Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Steampunk Bee Keeper Bracelet

Another awesome sauce challenge awaits at SanDee&Amelie's Steampunk challenge! This month as usual, it is Anything Goes-Steampunk/Industrial! We have some amazing prizes up for grabs but in order to win you have to play. Easy right? Yeppers! I started this process with no ideas and just created freely. Toilet paper anyone? Mine looks a bit different than most. Hehe! It's a Steampunk Bee Keeper bracelet!

 I started out with a regular roll of toilet paper (minus the toilet paper) and cut it in half, then used a straight edge to make sure all of my edges were good. Then I grabbed some black Leather Paper from Sizzix (totally loving this stuff!) and ran it through an embossing folder. I glued this to the front of my toilet paper roll and spritzed the back with some water. While it was drying I put a few HEAVY books on it. 
Then I cut out some leftover fabric to fit the back of the toilet paper roll (the side that sits against your skin). That was glued with Tacky Glue, not something that I use a lot but glue that I will totally use again. 
I punched some holes on each side of the bracelet and used waxed thread to create my closure. Very hard to lace this up by yourself but somehow I managed. BTW-I have 7 tattoos. This one on my wrist is the day when I met my husband. V.II.MMX

The lace up step should have been done last as I had to take out the thread in order for the bracelet to lay flat while I used metallics paints, mica powders, LSG sprays and magicals. 

I then added by metal embellishments and glued this with glossy accents as well as using brads to help anchor everything. 

I do believe this turned out okay and may have to try my hand at a few more. Here is a side view. Yes, that is my arm and yes I have multiple scars on both of my arms. Scars always tell a story. :)

I do hope I have shared something new with you and have fun creating! Hugz and Carpe Diem! ~Niki

I would love to share this design with these challenges:


Bees come out midsummer in my neck of the woods. 




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26 comments:

  1. Valerie-JaelJune 15, 2016 at 1:19 AM

    What a fantastic bracelet, looks almost medieval! Hugs, Valerie

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  2. PamelliaJune 15, 2016 at 3:50 AM

    Wow Doc, this is super amazing!! What a fabulous and unique idea for a piece of jewelry!! I love the antique look to it, straight out of a buried treasure chest!! I didn't know you had tattoos, that is so cool! I love that you got the date of you and hubby's first meet. May I suggest for your next post, that you show us the rest of them? tee hee. Beautiful creation my friend, you sure know how to think outside the box! hugs :)

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  3. Gibby Frogett June 15, 2016 at 6:50 AM

    Wowser Niki - this is fantastic! Love, LOVE it!
    Gill x

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  4. SewPaperPaintJune 15, 2016 at 8:32 AM

    How unbelievably creative and cool is this! I so love the bee as the main image and the fantastic embossed background. The lacing is such a cool and funky edge. You are so darling!!! Hugs, Autumn

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  5. Candy CJune 15, 2016 at 8:40 AM

    Niki...this is just totally amazing! I LOVE your steampunk bracelet! Everything about it is just awesomeness! Love the embossed top and the fabric underside. Who would ever have guessed that this started out as a toilet paper roll?!?! Genius! :) Love your metal elements that you've used on the bracelet. Great collage work. Love the lacing of the bracelet, too. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderfully original piece with all of us at Creative Carte Blanche!

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  6. LisaJune 15, 2016 at 11:04 AM

    Oh my good gravy, this is amazing, Niki!! Wow!! I am totally in jaw-dropping awe!! Who would have ever thought a roll of toilet paper could look this fabulous!! I've never heard of the leather paper but I'm so looking for it now!! I love every single detail...the way it laces up in the back is gorgeous!! Seriously, you should make these and sell them...you'd make a fortune!! I know I'd buy one (so put me first on the list when you do sell them ;) Love, love, love it my friend!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  7. Chana MalkahJune 15, 2016 at 11:11 AM

    I am in love with this bracelet! Awesome Steampunk Creation. You are definitely a maker! Thanks for inspiring us all here at Altered Eclectics!
    Hugz,
    Chana, DT

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  8. sarasclosetJune 15, 2016 at 11:37 AM

    Woo Hoo, Punkin! This is the coolest roll of TP I've ever seen! Just this morning I saw an empty roll on the floor-yep--that's what I said! (we toss the empties on the floor to let Roger and Biskit kick around) and I thought I really need to make something with these! Ha! Ha! Two great minds want to upcyle our rolls, but I'm afraid this mind is not creative enough! Wowie! What a supercalefraga-punk-istic piece of arm candy! Love the tatt, by the way, and I guessed it was either your meeting or wedding anniversary. I need to have that tattooed to the back on my eyeballs, because I can never remember the year! I scoff at your scars my dear; let me show YOU a SCAR on the arm! You ain't got nothin'!

