{rosette pin tutorial--as promised!}

Buried in a drawer-- that's where I found the battery charger. In fact, the same, exact drawer in which I keep my camera!! Don't I feel just DUMB.

So finally, here is the tutorial-- a bit too late for Mother's Day, but perhaps it can go to good use another special occasion?

So, what you need for this project is:

• a few rosettes in your-- or their-- favorite colors, you can use this tutorial
• needle and thread
• an extra strip of felt
• a pin back
• beads-- or buttons or anything else you like-- for the centers

1. Sew the rosettes to the extra piece of felt. To sew without the thread showing, just insert the threads in between the ruffles. It's also cute to let them show, especially if you use a contrasting color or one that matches your beads/buttons.

I like to overlap and curve mine, but they're also adorable to stack, and be sure to play around before you sew!

2. Cut the backing felt so that it doesn't show from the front. There's no need to finish the edges, but if you're especially hard on your jewelry, you might want to invest in a little fray check.

3. Use the same method used to attach the rosettes to add the beads (or just sew on the button).

4. Attach the pin back to the backing felt, and voila! Easy peasy. I went through each of the holes several times to make it super secure and then tied the ends behind the pin back. It's easy to miss the felt, so make sure you're getting the felt in your stitches each time. I would also suggest gluing down the thread tails to avoid them sticking out.

This is one easy project with beautiful end results. I spend about an hour total on each, so one TV program, and I'm done! I hope all of you will enjoy these as much as I have!

{mother's day surprise}

Well... it's more just like a card and a present rolled into one! But I think all my mothers and grandmothers are going to love one.

I suppose the postage would be a bit more on this than a regular card-- I'm handing them out to my family-- but aren't our mothers worth it?

I designed the card fronts specifically for this purpose, to put a pin next to it. Then I made another version for sending without the pin.

Hopefully, my mother's will wear the pins with pride-- and sorry for ruining your surprise-- or at least enjoy looking at the lovely cards!

** I'm putting the card fronts below. I hoping they are large enough and of good enough quality for you guys to use. I recommend printing them two to a page that is printed landscape.

Feel free to print them out and send them for personal use, but not for personal gain! Also, link love is greatly appreciated!**

card for pin

card without pin

P.S. Watch for a tutorial coming soon!

{pretties}

Finished!! I've been tinkering with idea in my brain for literally months, and I finally got around to doing it. Not that it was hard to do (I'm sure you'll figure out what I've done in nanoseconds), I just needed the time.

I guess you could say I'm pretty into pieces that are multifunctional, and this one fits that rule. It's both a brooch and a necklace!

The chain is detachable, so that it can be worn as a brooch. And of course, I'm able to switch out different brooches so that I can switch up the colors.

I'm already thinking of other applications for this chain. Maybe some ribbon or fabric?

P.S. Also, I was trying to model the necklace, but in every picture I ended up looking giraffe-y; so I've done the best I could with the most normal, non-giraffe-y photo.

{spring things}

These hair pins and ring are just a few of the new pieces I have made. I'm really loving the colors, aqua and coral, and I just wish my new haircut was cute enough for those pins.

I used EcoGlue this time because I was tired of getting headaches from the awful stench of the glue. So, I tried this one out. It worked really well, despite all the problems I had in the beginning.

This glue is water-based, so it is much thinner than the other glue. The cabochons kept sliding off of the bases on the pins.

In the end I just kind of propped them up with other objects. I'm not sure I can use it to glue earrings to posts though because it is so thin.

However, I really appreciated not suffocating or feeling like I automatically had cancer while I was gluing my pieces together!

{thrifted, found and made}

This is going to be a pretty big post to make up for my recent absence. Hopefully, I can get back into a routine soon, but don't fear: the crafting never stops.

I went thrifting today, which was fun for me. I'm using my purchases to display a few new things that I've made. The cake stand is something that I've had for a while, but I bought the bottle this morning and found the mini stand plate in my grandmother's attic.

The rosettes-- oh, how many I've made!-- are a newer, better, I think, version of my older ones. I think the beading is a lot more delicate than the vintage buttons, and, of course, I love the coral.

I wore one to my mother's birthday party this weekend, and I got a lot of compliments-- and it perfectly matched my sweater!

I'm thinking of pulling a page from doe-c-doe's blog and using pin backs to make it into a necklace-- and also a pin! I love things that can work two ways. It's so convenient.

P.S. exciting!!-- let me know what you think of the card designs! I've gotten an Etsy shop, but just haven't set it up. I'm thinking that will be my logo-- and name.

Earring necklace from doe-c-doe

I thought this adorable and thrifty idea was too good to pass up on the reposting of this adorable redesign from doe-c-doe.

I really wish I had one of those power tools--wouldn't that be dangerous though! It would have been very helpful when I repurposed my great-grandmother's pin into a necklace.

Inspired by Penelope

So, this has to be one of my favorite movies, period. It's not necessarily about the story or the acting, but just the sheer beauty of it.

The sets and wardrobe are a perfectly crafted mix of handmade and retro, and I love the vibe it gives. Plus, just about every part of the movie reminds me of fall. Honestly, if I could live in any world, it would be the one in Penelope.

In a Ode to Penelope, of sorts, here are a few fun links to begin the week!

