Learn to Make a Customized Business Card Case

Hi All, welcome to my studio.  In this project we'll make a customized business card case.  This is a great way to make a unique and fun accessory to show off your personality and keep your business cards pristine.

Since I make YouTube videos and I have my first artist business cards, I thought I'd make a really customized card holder by taking my YouTube thumbnails and making a one of a kind paper to make my case out of.  To make the paper, I brought my thumbnails into MSWord and sized them randomly from 1/2" - 1" and then just copied them in a collage like way across the 6" x 6" size I needed for the card case.  I used some YouTube logos and the YouTube Creative Art Collaboration group I belong to (credit to Chuck Carson for the CAC logo).  It was so nice to celebrate my channel by making this customized piece.  I'm headed to the YouTube Creator's Day in Boulder, CO in a week or so and it will be fun to pull out this card case that celebrates my YouTube videos as I hand out my business card to other content creators.  Very thrilling.

Here's the video.  Check out the tools/materials list below the video and download the template.  I hope you enjoy this project.

Tools
Scissors
Score tool
If you want to customize for your YouTube Channel you'll need:

• Computer
• Word processing program
• Printer

Materials

Paper - 6" x 6" scrapbook, card stock or other

Customized paper:

• Glossy photo paper

Embellishments - to decorate use buttons, washi tape, fabric tape, ribbon, etc.

Tape - sticky tape with red backing or other strong tape

Velcro tabs - mini clear

#lovesummerart SWD Polymer Clay Tassel Pendant Tutorial

There’s something exciting happening in the YouTube art community.  Over 250 YouTube art/craft/how to channels have formed a community!  Thanks to Cinammon Cooney (theartsherpa), Clive Powell (clive5art), Sigrid Soto (secretsoto) and Ginger Cook (gingercooklive) for getting the group started.  This should be a fun collaboration and a supportive group.  I hope you visit the Facebook page to connect with the content creators participating.

My entry is a series of three videos on how to make a polymer clay tassel pendant.  I’ll show you how to create the pendant, make the tassel and do finishing work so you have a wearable work of art.  I hope you enjoy my entry and use the #lovesummerart (same hash tag on Facebook) to see of all of the unique and interesting videos showcased by these talented artists.   See below the videos for the tools and materials list.

Here are the tools and materials for my project.

Tools

Drill or needle tool

Craft knife

Clay blade

Oven

Pasta machine or roller

Texture plate

Scissors

Old credit card, hotel card key or several pieces of card stock

Double sided tape

Jewelry pliers - Round and flat nose

Materials

Polymer clay – navy (cobalt + black)

Thread for tassel – Artiste nylon thread #2, crochet thread or other

Pen barrel (optional), you could make your own from polymer clay

Viva Décor Inka Gold or pearlescent powder

Wire – 20 ga

Jump ring 6mm

Necklace finding – can be rope or chain

Bead cap (optional)

White glue or Fray Check (optional) - the thread will fray or unravel with wear, use one of these to stop the fray unless you like the look, apply a little bit to the end of each cord, separate and let dry

SWD Interview: Lyn Parker Gil of LynzCraftz

Hi everyone, thanks for joining me today as I interview a fellow artist and YouTuber, Lyn of LynzCraftz.  I started following Lyn’s YouTube channel in the past year and have greatly enjoyed her polymer clay tutorials.  With over 5,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel, Lyn is plenty busy creating and sharing.  Hi, Lyn, welcome to Sweet Willow Designs.

Would introduce yourself, tell us a little about yourself and your interests outside of your work as an artist.

Married 30 yrs to my high school sweetheart... mother & grandmother, I've been a crafter since I can remember. My mother, a crafter herself, enrolled me in my first art lessons at 6yrs old (she didn't realize it was an oil painting class no less). I've been lost in the creative ocean ever since.

I believe inspiration can come from almost anywhere...so I am an observer of life constantly looking for that inspirational moment. Whether from the Oak forest that surrounds our home or from my time traveling work desk or maybe even a history documentary my inspiration is as widespread as my imagination. I hope you will see something that catches your eye or maybe even your imagination...inspiration is everywhere!  

You’re an accomplished polymer clay artist.  How did you get started with polymer clay?

I first picked up polymer clay about 20 years ago, some Super Sculpey but I only fiddled around with it. Then about 10 years ago I began sculpting some heads for some of my cloth dolls but again I only made a few. Then I began sculpting Mermaids & Fairies, which I still enjoy but switched to jewelry shortly thereafter.

Do you work in any other mediums besides polymer clay?

Yes, I enjoy Mixed Media, Altered Art, Sewing, Cloth Dolls,Painting, Drawing & Resin...I have to try it all!

Lyn, you have close to 350 videos on YouTube.  How did you get started and how long have you been creating videos?

I’ve been watching YouTube videos since 2011 & while watching one day I decided to give one of the projects a try. I was encouraged by friends & family to show what I had done but I really didn’t like the sound of my own voice. I just created a slide show type video at first. When I became comfortable with it I went to actually speaking in the video & the rest is history.

How do you decide what to make and how do you come up with your beautiful designs?

I get inspiration from almost everywhere...movies, old photos, old magazines & even vintage master jewelry artists. My mind is rarely quiet & I often work out my designs in my sleep...well that few moments before sleep anyway.

How much time do you spend creating each week and what’s your typical day like?

I’m up almost every day at 6AM & in my studio by 7-7:30 when my Hubby leaves for work. I take a break for lunch but other than that I’m in my studio till 5:30 & sometimes longer. My studio is also my office though so I also run my shop from there.I try to take Friday’s off for chores & down time.

What is your workspace/studio like?

My studio is in one of the spare rooms, a 14x14. It’s full to the brim with all my supplies for clay & mixed media. I have a separate room for my sewing. I have one wall that I call my “Wall of Inspiration” where I have pieces I’ve created that are special to me. It’s not really decorated in any way other than a few piece made by friends.

What are your favorite tools?

I’ve said this before...my hands are my favorite tool. I can do more with them than any other tool. But if I had to choose an actual tool I’d have to say my metal knitting needle & my Color Shaper(silicone rubber tipped tool).

I know you have an Etsy shop.  How long have you been selling your creations and how did you get started?

It was just a year ago in November when I finally open my Etsy shop. I definitely waited much too long...I should have listened to my Hubby & done it before then. You have to be at a place in your life where you feel comfortable with your art. It also helps to get everything together like your packaging, business cards( I enclose one in every purchase), etc.

Do you have any advice for artists wanting to get started with YouTube or selling their work?

Start slow. Know yourself & what your style is...if you like a certain type of art & find yourself drawn to it...do it! You’ll always be more creative in a style you enjoy. For instance I don’t do caning...it’s just not something I’m interested in. I’m more into grungy metal & natural textures. If you know your own style & like it...more than likely someone else will too.

Lyn, wow.  Thanks so much for joining me today.  Great advice to the artists wanting to sell their work or create videos. I’ve had a great time getting to know you better. How can my readers find you on Facebook, Pinterest, etc.?

I’d love to have your readers stop by and say hi.  Here’s how to find me.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynzCraftz

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/lynzcraftz/

Blog:          http://lynzcraftz.blogspot.com/

Google+:   https://plus.google.com/108220717082799436253/posts

Etsy:          https://www.etsy.com/shop/LynzCraftz

Thanks again Lyn.  I hope you all enjoyed this interview with Lyn of LynzCraftz.  Leave a comment below if you’d like to see more interviews, have a question or want to leave your thoughts on this interview.  As always, thanks for joining me in my studio.