Leaf Corset For Cosplay Halloween Fairy Costume LARP

Inspiration: Beautiful Elf drawing by one of my favorite illustrators, Tony Diterlizzi, in the book  Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You.  Go buy this book now.  You won't regret it.

I used leather for the construction, since it is rigid, yet my machine will still sew it.  

Add paint.

Finished outfit with skirt

https://www.etsy.com/shop/karenskontraptions

Crayons and chocolate

Making custom crayons is easier than candles.  This same process should work for chocolate as well, though I have yet to try it.  Definitely on my list of things to do! Anyway here's how it goes:

1. Peel off labels and break crayons into 1/3rds, if they aren't already broken up.

2. Melt in saucepan on low, swirling pan or stirring with a popsicle stick occasionally.  Turn off heat when all melted.

3. Roll out play dough (Make your own play dough if you are making chocolates with a food safe recipe like this one: http://domesticsuperhero.com/2013/03/28/the-best-homemade-playdough-recipe/).  Press your object into the play dough to create an indention, then gently remove it.

4. Pour melted crayons into the indention. Let dry 10min

5. Remove from play dough and wash with cold water. The back of the crayons will be flat.

Finished Birthday Candles showcase

https://www.etsy.com/listing/384802722/birthday-candles-with-faces-funny-party

https://www.etsy.com/listing/399887499/10-birthday-candles-in-rainbow-colors

https://www.etsy.com/listing/386391300/over-the-hill-candles-set-of-10-black

Idea - chicken pen

http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/raising-chickens/chicken-manure-fertilizer-zm0z13amzkon.aspx#axzz2cmrqrB2L

  Next project.... I will have to do my own drawings for it though, my set up will be a little different.  We have 6 bantam chickens and 2 chicks.  We also have a multitude of raccoons, opossums, skunks, and hawks that like to eat our chickens.  If it weren't for the hawks we could let them free range.

Recycled Birthday Candles - part 3

When your candles are completely cool remove them carefully from the play dough and wash with cold water. Use an old toothbrush to gently remove any play dough stuck in the wax.

Let dry and ta da new candles!

If you like my candles and would rather buy them instead of make your own please visit my etsy shop at: www.etsy.com/shop/karenskontraptions

Recycled Birthday Candles - part 2

3.  While the wax is melting take your crayon/sculpture and press it into the play dough so it is flush with the surface.  Gently remove by trying to lift the object straight up and out - a butter knife or toothpick is handy to ease it out.  There should now be a negative void of your sculpture pressed into the play dough.

4.  Use an old pair of tweezers or 2 toothpicks to remove the wicks from the now melted candles.  Lay them flat on the play dough or wax paper so they can dry a bit.  As soon as they are dry lay them into the playdough, centering them in the void and leaving a 1/8in pressed into the top surface.  (better pictures soon to help illustrate this)

5. Pour the wax very carefully into the void till flush with the surface.  make sure the wick stays under the wax.  Leave alone to cool for 10-15 min.

Recycled Birthday Candles - part 1

   So here is how it's done!

1.  Make your designs with polymer clay or even an air dry clay.  Mine are the peach colored smiling candles in the picture here.  Or use a new crayon as your item lol to make crayon shaped candles. Carving designs into a crayon would be a fun way to do it too.

2.  Everyone and every tutorial will tell you that you need a double boiler b/c it is safer, and supposedly the wax will catch fire if you use a saucepan.  I've never had this happen and I never use a double boiler for candles or crayons.  I figure this is because I watch it constantly when the heat is on and never melt large quantities of wax, also if it gets too hot I turn the heat off (you can tell because the wax will start to evaporate) it stays melted for a long while without heat.  So I use a saucepan, but only do this at your own risk.  Use something you are not going to use for food - cheaper little ones from the thrift store are good.  Melt down old birthday candles of similar colors on low heat.

Use play dough as a mold for candle making and more! - Introduction

Making unique homemade gifts is a cinch and so much cheaper than buying something new.

                                     Homemade crayons made from recycled broken crayons

   Contrary to what everyone says you really DON'T need to go to the craft store to buy all your supplies.  My favorite crafts use recycled items or ingredients you find in the kitchen.  Garage sales and thrift stores are also great options that save you money.
   The crayons above were made using old broken crayons, simply melted down and poured into a mold to make a new, gift worthy set of crayons. Add some packaging and you have a gift that looks designer made, and the recipient of the gift will appreciate how much love you put into it.
   Do you need any art skills to pull this off?  Only if you feel like it.  I am a sculptor so I made my own forms for these crayons out of polymer clay.  But it is just as easy to use a toy or figurine to make the impressions for your mold and certainly faster.  I used an adorable elephant card holder I have to make the mold for these elephant shaped crayons: