Crafty Vapers Lounge

[Opinionated]

If it's anything creative then I do composite art, this is my last one, I created it for a contest but didn't win (still trying to get better!) This is composed of both some drawing and many different photographs.

I also do some photography. This is my last winning contest entry for photography (the topic was flower in black and white):

And when I was on vacation two weeks ago I did this photograph, I think it turned out fairly cool:

 

[Down-Time]

I enjoy making soap.

 

[bnrkwest]

Wow, some cool stuff! I used to do counted cross-stitch, but my eyesight isn't so great anymore. I have a ton of patterns. Maybe I need to get one of those lighted magnifiers and take it up again. I do a bunch of miscellaneous crafts. This year I am growing birdhouse gourds. They aren't done growing yet, and then they need a long time to dry. So perhaps I'll have something to post by Spring?

Oh sounds cool!

 

[bnrkwest]

If it's anything creative then I do composite art, this is my last one, I created it for a contest but didn't win (still trying to get better!) This is composed of both some drawing and many different photographs.

I also do some photography. This is my last winning contest entry for photography (the topic was flower in black and white):

And when I was on vacation two weeks ago I did this photograph, I think it turned out fairly cool:

Nice!!!

 

[bnrkwest]

View attachment 585025 I enjoy making soap.

So pretty ! I used to make soap but have not in several years.

 

[Down-Time]

So pretty ! I used to make soap but have not't in several years.

I had to stop making it because I had an entire dresser full. The dresser is empty now and I can make more.

 

[bnrkwest]

I love seeing what everyone is into, this is fun! I need to get pics of a Fatty Lumpkin pony I finished, all hand spun and crocheted.

 

[Iron Molly]

I love seeing what everyone is into, this is fun! I need to get pics of a Fatty Lumpkin pony I finished, all hand spun and crocheted.

As in Tom Bombadil's pony from LOTR? MUST see the pony!

 

[Sara Love]

Wow!!! You all are so talented!! I used to make greeting cards but don't have the time these days between my son's soccer and flag football games. I will have to look for some pics.

When the vape mail started coming in my husband wondered if this was my new crop chocolate (deal of the day website for scrapbooking, which unfortunately no longer exists ). You could say I have quite the stash for card making. Lol

 

[Down-Time]

I make silly things too!

 

[Opinionated]

View attachment 585025 I enjoy making soap.

Do you sell your soaps? I used to know someone who made handmade soaps and sold them on ebay.. It's a very neat hobby..

 

[Opinionated]

View attachment 585057

I make silly things too!

That's cute!

 

[3mg Meniere]

Here is the link for the old folks hangout. No one is using it right now. Sign in - Google Accounts I don't have sound, but you can hear me.

 

[Down-Time]

Do you sell your soaps? I used to know someone who made handmade soaps and sold them on ebay.. It's a very neat hobby..

I don't sell them. The insurance is around $500 (last I looked) and I won't sell without it. I gave a bunch to friends and family. I originally thought it would be a good skill to learn. I also make laundry soap and liquid hand soap. It's the prepper in me! LOL

 

[Down-Time]

Here is the link for the old folks hangout. No one is using it right now. Sign in - Google Accounts I don't have sound, but you can hear me.

I can't find this group!!!

 

[JCinFLA]

I make beaded jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, glasses keepers, etc.) for friends, family, and some people who have me design and make jewelry gifts for them to give. Have also made a few custom Swarovski crystal bridal sets and bridesmaid's jewelry sets for weddings. Swarovski crystal pendants on necklaces are "biggies" around the holidays, too! Think I filled orders for 30-40 of those last Christmas for friends to give to their relatives.

I use mostly natural semi-precious gemstone beads in a variety of shapes & sizes, & gemstone pendants, too. Swarovski crystal beads & pendants though, are my favorite in both vintage new ones and current ones! I've got a collection of vintage jewelry pieces made by some of the old-time companies (ie. Lisner, Vendome, Coro, Laguna, etc.), using a lot of Swarovski crystal beads that haven't been made since 1964. Those...I love to sometimes take apart some of the more ordinary ones...and remake into something new & different.

Collecting the vintage Swarovski beads & pendants has also turned into a rather nice investment for me, since their value goes up an average of 5-10% per year. I lucked out and bought 8 boxes of 6 large, vintage, Swarovski pendants in 2002, that were discontinued in 1968 and are very sought after now. I paid $18 per box of 6. Now...each pendant sells for $36-58, when/if you can find them. Have a variety of those types of vintage pieces stashed.


Beading is very relaxing IMO, and it's a hobby anyone can get into for not much investment (unless you get into collecting like me). The rewards are being able to design something totally unique, out of materials you want in the piece, in the colors you want, the style you want, the exact length, etc. In that way...it's kind of like DIY!

I've also taught about 6-8 local friends and past co-workers how to do it. They still say it saves them a ton of money come gift-giving time, and they know the gift they give is absolutely unique. The recipient will never see someone else wearing the same piece.

So...some of you might want to think about making beaded jewelry as a hobby! Might take your mind off wanting more vape gear!


Geez...that was long. Sorry!

 

[Down-Time]

JC, can you share a few pics of your pieces? They sound spectacular!

 

[classwife]

What a fun thread !
We had a similar one in The Women's Room - I have a few pics in there of some of the windows I used to build.

 

[LoriP1702]

Next time I do some baking I'll take pictures and post then!

