popnicute's Blog

Popniculture


How To: Polymer Clay Handles for Metal Design Stamps

Published: 01-31-2012 10:10pm
Who hates metal design stamps? I did! Ever since I got my new design stamps for metal, I hated them. Reason being their shanks are cylindrical, making them very slippery and hard to stay put when hit by a hammer. So I only got to use them several times and most of them was a waste of time and resources. I kept thinking i wish their shanks were rectangular prism like my cheap alphabet metal stamps. What a waste of $30 for dust bunny breaders, I thought! Not until a few days ago I was inspired to cover the stamps with Polymer Clay and it worked great! I never had the chance to work with this medium before, although I'd always wanted to. So about ... » Read More

Popnicute Heart Pendants Price List

Published: 01-29-2012 05:25pm
Posted In: Heart Pendant Price List
Popnicute Heart Pendant is a signature design and handmade by me, Kharisma R. Sommers. The first prototype was created on January 2010 and have since continued to be a customer's favorite. It's a technique that I have developed in my studio to frame a big heart pendant without using any solder. It's held in place by combining flattened metal and wire wrapped netting design to create an organic looking bezel. This handmade heart pendant design is available as one-sided and double-sided pendants. Each heart pendant comes signed with POPNICUTE's signature stamped on the inside of the bail. Every one of them is unique, handmade with a natural stone.... » Read More

Free Tutorial How To Condition Kato Polymer Clay Slice Technique

Published: 01-12-2012 01:25pm
Posted In: Crafty Tutorials
This is a free tutorial on How To Condition Kato Polymer Clay with Slice Technique.Kato PolyClay is among the highest praised polymer clay brands in the industry because of its ability to maintain its shape while being sliced. That property makes Kato Clay the perfect clay for canes. However, it's also well known that Kato Clay being the hardest to condition. It's often crumbly and takes a long time to work it into a pliable state. On the recent news though, I've heard that Kato Clay has changed its polymer clay formula to be easier to condition.If you still get the old formula that's rather hard to work harden or an old polymer clay that's been s... » Read More

Little Owl Metal Animal Pendants by Popnicute

Published: 01-11-2012 11:33pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
I've been having fun designing with metal sheets. Now I know that brass sheet is harder than copper sheet which make brass harder to cut with metal shears. I've got no jeweler saw yet. That's still in my tool list to get among a lot of other things! I've never done any animal jewelry until one day, a friend of my sister-in-law saw this Amber pendant bead in my stash and she sees an owl in it. She commissioned me to do it and giving me a lot of artistic liberty. She made sure that it didn't have to look exactly like an owl, just do whatever I think best. But of course my realist mind wouldn't steer away from the actual thing. So I browsed googl... » Read More

Handmade Lampwork Girlie Ring and Earrings for MelissaBeads

Published: 01-11-2012 11:27pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
This was my second time trading my jewelry for MelissaBeads' gorgeous lampwork beads. Melissa Vess handmade these beads especially for me and in return, she would like a similar ring to my Golden Compass ring which was made also with her handmade lampwork bead. I felt like making the same design was not challenging enough so I came up with another design that still uses the same basic as Golden Compass ring as part of Popnicute's Metal Ribbons collection. This is the ring for Melissa. I called it Girlie Ring because it resembles the shape of a girl's head. Very cute isn't it. I'm satisfied with this design! This ring is made of a combination... » Read More

DIY Centerpiece Easy Fall Autumn Project Under $15

Published: 01-11-2012 10:06pm
Posted In: Crafty Tutorials
A little tutorial on making Fall themed centerpiece with pilar candle and leaf wreath. For my wedding (10/10/10), I relied on handmade decoration as we had a small wedding with about 25 guests. This was my centerpiece design for the reception tables. My wedding theme was Fall/Autumn as it was in October. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect weather! :) Anyway, I think this design would make a great Thanksgiving Centerpiece too. Very Easy to make and all of this for under $15. Materials: - Autumn leaves wreath (you can find it in craft stores) - Grossgrain plastic ribbon (the kind that can curl when you run it with scissors) - Pillar ... » Read More

Labradorite Butterfly Earrings and Necklace Set

Published: 01-11-2012 09:59pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
My latest custom order from a returned client. A custom Butterfly Labradorite necklace to accompany Butterfly Labradorite earrings that are for sale in my shop, Popnicute. It flutters my heart when a customer is so trusting and happy with my work of art. Labradorite is one of my favorite stones to work with. Each of them is different with flashy multicolor chatoyance. Just finished these last night and now they're on their way to a new home. This Butterfly Labradorite necklace is one of a kind as I no longer have the teardrop shaped stone anymore (in that size anyway). But I have bigger and different shapes of Laradorite stones still in my st... » Read More

