Creativity-From Bulge to Belt-DIY

Well, since I haven't lost the weight bulge I wanted to before the Spring came, I decided to make some good use of an old belt I had to give to my toddler- Repurpose!





My little sweetie is growing straight up like a weed BUT is slim for the clothing sizes of his age- 2t is too short but 3t is tooo big and wide. So I took a standard pair of scissors and cut the belt from 35 inches to 20 inches.

The leather was kinda thick which was good for durability. I carved some tiny holes about an inch apart with an exacto blade.


Tried on the belt for size with my baby wearing size 3T shorts.

Perfect fit--not too tight or too loose;-) With room for him to use up to 4T size;-)..Eco-friendly and FREE;-) what frugal mom doesn't love that! Let me know what you think and feel free to share the link or another cool way to repurpose clothing for children.

Oh yeah, what am I going to do with the leftover strap..you'll see....;-) Tune in next wee & thanks for visiting.

Green Creativity - DIY Sock Gloves

Here is a quick tutorial on how I turned a pair of size 9 knee high socks into arm gloves for my daughter. These are a pair of cotton stretch socks that wore down at the toes and heals. The rest of the sock was in perfect shape and quality..why throw them away.Repurpose!


First: I washed the socks,then measured the length of my daughters arm from her elbow to the midsection of her hand.

Then, I cut off the toes section of the sock, and cut out the section of the heal that had worn down.




Next, I slid the sock up over the length of her arm to her fingers. With a permanent marker,I placed small marks on both sides of the sock material in between the fingers.


Next, I removed the sock , took a standard sewing needle and thread, pinched the clearly marked points together with my thumb and forefinger and carefully sew both pieces together to make a finger hole.

To make sure the holes fit properly, I slid the sock back to test the fit of each finger hole then proceeded to the next finger , repeating the sewing process until I reached the heal section-this is where the thumb section was saved for last. I didn't sew the thumb whole closed so the material around the thumb rests nicely.

That's it!


If you want the thumb hole to be tighter you can sew a little piece of the heel hole closed- I also I found it easier mark the fabric sections of one finger at a time to make sure each hole fit just right without bunching up.I am sure this can be done with a sewing machine but the pieces of fabric are so small I thought it would be a waste of electricity & much faster to complete by hand.


Let me know what you think. Have you done be before? Are you going to? Post share with me with a link to your blog, Flickr(if you posted them there)

Thanks for visiting.

Creativity -Working with Pottery Shard

Happy Monday!


Wow, I look hilarious;-) Two weeks ago I made a video of me doing some basic smoothing and crafting with pottery. I have never worked with raw shard before so I was excited just to see if I could file it down without breaking or weakening it.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Then the crafting bug kicked in and I started wrapping it into a sample pendant just to see how it looked.


I also like to try new things that will expand my skills as well as show my authenticity as an indie crafter. I'm excited at the possibilities. Let me know what you think;-)Oh, if you have any ideas on how I can work with the shards better post your comment here;-)

Here is my Aquatic Pottery Shard Necklace..I broke a few piece of this gorgeous teal green shard to make a pair of earrings but I couldn't get a hole to drill through so I made a pendant instead..all smooth around and perfectly square.It's listed in my Etsy shop


I hope you enjoyed the video;-) Thanks for visiting;-)

Creativity-Making Paper

Teddy Bear Tags by PulpArt-Etsy.com

I saw this great tutorial link on Etsy's "The Storque Blog" How To -Tuesday Section: on how to make plantable paper: CutCardStock. featured the tutorial created by Martha Starke of PulpArt.etsy.com

Well, I am going to try out some paper making myself. I have wanted to try this for a long time but never got around to it. though I have purchased many recycled paper supplies on Etsy to package and ship my orders in.

So, right now I have a stack of used brown wrapping paper and old newspapers of all types....



A blender that I will devoted SOLELY to paper. You should never use the same blender for food that you craft with-even if it's been cleaned out.

This is a bouquet if flowers from Valentine's Day- I am going to incorporate them into the paper mixture and see what happens. I will probably make a half picture blog/half video blog making the paper. All I need is the paper screen and I'm ready.

Tune in next Friday to see what happens;-)

Thanks for visiting

Make This!! Upcycled Bangle Tutorial

I received the Upcycled Bangles from Raghouse International and I love them!! But why wait to see what they look like on me when you can see how they are made yourself!!


Oh yes!!! Ren posted this tutorial link on Etsy - I just couldn't ...ok..I didn't want to resist posting it here. I am sooo going to try this;-)

Tutorial of bangles made from card board tubing. Handmade bracelets and jewelry from Raghouse International

Try it and let me or Ren know how they turned out!!

Thanks for visiting!

DIY- Home Decor Peacock Feather Centerpiece -Video

I am currently working on a bridal idea for a peacock feather centerpiece. I'm excited;-)

Here is a centerpiece Adornyourself.etsy.com created with sample feathers she purchased from me;-) I love it!

