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How to Protect and Clean Precious Metal Jewelry and Flatware

Posted on November 4, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to polish your silverware and your jewelry. With a few easy steps, you can make those precious metals shine and keep it that way so you won’t have to clean it again next year.
Tarnished Silver Jewelry & Spoons
Tarnish is the enemy of your gold and silver jewelry, flatware and serving pieces. There are many products on the market for removing tarnish but they typically consist of very toxic ingredients and the fumes can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are safer alternatives. As with most things, prevention is the best initial method.

Tarnish Prevention for Silver, Gold and Plated Jewelry:
Silver & Gold
Most people know silver becomes tarnished, but did you know gold becomes dull and brassy? The best way to keep your jewelry looking its best is by protecting it from the start. When you buy a new piece of jewelry, store it in an anti-tarnish lined jewelry box.

3M Anti-Tarnish Sheets and Strips
3M Anti-Tarnish Strips
As an alternative, you can use re-sealable plastic bags and place a piece of anti-tarnish paper inside the bag. Be sure to press the excess air out before closing the zipper. Several companies, such as 3M, make anti-tarnish paper, which comes in 1” squares, strips and sheets. FireMountainGems.com sells jewelry storage bags with anti-tarnish coating inside. Before putting away your jewelry, be sure to wipe gemstone jewelry gently with a soft cloth, and wipe precious metal jewelry with a polishing cloth. (Note: Pearls should not be placed in plastic bags. Wrap them in tissue paper.)

Tarnish Prevention for Silver Flatware and Serving Pieces:
Silverware
When not in use, keep your silver flatware in a silver chest and place serving pieces in drawers or a china cabinet with anti-tarnish paper to prevent tarnishing.

Jewelry Cleaning:

Beaded Jewelry: can be wiped gently with a soft cloth only. Do not use any other cleaning methods. Many beaded items include metal accent beads. You may be able to shine them up with a polishing cloth. I find it’s easier to restring the necklace or bracelet with new metal beads, and be sure to keep it in an anti-tarnish jewelry box or bag to keep it shining like new.

Gemstone Jewelry: can be wiped gently with a soft cloth only. For a bracelet similar to the one pictured above, you could carefully use a polishing cloth on the edges of the silver, but avoid touching the gemstones. If additional cleaning is required, take it to a jeweler. Caution: Water and/or chemical solutions can dissolve or damage many gemstones, including but not limited to opals, Marcasites, and pearls, as well as enamel finishes.

Gold Silver Jewelry
Precious Metal Jewelry: Sterling silver, silver-plated, gold and gold-plated can be cleaned with a polishing cloth.

Silver Polishing Cloth
This polishing cloth has two layers. The white shines and polishes as it removes tarnish. The green layer completes the shining process as it removes polish or tarnish residue.

Tarnish Removal for Silver Flatware and Serving Pieces:
Tarnished Tray & Pitcher
We have all seen heavily tarnished silver items like the ones shown above. Tarnish removal can present a great challenge, but all of that was resolved with the invention of the Speedy Pate shown below.

Tarnish Removing Speedy Plate
Washing Soda, Glass Pan & Plate
When it comes to removing tarnish on silver pieces, the Speedy Plate is a lifesaver. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. The process is very simple. You will need the 6”x8” Speedy Plate, a large 9’x13” glass or plastic container, hot water, and Household Washing Soda. Most people use this product with great success. Occasionally reviews say it doesn’t work, but this is most likely a failure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you buy Washing Soda, which can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Please Note: Washing Soda IS NOT the same as baking soda.

Additional Jewelry Tips:
Shower
Should I wear Jewelry in the Shower?
No. To protect your jewelry, it should be removed before showering. Precious metals, gemstones, and jewelry components can be damaged by exposure to water, hair care products, soaps and body washes. When getting dressed, put your jewelry on last to avoid exposure to cosmetics, perfume, hairspray, and body lotion. The same precautions should be taken before swimming or using sunscreen.

Beach & Jewelry
Jewelry and the Beach Don’t mix.
That’s why you see so many people with metal detectors roaming the beaches at the end of the day. Rings can easily slip off of wet fingers. The combination of water, salt, sun, sunscreen, and sand can damage and weather chains and clasps, causing breakage. In most cases you won’t even realize it has fallen off. Your favorite piece of jewelry will inadvertently become someone else’s treasure.

There is so much beauty and artistry to be appreciated in objects made from silver and gold. With proper care, they will last a lifetime, and can be passed down from one generation to the next.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Designing Outdoor Halloween Displays

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

For many, Halloween is the most wonderful time of the year. People go all out decorating their homes, and there is always something new to thrill and delight. Let’s look at some decorating ideas for designing the Halloween display of your dreams…or should I say nightmares?

Creatures of the Night:

Bats

Bats certainly have a way of making humans squirm. Keep your visitors on their toes by hanging bats upside down from tree branches, lightly swaying in the breeze on invisible fishing tackle.

Crows

A crow’s habit of feeding upon dead animals and loud calls are bound to cause a shiver or two. Mount a couple crows on tombstones or in a prominent spot, such as atop a wall or the edge of your roof.

