Smoky Purple Wire Necklace and Earrings

Purple square beads, two-toned and two sizes gray pearls, black glass faceted beads and tiny silver wire combine to make a smoky necklace.  I've match a tangle of matching beads and wire on sterling silver wire hoops for the earrings.  They rest in S'More Couture, the little shop around the corner where I sell my wares.  Happy day to you.

Typewriter Keys Bracelet

I've been wanting to make one of these for the longest time--ever since I saw one in an antique store a couple of years ago.  I've been collecting tiny treasures for quite a while and the other day I was able to buy two vintage typewriters.  My husband and I removed the keys (no easy feat!) and now I've broken the ice.  This one goes into my Etsy shop along with a couple of necklaces I've made recently.  It's harder to do than it looks.  Every piece has to be just the right size and the glue is a booger to manage but it's done and it's FUN!

Industry, Buttons and Beads

Mostly buttons and beads hang from this necklace but I had to throw in a bit of metal, too.  I love rusty stuff but it really doesn't look that great with glass and crystal beads and vintage buttons--rhinestone and glass, mostly.  I did add a couple of washers (one with teeth), a round paper clippy thing, an unknown copper whatchamacallit, and an old clip earring back.  Just pure fun, if you ask me.  It's light-weight and easy to wear.  If it were unconnected, it would measure 51 inches so it easily makes two loops.  I like the colors, so I may have to keep this one myself.
This morning I walked out with one almost like this (didn't take a picture) and by mid-afternoon it was sold--took it right off my neck.  I had to make another one and am realizing that this could be addictive.

Embroidered Journal with Jewelry

I decorated a purchased journal with a piece of tatted lace-edged linen after sewing on two hearts and a bunch of collected, vintage buttons, beads and a beautiful leaf pin.  The bit of lace at the bottom with the woven ribbon has the word "Remember."  A separate bookmark consists of assorted ribbons, an earring,  a pearl button and a ring from a spool of thread. (To see an enlargement of a photo, click on the photo and then click again for a greater enlargement.)
"Remember this, fix it in mind,
take it to heart,....
Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me."


Isaiah 46:8-9

Leggings at 100 Degrees?

Yes, I'm thinking Fall. And...wearing these is so much more modest than just wearing a short skirt.  I come from the 60's, the Mini Skirt Era, and my Mom didn't let me wear them as short as some of the girls are wearing skirts these days.  It's down-right embarassing (make out of that word what you will) to see girls these days.  Hopefully these cutsie just-below-the-knee leggings will be appealing to some of the girls who frequent the shop.

The Ultimate In Recycling

While visiting my family the beginning of this month, my grandchildren found this nest under a tree and brought it to the house.  (Click on the photo to see the details.)  Now this is the way to recycle!

MEADOW WALK Crocheted Necklace

I used vintage light beige cotton button and carpet thread for this necklace and I crocheted lightweight beads, charms, and vintage earrings on it (old into new again.)  This looks so airy and fragile that it reminded me of a Spring day, walking along a creek and picking wildflowers.  The little butterfly reminds me of Summer and the copper-colored leaves of Fall.  There's no Winter on this necklace.  Are you ready to go outside yet?

Field Flowers Necklace

I'm enjoying making these little crocheted necklaces.  It takes a while to gather the beads and buttons and put them in the order of placement but putting it together goes quickly.  I call this one "Field Flowers" because of its simple beauty, colors and the flower buttons.  It's very light weight, too, and I like that.  The inspiration for Field Flowers comes from Isaiah 40:

"5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

and all mankind together will see it.

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

6 A voice says, "Cry out."

And I said, "What shall I cry?"

"All men are like grass,

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field."

Crocheted Beaded Necklace GUARD YOUR HEART

" Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life."

 

Proverbs 4:23 

Black and Gold Trinket Necklace

Instead of reading this afternoon, I made a necklace.  I've been collecting little "goodies" for many years now.  I'm drawn to trinkets--love them.  I had no idea what I would do with them but and I couldn't part with them.  This is my third Trinket Necklace and I call this one Black and Gold.  No, not everything shiny on here is gold.  Some things are brass that I polished.  Here are some of the things I used:
assorted vintage earrings, pieces of bracelets, necklaces and a rosary, a religious brass charm, a brass button that says "true fit," polished brass keyhole, dangle from a belt, unknown origin brass filigree cone, rhinestone dangle, and assorted purchased dodads to finish it off.
There are pages of references for the word, "gold," in the Bible.  Here's one of them found in Job 22:21-28.

21 "Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.

22 Accept instruction from his mouth

and lay up his words in your heart.

23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored:

If you remove wickedness far from your tent

24 and assign your nuggets to the dust,

your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,

25 then the Almighty will be your gold,

the choicest silver for you.

26 Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty

and will lift up your face to God.

27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you,

and you will fulfill your vows.
28 What you decide on will be done,

and light will shine on your ways.

Combos

I've been experimenting with combinations of colors:  pale pink and blue, black and white, peach and cream, pale pink and brown, pale teal and brown.  I like the way they turned out--now--backs and centers on two bottom ones and then--headbands, pins or hair clips?  Maybe all three?  See you later.

Two Commissions and a Reworked Bottle

These shirts were commissioned this week and are already at their destination.  The one on the right has black beads with a subtle sparkle.  The bottle has been reworked.  It wasn't getting attention at the shoppe so I just deleted and added.  Even the message is different--Proverbs 17:17--" A friend loves at all times"--a great thing to remember if you're someone's friend.

