Day 17 in Christmas in July Craft Challenge and Meet the Maker: Ashley Leiendecker from Beauty from Asher

'Twas the seventeenth day of crafting

and we have paper cuts to show.

How much we love to do crafting.

All through the year and now!

Hi, friends! How was your weekend? Did you do any fun crafts? I would love to see them. Here is a flashback to last years craft on this day: Salt Dough Ornaments. These were a lot of fun. It is neat to look back and see where we have come.

Today is a choose your own craft, finish up a craft or do a coloring page from Quiet Grove. Did you know that even a coloring page counts as an entry in the giveaway? So share your pictures either in the comments below or in our DIY Facebook group and fill out the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I love our Meet the Maker series. It has been so fun interviewing the various makers, getting to know them and see their great work. Today, we are interviewing Ashley Leiendecker from Beauty from Asher. Without further ado, let's get to know Ashley. She did such a beautiful job writing up about herself that I will just have her take over the blog for the day :). Thanks, Ashley it is so fun to meet you.

Hello! I'm Ashley Leiendecker and the owner of Beauty from Asher! I was born in St. Louis, Missouri but raised in Houston, Texas. This past September, I moved to Ruston, Louisiana where I attend school at Louisiana Tech University where I plan to earn my degree in Early Childhood Education. I have been making jewelry since I was in middle school so about 7 years.

Now the story behind the name is pretty unique and I absolutely love it! My great grandfather's name was Jacobus meaning "Jacob" and my father's side of the family are descendants of Jacob (in the bible). He blessed his descendants including Asher. From the tribe of Asher, it is said, "the women who came from Asher were beautiful [and were sought after for marriage]...his daughters were married to high priests, who were anointed with olive oil", which is where the idea for my logo came from. Although the priests came from the tribe of Levi since Asher's daughters married priests, his grandchildren were eligible for - and eventually served in - the position of high priest. Asher's daughters were so beautiful that bachelors from all the tribes wanted to marry them. They were known for being beautiful and refined just like my jewelry!

When I started making jewelry, it was just a hobby my grandmother and I did together. We would sit around her table and craft just the two of us.

I started selling on Etsy the summer after I graduated high school in August of 2015. I decided to sell online because I really enjoyed making jewelry and I wanted to be able to share my creations with others.

I will be changing our grab bags in the next month or so, but currently, you get a necklace (there are 5 different options), our leather pearl bracelet, and a pair of our pearl cluster studs.

I am so excited for the future of Beauty from Asher! My hopes for my business is that it will continue to grow and that it will eventually become a full-time job and my main source of income. There is nothing better than your job being something you absolutely love doing.

I think my favorite piece that I have made so far, would have to be the very first item I sold. It was a simple gold necklace featuring a vintage gold coin that actually happened to be from the materials my great grandmother used to make jewelry. It made my first sale even more incredible!

The one thing that I think everyone considering going into the handmade business should know is, even when you are feeling discouraged, do not give up! I remember being open for six months and I hadn't made a single sale. I felt like giving up and I almost did. I began asking for help and just really working hard and then all of a sudden, my first sale came and it felt so rewarding. So keep going and keep pushing along, I promise it's worth it!!

Thank you so much for sharing Ashley. I really love the story behind your shop's name and how you got started with your grandmother. It is stories like these that make shopping small so intimate and unique. I wish you all the best at school and in your business in the future.

Links:
www.etsy.com/shop/beautyfromasher
www.instagram.com/beautyfromasher/
www.facebook.com/beautyfromasher
www.twitter.com/beautyfromasher

Day 16 of Christmas in July Craft Challenge.

'Twas the sixteenth day of crafting.

And we have had so much fun so far.

Today we will craft some possible gifts.

So get all of your supplies and we will have

a Happy Christmas Crafting!

Hi, friends! How is your weekend going? Ours is well, been pretty busy getting some of our kids ready for camp. What have you been up to? 

Today's craft comes from Thrifty and Thriving. You will be learning how to make HOMEMADE HOLIDAY: GLASS TILE PENDANT NECKLACES

Feel free to do this craft or work on one you already have it home. Both count as entries in the challenge.  Please post your work in the comments below, or in our DIY Facebook Group. Don't forget to enter the rafflecopter below, each question is an entry in the giveaway. Have fun and receive a chance to win a custom made piece of jewelry from Mt Nittany Creations.

Happy Sunday! Have a great one!

Photo courtesy of Thrifty and Thriving.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 9 of Christmas in July Craft Challenge!

'Tis the ninth day of creating

and all through the house,

Christmas crafts have been appearing,

But months left until we are sharing,

These treasures we are bearing!

Hello, friends. Welcome to the ninth day of our challenge. What have you been working on? Don't forget to share in the comments below or in our Facebook group. Here is a little something that I have been working on recently.

