simple diy ideas

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May 22, 2013

2 Easy Ways to Paint Your Own Jewelry

Madigan made… DIY enameled and glazed jewelry pendants.

~ This simple craft project is brought to you by Martha Stewart Jewelry. All opinions are my own. ~

Paint can solve so many DIY problems, can’t it? In the course of my crafting career, I’ve painted a lot of things. But, until recently, I haven’t really painted much of my jewelry.  Not sure why… maybe I was just waiting for the right paint? I’ve been a little concerned that nail polish or spray paint could eventually wear off metal jewelry.

Well, this past month Martha Stewart Jewelry and Plaid sent me a big box of jewelry making supplies. Rhinestones, charms, clay, beads… they were elegant and tasteful items just like all of Martha’s craft supplies. But what caught my eye in the box was the jewelry paint.

The paint is designed specifically to be used on jewelry and dries to the air… No baking? Durable? I had to try this out!

How to paint your own jewelry

Supplies needed to paint jewelry:

  • Martha Stewart Metal Settings
  • Martha Stewart Jewelry Glaze Paint, sea green
  • Martha Stewart Jewelry Enamel Paint, yellow jacket
  • Martha Stewart Enamel Paint Activator
  • Martha Stewart Jewelry Glue
  • Cabochons
  • Jump rings
  • Jewelry pliers
  • Silicone mat
  • Brushes
  • Toothpicks

Option One - Enamel Your Jewelry:

Place dollops of the enamel paint activator and the enamel paint on the silicon mat. You will need twice as much activator as you do color. Mix the two on the mat with your toothpick. Allow the paint to thicken a little (it won’t ‘run’ off the edge of the metal as much). Using a fine brush and/or toothpick, carefully apply the paint onto the metal. If the paint spills over the edge of the metal setting, use a silicone tip brush to wipe clean. The paint will air dry and harden in 24-72 hours.

Option Two - Glaze Your Jewelry:

Using a brush, apply the jewelry glaze to the metal setting. Apply a thick layer if you want the color to be more opaque. (I brushed my paint on in streaks so that some of the metal peeked through and to give the surface a little more texture.) Allow the glaze to air dry.

Final Step - Adorn/Assemble Your Necklace:

Using jewelry glue and a toothpick, apply a small amount of glue to the back of each cabochon and attach it to the center of each metal medallion setting. Allow the glue to dry.

With a pair of pliers in each hand, open a jump ring and close it around a top opening of the medallion. Slip your new and colorful pendant on your favorite silver chain and tell people that, yes, you did paint that yourself!

I really like both finishes on these pieces. The glaze has a sheer, pearl appearance while the yellow enamel is more opaque and super-glossy. (and I loved that I had the perfect yellow sweater to wear with it, too!)

I enjoyed using the Martha Stewart tools and jewelry supplies. These paints were so easy to work with… and now I can’t wait to attack all of my beat-up jewelry with a little color!

Be sure to follow Plaid for more Martha Stewart Jewelry ideas! You can find them on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

Want to see more of these elegant jewelry making supplies in action? Check out some of these projects from other bloggers:

Note: I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Martha Stewart Crafts and The Blueprint Social. As always, all opinions are my own.

May 20, 2013

My Last Project Inspire{d}

Madigan made…  a linky party.



As I mentioned this weekend, this is my last week hosting Project Inspire{d} with Randi, Nancy, Mary Beth and Heather. I've loved checking out your creative projects but I just can't keep up with work involved with hosting. Thanks so much for understanding!

Please take a second and visit the other creative bloggers who are also hosting this link party tonight. We’d love it if you’d consider following us on Facebook this week!



Ready to party?
Link up a recent creative project and please don’t forget to mingle! Visit other bloggers and be inspired! (And after this week, please check out the other party hostesses to continue to party on!)

My Simple and Colorful Gallery Wall Art

Madigan made… a DIY vintage-inspired wall art project.


Wow. Where did a year go?
This time last year I was telling you about our one guest bedroom and my very personal issues about redecorating it. I had always envisioned that this room would have a different purpose. After some soul searching, I decided last spring to decorate this room. Over the past year the room has slowly become my new home office. Craft blogger central, let’s say!
I recently just finished the DIY gallery art wall above my slipcovered futon and wanted to show you how it came together. It is colorful. It is full of floral, vintage and feminine touches. I love it!
With the exception of the two large frames, all of these objects were hung on the wall using picture hanging strips.

One my favorite things about this wall is that my grandmother’s two illustrations hang there. As I sit, write and create in this space… it will mean so much to have her creative works “near” me. If you remember, the green dress in the oversized frame and the orange sketches that I made to look like a canvas were some of the inspiration for this room’s green, orange and blue color scheme.

The very personal 3D balloon plaque art is nestled in next to the prints and is another sweet reminder to believe in my dreams as I work. (You can read more about what these balloons mean to me here.)

At the other end of this display are my updated thrift store finds that I transformed with a little glass paint.

To add a little more interest to the wall, I hung up some other objects I found. This floral plate from the craft store was the perfect orange color. I painted some floral glass candle holders with blue, orange and gold paint. I attached table tennis balls in the center of each one to create a 3D flower!

And I created a pseudo-shadow box with a wooden candle tray that I painted white and hung vertically on the wall. I wasn’t sure what to put in the ‘box’, but then I saw this pretty journal in the dollar bin at the craft store. The colors and floral motif of the cover were perfect for the room!
Not only is this book a reminder to ‘write’ in my office, but it also will come in handy. I love having pretty journals around to jot down ideas. When I’m done with this notebook, I’ll just have to keep my eyes peeled for another one that will work on this wall.