• crochet wrist warmers via attic 24
• an adorable flower brooch from Crafty Pod
• pretty much everything on the lovelyNest Decorating
• a beautifulshirt redesign via Etsy's How-Tuesday

And for my fall and winter, Penelope inspired wish list, check out some of these fine Etsy sellers and products:

1The Frill of It 2Silvia66 3Jennifer Lauren

1Mi Bazaar Latino 2Necessity is the Mother 3Bagonia


1Nest Pretty Things 2Catbooks 1940s 3Lirola's

New Beauties

I've been working on a few new things this week. Some earrings that I can't quite figure out, and this super cute necklace!!

I found this adorable sea-faring pendant from one of my favorite Etsy suppliers, mksupplies. And I've made another of these necklaces to go on sale.

It's a pretty basic necklace, but I got quite a few compliments on it today, which is a great feeling!!

Covered cork board jewelry frame

I did it! Okay... I half did it. I actually had two picture frames that I wanted to finish, but the second has staple problems. The first had its problems too, but I overcame, and the finished product is pretty nice!!

I started out with a slide-in picture frame that's back was completely grimey. But take a picture frame and patch your pieces of cork board to fit the frame. So, I replaced the back of the frame, with just a cardboard folder and glued the cork down to that.

Next, simply cut your fabric a couple of inches around the board. --I chose a jersey knit so that it would stretch around the board.-- Peel up the cardboard from the back of the cork and stretched the fabric around. Tuck it in between the cork and the cardboard, then press the cardboard firmly back in place.

After it's glued, let it dry!! I probably didn't let mine dry long enough, but it's working pretty well.

The last step? Just slip it into your picture frame and voila!! A beautiful and functional jewelry frame. Just pin your jewelry on the frame, and let it decorate your space as a multi-functional piece of art!

Weekend project idea: Jewelry Display

This weekend I'm hoping to finish some boards on which to display my jewelry. Hopefully, they'll be as beautiful as this one from Craftynest.

I've already found a few unused picture frames from my grandmother's attic, and I have fabric and paint in mind. So it's coming along swimmingly, and I'm hoping this weekend will be a nice one to do some painting!

So, check back Monday for a hopefully complete and completely beautiful project!


For a few more wonderful jewelry display ideas, check out these wonderful links:

• Craft Magazine
• Creature Comforts
• and another one from Creature Comforts

Just a few new things...

So, I found a lull in between all my running around that happened to coincide with a bit of good light in my living room. In honor of such a momentous occasion, I took a picture of the few pieces that I have managed to get done while watching Top Chef-- to which I am addicted.
(side note: Hooray for the Georgia boys!!!)


Also, please, please let me know what you think, because these are going to be the foundation for what will hopefully be my line sold in a small boutique called Sugaree's in Murfreesboro, Tenn.!

My true love gave to me...

Two turtle doves... aren't they cute?? I found this adorable vintage pendant on Etsy, and I knew I had to buy it. The colors are so vibrant and lovely that I could not resist.

And with the contrasting aqua beads and the antique raw brass chain, the necklace is delicate, beautiful and eco-friendly. It's one of my favorite new pieces to wear, and I have a few of these pendants to spare, so perhaps more turtle doves are in my future...

Guatemalan Gold

Okay... well, technically silver, but I love to alliterate.

My family just got back from Guatemala, and unfortunately, I did not get to go. However, I did get back some great goodies in the form of jewelry and a few other things. I love the shade of this lavender jade ring, which has not been well-captured in the picture.

Also, joy of joys, my thoughtful sister brought me back an ever-handy chicken oven mitt and fabric!! I haven't come up with a plan for the gorgeous fabric, but I'm sure I'll find something...

Perhaps a pillow, or a car-visor-sunglass-holder for my ever-growing collection of sunnies?

Projects, projects everywhere and no time to think

I have projects and more projects galore, but I can't seem to find time to do anything. Right now, I am wishing to have a few days off, and it is only the beginning of summer, and the weekend hours seem to fly. I'm reeling at the prospect of having to go back to work tomorrow. I feel like I've barely had a weekend at all, and it's already Sunday afternoon.

Hopefully, I can put my nose to the grindstone and finish all the projects that I've started. Honestly though, the fact that I am the procrastinator doesn't help much.

But as a little sneak peak for you, just so you know that I haven't forgotten you, I'll post some pictures of a few projects in the making!

Crafty Little Cupcake recommends Lilluxe

This blogger and jewelry designer has really caught my eye. The jewelry at Lilluxe is eclectic, vintage and eco-friendly. The designer uses materials that are vintage, handmade, or recycled that she has gathered from vintage stores, flea markets and thrift stores.

Her unique designs are just the right mix of vintage, chic and simple. Her whimsical blog is inspirational and truly beautiful. And her Etsy store is pretty great too! More than that, Sarah is such a sweetie.

I've, of course, made a few purchases from Lilluxe, and I am so in love with my new jewelry. Seeing such beautiful jewelry has inspired me to A: start wearing jewelry again and B: start making my own eco-friendly creations!

So, I definitely recommend checking out both Sarah's blog and her adorable Etsy shop.

The Crafty Little Cupcake recommends: Nest Pretty Things

Nest Pretty Things is one of my favorite shops to browse through on Etsy. I'm a little afraid to make an order, because I just want everything. Her jewelry designs are fabulous, quirky, cute, and just-kitschy-enough. And the photography on her store is just beautiful.

Her blog has also become a recent favorite of mine.In fact, I just added it to my RSS feed.
So, if you want my advice, check out Nest Decorating, and if you like what you see, find your way to Nest Pretty Things, the store on Etsy.