Tutorial - Make an Easy Twist / Friendship Bracelet with Embroidery Thread!

These little Twist Bracelets (aka Friendship Bracelets) are so easy to make - the colour combinations are endless and your groups will love churning them out - either as a fun bracelet for themselves, or as a gift for the children in their families...

You will need...

6 Strand embroidery thread

Electrical sticky tape (or any similar)

Pony beads (beads with a large hole)

How to Make the Twist Bracelet...

 

Cut six lengths of thread  - each 70cms long.  Have fun deciding on the colour combination. I chose 2 Brown, 2 Green and 2 Orange but you can have six different if you want!

Tie a  knot about 10cm from the top of the threads. Fasten them to your worktop with tape just above the knot.

 

Hold the end of the six threads together and twist them together in the same direction, until they feel really tight.

Twisted together

   

 Pull the twisted length straight and place your finger in the centre of it. 

Fold the twisted length in half, remove your finger and watch it twist together. 

Make sure you keep hold of the ends whilst doing this bit to keep the twist tight!

 Remove the tape and knot the free ends together. Trim the ends. 

Thread on the pony beads.

To fasten the bracelet, slip the knot through the loop at the other end.

For smaller wrists, just knot again further down and trim.

WARNING - Making these Twist Bracelets is very addictive...so many colours to choose from!!

Enjoy....!

Importance of Taking Good Photos of your ACEO's!

Country Lanes

I cannot emphasize too much the importance of good, clear photographs of your ACEO miniature Paintings (read more about them here) when you put them up for sale on eBay - or anywhere else you chose to sell them.

They will be scrolled over by potential customers if not full size and not clearly showing the buyers what they are looking at. Thus please don't put them on a little easel or hold them in your hand when taking your photos!

So this is what I recommend - place the ACEO on a sheet of plain white paper in good daylight, but not directly in the sunlight. A windowsill usually works well to get good light. Take the photo filling the screen with the ACEO.

Standing Tall

If your phone has a good camera and most cameras do nowadays, then use your phone and snap away...

Use a photo editing app, which will allow you to crop away the excess white paper and leave you only with the ACEO. 

Don't be tempted to use filters of any kind. The buyer will need to see your painting or drawing as near to the original as possible, so enhancing it in any way will be deceptive. You want your buyer to be happy that he has received what he sees, as displayed in your photo.

Hope this helps you to promote your ACEO sales and get more bids!

As this Blog was started in 2010 and I was away for a few years, I decided it was a good plan now that I am back again (!) to go through all my posts and do some housekeeping! Mainly to repair any broken links and remove anything no longer relevant.

If you should find any links that are not working or come across anything else that needs my attention, I would be really grateful if you would leave me a comment! Thanks! Nancy

   

What is an ACEO Miniature Painting?

 

 

Some samples of my ACEO's

                         

I am often asked "What exactly is an ACEO Miniature Painting?" 

The simple answer is...

"It's a work of art, that must be the standard size of 2.5 x 3.5 inches"

That is the only rule that cannot be broken - no other size is acceptable! It can be in either portrait or landscape orientation.

So once you have the size right, the choice of materials is endless!

Any type of card or canvas is acceptable. 

I use Arches Watercolour 300g (140lb) and cut it to size myself with a hand hobby guillotine. 

Any medium can be used including pencil, watercolours, oils, acrylics, multi medium as well as craft embellishments, such as glitter or craft paints.

To get a good idea of the range of ACEO's produced have a look on eBay - search for ACEO Original - there are 13 225 ACEO's for sale on eBay today! You will be amazed at the huge variation of styles and subjects!

So have a go at creating an ACEO yourself - if you have always worked with larger sheets of paper, it will take a little time to adjust. 

But if your first efforts are not working, it is less painful binning a small rectangle (just 3.5 x 2.5 inches) of expensive artist's paper, than a whole sheet, I can  promise you!

Have a look at my watercolour ACEO's on eBay at present...

I sell them on Auction but other sellers prefer to fix a price - whatever works for you! 

Or maybe you prefer just to create ACEO's for your own collection!

Whatever you decide, enjoy the fun of producing these little masterpieces!

How To Tie a Bow for Gifts, Craft and Decorating

 

We all know how to tie a bow in our shoelace, but to make a flat decorative bow takes a few little tricks in the tying...

This little video clearly shows us how!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXb5WXWl9L7/?utm_medium=share_sheet

Have a go and give your gifts in 2022 that 'professionally wrapped' look!

New Quiz - Countries & Capitals to Start the Year!

 

Happy New Year Everyone! 

Having been out of the UK for some years I was unable to keep up with my blogging - but here I am back again!

To start the year off lets have a quiz!

Quiz - Countries and Capitals

Match the Capitals to the Countries

    

 Here is the link for this geography quiz - how many do you match up correctly?

Quiz - Countries & Capitals

_____________________________

Really hope you are enjoying doing the quizzes 

I have put together for you and your groups!

Have a look at my eBook of 41 x Easy Quizzes 

that you can instantly download and print 

for fun with your groups!

Quiz - Common Phobias - Printable with Answers!

With the Internet at our elbow, we are all more knowledgeable - 

or are we...??

What do you know about Common Phobias? I was amazed to find a list of 100 - have put up 15 of the most common in a new Quiz - see how many you and your groups either know or can work out by the name used to describe it...

Quiz - Common Phobias

If you want more Easy Quizzes do have a look at my 41 x Easy Quizzes eBook 

Printable and with all the answers!

 

Benefits of Colouring in for the Elderly with Printable Drawings!

I have long believed in the therapeutic effect of colouring in for adults of any age.

I loved colouring in with my grandchildren, when they were little - not just to please them, although they loved Granny to join in, but for the pleasure and relaxation I found myself enjoying in the process.

I found this very good website, "Golden Carers", which not only discusses the benefits of colouring in for the elderly, but also includes five downloadable drawings. 

They can then be printed as needed.

Here is the link....

Benefits of Colouring in for the Elderly

Enjoy!

Toby has new Summer Bandanas!

Toby looking very smart and ready for some Summer Walks - just need some sunshine...

More from Toby's fashion portfolio... home-sewed with such pleasure!

Proud to be British...!

Chickens...!