The craft for today is a fun one that you can do with kids.  Paper Straw Ornaments by Crafts by Courtney You can choose to do this craft or another one. As long as you are crafting, it counts in the giveaway. Make sure you fill out the rafflecopter below.

Have so much fun with this friends. I can't wait to see what all of you create. Happy Christmas in July. #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2017

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 2 of 25 days of Christmas in July craft challenge.

Twas the second day of the challenge,

and no one's fingers have been glued together.

So let's keep on crafting and having fun.

just you and me.

Day two's craft comes from iHeartnaptime. We are going to make Scrabble Letter Ornaments! These will make great gifts for you or your kids to make and give to families and teachers this coming Christmas.

Put your craft together and share it with us in the comments below or in our Facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2017 when posting to social media.

Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry to win a custom piece of jewelry. Each craft counts as an extra entry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas in July Crafting Challenge Day 20

Twas the twentieth day of the crafting challenge,

Can it really be?
We have come so far
And done so many
crafts surprisingly
Today, we will craft some paper flowers
So get ready and

Happy Christmas Crafting!

Hello everyone and welcome to our twentieth day of our challenge. 

Today, we will make Rolled book paper roses. YouTube Video from Luvlee Scrappin

Put your craft together and share it with us in our facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2016 when posting to social media.

Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry to win a custom piece of jewelry.

Please see our blog page for all of the rules.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.

Happy Crafting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas in July Crafting Challenge Day 19

Twas the nineteenth day of the crafting challenge,

What different things we have done so far.

Today, we will craft some magnets.

So get out all your supplies and have a 

Happy Christmas Crafting!

Hello everyone and welcome to our sixteenth day of our challenge. 

Today, we will make magnet mania link to craft and photo from Ingenious Inkling.

Put your craft together and share it with us in our facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2016 when posting to social media.

Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry to win a custom piece of jewelry.

Please see our blog page for all of the rules.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.

Happy Crafting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas in July Crafting Challenge Day 17

Cold Porcelain (white clay) Ornaments

By now you may have detected a theme in my posts, very ornamental you might say, lol and if you’ve crafted along with me you have a lot a small gifts or decorations made for Christmas and it’s only July, think of that!

Today, I am making white clay or cold porcelain ornaments,  there are many sources online and I’ll provide links to a few in this post. The recipe uses items you might have already in your cabinet, baking soda and cornstarch super simple and fun.

You will need:

• I cup of baking soda
• ½ cup of cornstarch
• ¾ cup of warm water

You’ll also need a measuring cup, rolling pin, cookie cutters, parchment paper, a spoon or spatula (I used a spoon), a saucepan, a bowl, a drinking straw and yarn or string #1 picture. Place the baking soda, cornstarch and water in the sauce pan and cook over medium heat stirring constantly. The mixture is very thin and watery to begin with #2 picture, but within a few minutes it will come together in a soft mass, remove it from the stove and scrape it into a bowl #3 picture. Cover it and allow it to cool then knead it until smooth. Roll it out to ¼ inch thickness and cut with your favorite cookie cutters. Use the straw to put a hole in it for hanging. Let them air dry, although I’ve seen baking instructions for them I noticed that they were drying pretty quickly and decided to just go with that approach it took about 24 hours.

For more information and pictures visit Tomfo or try Full of Great Ideas. Want to get more decorative with your ornaments? Try beads or other little decorative items, I put some little cake decor stars on the small ones I made but the food color in them ran so don’t try the food decor. Here are some other ideas that might work.; Christmas Joy ornament shows stamps on their clay so does Oleander and Palm on Salt dough ornaments. Experiment or just leave them plain they look pretty that way to, have fun!

Put your craft together and share it with us in our facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2016 when posting to social media.

Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry to win a custom piece of jewelry.

Please see our blog page for all of the rules.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.

Happy Crafting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas in July Crafting Challenge Day 15

'Tis the 15th day of creating.

What fun we are having! 

With 10 more to go!!

Today, we will take a small break

Click on the link,

And learn how to make wire wrapped jewelry.

Happy Christmas Crafting!

Hello everyone and welcome to our 15th day of our challenge. 

How is it going? Have you been able to create some fun things? Thank you for joining us in these challenges.

Day 15 challenge is: Wire Wrapping Basics on a Budget Lets Make something video #3

Take a shot of your finished product and share them with us in our facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2016 when posting to social media.

Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry each day to win a custom piece of jewelry.

Please see our blog page for all of the rules.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.

Happy Crafting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas in July Crafting Challenge Day 13

Twas the thirteen day of the crafting challenge,

We have created and crafted,

Laughed and related,

Are you ready for more?

If so then

Come one and Come all,

with scissors and glue.

Lets all continue crafting,

Let's see what other fun things we will do?

Hello everyone and welcome to our thirteenth day of our challenge!

Today's challenge is a choose your own craft day, finish a craft from a previous day or do a coloring page from ArtLicensingShow.com 

Don't forget to sure to share your craft in our facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2016 when posting to social media.

