Neat Things You Can Make With Cookie Cutters

I love cookie cutters because they're one of those personal things that I associate

with my mom, my grandmother, and family traditions. I come from a family that

loves to bake, so baking implements seem to hold a place near and dear to my heart. 

I love old fashioned cookie cutters, the handcrafted type, I like their simplicity,

their usefulness, and their handcrafted charm. I like the way cookie cutters remind

me of times spent over the years with my mother, baking for the holidays.
I like the memories they bring back, and also the idea that I'm helping create

those same memories for my daughters when I bake with them.

Check out these new ways to look at cookie cutters and maybe you'll be inspired

to create your own cookie cutter masterpiece! 

Tiny dog cookie cutter necklace from Cosmic Firefly via Etsy

Candied light catchers from BHG

Homespun pin cushions made from cookie cutters from Country Living

Cookie cutter hook rack by bluebirdheaven via Etsy

Cookie cutter handle glued onto glass by Charming Christmas

Cookie cutter chandelier from Bachman's House photo via Hammers and High Heels

Glittered cookie cutter ornaments

by Madeleine Boulesteix

Altered cookie cutters

Cookie cutter wreath from BHG

Cookie cutter wreath from BHG

Make fudge in cookie cutters! To do this, you pour the mixture into the cutters. via Betty Crocker 

Cookie cutters as ornaments. Do this with the ones you no longer use via Real Simple

Glittery cookie cutter ornament by Centsational Girl

Cookie cutter star wreath from Good Housekeeping

Cookie cutter garland by The Merry Magpie Vintage

Cookie cutter ornaments via Martha Stewart

How to make your own cookie cutters from Roots and Wings Co

Mantle scape cookie cutters from BHG

How can you resist these mustache cookie cutters? 

I can't! My kids will have a ball with these. From Fuzzy Ink.

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Bohemain Mother Of Pearl Button Necklace Tutorial

I've had these old mother of pearl buttons lying around on my workbench just 

waiting to be made into something special.  Before I turn some of them into a home 

decor project though, I picked the nicest ones out and decided to turn them into a

beautiful piece of Bohemian button jewelry. Check it out! 

I measured and cut a length of sterling silver chain

 I cut some 3 to 4" lengths of sterling silver wire

Threaded a wire through a button hole then bent into a U shape

Pressed the wire snugly against the button

I wrapped the shorter end of the wire around the longer end

 I then created many!

I found the center link of my chain and attached the first button with a wrapped loop

Then I attached the rest of the larger buttons, equally spaced on the chain

Then I added the smaller buttons

Then I gave each one an extra wrap of sterling wire, nice and thick

Deciding whether to add some Amethyst or Apatite gems... decisions, decisions! 

I wrapped a few blue Apatite briolettes and then decided to add some crystal clear quartz beads too.

I love how these look like raindrops! I attached the quartz crystals to the buttons.

Almost finished... next this will go into Liver of Sulfur mixture to oxidize the silver...

Liver of Sulfur oxidizes the silver and turns it black

How it looks after the Liver of Sulfur bath...next it will be polished up with silver polish to bring out some of the shiny silver to create a nice contrast...

All polished up and finished!

I love how this turned out!

What do you think?

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(The necklace in this tutorial is available for purchase here)

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Free Spirit Bohemian Necklace

Free Spirit

(a Bohemian necklace by me) 

For this necklace I used rough Chrysocolla, blue Peruvian Opal, Larimar, a few vintage 

Czech glass beads, sterling silver wire, and a few lengths of sterling silver chain. 

Here is a brief tutorial walk-through of the process...

Freshwater pearls and sterling silver wire...

I wanted the ends of the wire (the wraps) to be flat so after I strung on the pearls I carefully...

...flattened the wire ends with a hammer. Carefully.

Lookin' good

Meanwhile... I couldn't wait to use these rough Chrysocolla beads. The colors are spectacular.

I cut a piece of copper to stamp on because I was out of silver sheet... Improvise! 

Flux.

Flood with silver solder. Lead free always. 

Nice and clean. Kinda looks like a stick of gum LOL

Using a hole punch. To punch a hole.
I also trimmed the corners to make them rounded.

Wouldn't you know, I got two letter M's and no H! LOL
Back to the store tomorrow to get my H. 

I first stamped this with 1/4" stamps but didn't like the way it turned out so I made

another one and used the smaller sized letter stamps instead...

 Makes me happy.

At the same time... 
beading, hammering, wire wrapping, and making some connections.
I work in no particular order or pattern (no math here, LOL) I just assemble
it together as I think it looks best. 

Wrap it around.

I cut two lengths of chain that will be on the clasp ends. This makes it more 

comfortable to wear... comfort is important! 

Almost finished....still too shiny...

Love those loopy wraps! Time to go into a Liver of Sulfur bath to get that antique finish...

Love the blackened silver...but still needs a polish to bring out some of the silver...

Much better! Love!

Finished! This is a longer necklace - Opera length, about 32 inches long.

I like the feel of this necklace...it's peaceful and powerful  :)

What do you think?

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