And my lattice and paisley pillows in blue, orange and green are a great complement below all this colorful art on the white futon.

This room is almost done. I have a few more accessories to put together and share… but I love being in the space as it is now. It is fresh and fun in there with the color and patterns. The white furniture and neutral walls help keep the mix of patterns from feeling too busy. And the personal touches I added make it feel like ‘me’.
Considered how tough it was to decide to redecorate this room… I love how inviting and special the space feels today.

Did you miss a project for this room? You can check out the before photos here and below are some of the other room projects. You can see that I’m slowly making progress! I hope to have the room done soon.
orange, green and blue diy office decor ideasYou can find each project pictured by clicking below. (left to right from top left)
P.S. Just a reminder that tonight will be my last Project Inspire{d} link party. Please visit the other ladies at Dukes and Duchesses, Cupcakes and Crinoline, Setting for Four or Artsy Chicks Rule to join the party regularly after tonight.

May 18, 2013

Where did 3 years go? (and I can’t do it all!)

Madigan made… a What’s Up, Weekend?


What’s up?

Wow. The middle of May marks this blog’s 3 year anniversary! I can’t believe that I’ve been blogging that long!
As I’ve done with prior blogiversary milestones, I’m not planning a big celebration… but I do want your feedback on this blog’s growth and my plans for next year. I’ll be sending out a reader survey in the coming week. Look for it – I want your input!
With this milestone, I want you to know that there are some changes coming for this little blog that I hope you will like… a facelift, a new logo and some adjustments to my editorial calendar.
One of the things I am changing in the coming week is that after this coming Monday I am no longer going to be hosting the Project Inspire{d} link party. I’m torn about my decision because I enjoyed hosting the party with my other co-hostesses.
I really want to thank those of you that have participated in the link party! I enjoyed the party and visiting you (the readers of other blogs) and their projects. But... I've been  feeling guilty that I'm not spending enough time with the party. Basically, the linky is a commitment I just don't think I can keep up with on a regular basis through the week. I need to refocus a few things here at Madigan Made. (and make sure I still have time to spend with the furball above (and my hubby)!)

I can’t do it all and I appreciate your understanding!

So, Monday night will be my last linky. If you are still interested in linking up to the party after this week, head on over to Dukes and Duchesses, Cupcakes and Crinoline, Setting for Four or Artsy Chicks Rule to link up with those fun bloggers.

What am I digging lately?

I spotted these projects out in blogland recently. Go over and pin them, share them, make them… they are great ideas!
  • I love how simple and cute Jessica’s faux stacked bracelet looks! Get the look of lots of bracelets without all the clanking around!
  • Wedding season is upon us. Do you need an idea for DIY centerpiece? Check out Johnnie’s huge list of summer DIY table décor.
  • These modern DIY votive candles at Paper and Stitch are simple… and, well, perfect!
(Want to see what else I’m loving? Be sure to follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest… I love sharing simple and easy creative ideas in those forums.)

What was I up to one year ago?

This time last year I showed you the easiest way to make a simple, handmade greeting card. I love creating cards like this.


What are you up to this weekend?

I hope you enjoy your weekend! (and that it is a little crafty!)

May 17, 2013

Tropical Inspired Home Design with #CB2NovogratzBrasilSweepstakes

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CB2. All opinions are 100% mine.

Madigan made… a sweepstakes announcement for the design fan.

If you’ve been around this blog long enough, you know that I’m a fan of simple home décor ideas. I also love rooms that have a little pop of color and personality. I think that is why I appreciate the design aesthetic of the  husband-and-wife design duo Robert and Cortney Novogratz. I’ve enjoyed their fun and colorful ideas on their TV home show for awhile now. They show viewers how to combine vintage and modern style... and they make it look so easy!

Did you know that now you can have access to this couple’s style through CB2 and Novogratz Collection? The Novogratz’s latest collection for CB2 was inspired by their vacation home in Brazil. Sounds like a wonderful springboard for summer decorating ideas, doesn’t it? The new collection has a lot of spunk!

Check out this colorful Rouge coffee table. It would be fun out on a deck or for a pop of color in your family room. (durable, too!)

I love the clean lines of these sectional pieces. The simple button tufting is ‘just enough’ detail… plus the pieces come in fun colors (or gray, if you prefer neutrals)!

Besides being able to bring a little Brazil (and Novogratz!) into your life at CB2, you can possibly go to Brazil! CB2 is running a sweepstakes from May 2nd through June 3rd and you and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime! Win a one week stay at the vacation home of Bob and Courtney Novogratz in beautiful Trancoso, Brazil. Ten other winners will receive $100 gift cards to CB2 and signed copies of the book, "Home by Novogratz". Find out more about the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes here. 

Soak in the Brazilian sun and surround yourself with an inspiring setting and décor? Sounds like the perfect vacation to me!

Visit Sponsor's Site

A Simple Way to Update a Thrifted Lamp

Madigan made… The Happy Housie a feature!

TGIF!!

Are you heading out this weekend to a garage sale or flea market? Well, I’d advise that you look for a curvy lamp like this one. Krista spotted this lamp and looked beyond the ugly color… she saw potential in the shape of the base. All it needed was a little spray paint!

Head on over to Krista’s blog to see the dramatic before/after of this thrifted lamp update.


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that you’d like to share with my readers?

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