    You really outdid yourself (yes, even yourself!) with this creative steampunk piece! Love the leather--it looks like the real deal! Big hugs!

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  9. MauraJune 15, 2016 at 12:56 PM

    Hey, as you would say - Awesome Sauce!! Wow!! so cool, and really, a toilet paper roll hidden in the depths, who would know that? Love the bee design. I think you've just added to your steampunkish charm with sharing your scars and tats...now you can have secret tats under your band :)

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  10. RedanneJune 15, 2016 at 2:22 PM

    I just love this so much Niki that I just want to get my leather paper out and make one right now!!! LOVE your bracelet, love the lacing, love the bee - just everything about it! Great tattoo too, I have never been brave enough to have one, but I do have plenty of scars! Hugs, Anne xxx

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  11. VintagehandmadeJune 15, 2016 at 11:06 PM

    Woooow, Niki, I can't believe what you created out of a TP roll! It's absolutely stunning and I am in awe! I LOVE everything about your glorious bracelet! I really have to get that leather paper, it looks awesome! Oh, Niki, I can't find the right words to express how much I admire your creativity! You are awesome! Big hugs to you, my friend! Branka xx

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  12. CastleKelly CraftsJune 16, 2016 at 1:14 PM

    Wow, this is totally gorgeous X

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  13. experiments in paperJune 16, 2016 at 3:35 PM

    One word, Niki: AWESOME!! This is one of the best upcycles I have ever seen - absolutely beautiful! And you are pretty good at that lacing, girl! I would still be pulling at the strings with my teeth whilst the toilet paper roll disintegrated, lol! xxx Lynn

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  14. SusanJune 17, 2016 at 9:56 PM

    This is absolutely amazing, Nikki! What a fabulous steampunk bracelet! This is so creative! Using a toilet paper roll was genius and the final look is fabulous - love that bee on top as well as the lacing in the back! Thanks for sharing your wonderful project with us at Creative Carte Blanche!

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  15. ClaireJune 19, 2016 at 9:16 AM

    Hi Niki, wow what a fabulous project, soooo clever and the finished result is stunning! Thanks so much for joining us at We love to Create this time
    Claire xx

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  16. Cheryl GrigsbyJune 19, 2016 at 2:56 PM

    SO cool! I love your bracelet and how you've shared yourself through your art and your blog post. Thanks for sharing this with Creative Carte Blanche. Awesome!

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  17. Annette GreenJune 20, 2016 at 6:08 AM

    Niki, this is so very cool. I am a huge bee fan so this is like a super-hero bracelet to me. I love it!! Thanks for joining us at Creative Carte Blanche.

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  18. KatieJune 20, 2016 at 1:14 PM

    This is brilliant and thank you for playing along with Things to Alter

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  19. mirandaJune 21, 2016 at 1:24 AM

    Ohh my... this is so creative with a roll of tp oh you make me Smile really amazing work
    Gr miranda

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  20. jenn shurkusJune 21, 2016 at 9:05 PM

    whoa! this is gorgeous!! thank you for playing along with us at simon says stamp wednesday challenge!

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  21. SammyJune 30, 2016 at 4:25 PM

    Oh wow, wow, WOW! I LOVE this! Stunning. Thank you for sharing with us at Altered Eclectics this month. Sammy-x

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  22. YvonneJune 30, 2016 at 6:15 PM

    Okay... I am in love with this!!! Beautiful...stunning....gorgeous!!! I would wear this proudly!!! Great make!!! Thanks for joining us at Creative Carte Blanche.

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  23. blackdragonJuly 1, 2016 at 4:20 AM

    This is so unique and original... I'd wear it every day! Thank you for joining us at Things to alter this month.
    ps.... scars makes us who we are.x

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  24. MimiAugust 7, 2016 at 10:46 AM

    Where have I been? This is radical!!! Unique... this belongs on someone radical's arm!

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  25. Words and PicturesAugust 26, 2016 at 1:18 PM

    Totally fabulous wearable art - so glad I caught this!
    Alison x

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  26. Karen POctober 11, 2016 at 6:28 AM

    I have no more words left! Tis a fab piece of wearable art, clever, very clever & so lovely xx

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