And don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry to win a custom piece of jewelry.

Please see our blog page for all of the rules.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.

Happy Crafting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas in July Crafting Challenge Day 9

'Tis the ninth day of creating.

And all through the the house

Christmas crafts have been appearing 

But months left until we are sharing.

These treasures we are bearing!

Hello everyone and welcome to our ninth day of our challenge. 

Today, we will think of snow and cooler weather! Snowmen earrings or bag ties.  Check out momsandcrafters.com for some examples, supplies and instructions.

from MomsandCrafters.com

Our Snowman earrings courtesy of my wonderful husband Jeff.

Final product ;-)

Products used: two inch head pins, two pairs of three different sizes of clear crystal balls, two black beads and two black sequins. 

Put together your project and share with us in our facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2016 when posting to social media.

Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry to win a custom piece of jewelry.

Please see our blog page for all of the rules.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.

Happy Crafting.

Christmas in July Crafting Challenge Day 7

Cinnamon Ornaments

Hi everyone I’m back again with another fun Christmas craft for us all to try. I saw something on Pinterest that jogged my memory, hey I’ve made those and when I clicked through and it led to a Martha Stewart post Cinnamon Bird Ornament which looked really nice. Then I found a recipe on Instructables: Cinnamon Ornaments, but the recipes is different from what I remember doing. This led to a search in my recipe box and wouldn’t you know, I found the recipe I had cut out of a magazine or newspaper who knows how long ago. It’s by McCormick and that’s the one I made for this but you can try whichever one appeals to you. Both of them are simple and easy, my kind of recipe and craft.

The recipe calls for ¾  - 1 cup of applesauce and one 4.12 oz. container of cinnamon. Yes there are three cinnamon containers in the picture. I found three partially full ones when I looked in the cabinet for cinnamon and hoped there was enough between them for the recipe as it was already 10pm and believe me I wasn’t going shopping. I lucked out.  

When I made this though my dough seemed very wet and a little difficult to work with. I probably needed more cinnamon (the other recipes say one cup). To be on the safe side, I recommend that you begin with ½ cup of applesauce and keep adding more a little at a time if your dough is too stiff or dry.

There are only two ingredients in this recipe how easy is that? The Martha Stewart’s and Instructables’ recipes add a third ingredient, glue. I didn’t try that. If you do let me know how it works out.

The dough rolled out easily but because it was on the wet side, I needed to pull the dough away from the cookie cutter before I lifted it up. Otherwise, it was very difficult to get a nice edge to the ornament.

I used waxed paper originally but the dough soaked through, so I switched to parchment paper. I also got out a metal spatula to lift the ornament off the parchment paper and transfer it to the rack to dry. The straw worked great for making a hole for the string.

It was messy work, the kids are going to love it. Bonus, it smells great.

I was able to make eleven ornaments one short of what the recipe said, 12, not unusual for me though. The last one I made was the circle which has a smiley face on it. The recipe says to let them air dry for several days, turning them occasionally.

Martha Stewart’s instructions say to dry them on paper towels on the rack for twenty four hours turning them every six. I just put them on the plain rack. I wondered if the ornaments would stick to the paper towels because mine were so wet. The shorter amount of time required by her recipe might be because of the glue. Her recipe also offers an alternative to bake the ornaments on a baking sheet in a preheated 200 degree oven for about two hours flipping them once. Instructables just bakes them.
If you decide to bake them let me know how that goes.  

Put your craft together and share it with us in our facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2016 when posting to social media.

Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry to win a custom piece of jewelry.

Please see our blog page for all of the rules.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.

Happy Crafting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas in July Crafting Challenge Day 4

'Tis the fourth day of creating.

July 4th is the date.

Our nation is celebrating

With fireworks and cake!

What fun we will have,

So in honor of this date,

Let's make something festive 

A fun way to celebrate!

Hello everyone and welcome to our fourth day of our challenge. I hope you are enjoying this as much as we are.

Today's craft is July 4th banners! Photo and craft from Knick Of Time

So now put the craft  together and share it with us in our facebook group! Make sure you also use #christmasinjulycraftchallenge2016 when posting to social media.

Don't forget to enter in the rafflecopter for your entry to win a custom piece of jewelry.

Please see our blog page for all of the rules.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.

Happy Crafting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One Week until 25 days of Christmas in July Craft Challenge.

Where has June gone? We are one week out from our crafting challenge and we are working hard to have everything ready for all of you.
Including, I have updated the supply list. Currently only the last two crafts has there been any changes.
Looking forward to taking this journey with all of you.
As some of you may know I have an invisible illness that can make life hard and crafting is one way I find joy in the midst of the hard days. So I hope that this challenge will give to all of you some of the joy I have found in creating it.
Happy Christmas in July Crafting!

Supply List