Four Leaf Lucky Clover Pendant for St. Patrick's Day

Published: 01-11-2012 09:21pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
Short after I promoted this Valentine Bow Pendant made of Polymer Clay ribbons among my friends in Plurk, Diana of NightMaiden, asked me if I could do this in Four Leaf Clover shape for St. Patrick's Day. I said yes! This is the result for the Four Leaf Clover Pendant for St. Patrick's Day made in Popnicute's polymer clay ribbon style. I loved it! I think it's quite adorable :D This multidimensional clover has a little stalk made of copper and a pronged Swarovski Crystal in the middle. Very sparkly like a diamond! I dusted gold and pearl mica powder for added glamorous look even though the clay itself already possessed some mica powder in it. ... » Read More

Big Bold Handmade Necklace for Christmas

Published: 01-11-2012 09:18pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
I found this gorgeous Agate geode slice but it was broken in half. I loved the mint green color on this Agate and how it was translucent with many characteristics inside the stone. I decided I had to make something with this stone. Using my new copper sheet, I made this fold formed "bail" for the geode. Since I couldn't solder yet, cold connection it is! I decorated the front edge with ruffles created using my new Fretz hammer! It's light weight with small heads made it easy to control. Love it! I textured the rest of the plate with my texture hammer. Then I punched holes on the sides and stitched it to close the bail. At first I was going to l... » Read More

Cheap Easy DIY Decorative Wooden Shop Sign Tutorial

Published: 01-11-2012 09:14pm
Posted In: Crafty Tutorials
This decorative wooden shop sign is cheaper to make than printed banner and has a lot of visual appeal. This wooden shop sign would be big enough to be put at the back or in front of your tent at craft shows / art fairs and you can have it in any color you want! I used scrapbook papers to decorate my wooden letters. Why scrapbook papers? First, they're available in unlimited designs. Second, it's easier to do and much quicker than handpainting designs on the letters. Besides scrapbook papers, you can also decorate it with wrapping papers, old newspapers, glitters, bows, basically just go where your imagination takes you. What's great about this wo... » Read More

Popnicute is Featured in Wire Art Magazine Premier Edition

Published: 01-11-2012 09:09pm
Posted In: Achievements / Press
Popnicute is Featured in Wire Art Magazine Premier Edition, March 2011. I'm happy to report that this is the first time Popnicute is featured in public magazine! The editor, Jim McIntosh, contacted me about a month or two ago through ArtFire that he would like to have one of my jewelry to be in this new jewelry magazine called Wire Art Magazine. I submitted Triumphant Necklace*. To my surprise, today I was told by a fellow wire wrapper that my necklace made it into the magazine! What a lovely news of the day! Wire Art Magazine is dedicated to wire jewelry as the name depicted. It has limited space for ads so it's packed with useful contents ins... » Read More

Tree of Life Necklace and Nature Inspired Creations

Published: 01-11-2012 09:06pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
Tree of Life Origin The Tree of Life is a very famous tree. A classical tale in the bible mentioned that by eating its fruit, you will have the knowledge of good and evil. The biblical account states that Adam and Eve were exiled from the Garden of Eden after eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to prevent them from eating from the tree of life: “ " (Genesis 3:22) ” By questioning God's word and authority, the serpent, who is regarded in Christianity as Satan but not by Jews, initially tempted Eve into eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, an act explicitl... » Read More

Popnicute is The Winner of 2011 About dot com Readers Choice Awards

Published: 01-11-2012 08:59pm
Posted In: Achievements / Press
March 15, 2011, Popnicute is selected as the Winner of About.com Readers Choice Awards in Handmade Jewelry Artisan category. I'm truly honored by this and would like to thank everyone who voted for Popnicute. Handmade jewelry is such a saturated market and I would never be in this place without you all. I hope to keep it up and will never stop doing this. Keep learning and keep creating. Read the article. Virtual ice cream and cookies for everyone! ** The list of Winners: 1. Best Handmade Marketplace Artfire.com 2. Favorite Fashion Blog The Fashion Insider 3. Favorite Handmade Artisan: Jewelry Design Popnicute ... » Read More

