Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Vintage Bottle Cap Creations

Happy Tuesday everyone! 

 I hope that your spring is off to a great start
and if you celebrate Easter, that it was 
filled with joy.

Ours was a full day with singing, playing outdoors
a lovely picnic and ending with the family
gathered around in prayer. 
A blessed and beautiful day.

(I had some fun preparing for the picnic that we had 
down at our gypsy camp in progress.
I was able to get some photos that I will share later.)
*************
Today, I'd like to share a little project
that I made from some vintage bottle caps.
I found this box at a flea market for $1.
I just loved the look of the box. Sometimes I just buy things
for the vintage look and they are used to add color or charm
to my creative space. Do you like to do that, too?

 I also thought that I might be able to use bottle caps 
in mixed-media art or something.
Many of you probably have your own ideas 
about how you would use them.
Isn't creating so much fun?!

 My first project, was to re-purpose
them into keychains with hand-stamped sayings
and flat-backed cabachons and strings for bows.

I used the Pittsburgh 36 piece set.
It's an upper case set, reasonably priced that has been a 
good beginner set for me.
You can find the stamping set that I used here.
And I purchased the bronze keyring pieces here.

The process required me to flatten the lip of the cap.
Each cap was set on a metal plate and then 
I used a small hammer to gently tap on the sides
and this curled the outside edge up. 
It almost looks like a little flower.
After I decided on the sayings that I wanted to
stamp, I began the stamping. I have a tack hammer that 
I used. it took a little practice, but if you have a bit
of an eye for centering, it doesn't take too long!
Some of them turned out a little rough but I guess
that can add to the charming imperfection.
After doing the stamping, I used a q-tip
wet with black ink to smear over the words. Then I just 
wiped off the excess.
The little design above the word here was actually
 a leather punch that I decided to try.
I don't have a photo of the back. But they are cork.
In the stamping process, some of the cork broke away.
I just covered the backs with circles cut from pretty papers.
Do you like the lovely coloring of vintage packaging?
It's what so many artists try to re-create with
the distressing and tea-staining techniques.
And they do an amazing job of making it look authentic!
I love the look of the authentic AND re-created.
This was a fun project. My first attempt at metal stamping.
To attach the chain to the cap, I used a nail to hammer a hole
and then added a bronze jump ring to attach them together.

I hope you enjoyed this little project!
Are you working on something today?
If so.. may it bring you joy and clarity about who you are. 
Where you've been and where you're going.
Bringing you a few steps closer to dreams realized
and peace in your heart.

I was hoping to start transplanting some herbs today but
our spring winds have arrived and they are a fierce
60 mph! shiver...
It's enough to rattle the house!
So... I've been staying cozy inside and
 working on memorizing the chords
 to John Denver's Rocky Mountain High.

(I love to sing and play!
Along with God, 
it's one of the things that helps keep me 
centered and grounded. 
It delights my heart and sometimes the words from songs
help me to express what I'm about.
Is there something like that for you?)

His music has always been some of my favorite.
He was such a poet and so often wrote about nature. 

"The shadows from the starlight are softer than a lullaby."

If you'd like to listen to the song, you can find it here.

Wishing you a beautiful day and thank you for coming by.

Tamara XO

I'm joining the party at









21 comments:

Kezzie said...

These are amazing! You are so clever and what a great idea for reusing these! I've used them on cards!!!x

Stephanie said...

My sweet friend, you are so talented and I just LOVE seeing your beautiful and unique creations. Once again you have made something incredibly charming {no pun intended} :)

It's always a delight to visit you. Much love sent your way!

Tamara said...

Using them on cards is a great idea! Thank you for coming by Kezzie.
xo

Tamara said...

Hi Stephanie,
Thank you! Finding treasures and re-creating is so enjoyable and seeing what you make is an inspiration, dear friend! I appreciate your coming by.

Love and hugs to you <3

Marie-Interior Frugalista said...

These are absolutely stunning - just love them all! Pinning to share and so glad they caught my eye at the Talk Of The Town party ☺
Marie, The Interior Frugalista

Tamara said...

Hi Marie!
It's so nice to meet you. Thank you! They were really fun to make. And thank you for pinning :) Have a wonderful day <3

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

What a great idea to turn those old bottle caps into key rings. What a find! They sure are addicting, aren't they? Thanks for sharing your tutorial with Talk of the Town.

Kelly @ Homespuns 'n Hayfields said...

Hi Tamara, those are absolutely adorable, you did such a great job on them! I would never have thought of such an idea, you are so creative. I love the vintage packing also.

Rocky Mountain High is my favourite of all John Denver's songs. It just gives me goosebumps.

Enjoy the rest of your week.
Kelly

Gaby Bee said...

These bottle caps pendants are amazing! Great job!

Tamara said...

Thank you Betsy! They were fun and yes... it was hard to stop! Thank you for "having us over" for the fun party.

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

The bottle caps turned out amazing, dear Tamara.Each one is so charming.
Have a lovely day.
Hugs,
Marie

suziqu's thread works said...

Hi Tamara
Oh I just love these key rings and now you have given me a new idea for me to use my metal stamping set which I have recently acquired. I love that the letters are not perfectly placed and the words are beautiful.
I have made a couple of things with mine e.g. a title for a journal on some old copper that I had.
Sending love in the midst of moving house,
Suzy

Tamara said...

Hi Kelly,
Thank you.. Those little round caps looked like the perfect thing to use my new stamps on. And ohhh.. Rocky Mountain High! It's a great one. Doesn't it just make you feel like you could be an Eagle soaring above the mountain tops?

Anything vintage is hard to resist!
I hope you have a good evening.

Tamara <3

Roosterhead Designs said...

Love love love this idea Tamara!! They turned out beautifully and looked like so much fun to make~ Creative things like this really get my heart to flutter : ) and I am so glad you shared this craft dear friend. I'm with Suzy; I like that the letters are not 'perfect' and your choice of words is awesome! Thanks for the inspiration. Karen O

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Hello Tamara, I just love the key rings you made! It sounds like you had a nice Easter too. Thanks for the visit and enjoy the weekend.
Julie

handmade by amalia said...

This was a lucky find. The bottle caps have such vintage charm and I like everything that you've made with them, very creative.
Amalia
xo

June said...

These are so awesome Tamara. This is such a fun project!
60 mph winds are awful. a little over a week ago we had some 40 mph winds and that was bad enough so I can only imagine what your winds were like. I hope everything turned out ok.

Sharon@bluewillowhouse said...

Great idea to turn your vintage bottle caps into key chains. Love them! sb

My thrift store addiction said...

Love, love, love these, Tamara! Blessings to you, Cecilia

Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage said...

I absolutely love your bottle cap key rings Tamara! Such a fun project! I'm featuring your fabulous creations at Vintage Charm today. Thanks so much for sharing them with us.

Tamara said...

Hi Tuula..
Your party is so fun and inspiring! Thank you so much for the feature. It's an honor! Have a wonderful day ~

Tamara <3