Monogram Candle Holder

I have been making some pretty amazing things lately with the help of my glass etching kit. Its a special cream that is applied to a glass service and gives it a frosted or etched look. I've played around with frosted glass spray before, but the etching cream is superior. Etching is perfect for projects with a lot of detail and washable items. I found that the spray wipes off and is not super durable. So the etching cream is perfect for making custom wine glasses and things like that.

Here is one of my latest projects, a monogramed candle holder. It came out looking pretty snazzy. I stuck in my guest bathroom because it needs a little decor. 

Here is how I made it: 

Materials & Tools:

• Etching Cream 
• Contact Paper 
• Exacto Knife 
• Glass Vase 
• Gloves 
• Foam Brush
• Candle 

Instructions:

1. Create your stencil. I went with a monogram, but you can use whatever image you like. I recommend something simple and not very complicated. Draw your design on contact paper and cut it out with your exacto knife. 
2. Clean your candle holder and then apply your stencil to it. Make sure to press out all of the air bubbles. 
3. Before applying etching cream, wear protective gloves! That stuff is serious business and can damage your skin. 
4. Apply a few coats of etching cream over the stencil. 
5. Allow cream to dry. Some of the manufacturer directions vary, but I found waiting 24 hours gets the best results. 
6. Take your candle holder and run it under warm water and take off the stencil. You will noticed your design has been etched! 
7. Fill your candle holder with whatever decorations you would like. 

Q & A - Short Girl, Long Island

You ever get friend requests from random people? I did once, from a girl name Michele who was friends with my older brother. I’m glad I accepted her friend request because she was posting a lot of fun stuff and we had a lot in common. Then we both started blogging and eventually hanging out. Michele is one of my good buddies now! She took a bit of a blog break, but now she is back! I asked her to participate in Q & As!

1. Where can we follow you?

Blog: 

www.shortgirllongisland.com

Pinterest: 

http://www.pinterest.com/stellarmichele/

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/stellarmichele

Instagram:

 stellarmichele

Facebook: 

Facebook.com/shortgirllongisland

2. How did you get started and what made you want to start a blog?

After leaving a job in the corporate world back in 2012, I was itching to be creative//start writing again. I was working on my teaching degree + felt like everything I did was for an assignment or task someone else needed me to complete. Decided to start a blog + the rest is history.

3. What are your favorite things to write about?

I really like sharing things I come across in my daily life, which are usually posted in Things I'm Loving Lately. I'm also a music nerd, so I like posting songs I hear in my travels. 

4.  What is currently your favorite thing at the moment?

Zoning out for at least thirty minutes each day with a different record. Technology takes a back seat, I relax + just listen.

5. What are your future plans, expectations & dreams for your blogging endeavors.

Warmer weather is arriving, so I'd like to get some solid shots + capture the beauty//culture on the island. I also want to get more recipes up, since I have a ton floating around my desk. Not sure what the future holds, but as long as i'm enjoying myself + what I blog about, thats all that really matters. 

Follow Michele's links and check her out! If you would like to participate in a future please contact me! 

Pointillism Vase

Iron Craft Challenge # 9 is 'Inspired by Art' So it got me thinking of some of my favorite art pieces. One of them is featured in Ferris Bueler's Day Off and Cameron has a serious stare down with a Surrat painting. Its one of my favorite scenes in movie history! 

This painting uses the pointillism technique so I used that as my jumping off point for this project. It involves using a series of dots of varying colors to create a pattern in which an image emerges. Since I wasn't setting out to make a grand masterpiece I applied the idea to a small scale project, a small vase. I used an ampersand design (&) because they are just so neat and visually interesting. After my little vase was done I put some rocks in it and suck a candle in there. 

Here is how you can make one yourself: 

Materials & Tools

• Glass jar or vase 
• Contact Paper Stencil 
• Q-tips 
• Paint (varying colors)

Instructions: 

1. Clean your jar/vase with some glass cleaner and dry it to remove any dust. 
2. Apply your stencil to the jar/vase and press out the air bubbles as best you can.
3. Take a q-tip and dip it in some paint and start dabbing your jar/vase over the stencil. Continue this step with different colors, until you like your color combination. 
4. Allow to dry for at least 20 minutes. 
5. Gently peel off stencil to reveal your wonderful design! 

Star Wars Day!!!

Happy Star Wars Day & May the 4th be with you! 

In celebration of Star Wars Day I scoured Etsy for the best handmade items inspired by a galaxy far, far away.  So go check out my treasury on Etsy.

If you are looking for fun Star Wars things to do with little ones, then check out my Star Wars day post from a few years ago. 

The Best Thing Ever - Star Wars: Episode VII

When it was announced another Star Wars Trilogy was in the works this scruffy looking nerf herder was estatic! I'm not the only one excited and the rumors have been going around. This past week J.J. Abrams released this picture:

The cast was officially announced!!! It confirmed rumors and pleased many fans to hear that they are getting the gang back together. Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, R2 and 3PO!

I'm also just as excited to hear about the people Star Wars newbs. Andy Serkis is going to be amazing. I hope plays some freaky motion capture alien creature. There is also a fair share of handsome men, Domnhall Gleeson (he will always be Bill Weasley to me) Oscar Issac and John Boyega (he was really awesome in Attack the Block)

Here is what else we know about the series:

• It will take place 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi 
• This series will not be based on the 'Expanded Universe or anything that happened in Star Wars rebels
• The film is set to be released in December 2015

Crayon candles - Library Life

March is national craft month. So I thought be appropriate we do some serious crafting with the teens!

While looking for ideas I came across this project on Brit Co, using crayons to make candles!!! I've always wanted to do a candle making project but it always looks too complicated and dangerous in a group setting. This one however utilizes soy candle wax and a microwave. candle making made easy!

I gathered all of the supplies and we got to work! Go to Brit Co for the full tutorial, but here are some tips that I picked up while adapting this project for a group.

Crayon Candle Tips:

• Use Crayola crayons. There is some sort of special wax only in Crayola crayons that makes them melt. I tried with other types of crayons and it just doesn't work. Crayola only! 
• Waiting for each layer. I didn't realize that each layer needed to try before pouring on the next one. So while we waited for each layer, we played a few rounds of Apples to Apples. 
• Depending on how big your microwave is, you can melt up to four cups in the microwave all at once! That will help if you have a fun program of kids.
• Be wary of the wicks! The wicks can get a little wobbly, so when pouring in the wax, make sure your keep it straight standing up! Mine shifted to the side and looks weird.