Petal Pairs Window Wind Chimes

Window-sized wind chimes to catch the summer breeze.

Here's a quick, summery project I ran up so I could play with the new Tonic Studios Petal Pairs punch shapes - Box Sets 4 and 5 are out (yay!). To make the wind chimes, I have fashioned the Petal Pairs into fluttery little ballerina tutus that catch the wind. Alternate them with 6mm pearl beads.

To create a slightly cupped shape that would catch the wind, I altered the Petal Pairs like so:

... just snip the Petal Pairs shape to the centre, glue the shaded area, overlap to make a 4-petal flower with a dimple in the centre. Interlock two Petal Pairs flowers in the usual way. Pierce or punch a hole in the centre (I used a 1/16" circle hand punch) from the concave side of the 
flower. Shape the petals downwards to make an umbrella shape. For each wind chime, you need 21 completed Petal Pairs "umbrella flowers" - seven for each of the three wind chime strands.

For stringing, I used ordinary craft thread. Knot the bottom of the strand. Thread on a bell/bead. Here's the secret of how to pass thick thread through a bead hole (magic- works every time):

The beading sequence goes like this: bell, three pearl beads, umbrella flower - alternate the beads with the Petal Pairs flowers, ending with three beads. Make three identical strands. Re: the bells. You can purchase mini-bells from craft shops or bead shops. (I always hoard the cute little bells from chocolate reindeer and bunnies...).

Almost done. Here's the wind chime header to cut from cardstock:

And here's how to attach the bead strands to the header:

Pass the strand top through the card and knot the end close to the card. Fold the header into thirds and glue or tape it shut. Pierce or punch the holes for the hanging strand through all three layers. Finally, knot a piece of baker's twine through the header for the hanging strand. Add a bead to each baker's twine tail, knot the end, and trim. Tease out the strands of the baker's twine below the knot with a needle-tip to make a simple self-tassel. That's it. Wind chime finished.

More pics:

Pearlescent paper used for the Petal Pairs here.

Vellum for the Petal Pairs here.

Note: if you prefer a silent window decoration to a tinkling one, you still need a bell-shaped bead at the bottom of each strand to weight it!

Stuff I used: Tonic Studios Petal Pairs Box Set4 and 5; AC Cardstock (for header), 6mm pearl craft beads, Divine Twine, mini-bells, craft thread.

Bead Boxes

Bead trays... and bead pods!

Tool box-style bead tray... and bead bags.

First style of bead tray and a simple style of box.

Open-top bead compartments for work-in-progress!

I'm on a papercrafted craft storage binge. It makes so much sense! Today's project is for beading enthusiasts. I've given two styles of trug-style bead trays, and a choice of four different compartments.
The open boxes are for when you're crafting, the bead pods and flap boxes can be used for craft-time or storage, and the bead bags (with cello windows) are for storage. All are fun and easy to make.

Here's how to fold the swirly "bead pods":

Pinch the corners, then fold flaps consecutively.

 The construction is very straightforward. Score the folds with an embossing tool held against a metal ruler. Fix the tabs with double-sided tape or tacky glue. Cut the window in the bead bag with a craft knife. The window is cut from a cello craft bag.

Here are the pattern templates:

Apart from the window bags, you can't see the contents - so you can either colour-code the bags or label them. 

Of course, these make great gifts for crafty friends. And, if you big up the trays and bags just a little, they'd make lovely packaging for sweets.

Stuff I used: American Crafts Cardstock (fantastic to fold and glue!), Craftwork Cards papers (for the bead bags).

Embellishment Caddies

Caddies front view. Bits and bobs for your current project.

Caddies - bird's-eye view. Choice of compartments!

These modular embellishment caddies are great fun to make - and useful, too. These compartmentalized mini-trays provide temporary storage for your craft project-in-progress bits and bobs. Nice to have
things organized and close at hand! That was my original intent - but I can see that they'd make lovely party favours filled with a selection of sweets - or delightful gifts for crafty friends. 

You start with a hexagonal base tray (on trend there!) - then pop in the handle and mini-box storage compartments. Now for the geek appeal: there's a choice of two styles - concentric trapezoids or "cheese wedge" triangles. The handle is fixed to the base, so you can carry the tray - but the individual compartments are not, so you can pop them out to empty the contents when your project's done.

Clock the washi tape feature!

Triangular wedge compartments (cheese wedges or orange segments?).

Here are your pattern templates:

Choose your cardstock carefully - you want it to fold smoothly and glue easily. Cut out the pieces in the correct quantities, then score the fold lines with an embossing stylus held against a metal ruler. Crease the folds and glue the tabs with tacky glue applied with a cocktail stick.

Here's a pic:

 And another:

 And a couple of tips:

After gluing down the turn-backs, 1) smooth them down into the corners with a cocktail stick. When the box is finished 2) pinch the corners for a nice crisp appearance.

Here's how to assemble the boxes:

Fix the handle to the base of the hexagonal box, with glue or double-sided tape. Then pop in the mini-boxes as shown. Accessorize with a band of washi tape and a bow.


Further thoughts: the handle can be used as a ribbon card.


Stuff I used: AC Cardstock Spring (American Crafts), We R Memory Keepers Washi Tape.


That's it. Have fun crafting: tray magnifique!