#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--GUEST AUTHOR AND CRAFTER JOANNA CAMPBELL SLAN

Here at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers we’re always happy to have fellow crafter and mystery author Joanna Campbell Slan stop by for a visit. Joanna is here today to talk about an issue close to her heart because she sees the problem first hand every day as she walks the beach with her dog Jax. (And yes, she picks up after Jax and after folks who dump garbage on the shoreline.) Her Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series is set on the eastern coast of Florida, and the mysteries feature an entrepreneur who specializes in upcycling, recycling, and repurposing. Learn more about Joanna and her books at her website. 

From Sea Trash to Treasure, A Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Craft

If you’re planning to visit a beach this summer, I have a craft project you’ll love! It’s simple, it’s cute-as-all-get-out, and it’s great for the environment. Its…

Sea Trash Jewelry

Although waste plastic (aka “sea trash”) can be brittle and fragile, most of it is sturdy. Using the collage method of assembly, you can turn these ecologic time-bombs into interesting and unique wearables.

Background: According to the National Resources Defense Council, “Plastic pollution affects every waterway, sea and ocean in the world.” In fact, eight million tons of plastic are dumped in our oceans every year! Not only do animals suffer by ingesting these man-made wastes, but many of these pollutants find their way into our food chain. Why not start a new family tradition? Instead of picking up shells, I suggest that you collect stray pieces of plastic, objects I call “sea trash.”

Supplies: E6000 Glue, cuticle clippers, emery board or sandpaper, clear nail polish, pin backs, jump rings. Optional: faux gems, wire, beads

1. Collect, thoroughly wash, and dry plastic pieces. You can scrub off any barnacles/sea critters with a Scotch Brand scrub pad, a craft knife, or with an emery board.

2. Shape the pieces. The cuticle clippers are terrific for this. Simply clip away unwanted edges. (Don’t try to break a big piece in half. Instead, “nibble” away at it.) Use the emery board or sandpaper to smooth the sharp edges.

 

3. Assemble the pieces in eye-pleasing designs.

4. Glue them together.

5. Paint with clear nail polish. (Tip: You can also color any piece with nail polish.)

6. Add wire trim, faux gems, or beads, if desired.

7. Add pin back or jump ring. (Tip: To put a good hole through plastic, heat the tip of a metal skewer or awl and melt the hold through your piece.)

Joanna is giving away the sea trash pin pictured at the top of the blog—but if you win it, you have to promise to use it as a conversation starter so that you can tell people about the problem of plastic in our ocean! For a chance to win, enter here. 

For more information about the crisis of plastic waste in our waterways, check out these links:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/02/150212-ocean-debris-plastic-garbage-patches-science/

http://www.plasticoceans.net/

Tear Down and Die

After her parents die within six months of each other and her son goes off to college, savvy entrepreneur Cara Mia Delgatto decides she REALLY needs to get a life. A road trip leads to her grandfather Poppy's home on the picturesque Treasure Coast of Florida, where she impulsively snaps up an abandoned building—only to discover it's already occupied by a fresh corpse. While a murder investigation swirls around her, Cara Mia enlists the help of two new friends to open The Treasure Chest, a store specializing in one-of-a-kind recycled, repurposed, and revived décor items with a beachy-keen theme. But before Cara can get the doors of her shop open, she bumps into an old boyfriend, Cooper Rivers, who claims to still love her. Then Cara learns that Cooper's affection might be a ploy to save himself from a murder plea. Is it possible that Cara's second chance at love has come too late? Includes recipes and craft tips.

Buy Links

paperback 

ebook