Owls

This predator silently soars across the night sky, seeing all with his glowing eyes. There are some motion-activated owls that turn their heads and hoot.

Spiders

Most people instinctively shy away from spiders. The tarantula-sized spiders shown above are painted with glow-in-the-dark paints. Place them along porch railings or on the outer edge of steps. You also might want to have several crawling up a wall near the front door.

Dragons & Black Cats

Many people are superstitious about black cats. When lit from behind, cat silhouette yard stakes have an eerily realistic appearance. Inflatable dragons glisten and change colors, while animated dragons have glowing eyes, frightening sound effects and “breath fire” courtesy of a fog machine.

Rats

Sewer rats are bound to cause a few goosebumps. Just like the photo above, place a few rats on or around pumpkins to create a creepy atmosphere.

Witches

If you want to charm your guests, witches are sure to please. Life-size, motion-activated witches greet visitors with glowing eyes, casting spells, and stirring cauldrons. For a more humorous effect, a wall or tree-mounted crashing witch on a broom is sure to make everyone smile.

Headless Horseman

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a classic. Although you probably won’t have a horse on the lawn, you could create a dummy with a glowing pumpkin head. New this year is an animated life-size headless horseman holding an axe in one hand and a talking pumpkin in the other.

Legendary Movie Monsters

Wolfman, Frankenstein’s Monster, Count Dracula – so many possibilities. You could make a dummy by stuffing an old shirt and pair of slacks and buy a rubber mask to create your monster. If you or a family member are budding actors, dress up in costumes to unnerve visitors on Halloween night.

Zombies

“The Walking Dead” has been a popular television series for years, spawning a zombie craze in movies, merchandise, and Halloween décor. If horror is your goal, zombies are the go-to characters.

Ghosts

Ghosts can serve as props or as live action creatures. Halloween night, if you really want to keep trick or treaters on edge, place a life-size ghost among your yard decorations. Go outside several times wearing an identical costume to stir up chills and thrills as you move across the lawn. Kids love theatrics like this and will return every year to find out what you will do next.

Scary Props:

Carved Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a Halloween staple. Depending upon your preferences and skills, you can carve or paint designs to frighten or amuse your guests. If you have had trouble in the past with squirrels eating fresh pumpkins, buy craft pumpkins, which can be carved and displayed for years to come.

Tombstones

With tombstones, draped in spider webs, and scattered bones, this haunted cemetery is ready for visits from the living.

Coffin & Skeletons

If you like working with wood, you could build a coffin and reuse it with different monsters each year. If the weather cooperates, or if you have a covered porch, a cardboard coffin can be easily made. Skeletons and skulls can be frightening or funny. It’s all up to you.

Kid Friendly Scarecrow

Scarecrows are easy to make and inexpensive to buy. Secure them to tree trunks, or place a few on a bale of hay with pumpkins and a few crows for a bit of humor.

Frightening Scarecrow

This horrifying scarecrow will keep crows, as well as people, at a distance. The vicious teeth are an unexpected and unsettling detail.

Spider Webs

Our brains tell us that where there are webs, there are spiders. Drape webs over bushes and railings. A bag of plastic spiders has great impact or buy one large spider to instill fear.

Lighting:

Halloween String Lights

Pumpkins, Bats, Skulls, Witch Hats, and Ghosts are just a few of your string light options. Some are the plug-in variety, but for more flexibility there are also battery-operated versions.

Pumpkin Lamppost Cover

This lamppost cover is an easy way to show your Halloween spirit, and it acts like a beacon attracting Trick or Treaters like moths to a flame.

Luminaries

Luminaries are easy to make by simply drawing Halloween designs, such as cats and bats, with Sharpie markers on glass jars. For lighting, burn tealights or use battery-operated candles.

Special Effects:

Spooky Sounds & Fog

Sound is an often-overlooked element in Halloween displays. Howling wolves, dragging chains, maniacal laughter, growling monsters, and high-pitched shrieks are among the many scary soundtracks. Fog provides additional layers of Halloween ambiance.

Lightning & Thunder

Conjure up the perfect storm by using theatrical spotlights, which project lightning bolts upon your house, accompanied by claps of thunder.

Setting the Scene: Finished Halloween Displays

Witch’s Brew

Wondering what it would be like to have a close encounter with a witch? A cauldron, bubbling over with glowing fog, rests upon a flickering faux fire. With an ancient broom, a book of magic spells and a bottle of her latest potion in hand, this witch chills and thrills guests of all ages. Live action will astound visitors. All you need is a costume and have a few clever “incantations.”

Haunted Graveyard

How do you create a haunted graveyard? Start with tombstones, and then add a red-eyed skeleton climbing out of an open grave, bathed from below by an eerie yellow light, as ghostly apparitions take shape in wisps of fog. An orange moon in the nearby tree completes this otherworldly scene. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” would be the perfect theme song for this frightening display.

Comical Family Fun

Is it possible to celebrate Halloween in a kid-friendly way? A pumpkin family reunion is a good place to start. Trick or Treaters can pose for selfies with this cheerful, welcoming display. At night, the bright orange glow will intrigue everyone, drawing them nearer for a closer look.