Six Peas in A Pod Pin Back Brooch

Published: 12-05-2011 09:10pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
Third time's a charm! I finally succeeded in making this Six Peas in A Pod pin back brooch for my grandma. My grandma just recently underwent a hip replacement surgery because she broke hers tripping in the bathroom. She celebrated New Year in the hospital. Thankfully, according to the latest news from my family in Indonesia, she seems to recover just fine. My cousin passed me the message that she wants something like my Peas in A Pod pendant () with six peas, with the names of her 6 children inscribed on it, but made into a brooch. I could just make her a metal version like what I had but thinking that she's a fine dresser, the weight of the m... » Read More

The Queen of Hearts Wire Wrapped Pendants

Published: 12-03-2011 01:55pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
I've always fond of hearts. I like drawing hearts and all that. I guess I'm just too hopeless romantic not to like hearts. But not many heart jewelry that I liked. Most of them that I came across were either too girly, too elegant for my taste, too small. As a former(? probably still is) tomboy, I like things that aren't too feminine but still pretty. So as a jeweler I created my own heart jewelry. My heart pendants have this tough look. They have thick frames, net weave, and bail design. Not too feminine and very substantial. They look good both as a choker and as a long necklace. Look their best when worn with plain top. Ruffles may bury it.... » Read More

Three Commissions Completed

Published: 12-03-2011 01:48pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
I mentioned in my previous post that I got commissioned for three necklaces from a loyal client. I have completed all three of them last night. My client didn't have anything specific in mind regarding the design but she trusted me completely to make nice designs that would suit her taste in Copper. She picked three stones from my stash, two of them being Labradorite in two different color flashes, and the other one was Rutilated Quartz. This Rutilated Quartz was bought specially for her because she wanted a similar design done as the necklace my aunt bought from me a couple months ago. She's her BFF. So here I presented you, three wire wrapped... » Read More

DIY Easy Cheap Long Earrings Necklace Jewelry Display

Published: 12-02-2011 03:23pm
Posted In: Crafty Tutorials
I've been looking for jewelry displays to display my jewelry at craft shows and stores. Yesterday, I went to Hobby Lobby to look for necklace displays. I went alone this time, free from my significant other who always whine after 30 minutes in the shop. LOL. SCORE! I found this black iron trellis that happens to be 50% off the regular price. I thought the spacings were great for longer earrings display or pendants display. But it was more of a stake, no base to make it stand by its own. I went to the unfinished wood section and found an oval wood base that fits the width of this metal trellis. Metal trellis: $4.99 - 50% = $2.50 Wood base: $1.9... » Read More

How to Remove Glue from Stone Beads and Cabochons

Published: 12-02-2011 03:20pm
Posted In: Crafty Tutorials
Question: How to remove glue from your stone cabochons or beads? Answer: Use hand sanitizer gel that contains alcohol. This is my recent find that I've just got to share. I've received several natural stone cabochons that came glued on paper with double sided tapes. Double sided tapes must have one of the stickiest glue among tapes. The residue isn't easy to remove. As soap and water didn't do much of anything, I had to be creative and came across a hand sanitizer gel. I poured a small amount on my stone, smeared and rubbed the gel all over the glued area with my fingers and guess what? It worked like a charm! My stones are now glue free ... » Read More

Twelve Angels of Christmas Artisan Jewelry

Published: 12-02-2011 03:19pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
Introducing: The Twelve Angels of Christmas in Birthstone colors! :D These are the new collection from Popnicute, my handmade jewelry line.   On a sunny, lazy day of late October, I got the idea of making these angels after a failed attempt of making a pair of earrings in Angel's wing shapes. I didn't like the result as much as I thought I would. I was this close to scrap the idea and moved on to another project. But I had this nagging feeling that I could make this design work! So my next thought was to turn the wings into an angel pendant. I started digging my bead stash for some briolette shape beads that might be suitable f... » Read More

Red Petite Argentium Silver Necklace

Published: 12-02-2011 03:14pm
Posted In: Wire Journal
I love it when idea hits me in the middle of the night! lol.   My aunt from America liked my jewelry but she had something specific in mind that I didn't have in my stash. So she commissioned me to make her a small red pendant in oxidized sterling silver a night before her flight back to the USA. Being a substantial jewelry lover, this was quite a challenge to me. We went back and forth chatting through e-mails to find her the perfect red color. Finally I suggested this CZ red briolette and she agreed. What I had in mind didn't work out as well as the sketch so I scrapped that idea. I didn't make anything for months because my aunt p... » Read More