Pair of Pastel Pretties

Well, my necklace from yesterday has broken three times since I wore it last night.  I fixed it, put it on to wear it today and before I could walk out of the house, it broke again.  I'm back to the drawing board on this one.  I think I'll have to replace all of the pearl necklace; it's too fragile.  Live and learn.  In the meantime, I've made a couple more flowers to place in the shop--three kinds of fabric with a large crystal bead in each center.  They are  the palest of pink, cream and blue--luscious like sherbet.

Love and Faithfulness Necklace

This necklace goes to S'More Couture for a while to see if it sells.  So far the necklace I put in my Etsy shop is being noticed a little but it remains to be seen if it will sell.  These are a bit unusual so they will only appeal to a small audience.  Most think they are interesting but wouldn't want to buy one.  They do get noticed, however.  Not being a jewelry-wearer, I have made myself wear these to see how durable they are.  I've had to "fix" the first one three times but I think I've got all the glitches cured now.  We'll see how this one "wears."

Here are some of the things that went into this necklace:
Assortment of heart charms from forgotten jewelry
assortment of chains from necklaces and bracelets
earring dangles
handmade dangles
a key
a keyhole plate
vintage text
watchmaker's glass vial with watch parts and beads
purchased charms
purchased toggle fastener
lots of time

I'm not great at using tools of any kind but I'm getting a little better each piece I make.  Try it.  You may like it and you can purchase a jewelry-making tool set very inexpensively--or--use your husband's or Dad's or Grandpa's or friend's needle-nosed pliers--or your Mom's if she's into fixing things.

The scripture inspiration comes from Psalm 3:3-4--"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

A Bottle of Hope

This bottle goes to the shoppe around the corner, S'More Couture.  I used a vintage medicine bottle, dabbed glitter glue inside, and added a strip of rhinestones, a piece of a rosary, a vintage heart-shaped silver pendant with a lady's head, a large crystal bead, a butterfly on vellum, a piece of old text, a breast cancer awareness ribbon earring, a piece of silver ribbon and put a copy of Jeremiah 29:11 inside on printed paper. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a furure."  The word "hope" is glued to a bit of lace that surrounds the heart top.

Off to make another long necklace.  Amy thinks something like what a made last week would definitely sell in the shop.  Fun, fun--hard work, but fun.

Back On The Flower Cart

While my husband was working around the house today, I listened to an audio book and made flowers.  I liked it, too.  It allowed me to "read" and work at the same time.  Can't beat that.  Bounty from the garden offered us a great dinner tonight: frozen cream corn, fried egg plant and okra, sliced tomatoes and herbed chicken (no not from our garden, but good), iced decaf tea and Blackberry Dumpling--HMMM, HMMM, HMMM.  (Blackberries from our yard--Yeah, God!)  I'm glad I don't eat like that all the time or I'd be the size of my house but every once in a while, it's surely great!

Wings Necklace

My dear friend, Deena, was sweet to model this new necklace for me so I could get a better photo.  I've been wanting to make a "different" necklace and I think this about does it.  The theme is "Wings" and I took my inspiration from Isaiah 40:31--
"but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."
 
I've used dangles from other bits of jewelry, a keyhole plate with the word "wings" inside, a new bee beezel, a charm with the first commandment, lace and ribbon, buttons, a new bird charm, a handmade wire nest with a bead egg and more--all placed on different conjoined links from numerous necklaces and bracelets.  Mixed media in style and Bohemian in nature, this necklace WILL NOT appeal to everyone.  It's a "you either love it or hate it."  I love it but since I don't like to wear jewelry, I'm making myself wear it to see if it's durable enough to sell.  Check back to see what happens to it.

Another Precious Baby Book

This little journal goes to the shop, S'More Couture.  I used a purchased journal with blue pages (so sweet), and added beads, a flower, linen thread and a chipboard flower and bead.  I edged it in ribbon and lace and added the word, "treasure," with its definition.  The scripture inside reads: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."--Matthew 6:21.  A bookmark of pale seam binding and silk ribbon is topped with matching mother-of-pearl buttons.  I love this.  I'm working on a new necklace now--just experimenting.  I'm not really meant to be a jeweler because my jewelry falls apart.  I'm working on keeping it together better and wearing it is it's proving ground.  I'll photograph it and put it on in a couple of days.  Happy summer.

Trying Something New

Well, I guess it's not really new because I've been making journals for a while now.  I've used a little different approach here, though.  I have so many cabinet cards, few of which are outstandingly different enough to sell, so I thought I would embellish them and use them as covers for my journals.  This little face "smiled out" to me so she/he was chosen.  I've used a scripture from the Psalms found in chapter 34, verse 11--"Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord" and I've signed and dated the journal on the inside back cover.  Take a look at my Etsy shop for more photos and a more detailed description.  I liked doing this card this way so I think I'll be trying some more soon.

And the Winner Is...

After writing down the entries,

putting them in one of my husbands cleanest caps,

letting him draw a name,

the winner of this little journal is

The Feathered Nest!

Yes, Dawn, you're the winner.  Thank you to all who left comments; I appreciate the time you took to visit me.  We'll try this again sometime.  In the meantime, I have a little journal listed in my Etsy shop (see side bar) if you are interested and I've been vacationing and dreaming of making more.  Check back often to see what I've been creating.  Have a happy Sunday.