If You Build It, They Will Come

Want to attract attention? Consider your desired theme and select a fascinating focal point, such as the gigantic cat in the above photo. With colors, shapes, textures, and proportions in mind, continue adding props and characters, creating a multi-layered composition to delight viewers. Viewers will discover something new each time they see it. Having a few characters spring to life would be the cherry on top of this theatrical masterpiece.

Trunk or Treat

Are you participating in a community trunk or treat event? Don’t forget to decorate your car. There are Halloween decorations made specifically for trunk or treating. If your furry best friend rides along, a pet costume would be adorable, and the kids will love it!

Halloween brings out the kid in all of us. Do you have a favorite decoration? Have any suggestions to share with readers? Please note your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading and sharing.

Happy Halloween & Happy Crafting!

Halloween Masquerade

Posted on October 14, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

Have you wondered what it would be like to be a superhero, a celebrity, or a movie monster? Halloween opens the door to adventure. The stage is set, the orchestra is warming up, and an audience of admirers eagerly awaits your arrival. Who or what will you be? Let us find out together…

Basic Costume Building Blocks:

Mask

Sometimes all you need is a great mask! Frankenstein’s Monster & the Wolfman are classics. Monster gloves would be nice additions to complete the look. The only downside is that masks can be hot to wear. Be sure to apply character-appropriate makeup to stay in character without it.

Makeup

Makeup tutorials make it easy to create any character. Be sure to read the makeup labels before you buy to avoid skin irritation. To elevate the creepiness factor, the man in the photo above is wearing white monster contacts in his eyes.

Costume

Whether you prefer DIY or readymade, the key to your success is a great costume. Like the idea of “one and done?” All you need is a one-piece dress to become Zena Warrior Princess. Confidence is an absolute necessity! The boots, wristbands, and a weapon are optional.

Accessories

When creating a character, never underestimate the importance of accessories. Can you imagine Indiana Jones without his hat and whip? Without fangs, Count Dracula is just a guy in a tuxedo. (lol)

Attitude

Musketeers cloak themselves in courage, honor, and dedication to their king. Think about how your character thinks, speaks, and acts and then exhibit those traits. Have fun with it!

Cast of Characters:

Mermaid

If you own a bikini top, you are halfway to a mermaid costume. All you need is the tail. Make sure you can comfortably walk and adjust the tail as needed.

Butterfly

This sexy ensemble requires a one-piece black swimsuit and butterfly wings. Antennae are optional. For a less revealing version, wear a black jumpsuit or top with leggings.

Scarecrow

The Scarecrow from the “Wizard of Oz” is a classic favorite. All this costume requires is a great hat and handfuls of straw. Any plaid shirt will work, and do not forget to smile and move as the actor did in the original movie.

The Joker

This is a perfect recreation of the 1960’s television version of the Joker, played by Cesar Romero. Although he is a criminal, this early version of the character is amusing and lighthearted compared to his diabolical present-day counterpart.

Game of Thrones

True to the “Game of Thrones” characters, this couple successfully combined, costumes, makeup, attitude, and accessories, including the little dragon looking over her shoulder.

Medieval Sorceress & Gothic Witch

In the Wizard of Oz, whose side are you on – Glenda the Good Witch or the Wicked Witch of the West? Actors enjoy playing the villain to break out of their comfort zones in favor of a walk on the wild side.

Fantasy Owl Woman

You might want to create a completely original character, such as this owl woman. Like a living sculpture, she is beautiful and intriguing.

Red Fox

Those mesmerizing green eyes draw you in for a closer look. The details are incredible. The mask blends seamlessly with the costume, and the eye openings are cleverly hidden in the corners of the fox’s eyes. It is utterly amazing workmanship.

Court Jester & Evil Clown

If you want to be a clown, you have a decision to make…Will you be an amusing entertainer like a court jester? Or terrifying like Pennywise in Stephen King’s “IT”?

Skeletons

There is an extraordinary level of anatomical detail in the skeleton makeup. Look at those teeth! And the half-masks are an illusion achieved through expertly applied makeup! The white contacts, worn by the skeleton on the right, produces a piercing cold stare that feels uncomfortable, even from the photo.

Steampunk & Plague Doctor

The secret to a steampunk costume is incorporating metallic details, such as studs, chains, gears, and anything else inspired by 19^th century mechanization. The Plague Doctor on the right is terrifying! How could he be a medical professional? He does not appear to be human!

Anime

Every detail of this costume, from the bows in her pink hair to the tips of her knee-high boots, is a shining example of anime.

Fantasy Princess

This costume is so beautifully coordinated. The color of the faux fox stole matches the colors in her dress. Intricate gold patterns are repeated on her dress, her jewelry, and the beads in her hair.

Medusa

Medusa have never looked so fierce and fabulous. Wriggling snakes form the headpiece, topped by a golden crown. The python print dress has snakelike scroll design accents. Special effects snakeskin patterned makeup creates the illusion of snakes emerging from her cheeks and forehead. Yikes!

