Brass and Carnelian Cuff

After much procrastinating I finally finished up this cuff for my mom and I've already got an order for another one!

Thrift Store Rework: Old Dress= New Top

        + scissors+sewing machine =












I found this dress, with tags still attached, at my local Salvation Army thrift store. Being a sucker for a classic print, black and cream, and a great bargain I scooped it up for $5. While the dress fits I knew I would never wear it as is. Shoulder pads, lining with no give, and the hem length are just not a good combo on a shorter curvy girl. Instead, I decided that the dress would have a fabulous second life as a peplum top (I know peplums are starting to be an old trend but I don't care I think they are fun). With the leftover skirt material serving as the peplum all I had to do was make a few cuts, folds, and stitches to turn this frumpy dress into a flirty top.  My sewing skills are pretty rusty when it comes to clothing so I'm super proud of myself for being able to pull this off. Have you ever reworked/repurposed clothing? How did it turn out?

Since I've been Gone

Did ya miss me? Here is some of the work I've been up to over the last few months. I've loved fabrication so much that I'm actually going back to school next month to get my degree in Jewelry Design. Yay to massive student debt and new possibilities! More big news. I am a featured artist on the new site Makeably. It is a great website started by a friend of a friend that features artists and crafters selling completely custom and one-of-a-kind work. The site doesn't launch until the 20th but I'll post more information when I get it in case you want to check it out. Really looking forward to all these new opportunities.

Fiber One Snackcessory Challenge

A few weeks ago Fiber One contacted me asking if I would like to DIY a Snackcessory to share with all you. Of course I said yes because I can't resist a good DIY challenge and creating a cute bag to protect my snacks from getting smashed sounds like a win win situation to me. Riffing off my pearl encrusted DIY Minauderie and the bold blues and floral I've been noticing during fashion week I decided to decoupage a sunglasses case with a beautiful floral paper and then spice it up a bit with some hardware. Not only will this little bag protect your snacks it will fit your night out essentials so you can ditch your purse and rock the minauderie.

*Make sure to check out the contest at FiberOne.com!

Wouldn't Mandy look great with this?

                                                                                   Source: refinery29.com via Jacqueline on Pinterest

Supplies:

-hard sunglasses case (the larger the better)

-Mod Podge and spray adhesive if you want a quicker dry when laying your paper

-Paint brush

-1 piece pretty paper (mine is scrapbooking paper)

-E6000 glue (a DIYer must have)

-A flat-back piece of hardware (I used a jewelry finding I had in my collection, originally its from Michaels)

-Approx. 6" Chain (if you don't have large link chain you can link smaller strands together for greater visual impact)

-Toothpicks and pen/pencil

Steps:

1. Mod Podge paper to case. I cut my paper in half and then lined up one edge to the hinged edge of the case. Lay case flat. You will work on one side at a time. Spray the glue or paint the MP onto the hinged edge and top of case. Lay paper down flat on theses areas. Wait to dry. 

2. Spray or MP one corner of case and carefully work paper onto surface. You will have to fold or crumple paper to shape it. Let dry. Repeat on other corner. 

3. Trim off excess paper.

4. Mod Podge papered area. Be sure to get under the edges so they don't flip up. Let dry.

5. Flip case over and repeat steps 1-4.

Mod Podge a DIYer's good friend

6. After case is dry you can add the hardware. To create a fake clasp like mine center your hardware at the case opening so that if will fit across both sides. Mark the spot on one side. Open the case up. Using a toothpick spread some glue onto the marked area, going to the lip of the case. Quickly, place your hardware (just half of it) on the glued area and hold till dry.

7. With pen/pencil lightly mark the spots where your chain will attach the the case. Using a toothpick dab glue on one of the markings then press chain into glue. While holding the chain in place put more glue on the toothpick and spread it around the edges of the chain to create a nice seal. When that end is attached repeat at the other end. 

Let dry and Viola! You have a chic new Snackcessory.
Enjoy!

All you need for a night out

Now I want to see yours. Leave me a link in the comments and don't forget to go to FiberOne.com to enter your own Snackcessory for the chance to win a trip to Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week Feb. '13 for you and a guest! 

Finished

I just wanted to share my first finished piece from my jewelry class with you. I'm so excited to be learning how to create jewelry from design concept to finished product all by hand. There is so much more to learn and try and I can't wait to do it all! If you've ever wanted to learn a new skill or craft or just learn more about an interest of yours, take a class! Community colleges and city centers offer tons of amazing classes at affordable prices and it's really encouraging to be surrounded by others who share similar interests and passions.

Some Work I'm Doing

I've always been interested in being able to design my own jewelry, and to not be limited to only using what I can buy or re-purpose, so I started taking a jewelry fabrication class at a local jc. I love it! So far we've been working on an acid etched copper pendant with a bezel set stone and wax cast rings. It's been amazing to learn so many new things and really makes me excited about what I'll be able to do in the future. Now if I can just find a studio to use once class finishes...

Happy 7th Birthday B!

My baby turned 7 this weekend so I guess she is no longer a baby. Sometimes I miss the chubby little rolly-polly she was, but then I think about poopy diapers and sleepless nights and I'm happy to be past that.

Me

B

Style genes are obviously inherited.

DIY Gift: Tiger Bike Helmet

Sawako Furuno Helmet

Rawwr! My Tiger Helmet

     A few weeks ago my sister emailed me a picture of this super cute Sawako Furuno leopard print bike helmet saying she wanted it. I looked into it and was shocked to discover it was $200. While I couldn't buy it, I told my sister it looked like something I could paint. She got super excited and asked if I could make her a tiger helmet for Christmas. I didn't give her an answer but I knew that's exactly what I would do.
    The hardest part was finding the right helmet with a little brim. After trolling the internet I found great match in the GIRO Surface helmet. After lots of searching on Cyber Monday I was able to snag it for $22, a steal. Everything after that was easy.

