Belt buckle cuffs continue to pop up around the Pinterest-sphere. I’ve had a rack of them hanging in my studio for too long. When Plaid asked me if I’d like to make a Mod Podged jewelry project to celebrate Mod Podge day, I jumped right in. You should know, Plaid is sponsoring this post, but Mod Podge is key to creating mixed media jewelry. All opinions here are my own. 
Here’s a close up of the belt cuff. It’s been Mod Podged, along with the fabric beneath it. I’ll show you how in a second, but first,materials…. [Read more…]
Mod Podge Cuff Bracelet
May 18, 2017 By 10 Comments
Candie Cooper on Etsy
September 14, 2016 By 1 Comment
Have you checked out the Candie Cooper Etsy store?
For the last two months I’ve been loading the shop with unique DIY jewelry components. There’s a whole lotta rustic charm and sparkle.
Speaking of sparkle.,,,
One of our faves right now is the Blue Jean Louise Swarovski bracelet kit. It goes together in a snap and packs some mega sparkle. Good for gifts. Amazing for bridal accessories. Honestly, we can’t get enough of them around here.
LIVE from Beadalon-Wire Wrapped Cabochon Pendants with Wyatt White
August 17, 2016 By 1 Comment
This post sponsored by Beadalon. All opinions are my own. Thanks Beadalon for supporting mine and many others love of DIY jewelry.
Is anyone else intrigued with pendants like these?
They just. don’t. stop.
Wire turning and twisting, up then down and around and ta daaaa–you’ve got a pendant.
Yesterday on the live show, I had Wyatt White from Beadalon show the basics of making wire wrapped cabochon pendants. He actually shows how to make the wrapped crystal on the right using a Swarovski faceted flat back.
According to Wyatt, you can set lots of things with this technique. He’s a wizard and if you’re curious about wire wrapping and setting cabs, definitely watch this video. He has designed special banding pliers from Beadalon that make the wrapping process really easy. So many comments were expressing excitement about these pliers. We like easy around here so thanks Wyatt!
Materials:
Wire Wrapping Component & Stone Setting Booklet, by Wyatt White
Watch the replay of the live video for how to make amazing pendants like these. And join us daily on my Facebook page at 2:30 EST for fun daily doses of DIY jewelry and mixed media techniques.
Scenic Drive Stone Slab Necklace
August 14, 2016 By 4 Comments
Full Disclosure: I work with Beadalon and LeatherCord USA. They are sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine.
This stone slab pendant (here me sigh a sigh of aw).
One of the women in this week’s Facebook Live video said it was picture Jasper. I believe it because each one is a landscape painting, a forrest, the painted dessert or whatever you see ….
I wire wrapped leather lace with Beadalon’s flat Artistic Wire. So easy! Simply make your leather link, then wrap the middle with the flat wire, crimping it with chain nose pliers in between each wrap to cinch it.
Little knots give the ends of the leather a finished look.
Materials list:
Beadalon flat artistic wire, 3mm width
Leathercord USA deertan lacing, 1/8″ width
Picture jasper pendant: etsy.com/shop/candiecooper
Watch the live video recap here and join me almost daily at 2:30 EST for the Candie Cooper Facebook Live Show featuring easy DIY jewelry making ideas.
Make it Manly: DIY Men’s Leather Jewelry
March 18, 2016 By 4 Comments
This post is sponsored by LeatherCord USA.
Make it manly–You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to have a DIY men’s finding line called that! Haha.
I had a chance at the end of last year to make manly leather bracelets with Leathercord USA leathers and findings for Art Beads Cafe and it was SO fun. Michelle from Leathercord and I made a huge collection of bracelets for the shoot. Here are a few of my faves:
The various leathercord USA leathers make creating men’s jewelry super easy. If you want to get the look, check out the:
There are tons of Glue and Go findings that will suit the look you want too. See them all right here.
Here’s a video of me showing Cynthia at ArtBeads how to “make it manly” with leathercord USA leathers. We had so much fun filming this video. I hope it makes you smile.
Honestly, the possibilities are endless. This is just your basic DIY macrame’ bracelet with leather. Two sizes of round leather cord were used too–1mm brown and 2mm natural blue. This makes it a little more special. Use a bead or don’t and it will look great!
And bless my husband for letting me boss him around so I could take a couple photos. Secretly, I wanted to layer the you know what out of these bracelets on his wrist, but that was/is NEVER going to happen.
I’m the extra fancy one around here. Yin and yang.
Not that Aaron doesn’t have swagger because I truly believe the man has a shopping problem when I look in his closet. Haha. BUT! That’s a story for another day…
*Thanks again to Leathercord USA for sponsoring this post.
Color Me Happy Heart Pendants with Air Dry Clay
February 2, 2016 By 3 Comments
This post brought to you by ACTIVA Products.
You’ve probably heard me say this a thousand times, but kids love making jewelry. Here’s a quick idea you can play with that uses washable markers to make colored clay.
This is the crafty ingredient list. Pretty simple! Use Hearty Clay because it doesn’t crumble and fall apart when it’s dry. #NoCraftFails 😉
Grab a hunk of Hearty Clay and start coloring it with markers. It’s a good idea to stay with markers in the same color family (i.e. red and orange or blue and purple). It’s fun to twist and smoosh the clay and see how the colors marbelize. Add more color at any point–even right before you roll out for vivid results.
Place your ball of clay between plastic wrap and roll out to approximately 3/8″ thick.
Cut your shapes out–you’ll need 2 identical ones.
Place a straw across the top center of the shape and dab water around the edge.
Gently press the edges together to seal.
Place the piece on top of a cup to dry.
Remove the straw. You can embellish dried Hearty Clay with all sorts of things–paints, doodles with a marker, or gems like I am here. I like using Mod Podge to attach the gems.
Push the yarn or cording through the heart pendant. If the yarn is extra fluffy, you may need the straw to help push it through.
Ready to wear! I love the possibilities with these bead-like pendants.
Here’s a link to the Hearty Clay at ACTIVA or you should be able to get it at your local craft store.
Happy Valentine’s!
Happy New Year!
January 5, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Is it really already January 5th?
Alas.
This year is already flying by!! I’d love to dig my heals into the ground, but I’m trying to just go with the flow this year and march to the beat.
Join me, won’t you?
I really just wanted to thank you for being here and checking in on my blog. Thank you for the comments and nice notes, for buying my books, taking my online class, and following me on social media.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Really.
Here’s to a great, creative year!
Cheers.
Hi, I’m Candie. I design jewelry and crafts, author books, teach classes and host television programs. I thrive on simple ideas that anyone can achieve. I also love projects made from unexpected materials that stand the test of time. Join me as I lead a creative life! 