Reptilian Tree

What do you get when you combine a human, a reptile, and a tree? You get a fascinating creature covered in gnarly roots and raised scales, with a disturbing face and mysterious, unknown intentions.

Samurai Warrior

Psychological battles begin long before any physical confrontations. With this fear-inducing costume, potential opponents will choose to flee rather than trying their luck.

Day of the Dead

When it comes to Day of the Dead costumes, this man must be royalty. The elaborate feathered headdress, staff with life-size human skulls, and tricolor palette ensure he will stand out in a crowd.

Maleficent

This vengeful fairy has great magical powers and a commanding physical presence. The raven sitting atop her staff is a reminder of her connection to nature as protector of the moors. Is she thinking of something witty to say or deciding what to conjure up next? We are probably better off not knowing.

Lord of the Rings: Orc

Tolkien would be proud of this battle-ready orc. The distressed piecemeal garments, weapon in hand, hidden dagger in his boot, and defiant stance are hallmarks of this malevolent Lord of the Rings character.

Amazon Warrior

At first, the soft feminine garments and feathered headdress might lead you to believe she is a vulnerable native princess. But you would be wrong! The multi-pronged weapon, metal-studded glove, and cold calculating stare hint at the powerful fighting capabilities of this formidable Amazon Warrior.

Captain Jack Sparrow

Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the most recognizable characters in the world, which means you need to get the details correct. Check out the tattooed fingers, the braided beard, and the weather-worn hat! All of Jack’s quirky mannerisms and facial expressions have been incorporated into this authentic performance. I wonder how often people request his autograph. Outstanding work!

Venetian Sun

In the “Masquerade” scene in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, the cast sings, “Look around there’s another mask behind you.” During the Venetian Carnival, just when you think you have seen the most exquisite costume ever made, a better one pops up behind it, leaving you awestruck.

Cosplay

Do you enjoy making your own costumes? Most of the extraordinary costumes shown in this post are from the world of Cosplay. There are competitions for best handmade costumes, and these people are incredibly talented. They take costumes to the ultimate level, often equally the wardrobes created for multimillion dollar films. It is fascinating to see, even if you are not into DIY. Enjoy!

Thanks for Reading!

Happy Halloween & Happy Crafting!

Halloween Transformed

Posted on October 8, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

Halloween is a celebration that invites you to be a kid again, and who doesn’t like that? Choose a costume, gather with friends and family, and let’s get this party started! And don’t forget the candy! This week’s project is decorating. Let’s make a few small changes to some Halloween decorations and see how important little details can be. Let’s go!

Big Dog in Costume

We bought this dog last year, His skeleton sweater is cute, but the top of his head drives me crazy. Up close, he looks like he parted his hair down the middle like a little boy. At a distance, he looks like a member of the Hair Club for men. LOL

Witch Dog

The solution is easy. A witch’s hat frames his face and completes the costume.

Witch’s Broom

This tabletop decoration is a bit drab.

Colorful Witch’s Broom

Simply wrap some ribbon over the twine and around the broom handle.

Witch’s Broom – Extra Credit

For a bit of whimsy, purchase or make a tiny witch’s hat to place on top.

Jack-O-Lantern

This artificial pumpkin has a built-in light hidden inside. It’s cute but it needs something more to serve as a centerpiece.

Jack-O-Lantern Witch

A witch’s hat frames the face and adds character. Place a couple small pumpkins on either side and a spider tablecloth, and you’re ready to start putting out the appetizers.

Snake on a Mirror

If you like psychological thrillers, this one is for you. People generally don’t like snakes. For a Halloween party, we hung one on a mirror above a chair. No one sat in that chair all night. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the underside of the snake is a different color, creating the illusion that two different snakes were crawling down upon unsuspecting victims. LOL

Black Pumpkin

Apparently black pumpkins are trendy now. I don’t like them. The other colors are fine, but this is so dark that it is hard to see what it is and resembles a Muppet’s evil twin.

Black Pumpkin – Side View

The detailed pumpkin vine hands are lost against a sea of black.

Black Pumpkin – Back View

Half Painted Pumpkin

Painting the pumpkin orange makes it instantly recognizable without losing any of the thrill factor.

Half Painted Pumpkin – Side View

Notice how creepy vine hands stand out against the orange.

Finished Orange Pumpkin

I painted two coats of orange acrylic paint. Some of the original black shows through, providing depth and a menacing tone.

Finished Orange Pumpkin – Side View

Finished Orange Pumpkin – Back View

Hidden Surprise Animatronics

I have seen animated pumpkins open to reveal gooey seeds inside, but never a skull.

Hidden Surprise Animatronics

The eerie vibe is a bit dulled by silly music and a voice repeating dialogue geared toward younger audiences. I still think it’s cool to see. Maybe the designers will wake up and get the color and soundtrack corrected. Oh well, there’s always next year.

I hope you will look at your Halloween décor in a new way. These changes are so easy to make and add a dash of your personality to each piece.

Thanks for Reading, Happy Crafting, & Happy Halloween!

“C” is for Cookie

Posted on September 23, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

If you are a cookie monster, every day is “Cookie Day!” Yum!

