It's time for a new blog challenge!
This challenge kit includes two steel tins of different sizes. You only need to decorate or alter one of them using any materials you like. There will be a maximum of 20 kits available. The Blog Hop date is May 31, 2012. Buy the kit.
Challenge Ideas & Inspiration
Not sure what to do with these tins? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Create a Special Tin for Special Beads
Wouldn't it be nice to have a special spot for those stray extra beads from projects or maybe for a few special art beads? I thought I had seen a beautiful example on Lori Anderson's Pretty Things blog, but I couldn't find the photo. I even asked Lori about it, but she couldn't find it either. (It sure was sweet of her to look!) I'm fairly certain at this point that I imagined it, but it's still an appealing idea. (Update: I found it! Scroll down on this post from 2011 until you see her mention the Lonely Hearts Club orphan tin. It's the fourth photo and the tin is under some bags of beads.) Don't your pretty beads deserve a pretty house?
Use a Friend—Real or Imaginary—as Inspiration
If you're drawing a blank, think of a friend, family member, or acquaintance and ask yourself what they might want to store in their tin. Maybe the barista from Starbucks needs a tin for chocolate-covered espresso beads? It's fun to use characters from TV, books, and movies, too. Where is Katniss from The Hunger Games going to store her Mockingjay Pin? Does Wonder Woman need a place to keep a spare cape? This challenge opens up possibilities for designing for men, too, unlike most jewelry challenges.
If you've never used resin or polymer clay, maybe this is the project to try it. These tins are relatively inexpensive compared to some of the nice jewelry bezels available. (Look at the lid of the smallest tin and tell me that wouldn't make the cutest bezel.) I'm sometimes so afraid of ruining a piece that it holds me back creatively. I want you to feel free to make mistakes; that's why I've included two tins. Be brave and know that you have a spare. (I'm also keeping a few extras, so if you mess up both your tins and need replacements, let me know.)
Challenge Rules & Tips
- The official blog hop reveal date is May 31, 2012. You're free to blog about the challenge before that, but don't show off your finished design until the blog hop date. Part of the fun of the hop is the surprise factor!
- You only need to decorate ONE tin.
- You can use anything to decorate your tin. Yes, even beads! (You can see the seed bead tin I made in 2007.)
- You can also turn your tin into something else completely—a home decor item, a toy, jewelry. It's also fine just to keep it as a tin.
Blog Hop Participants
If you don't hear from me within 24 hours of ordering your kit, please email me. Feel free to use the images on this blog post for your own blog.
Update 5/5/12: This challenge is full (20 participants). However, since I apparently can't count, there is still one extra kit available in my Etsy shop. If you'd like to join us, please do!
Here's who has signed up to participate in the May 31 Blog Hop:
- Michelle - Beads & Books - Hostess
- Amy - Amybeads
- Brenda - B'Sue Boutiques
- Dawn - Morning Glory Beading
- Debbie
- Jeannie - Jeannie's Blog
- Kay - Palm Coast Art
- Kim - CianciBlue
- Mary - MLH Jewelry Designs
- Mary Shannon - Falling into the Sky
- Michelle - Firefly Visions
- Molly - Beautifully Broken Me
- Pamela - The Crazy Creative Corner
- Patricia G. - My Life Under the Bus
- Patricia L.
- Robyn - A Ponderance of Things
- Shelley - Fabric of My Life
- Terry - Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry
- Therese - Domestic Goddess Enterprises
- Therese - Therese's Treasures
Newsletter subscribers received early news of this challenge. Sign up for my free newsletter if you'd like to hear about any future challenges, giveaways, or other fun activities. I send six to eight newsletters per year.