Supplies:
-Helmet
-Orange spray paint
-White primer
-Clear Sealant
-Blue painter's tape
-Print out of tiger stripe pattern

1. I printed out an image of a tiger stripe pattern for a visual reference then using painter's tape started marking out the stripes on the helmet. I tore of the both long edges of the tape for all my stripes so that the stripes would be rough edged.

2. Cover the brim in tape. You do NOT want to paint the brim. Then stuff the air vents and head space with plastic bags and then tape over the bottom so you don't get paint inside your helmet.

3. In a well ventilated area spray the helmet with white primer, make sure to cover thoroughly. Let dry.

4. Spray the helmet with the orange paint. Let dry. Do second coat.

5. Spray with clear sealant. Let dry.

6. Carefully remove tape.

Ignore the black spot. I have no idea what that is.

Enjoy!

P.S. Try different animal prints. I'm tempted to try the original leopard print helmet.

Easy DIY gift: Purse Strap Bracelet

Purse Strap Bracelet

Since it is the holiday season I figured I would try to come up with some more DIY gifts for those of you who love to make your gifts or might be short on $ or ideas. Today's gift took me all of 5 minutes to make and cost me $0.
Using the strap and hardware from an old broken purse I created two chic bracelets. These are the perfect rescue gifts to having lying around just in case, or to give to a trendy co-worker, friend, or family member.

Supplies:
-Old purse strap (best material is leather and pleather)
-Purse hardware to use as clasp, you can also buy this from your favorite craft/fabric store
-Matching color thread
-Sewing Machine
-Scissors

1. Starting at one end of the purse strap cut a length of strap to fit your wrist + about 2 inches for each side that you need to sew into a loop. I was lucky that my purse straps ended in the toggle claps so I only had to sew the second loop meaning I only added two inches to my bracelet length. If you have to add loops on both ends add 4 inches. You can trim off the extra.

2. Thread sewing machine and use the correct needle for the fabric you're sewing. Place either clasp or the metal ring through one end of bracelet strap. About an inch down fold the strap over with the hardware inside, creating the loop. Sew into place with two straight seams.

3. Repeat at other end if you need to. Make sure you size the loops so the finished bracelet will fit your wrist. Trim any extra material.

If you have a really long purse strap you can use this same technique to make a belt. Or you can use this process to turn an old belt into a new bracelet.

Enjoy!

Easy DIY Christmas/Hanukkah Gifts: Zippered Clutch and Make-up Pouch

Leopard and pleather make-up pouch

Leopard clutch

You might remember the post I did on sewing a leopard print clutch a little while ago. It's become one of my go-to bags and the other night I was at my bf's band's show when the lead singer's new lady friend asked me about it. After I told her I made it she asked if I could make her one. Nervous but flattered I said yes. I already had the necessary materials left over from making my bag so I knew it would be easy to make another. This time I just made a single pouch clutch, so much easier, and still had enough fabric left that I also made a little make up bag. I'm handing the bag over tonight. I hope she likes it.

Leopard and pleather clutch with purple polka dot lining

Make-up pouch with black and gold starburst lining

Caught in the Photoshop Web

I'm pretty sure we're all guilty of it. Staring at models in ads and on the cover of magazines. Dissecting their every non-existent pore. Telling ourselves or anyone who will listen to us that their images are photoshopped beyond belief. And why do we do it? Is it actually because we want to point out the lies being fed to us? Maybe. Or because we have been taught to be jealous and threatened by anyone we perceive as better than us? Possibly. Is it because it feels good? Could be. I know I feel a little better about myself when I can tell myself that none of it is real, and no one is that pretty. Really, it's probably a combination of all these things and more.

Well, now image forensics researchers at Dartmouth have developed a mathematical model that traces photoshop alterations. They applied the model to several ads and magazine covers and hope to use the findings to study the affect such images have on the psyche. This model isn't available for public use but if it was would you use it? Why?

Happy Birthday Dad!

He's been called the Most Interesting Man in the World

I'm not sure interesting is the right word

I just wanted to give a shout out to the man who taught me:
1. Bob Dylan is to be respected
2. Style is having self confidence
3. Travel anywhere and everywhere you can because the ability to explore our world is an amazing opportunity
4. Stop restricting your future with what-ifs and worries, pursue what you love and your passion and smarts will help you succeed
5. You're never too old to learn something new (he ran his first marathon at 60)
6. Read
7. History is Awesome
8. Those who talk the most usually have the least to say
9. Sarcasm is a powerful tool, use it wisely or you risk making an ass of yourself
10. Family is #1. Make time for them and let them know they are loved

Happy 62nd Birthday Dad! I love you.

Inspiration

A necklace B made and wanted to sell, because she wanted to make jewelry like her Momma

Sometimes it can be very hard to feel inspired. You're tired, stressed, burned out. Really you just don't want to bother with the creative process at all whether it's at work, your style, etc. Then something grabs your attention and you realize inspiration is necessary to expanding upon your work and ideas, to moving forward and creating. When you fail to acknowledge inspiration you fail to acknowledge yourself. Of course, you might not agree with me but take a minute to think about a time when you were tired or bored with the way things were in your life. How did you feel? What was your energy level like? What got you moving again? I'm pretty sure it was inspiration. Appreciate what life offers to you and feed your talents with it.

"Moon" a story by B