There are so many varieties – chocolate, butter, sugar, almond, and chocolate chip, just to name a few. Maybe we could munch our way through the list of the most popular cookies and discover our favorites as we go. You will probably be hungry before you reach the end of this post, so grab a few cookies and I’ll wait right here. Okay, let’s begin…

Black & White Cookies

Black & White cookies, also known as half-moons, may have frosting or fondant in those two signature colors.

Butter Cookies

Sweet creamy butter makes these cookies irresistible, with or without decoration.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip is probably the most popular cookie. Chocolate aficionados satisfy their craving by adding chocolate chunks or by mixing cocoa in the batter. Instead of cake, many people celebrate their birthdays with 15” chocolate chip cookies decorated with icing and candles.

Chocolate Crinkles

To create the unique crackle patterns, chocolate dough is formed into a ball and rolled in powdered sugar. The patterns appear during baking and no two are exactly alike.

French Meringue

Egg whites are the main ingredient in this recipe. The star shape is created with a piping bag.

Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread smells so great while it is baking. The cookies can be cut into any shape and are often decorated with icing.

Gingersnaps

Gingersnaps can be crunchy or soft depending on how long they are baked. The crispy version is good for dipping in hot chocolate.

Jelly Filled Cookies

To make these jelly filled cookies, you will need two cookie cutters – one small and one large. Layer two cookies on top of each other, with apricot, strawberry, cherry, or raspberry filling. The bottom cookie is solid, while the top cookie has a small cut out in the center. To finish, shake powdered sugar on top.

M&M Cookies

Follow the chocolate chip cookie recipe, substituting M & M’s candy instead of chocolate chips. If you do not like chocolate, add cinnamon or peanut butter chips as a tasty alternative.

Macarons

Almond flour and confectioner’s sugar are the main ingredients in these sweet cookies. The fillings come in a wide assortment, including fruit, chocolate, and vanilla.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies are a staple in kid’s lunches.

Orange Cookies

These cookies have orange zest in the dough as well as the icing. Substituting lemon or lime zest will provide sweet and tart alternatives.

Peanut Butter Cookies

As kids, we eat peanut butter all the time, so it follows that this would be one of the most popular cookies for adults too. Use either creamy or crunchy peanut butter, and you might want to try adding chocolate chips for that awesome peanut butter cup flavor.

Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles taste like cinnamon and sugar with a bit of a tang from cream of tartar. The dough balls are usually rolled in cinnamon and sugar prior to baking.

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are another classic. With sugar in the batter and on top, this sweet treat is sure to satisfy.

Thumbprint Cookies

As you probably guessed from the name, use your thumb to make a divot in the top of each cookie, and fill it with fruit filling or a Hershey’s Kiss, as shown in the photo.

So many cookies! You simply cannot eat just one! What is your favorite cookie? Let me know in the comments section.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Paper Flowers: Roses

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

Welcome to part 2 of this paper flower tutorial. Roses are probably the most popular flower. This paper variety is easy to make, and many of the steps are the same as the Water Lily we made in part 1. Let’s try this together.

Inspiration – Red Rose

Supplies

Supplies:
Construction Paper – 9” x 12” sheets in red & green
Stick Glue & Craft Glue
Scissors, Pencil & Ruler

Measure & Cut White Paper into a 9” x 9” Square

The original sheet size is 9” x 12”. Cut 3” off the length, making a 9” x 9” square.

Fold Paper in Half

Fold the paper in half and then fold it in half again, creating a smaller square.

Draw Guidelines

Draw an “X” from corner to corner across the square. Trace a 1” coin (I used a quarter) in the center of the square.

Petal Experiment #1:
Draw Flower Petals

Lightly draw one petal in each quadrant, narrowing toward the center of the flower as shown.

Cut Out the Flowers

Carefully cut out the flowers, for a total of four. In the photo above, the flowers are stacked one on top of the other with four petals each. Please save the paper scraps for a future step.

Create a Support Ring for the Petals

Cut a 9” long x 1/4″ high green strip to form a circle around the center of the flower. Glue the ring together using stick glue. Test-fit the first flower inside the ring. Upon doing this, I realized the petal shape would not work. This led to the next experiment.

Petal Experiment #2:
Reshape the Petals

Using scissors, round the ends of the petals, creating a four-leaf clover shape.

Test-Fit a Flower in the Support Ring

This new shape works well in forming the layers of the rose. On the right is a test-fit of the first flower inside the green support ring.

Glue the Ring to the Base

Using craft glue, attach the ring to the base flower.

Glue First Layer Inside Ring

Add craft glue to the center of the ring and push the flower down inside it. Turn the flower so the petals do not overlap.

Conceal Support Ring at Base of Flower

Bend each of the four bottom petals up to cover the support ring. Glue in place with craft glue. After they dry, adjust petals as desired.

Top View of Rose in Progress

The petals form a pretty frame around the center of the flower.

Create the Flower Center

Create the center of the rose, shown on right, by bending the petals upward around the center, using a rubber band to temporarily hold its shape. Adjust the interior petals as needed for desired appearance. Most roses have a spiral center. Glue the petals together so they will stay in place after the rubber band is removed.

