'll provide monthly techniques related to mixed media art charms, a place for you to connect with other like minded charmers and either join in group swaps or trade with each other one-on-one.

I am a pretty easy going person and am open to any feedback and ideas that you may have.  My goal is to make this group successful and the #1 resource for mixed media artists who create charms.

I hope you'll join me.  You can either click on the "pay now" button in the sidebar to donate and receive your invite to the group, or email me to join and check it out without donating first.  The group is closed so you will need to receive an invite before you can access it.

I will be creating an Oh So Charming button soon so that you can display it on your own blogs and sites.

New instructions posted - photos to come soon!

I am working on dial up today - ughhh! 

I've added some instructions for the charms and will post the photos that correspond soon.

All the photos are in the gallery listed by name so if you are interested in what the finished charm looks like just take a look in the gallery and you should be able to match them up.

Big announcement to follow in the next couple of days.  Just wrapping up some details but there is going to be some charming activity coming up!  I hope you'll join me.

Balsa wood and postage stamps charms - Vicci Henderson

Choose various colored, same sized postage stamps.  Cut balsa wood for each stamp.  Cut map paper to fit back of charm and printed words "enjoy your journey".  Glue stamps to front and map and words to back of balsa wood and varnish with Instant Age Varnish by Delta.  Put small eye screws on the top and bottom of each charm and add various jewelry findings and beads.  Coat with 2 coats of Diamond Glaze front and back and let dry completely.

Found stones charms - Debra

Debra picked up these stones (with the holes already provided by nature) during her walks.  Blue wooden beads are recycled from a garage sale necklace.  Copper wire from the hardware store.

Lisa Gallup

Drill hole in minature domino near upper edge.  Squirt two or three colors of alcohol inks onto the domino and dab with a piece of felt to blend.  Let dry.  Using Staz-On ink, stamp design on the domino.  Edge with gold Krylon pen.  Use a 12 mm jump ring to combine the domino and the charm.

Plastic tubing charms - Cathy Wegner

Cut 1/4" plastic plumbing tube to desired length and fill with handmade or decorative paper.  Thread head pin into beads of your choice, then plastic tub and finish off with more beads and make a loop on the top.

Robin's Egg Charms - Danielle Muller

Wooden eggs purchased from craft store, paint robin's egg blue and let dry.  Using a stipple brush add "specks" of brown color from stamp pad.  Glue the word "fly" onto the back.  Drill holes, add wire and jump ring.

Jan Hamill - Two sets of charms

Junk mail credit cards, jewelry findings, glass beads and wire.

Repurposed scrapbook charms, picture of my mother, glass beads, wire, jewelry findings, dimensional silicone.

Catherine - Bingo Tiles

Drill a small hold in the bingo tile and thread onto earring wires along with glass beads.  Attach a jump ring.