Cool Things You Can Make With School Supplies

It's that time of year again, when our newspapers are filled with store circulars displaying ads for back to school clothes and school supplies! 


While the deals are hot, why not stock up on some back to school art supplies to keep in your own craft cache? While you are shopping for all the things your kids need for school, be sure to pick up some extras for yourself and take advantage of the back to school sale prices!

Here is a list of things that are commonly found in the school supplies isle that are usually on sale this time of year, along with some ideas for what YOU can use them for!:


Glue sticks - you can never have enough glue sticks! They really come in handy around the house and are great for art and craft projects. They are especially useful for any kind of paper crafts, scrap-booking, and card making.


Composition books - these sturdy classics are great to use as journals! Why not create a little altered art on the covers and turn them into art journals? I also use them for to-do lists, for home organization, as a place to jot down craft instructions and home improvement ideas. 





Composition book caddy by Splendorfalls

Altered composition book tutorial by Aesthetic Nest

Altered composition book by jtjujubees via Etsy


Crayons - If you haven't noticed the wave of melted crayon art that has been all over the net, you are missing out! 

Crayon heart wall art 

Canvas + crayons + glue gun + hair dryer = crayon art by Whatever

Melted crayon art  

Crayon initial by Nesting Sticks


Colored pencils -  not only are these are great for drawing and coloring, but you can create with them too!


Colored pencil necklace by huiyitan via Etsy

Vase made with colored pencils Glue them to a jar with hot glue! from Country Living




Colored pencil necklace by Anrw via Etsy

Colored pencil bead DIY from Design Mom.  The pencils are simply cut by hand with a small hacksaw (image 1), then rubbed on a piece of sandpaper to smooth the ends and edges (image 3), and then drilled with a small drill bit. 




Rulers - Rulers are another thing that are currently very popular for crafts and  decorating! *Be sure to check out my previous post You Rule! Yardsticks and Rulers Upcycled for tons of other ruler craft ideas!


Ruler frames by The Lettered Cottage



Ruler stars by Mamie Jane's



Ruler backsplash for your kitchen sink from The Kitchn


Yardstick coat rack DIY from BHG




Pencils - there's nothing that says "back to school" like a No.2 yellow pencil! Check out what some creative folks made with them.


Pencil and eraser necklace by DaisyDeux via Etsy

Pencil wreath DIY (great for teachers!) by Organize & Decorate Everything

Back to school pencil and chalkboard wreath by The Nature of Grace



Other supplies -  flash cards, pens, markers, glue, and tape are also great to add to your crafting stash so while the prices are rock bottom, stock up. 




What do you think?

Which do you like the most? 


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How To Make A Vintage Key Necklace DIY

A while back I posted some information on how to make necklaces with vintage and antique skeleton keys and since they are so popular I wanted to share those directions again for those who might have missed the original post and for those who have requested more information on how to make them. 

These directions are for how to make a necklace with a vintage key that is hung horizontally with a length of chain on each end of the key. 

What's fun about this project is that you can personalize your necklace by choosing your favorite color beads and gemstones to whatever you desire! That is the fun of designing; personalizing it however you like by being creative and experimenting and trying new things! 

I'm classifying this as a beginner project because there is really only one jewelry making technique that you need to know to create this necklace, and that is the wrapped loop. 
(you will find more info on how to make a wrapped loop below as you read on. I have included a link to directions for this technique for anyone who needs to lean it!)

Horizontally hung antique key necklace

Materials List 

Vintage Keys - most often found at flea markets and the like. You can also buy then on Etsy.com

 

  WD-40 and paper towels to clean up your keys and remove rust

 

  Coordinating wire: Brass or copper work well. For the necklaces shown, I used Beadalon ColourCraft Permanently Colored Copper Wire in Brown (20 gauge) and Zebra Wire Colored Copper Wire in Brown in 18, 22 and 26 gauge

 

Antique finish brass or copper chain 

  

Antique finish brass or copper jump rings 

 Antique finish brass or copper clasps 

        

A variety of gemstone and/or glass beads

Round nose pliers

Flush-cut pliers

Chain nose pliers

Before you begin:
If you find that your keys are a little rusty, spray them with WD-40 and clean well with paper towels. Because the keys I used were a nice, rusty brown, I decided to use brown colored copper wire for my necklaces. 



*NOTE: For this necklace you will need to know how to make a basic wrapped loop. This is a simple technique that is basic to jewelry making. It is easy to learn with just a little practice. If you do not know how to make a wrapped loop, directions can be found HERE


Directions

Step 1. Place key horizontally on table. Cut a 3” piece of wire and connect one end to the hole in the top of the key with a basic wrapped loop. (I used the 20 gauge wire).

   Step 2. Place a bead onto the other end of the wire and complete the end with another closed, wrapped loop.

   Step 3. Cut another 3” piece of wire and with a wrapped loop, connect one end to other, opposite end of the key, wrapping the wire around the body of the key to the inside of the key’s teeth.

   Step 4. Place a bead onto the other end of the wire and complete the end with another closed, wrapped loop.

Step 5. Continue this technique using 2.5” lengths of wire and beads, until you have the beaded look you want; In the photo above, you can see that I used three different beads on each end of the key. On the left side for the first beaded wrap that is attached to the key I put two turquoise beads together on that one wrap. On the next wrap attached to that one, I used one single bead. On the right side of the photo above, I did three wraps, each with one bead. You can do them however looks best to you! That is the fun part about designing. If you goof up, just snip your wire and cut a new piece and do it over again. *NOTE: Do NOT wrap the open end of the wire after your last bead on each end because that is where you will attach the chain (in the next step).

Step 6. Cut two lengths of chain (I used two 10” lengths of chain) and now making a loop in the wire after your last bead, thread the chain onto the loop and wrap the end. Repeat with other side. Your lengths of chain are now attached to each side of your necklace.

 Step 7. Attaching the clasp: At the end of each length of your chain you will attach your clasp. For this style necklace I used a basic lobster claw style clasp. Use a jump ring to attach the clasp to one side of your chain and complete the other side of your chain with another jump ring. You are finished!

Lobster-claw style clasp

A different color combination: Citrine and Honey Jade

Pink Rhodonite gemstone beads



If you have any questions, feel free to post them below. 

What do you think?



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