Test-Fit Flower Center

Set the new flower center in place and apply craft glue to the bottom. Allow glue to dry and then carefully remove rubber band.

Progress Photo

Just to recap, this rose now consists of three layers – bottom, middle, and center. We still need petals to fill in around the center, and some at the base.

Use the Last Flower

Glue the last flower to the bottom of the rose. Be sure to turn the flower so the petals will not overlap with the previous layer.

Leftover Paper Scraps

These paper scraps are leftovers from cutting the roses.

Round the Ends

Stack the four pieces on top of each other and then round both ends. Cut them in half for a total of eight petals, which we will use to fill in the center of the rose. The rounded ends are the tops of each petal.

Complete Flower

Add a little craft glue to the bottom of each petal and insert each around the central flower core. This completes the red portion of the rose. Now we need a few leaves.

Creating the Leaves:
Inspiration – Red Rose with Leaves

We are going to make the small leaves, which wrap the rosebud before it opens.

Draw Guidelines

Measure 1/2″ x 9” long strips and draw guidelines on green paper.

Accordion Fold the Paper

Simply fold the paper accordion-style to create three layers of paper.

Draw the Leaves

Draw a long, pointed leaf on half the folded green construction paper, as shown above. Fold the paper in half again and cut out the leaves for a total of six.

Fold the Leaves

Fold each leaf lengthwise and then bend approximately 1/2″ of the bottom to attach to the underside of the rose.

Glue on the Leaves

Using craft glue, attach each leaf creating a star pattern on the bottom of the rose.

The Completed Paper Rose

This completes our project, a bold and beautiful rose. You can place these on a table or attach them to a wall. If desired, you can paint skewers green and glue one to the bottom of each rose to create a lovely bouquet, which never needs watering. I hope you enjoyed learning how to make paper flowers and will give it a try. Good Luck!

In case you missed it, here’s a link to part 1, Paper Flowers: Water Lilies.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Paper Flowers: Water Lilies

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

A fellow blogger and dear friend, Elvira, requested a post about making paper flowers. She wants to use them as dining table decorations as well as mementos for her guests to take home. This post teaches how to make paper Water Lilies and will be followed by a separate post on making paper Roses. Let’s try this together.

Inspiration – White Water Lily

Supplies

Supplies:
Construction Paper – 9” x 12” sheets in white, green & yellow
Stick Glue & Craft Glue
Scissors, Pencil & Ruler

Measure & Cut White Paper into a 9” x 9” Square

The original sheet size is 9” x 12”. Cut 3” off the length, making a 9” x 9” square.

Fold Paper & Draw Guidelines

Fold the paper in half and then fold it in half again, creating a smaller square. Trace a 1” coin (I used a quarter) in the center of the square. Lightly draw four petals diagonally, extending from each corner to the center of the circle as shown.

Cut Out the Flowers

Carefully cut out the flowers, for a total of four. In the photo above, each flower has two separate layers, with four petals each.

Add First Layer to Base Flower

Place one flower on the table and then add another on top. Turn the flower so the petals do not overlap.

Add Second Layer to Base Flower

Place another flower on top, ensuring petals are spread out as shown.

Add Third Layer to Base Flower

Place the last flower on top. This allows you to see the fullness of the flower prior to assembling it. If you prefer, you could glue these together as is and skip down to the section describing how to create the flower center. I want the lily to have a strong three-dimensional presence, which is achieved in the following steps.

Create a Support Ring for the Petals

Cut a 9” long x 1/4″ high white strip to form a circle around the center of the flower. Glue the ring together using stick glue. Now use craft glue to attach the ring to the base flower.

Glue First Layer Inside Ring

Add craft glue to the center of the ring and push the flower down inside it.

Glue Second Layer Inside Ring

Glue the next flower inside the ring, ensuring the petals do not overlap with the previous layer.

Glue Third Layer Inside Ring

Glue the last flower inside the ring. You can crease some petals or curl them with your fingers.

View of Flower from Above

The petals form a pretty frame around the center of the flower.

Create the Flower Center

To create the flower center: cut a 9” long x 1” high strip of yellow paper. Cut triangles along the top, ensuring you do not cut the lower half. Accordion fold the strip.

Glue Yellow Center Inside Flower

Hold the accordion folded yellow strip in the center and adjust it to fill the space. Glue with craft glue. You will probably have to hold it until the glue begins to set.

Water Lily Against Green Background

Lilies and lily pads drift upon the surface of the water. Next, we will make a lily pad.

Inspiration – Lily Pad

Create a Lily Pad

Using a half-sheet of green construction paper, draw and then cut out a lily pad.

Water Lily on Lily Pad

Conceal Support Ring at Base of Flower

Bend each of the four bottom petals up to cover the support ring. Glue in place with craft glue. After they dry, adjust petals as desired.

Finished Lily Against Blue Background

A blue tablecloth creates the illusion of water.

Add Details to the Lily Pad

Using a green marker, add a small circle on the lily pad and contour lines extending out to the edges. Outline the perimeter too. Although it’s not necessary, you could add some creases to the lily pad to create even more dimension.

