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!

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.

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...

Mod inspired DIY Bold Collar Necklace

I have a slight obsession with classic films and British period dramas meaning my Netflix queues are full of them. On any given night you will probably find me winding down for bed by randomly selecting a movie from my watch instantly queue. A few weeks ago I decided on "The Grass is Greener" starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. While I wasn't in love with the film (laughing away infidelity isn't my thing) I was in love with Jean Simmons bold style. Particularly in one scene where she wears an all orange outfit with matching orange necklace and earrings, one of which sits as a crown jewel in her bouffant. I decided I needed a necklace like that to call my own and what better way to get one than to make it myself.

She's crazy and fabulous!

The complete ensemble

Supplies:
-Several brooches, rhinestones, odds and ends from broken pieces of jewelry, nothing has to match
-Strong adhesive made for metals and plastics
-Spray paint
-Backing strong and soft to handle the weight of the jewels and movement. I used embrodiery cloth because I had it on hand, but now I have to layer it with something else because its so scratchy
-A clasp

1. Cut out a circle from a piece of paper. It will be your guide for the inner circumference of your necklace. To get mine I traced the inner part of a collar necklace that had the same fit I wanted with this new piece.

2. Lay your backing down and position the circle on top of it so that there is enough room to add all your pieces. Position everything in a way you like then use the glue to join each piece to the backing. I had to redo this because I forgot the backing the first time.

 

3. Cut away the extra backing.

 

4. Make sure everything is solidly attached and spray paint the whole thing. It might take a few coats. Finish off with a sealer so the paint doesn't nick or chip.

 

5. When dry and the clasp and viola! You now are ready to rock an amazing one of a kind necklace.

Of course its only right to pair it with an outfit the same color.

Enjoy!

My parents went to Africa and I didn't even get a stupid t-shirt...totally joking

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Well, actually I didn't get a t-shirt, but I'm ok with that because I ended up with these beautiful beaded bracelets and necklace that are completely on trend right now.

My favorite is the large black and blue cuff

These pieces were made by local women my parents met while they toured around Cameroon, Rwanda, and Kenya for 17 days this month. Yep, my parents said Sayonara Sucker to me and took off on the trip of a lifetime. Actually, I'm really happy that they got to take such an amazing trip. They've been trying to organize one for the last few years, but the timing was always off. Then my sister decided to spend the summer in Cameroon interning for a human rights law group and LIGHTBULB! my parents decided it would be a great idea to visit her. When they came home my mom had almost 2000 photos on her camera. Here are some of my favorites:

Looks like Rhino Baby has a new friend. My family enjoys giving "unique" gifts that make me want to sleep with the lights on.

Big Booty Little Chief-gift from sister, Rhino Baby-from Dad, pinecone above Chief's head-from B

Now onto the real photos

Hungry Hungry Hippos!

My absolute favorite animal.

Dumbo!

Zebramania

Just a small snack.

Rhinos don't really camouflage too well.

I feel like some fire and melting clocks would make this a Dali painting.

Gorgeous. 

Brothers on the prowl.

Who you looking at?

Annual river crossing. Pure chaos.

Lion around in the road ;)

DIY Proenza Schouler Rope Necklace

Can you guess which one is mine?

Mine

PS Rope Necklace

The Proenza Schouler rope necklaces and bracelets are playful and a great pop of color for Spring and Summer but as the necklace costs $650 most people, myself included, are unwilling/unable to spend that kind of money of such a trendy piece of jewelry. Although I couldn't plunk down that kind of cash I knew I would be able to make it and for much less. I guess many people felt the same way, as I have seen several PS inspired DIY projects popping up all over the Internet. Most of them I've found have been bracelets and that's probably because they are much faster to make. I went for the necklace which was simple to put together but took several hours of braiding and wrapping to complete. I suggest doing such things while watching TV or Netflix so you don't go crazy or cross eyed. I'm happy with how my necklace turned out and even happier that it only cost me about $10. If you like doing doing busy work while watching TV and are a fan of the necklace I say give the DIY version a shot. You'll score a great Spring/Summer accessory with just a little patience. 

Paired with a plain black top it really pops

Items Needed

1. Two colors of rope 

-length depends on how long you want your necklace the real PS goes down past the model's waist. I   made mine shorter as that length doesn't work very well with my chest size

2. six pre-drilled stones

3. six head pins to string the stones onto the necklace

4. at least 4 colors of thread multiple ft (make sure it's thick and durable like quilting on embroidery thread)

5. 1 zipper pull (mine was taken from a broken zipper on an old sweatshirt)

Pairing this necklace with a casual outfit quickly adds some style to your look

I think the directions can be figured out just by looking at the photo of the PS necklace but if you would like me to post them just let me know.

Doing Work

Sorry, I've been MIA for over a week now. There are just not enough hours in the day to juggle everything I'm doing unfortunately. The last few weeks I've been spending all my spare time (aka the late hours of the night) creating jewelry pieces for a small viewing I'm doing on Thursday and entertaining my daughter who is a little more than half way through her two week spring break (please God send a shower of money down so schools can stop taking furlough days). As a result my blogging time has been cut to nothing, really I haven't even had more than a few minutes to try and catch up on the blogs I usually follow religiously. The only reason I'm posting now is to let people know I'm still here so please don't leave me. Seriously. I don't take abandonment well. After this weekend I should be on a better schedule but in the meantime check out some of the items I've been working on. 

*Everything pictured, plus more, not sold on Thursday will be posted for sale on my Etsy shop (currently empty) this weekend.

DIY Skull Fringe Earrings

Iosselliani Long Fringe Skull Earrings $198.  Sold out at most online retailers

I first spotted these amazing Iosselliani earrings in a Refinery29 post. I knew immediately I had to make them. Several months ago I bought two small skull charms. 

Hola chicas bonitas!

Try as I might I just couldn't find a satisfactory way to incorporate them into a piece of jewelry. I even tried chain earrings, but didn't care for outcome. Little did I know it was because I was missing a large gem between the chain and the skull. Seriously, this makes all the difference. This DIY was super simple, quick, and cheap as I already had all the necessary pieces, minus the black chain. Since I used what I had my version is a little different. The stones are purple faceted oval cabs in brass oval settings, my tassels are shorter, and my chains don't have the ombre effect. I originally tried to create the look with spray paint but the paint wouldn't hold to the chain. Bust! For only spending $1 though I'm very happy with the outcome. 

Finished earrings

He's finally found a place to rest