Yes do!!

Wow, some cool stuff! I used to do counted cross-stitch, but my eyesight isn't so great anymore. I have a ton of patterns. Maybe I need to get one of those lighted magnifiers and take it up again. I do a bunch of miscellaneous crafts. This year I am growing birdhouse gourds. They aren't done growing yet, and then they need a long time to dry. So perhaps I'll have something to post by Spring?

A lighted magnifier makes a HUGE difference. I was having the same problem, started using one, and problem solved.
You know the metal thing you use with the magnetic line finder/keeper thingie, to use to follow your pattern? They even have those magnified!!
Oh yes, back in business...well back stitching.

The gourds sound nice. I love natural things for the yard!

If it's anything creative then I do composite art, this is my last one, I created it for a contest but didn't win (still trying to get better!) This is composed of both some drawing and many different photographs.

I also do some photography. This is my last winning contest entry for photography (the topic was flower in black and white):

And when I was on vacation two weeks ago I did this photograph, I think it turned out fairly cool:

Great photos!! That's the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Tunnel, right??

View attachment 585025 I enjoy making soap.

I love handmade soaps!! I just got some from Essential Depot with my VG order to try.

I had to stop making it because I had an entire dresser full. The dresser is empty now and I can make more.

I love seeing what everyone is into, this is fun! I need to get pics of a Fatty Lumpkin pony I finished, all hand spun and crocheted.

Can't wait to see that!!

Wow!!! You all are so talented!! I used to make greeting cards but don't have the time these days between my son's soccer and flag football games. I will have to look for some pics.

When the vape mail started coming in my husband wondered if this was my new crop chocolate (deal of the day website for scrapbooking, which unfortunately no longer exists ). You could say I have quite the stash for card making. Lol

I skipped the card making...I walked into my first card making store...I just knew I was in BIG trouble, so I just didn't even start...

I have two GORGEOUS books that someone made me tough.
I should post pics of those too.

I make beaded jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, glasses keepers, etc.) for friends, family, and some people who have me design and make jewelry gifts for them to give. Have also made a few custom Swarovski crystal bridal sets and bridesmaid's jewelry sets for weddings. Swarovski crystal pendants on necklaces are "biggies" around the holidays, too! Think I filled orders for 30-40 of those last Christmas for friends to give to their relatives.

I use mostly natural semi-precious gemstone beads in a variety of shapes & sizes, & gemstone pendants, too. Swarovski crystal beads & pendants though, are my favorite in both vintage new ones and current ones! I've got a collection of vintage jewelry pieces made by some of the old-time companies (ie. Lisner, Vendome, Coro, Laguna, etc.), using a lot of Swarovski crystal beads that haven't been made since 1964. Those...I love to sometimes take apart some of the more ordinary ones...and remake into something new & different.

Collecting the vintage Swarovski beads & pendants has also turned into a rather nice investment for me, since their value goes up an average of 5-10% per year. I lucked out and bought 8 boxes of 6 large, vintage, Swarovski pendants in 2002, that were discontinued in 1968 and are very sought after now. I paid $18 per box of 6. Now...each pendant sells for $36-58, when/if you can find them. Have a variety of those types of vintage pieces stashed.


Beading is very relaxing IMO, and it's a hobby anyone can get into for not much investment (unless you get into collecting like me). The rewards are being able to design something totally unique, out of materials you want in the piece, in the colors you want, the style you want, the exact length, etc. In that way...it's kind of like DIY!

I've also taught about 6-8 local friends and past co-workers how to do it. They still say it saves them a ton of money come gift-giving time, and they know the gift they give is absolutely unique. The recipient will never see someone else wearing the same piece.

So...some of you might want to think about making beaded jewelry as a hobby! Might take your mind off wanting more vape gear!


Geez...that was long. Sorry!

I had an at home beaded jewelry business, and sold online for about 6 years.
I had to stop when my mom got sick and I was needed to help look after her, then I just never got back to it.
I had gotten really burnt out with so many special orders that it just wasn't fun anymore.
I still have everything, I just can't bare to part with things, but I have no desire to even make things for myself. I think I officially closed in 2006.
I will get back to it someday though, not back in business, I really have no desire to do that again, but making things for myself, that I will do eventually.
So, I have oodles of pictures of all that I could post.

What a fun thread !
We had a similar one in The Women's Room - I have a few pics in there of some of the windows I used to build.

Bring some pics over, or post the link!!
I thought there was a thread somewhere!

 

[LoriP1702]

JC, I also meant to add that I think that is sooooooo cool about you collecting the Swarovski beads and pendants!!
I never got into getting any of the vintage stuff, what I had, I bought because I needed it for a specific color or something like that. I didn't get any pendants ever, just beads though.
But the vintage Swarovski, and some of the other vintage things are just soooo cool.
I'd gotten hooked on the artisan lamp work beads. ...and yeah, not the cheap ones.
But, I never went crazy like some did in the bidding wars on eBay...trust me, I was "out" early.
There's a seller on Ruby Lane, or there used to be, haven't looked in awhile, I can't remember the name of her shop, I have it bookmarked, but she takes all sorts of vintage jewelry found from estate sales and makes the most unique things.
What's funny is that I like to make the beaded things, but I have very few of my own, and I wear little to no jewelry.

At one time, it was really fun and relaxing for me to make things, maybe I'll get back to that "place" someday.
Hearing your passion for it gives me hope.