Water Lily on Finished Lily Pad

Completed Project

I hope you have enjoyed learning how to make paper water lilies. Your tablescape will be festive and your guests will be surprised by your creativity. These are easy to make and so much nicer than store-bought decorations. You could also use them as place cards by writing each guest’s name on the lily pads.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Harry Potter’s Magical Creatures

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

Diagon Alley
Lots of crazy things have been happening in the news lately. Wouldn’t it be nice to wave a magic wand to restore order once again to our lives? I suppose the next best thing is delving into a magical book or watching a movie about everyone’s favorite teen wizard, Harry Potter.

Harry Potter Owl & Griffin
While I appreciate all the characters created by J.K. Rowling, I must admit my favorites are the mysterious, magical creatures that inhabit that fantasy world. Whether real or imagined, each is endowed with exceptional powers and abilities – some for good and others not so much.

Harry Potter Goblin & Dragon
Don’t you just love goblins for balancing the books and dragons to keep it interesting?

Fire Breathing Dragon
Fire-breathing dragons are awesome, but perhaps we need to find something a little less flammable? lol

Harry Potter Monster Book
Every Harry Potter fan dreams of living in his magical world. You have read the books and seen the movies, but to experience it in the real world, you’ll need to make the trip to Universal Studio’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If travel isn’t on your agenda, perhaps you could bring a piece of Harry’s world into your own.

Harry Potter Monster Book
You can’t be a wizard without a few enchanted books. Who could forget the ferocious monster book? Ever wondered if you could make one?

How to Make a Monster Book Fit for a Wizard:

Raw Wood Book Box
Unfinished Wood Book Box
The moon and the stars must have aligned to make your wish come true with the discovery of this wooden book box, available through Michaels for $6.49. It’s the perfect size and thickness, and offers a strong foundation for building a monster book. As a bonus, there’s a secret compartment inside for storing your favorite spells (recipes), magic charms (office supplies), or wizardly collectibles.

Supplies:
Wooden Book Box (9.75″ x 7.5″ x 2.88″)
Black Paint – brush on Acrylic or spray paint
Sharpie Metallic gold marker – medium point
Vampire Teeth
Faux fur
4) Packing peanuts
4) Glass marbles – orange
1) Bottle fabric paint – black
1) Bottle fabric paint – white
1) Leather or vinyl belt
Glue gun
Scissors
Paintbrush

Book Box Painted Black
Book Painted Black
Paint the box black, inside and out. This dark color will make a great contrasting background for the gold paint applied in the next step.

Gilded Pages

To create the appearance of gilded pages, draw horizontal lines along all three sides of the book, using a Sharpie metallic gold pen. Don’t worry about crooked lines. Pages in old books become crinkled and curled. Imperfect lines will provide an aged look.

Toothy Expression
Attach Teeth
The next step is attaching teeth. Center the mouth as shown. The large fangs are from Fire Mountain Gems, and the smaller teeth are actually clear quartz crystal chips, painted to match. To simplify this step, purchase vampire teeth at a Halloween store or Amazon.

Hair Club for Monsters
Fur Cover
Faux fur from JoAnn Arts & Crafts is the perfect color and texture for this monster. Cut the piece large enough to allow a hem on all four sides. Be sure the fur will not interfere with the operation of the hinges. Please note: the raw edges of fur shed like crazy. Once they are hemmed and attached to the book the shedding stops. (Yeah!)

Faux Fur
Trim & Hem Fur
The sides could be hand sewn, but these hems were made with a glue gun.

Shaped & Glued Packing Peanuts
Packing Peanuts as Eye Sockets
I decided this monster would have four eyes. To make the eye sockets, use four packing peanuts. Each peanut is pinched in half and glued to hold its shape. Glue the four together end to end as shown.

Painted Black
Painted Packing Peanuts
Paint the foam with black fabric paint. Use a toothpick to keep the paint off your fingers.

Orange Glass Eyes
Marble Eyes
I found four orange glass marbles with red streaks resembling bloodshot eyes. Each was glued into the sockets, and outlined with white fabric paint. A white dot was added to each marble to give it that creepy glint in the eye appearance.

Final Assembly
Attach Eyes & Fur
Attach the eyes to the fur, and then secure the fur on top of the box.

Accessorize
Finished Monster Book
Last step: Wrap an old leather belt around the book to keep your monster under control.

For diehard Harry Potter fans with model building and wiring skills, there is one more step that would take this monster book to the ultimate level: mechanization! Hide a motor inside the box to operate remote controlled wheels and hinges for the jaws. Unleash the beast! lol

Congratulations! You’re now the proud owner of your very own Monster Book. Be sure to keep it on a short leash because we all know how much it loves to shred – shoes, feet, paper – anything within reach. For decades, kids have been telling their teachers, “The dog ate my homework!” With a monster book as a pet, this excuse might be believable!

Do you have a favorite Harry Potter creature? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. Until next time…

For more Harry Potter crafts, please check out this post: “Abracadabra – Hermione & Harry’s Magic Wands.”

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Painting with Stickers

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

Ever heard of “Paint by Numbers?” If your answer is yes, you probably recognize the style of this long-haired cat, but there is a new twist. Now, instead of applying paints, you apply stickers.

