A Bookworm Creates

Book page pendants aren't easy to make.   They seem simple, but trial-and-error has taught me a few things. First you need your supplies: Bezels Resin Mixing measuring cups and stirrers What you are putting in the bezels Scissors or punch cutters I tend to get the pre-measured resin even though I get less resin for more price.  I won't have to measure it out - just make certain I use even pressure when injecting the resin into the mixing cup. Even pre-measured things can affect how the resin hardens, or doesn't harden.  Too much of the yellow side (I'm blanking on what it's called) and the resin will not harden.  Too high humidity will impact how long it takes to set.  You also need to be in a well-ventilated room. Or outside. Step one - Prep your bezels and book pages.  This means a glue or paper sealer.  Apply the sealer to the bezel.  Position your book page in the bezel - do this...

Step 1 - Put resin in heat resistant bowl.  On occasion I have to "destroy" my resin pendants.  It could be for any reason. A book has had its copyright renewed. A pendant doesn't get enough views/sells.  It's an "oops" pendant that didn't turn out perfect or close to perfect.  Anything can happen. On this instance it's all three. But I don't have to let them sit around collecting dust, wasting renewal fees, or even - shudders - get thrown in the trash. Step Two - Pour hot water over the bezels Resin has one downside and anybody who has looked at most of my book page pendant listings on Etsy can figure it out. Hot Water. Wait? What?   Step Four - Use tweezers to remove bezel from water Step Three - Cover the Bowl (This traps in the heat) Step Five- Insert sharp object between bezel and resin Hot water can soften up the resin.  It can indent the resin.  It can even soften it up enough where I c...

Practice Part One Here - > Part One - Getting Started You've been practicing your letters. You've been practicing joining those letters together. You been writing words.  But things aren't always going to go smoothly. Some tips. When you first buy your pen it might not work at first.  Especially if you are using a fountain pen. Practice Make certain the ink cartridge has been pierced.  It has? Run the nib under a slight stream of water until the water turns inky.  Start writing without drying off the tip.  You might have to repeat this process a few times. Regular Lined Paper Practice Paper  You can raise your pen to the light to see if there is ink between the tines of the nib.  If you see light, either do the water trick (if new) or just scratch away on your paper until the ink starts to flow again. It will.  I have this issue on the days I missed a practice session. Or left the pe...

A little intimidating... I'm not going to pretend to know what I'm doing.  The last time I picked up my mother's fountain pen was in the 6th grade and I'd signed up for Calligraphy Club. They didn't have a book club at that point. Photography didn't inspire me. But being able to shape letters and words into something pretty... that interested me. I was the only leftie in a group of six.  The teacher had no clue how to help me. And, admittedly, my middle school scrawl wasn't the best.  It was painstakingly correct and clear, but when I was allowed to form my own style things improved. ...Back to the present day... Pigma Brush Pen Set We've all seen the fancy lettering on Facebook, Instagram, and other places.  That just fascinates me. So much like other endeavers - the Morse Code bracelets for example - I've spent my time (and some limited resources) in an attempt to try my hand at lettering. My first set of brus...

I'll admit that I'm not one of those people who gets glued to the nature videos, but there is just something so addictive about watching the Animal Adventure Park's April the Giraffe camera.  I did not have a clue about this camera until Dobby the Giraffe was born and the headline that they used to grab the readers attention.  Yes, while the world was watching April, Dobby was born.  Only Dobby is not April's baby for those unaware.  April is still pregnant, and I certainly feel sorry for this mama.  The world is watching her.  Ever watch the comments more than the video feed?  United States.  Canada.  United Kingdom.  I'm sure there are a few more checking in and stating their locations while I'm not watching the feed or the comments.  And while April is standing completely still, Oliver - her mate - tries his hand at stealing the show from one stall over.  Before people start protesting.  April does get feed, che...

Thinking about what to do with your bookwormish significant other? You don't have to take her out to eat.  Consider cooking dinner for her! Pinterest gives you so many options (do I need to do a dinner blog post later?) While you are eating you can be watching one of the many movies based on books that are available.  Except Eragon. Don't watch Eragon. Seriously. Don't do it. My recommendations? Almost anything Disney.  Sleeping Beauty. Beauty and the Beast. The Lion King. Go rogue and find a copy of the under-appreciated The Black Cauldron. Cinderella (animated or live-action).  The Little Mermaid.  It's Disney.  You really can't go wrong. Unless she hates one of them.  Snow White for example isn't my favorite, but that's just me.  The Princess Bride.  Never seen it? Well fix that mistake. Love. Sword fighting. Kidnapping. Poisoning. Murder. Death. As young Fred Savage said, "Is this a kissing book?"...

That time of the year is quickly approaching. Valentine's Day and it's various tricky gift steps and missteps. There are so many options. Flowers, jewelry, candy, chocolate... First up - Flowers But wait... flowers die.  They wilt.  They turn brown and ugly.  So you can either buy a potted plant that needs watering or... Get some paper flowers. Check out Pages Garden on Etsy-  Pages Garden  I wouldn't mind having some of these for myself.  *wink wink, nudge nudge* Stemmed Book Page Flowers Jewelry - well there's my own shop there - A Bookworm Creates There's plenty of bookworm themed pieces and romantic quotes.  Necklaces.  Metal stamped cuff bracelets.  Book pages.  Metal stamped quotes. Right now my favorite is the 18 inch Dracula Dracula Metal Stamped "Oceans of Time" Necklace "I have crossed oceans of time to find you"metal stamped necklace But there are plenty of Jane Austen , F. Scott Fitzgerald ,  a...