Sunday, March 08, 2009

I like a Challenge...

when I find  I am in a rut creativity wise, that often a challenge sets the mind in a direction. I have been very busy this week, (seems I am not getting enough me time here!), and just getting to play hasn't been an option. Finally today I thought I would make something for the Arty Girlz challenge. The theme is Blue and yellow. A friend of mine made me some blank gekkos in white shrink plastic for me a while ago, and I already had in mind a project for 2 of them. The inspiration came from a project someone did on Crafts by Carolyn forum.

I punched some holes in them , and shrunk them down. Here the trouble started! Because they have curls and are thin in places, they curled right up, and I could not uncurl them. Serves me right for not doing them in the oven. I had used a heat gun! Finally they behaved, and I coloured them with alcohol inks after shrinking, and used blues and yellows, which mixed to be green! Then while adding the beads, one of the tails snapped. This is because I had punched holes in them, and the shrink doesn't take kindly to very thin pieces. So for purposes of the picture, I have very carefully pushed the tail together! Methinks, I will have to make another one!
I see quite a lot of possibilities in shrink plastic and alcohol inks. Thanks girlz for the challenge, my creative juices are flowing again!


P.S. Don't forget the blog candy on both this blog, and Objet D'art.

15 comments:

Robin said...

These earrings are just too adorable!!

Debbie Dolphin said...

OOoo jennie they look soo fabby.Before i shrink them i use my anti-static bag on them first and this helps to stop them sticking and it really works wonders.they look dull after ,but if i wipe them with a wet wipe it looks fine.But they look great.xx
Debbie

Unknown said...

They look fantastic, some thing I always find as well, I usually punch a hole and it is never big enough.
Christine

Rachelxx said...

Great minds think alike Jennie - I used shrink plastic today as well!!! :-D Also had a problem with the heat gun & curling ..................... !!

Claireabelle said...

Fabulous earrings Jennie
x

Jenni said...

Love these, what a shame about the broken tail.
Jenni x

Anonymous said...

What a brilliant idea - and I just love the colours

Carol said...

Great idea and they're cool!!!

TFS

Juanita said...

These look simple fabulous. Do you think you can repair the tail so you can gift/use them?

Julie Allain said...

Jennie the earrings are FAB!! xx

Linda . J said...

Hi Jennie these are just beautiful.
Hugs Linda

Hels Sheridan said...

Cute ickle Gekko's - loving them x

Sian said...

These are fantastic. I love them!

Cazzy said...

I had exactly the same problem with a palm tree I cut out which I was trying to make into a keyring to go with a card but I didn't have time to retry with the oven!

They are very nice and i hope you are sucessful with the next pair.

I am gutted I missed your candy post!

Cazzy x

Minxy said...

These are fab Jennie, never thought to use alcohol inks on SP, i know what you mean about the holes though, the number of times i've snapped where the hole is, very fustrating!