“Paint by Sticker Cats”

Over the last several years, “Paint by Sticker” and “Color by Sticker” books have been produced in an interesting range of themes for everyone from kids to adults. Let’s see how it works:

Kitten Close Up – Before

I chose an adorable kitten. As you can see, the image has been broken up into varying size pieces, and each one has a corresponding sticker with a unique letter & number combination.

Kitten Close Up – After

After all the stickers have been applied, this is the finished kitten.

Sticker Pages 1 & 2

The “Paint by Sticker Cats” book contains twelve cat images, and each has two corresponding pages of stickers, divided into four sections (A, B, C, D) with unique numbers.

Close Up Detail of Sticker Page 2

The front of the book contains large finished images so that you know exactly how the completed image will look. All pages are perforated for easy tear out. This will save you a lot of time flipping back and forth.

Apply Stickers – Sections B & A

Start anywhere you like. I chose Section-B stickers and applied all as shown above left. Make sure the stickers fit against each other to prevent the white background paper from showing.

Apply Stickers – Sections C & D

Apply the remaining stickers from Sections C & D.

Finished Kitten Image

Pros:
Portable; No tools; No supplies; No fumes;
No clean up; No batteries; Inexpensive;
All ages; Fun; Easy; Colorful;
Frame-worthy artwork;

Cons:
Struggle to peel & stick a few of the smallest stickers (may need tweezers)
Tiny print may require reading glasses

Summary:
Each of the images are broken up into pieces like a jigsaw puzzle, however this puzzle tells you exactly where each piece goes by using a unique letter and number combination. How easy is that?

All the artistic challenges have already been worked out. Along the way, you may learn enough about light and shadow, color placement, composition, etc. to apply this knowledge to your future drawing and painting projects.

And when finished, you will have a frame-worthy piece of art.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Froggy Went A-Courting

Posted on June 27, 2026 by Crafts Inspire Me

As a kid, I remember reading a book about a courting frog, which is still popular today. And who could forget the story of the Frog Prince? To this day, my mom kisses every frog figurine, ornament, or pendant, just in case it turns into a prince. Nothing so far, but she remains hopeful. This week we will be painting a frog in search of a mate. We will start with a couple of photos for inspiration:

Inspiration

This frog has great patterns, nice mixture of greens and browns, and cool eyes.

Inspiration

The spotted pattern on this frog would be easy to duplicate.

How to Paint a Resin Frog:

Original Gray Resin Frog – Front

Talk about having a case of the blahs! This cute little frog has some nice details, such as the collar, tie and the intricately carved rose. We have been using it as a doorstop for years, and we never gave it a second thought. That changes today.

Original Gray Resin Frog – Profiles

The sculptor did an amazing job defining the frog’s body from head to toe, including adorable, webbed feet. The rose has layer after layer of petals with curled edges like a living bloom.

Original Gray Resin Frog – Back

The textured straw hat has been accurately rendered and will need to be carefully painted to maintain its integrity. Be sure to apply a thin coat of paint, or those details may be lost.

Supplies

Supplies:
Resin Frog (11” high x 10” wide x 8” deep)
Acrylic Paints – white, red, yellow, blue, green, metallic gold, black, & tan
Small detail paintbrush and thicker brush for base coats
Clear Spray Paint – gloss or matte finish

Note: If you choose to blend several paints to create a special color, be sure to make enough to complete the project because it is difficult to duplicate. To keep wet paint fresh on a palette or dish for later use, cover the surface with plastic wrap.

Painted Straw Hat – Front

Paint the straw hat yellow, one rough coat to preserve texture. My mom painted the hat. And yes, she kissed the frog too! (lol)

Painted Straw Hat – Back

As you can see the straw texture is still visible.

Painted Frog – Front

Paint the frog’s entire body green.

Painted Frog – Profiles

You will need to use a fine brush in areas close to the hat to prevent green paint from marring the yellow.

Painted Frog – Back

Be sure to paint green all the way around, even in the tight curves and at the edges of the collar, tie and rose.

Painted Collar & Tie

On the first attempt, the collar was painted white. I decided the contrast between the green and white was too harsh and should be softened.

Repainted Collar & Rose

The collar was repainted tan, which has a much softer effect. Paint the tie blue and the red rose. The pupils are painted black and will be completed in the next step.

Completed Painting

Finish the eyes by outlining them with metallic gold. I experimented with a patterned iris, but he looked scary instead of cute, so I repainted the black. Add white highlights to give this little guy twinkles in his eyes. Look over the frog and touch up any areas as needed.

Frog Ready for his Close-Up

This is the close-up of our leading man. All he needs now is to find the love of his life.

Clear Coat Protection

To protect the acrylic, I recommend sealing the paint with two coats of clear spray paint. Notice how much richer the colors become after being sealed.

Frog Before & After

This froggy’s makeover is complete! He went from bland gray to fashionably colorful in a few easy steps.

Frog Royalty

If one day in your travels, you encounter a frog like this one, it might just be worth risking a kiss to find a true frog prince or princess. Good luck painting your next project, and I hope you find that special someone!

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

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