I am starting a fun iPhone case project series. Each phone case project will have a different look and style with complete instructions on how to create your own. We will have a new iphone case project at least once a month so check back often. The first in my series is the "Queen Bee" iPhone case. I have a thing for bumblebees so when I saw this queen bee pendant at Michaels I knew it had to go onto a phone case. The great thing about this particular project is that it is made with supplies found locally at Michaels. While you can find lots of inexpensive embellishments on Etsy and Ebay, sometimes its nice to start a project without having to order and wait for supplies to be shipped. You can use this same project for any brand phone cover as long as it's hard plastic. You can also make ipod covers this way. For those of you who don't want to make one,  I will be selling my iphone cases on Etsy. The link will be on my site shortly.

For this project you will need:

Blank hard plastic phone case- I found mine at the Dollar Tree store. I used a black one for this design. I also saw them at the local UPS store. You can also purchase blank cases on Etsy.com, and Ebay.com. 

E 6000 Glue or GS Hypo Cement- I personally use E6000 so it is what I recommend, but some crafters prefer GS Hypo. Give both a try!

*Artminds brand plastic embellishments from Michael's. 

*Many styles and colors to choose from.

*The bee pendant is Art-i-cakes brand from Michael's. I used my 40% off coupon on it. You can see they have lots of other cool pendants to choose from.

To get started remove the bale from your bee pendant. Use wire snips. If the edge is still rough (mine wasn't) use an emory board to smooth it. 

Angle your pendant across the front of the phone cover and glue it down. 

Add your plastic embellishments and glue.

*Lay your embellishments out on the phone cover before you glue down. This way you can change your mind before it is permanent. For example I changed my mind and didn't use the flower.

If you are using any plastic stickers as embellishments (the clock for example) remove the adhesive back so you are gluing the plastic back directly to the phone cover (and not the adhesive sticker).

Once you are satisfied with the placement of your embellishments you can start filling in the rest of the case with acrylic flat back gems. 

Take a toothpick and spread a couple inches of E6000 glue. Work in small areas as the glue dries quickly.

Use a gem pick up tool (I use a wax pencil) and carefully pick up and place the gems onto the glue. You can move the gems around for a few minutes if you change your mind, but they will set within 5 minutes. 

Once you have your main row of gems fill in the remainder with tiny gems. 

Let your case dry 24 hours before using. Enjoy! They make great gifts!

More iphone case projects to come. Sign up by email so you never miss one.

XOX,

The Rebel Crafter

I love making Crazy Clip clothespins. They can be found in drawers all over my house. I use them as chip clips, memo board clips, paper clips, bookmarks, cello bag clips, and on top of a wrapped present as a label holder. You can even glue a magnet to the back and use them as a fridge clip. Not only are they cute gifts to give but they qualify for the crafting Big 3...1. Fast 2. Useful 3. Cheap! at $1.59 for a box of 50 clothespins you easily can make 10-12 gift sets. They are great for home show gifts, shower prizes, girl scout crafts, and little treats for teachers, friends, and coworkers. I'm going to show you how to make them two different ways. First using paper scraps (a great use for your leftover scrapbooking/cardmaking papers) or ribbon, and second using decorative adhesive tape. 

You only need a few supplies:

Trim around the other side and ends. Repeat other side. Done!

Do the same steps for applying ribbon being careful to smooth well and use sharp scissors when trimming to avoid fraying. 

Even easier is scrapbooking/cardmaking tape. I used Recollections "bling on a roll". Line tape along one side, and trim.

Apply Embellishments. I used Jolee's Boutique dimensional stickers for the halloween, skulls, and zebra print hearts. Just rub the foam adhesive off of the back of the stickers and secure them to the clip with a strong adhesive like E6000 or Hot Glue. I attach them about 1/3 up from the bottom of the clip. I also use charms, buttons, and fabric flowers.

Packaging: Take a piece of two sided paper and trim to about 6 1/2 inches wide. Fold up the paper part way and staple on both sides. Attach a label describing some of the clips many uses.