Thanks for visiting,

DIY- Home Decor Peacock Feather Centerpiece -Video

I am currently working on a bridal idea for a peacock feather centerpiece. I'm excited;-)

Here is a centerpiece Adornyourself.etsy.com created with sample feathers she purchased from me;-) I love it!

Thanks for visiting,

DIY - Home Decor with Peacock Feathers

Hey Family;-) Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Sorry I haven't been the most chatty blogger lately- things have been a little busy at home, and peacock feathers sales have been the rage in my shop lately. With orders flooding in from the UK and Netherlands and bridal orders from the U.S and Canada, for a flightless bird's it's best features have had me flying!

In my spare time- which I rarely have, I 've been watching the Home and Garden Television Channel on cable. I am fascinated with all the amazing home decor and remodeling ideas used from even the simplest every day items that literally reinvent any home and garden.


During a commercial break I glanced at the bundle of peacock feathers laying across my old Wurlitzer piano and suddenly had an A-HA moment- I have been marketing these peacock feathers towards the jewelry and accessory market, I never thought about Home Decor!!

I grabbed a dozen feathers, an old flower vase and one of my bamboo place mats. I wrapped the mat around the vase and tied it together. Filled the vase halfway with garden pebbles and carefully placed each stem in different spots in the vase so they would stand up straight and pretty.

There you have it - a nice centerpiece for your piano or even a decorative touch to add to your window sill- I couldn't get the best lighting for these pictures but I wanted to just show you to give you some ideas of your own. I will try to post how I actually made the centerpiece later.


I probably won't be blogging for several days again as I am in the middle of moving and working on a bridal order of six pairs of feather earring for a New York State wedding in a few weeks! Plus I just got my hands on some Purple dyed synthetic peacock feathers that should be arriving from upstate soon - I can't wait to see what they look like!

What are you doing this weekend? Did you post today? Share your comment or you blog link in the comment box- remember keep it clean! Thanks for visiting. I hope I inspired you today;-)

Be Well,

Ny

Hot Hoops at Home-A pair I made for myself

Well, the little one went to sleep on me so I decided to treat myself to making a pair of big hoops. I haven't made a layered pair for myself in a long time and i suddenly had urge to make some so I grabbed my sterling silver and tools and got busy.
I didn't measure how much I unraveled from the spool, I'm so used to making hoop earrings on the spot at my vending table, I can visually "measure" how much wire I need. This pair is going to be 4' long.-That's the longest length I'll ever wear for earrings.

From here I added a natural wood twisted bead.I love mixing wood and metal so much. especially with silver. Then I coiled and shaped the wire to the desired lengths of hoops I wanted for each layer. When I take the metal smithing( blacksmithing) classes at Pratt this summer, I will finally be able to melt and solder wire together for a more streamlined form.


Then I added some ribbon to the "core of the hoop. I usually don't do this but I didn't like how the center balanced so I added the ribbon to pull everything together and for a tiny bit more earth color.
Added a wood accent bead...I was going to remove it but then my son woke up in mid loop..no time to fix it now..just keep going.

Grabbed my baby, added the ear wire.....

All done and under 15minutes;-)

Here is a better pic of them:) This first one was nasty lol;-) Now you can see how long they really are.

Question: Should I make another pair and sell it??If so,what do you think of the bead/ribbon touches?.. leave it out of the new pair?..keep them? Make a smaller pair? Comments are always welcome.

Thanks for visiting,

Be Fabulous,

Ny

Gussy up Your Gifts on a Budget Part I-Making the Box

Hey Family,


I didn't get a chance to go out today for Simple Sunday...and since the offspring are napping right now, I am finally sneaking in a little bit of time to start off the tag/gift box project I've been talking about. Since I can't post the whole thing, I'll break it up into two parts. My children don't sleep very long and they would be very annoyed to see me on the PC right now!


First- The Box..

I didn't buy the boxes this way, but I am sure there are some stores that sell them.

The gift boxes I use were made from recycled gift boxes for watches that my son's father used to sell YEARS ago. He has alot of them so I won't be running out for a while.



If you happen to have any old watch jewelry boxes lying around and want to try this here is the basic things you will need:

A drill- I used a dremmel drill as pictured.

A standard 12" ruler

Permanent Adhesive- I am using Beacon brand Magna-Tac 809. it's smelly so I suggest you keep the young ones at bay and wear a mask so you don't inhale the fumes...and some gloves too.

A pair of scissors


So, I took cut and pulled out the lining, velvet and plastic covering, pulled off the old hinges( ok , that part I shouldnt have done..so leave the hinges on!!!) and this is what box pieces look like bare:


Each pieces measures 4" tall x 3" across x 1 inch thick or wide. I used a Dremmel drill with a 3mm drill bit and made the two holes you see here. Again, leave the hinges on..it was a P.I.T.A. to put the hinges back together and re-set to the wood pieces.


Since I was pressed for time I could not get a good pic of the all the material I used but I will list them for you:

Black medium grade construction paper.. about two 8x11 pieces.
Black corded string
Tags, Embellishments, your own business cards or shop/website stickers as the centerpiece.


I used the stickers that TheIvoryMagnolia had ordered for me as a Christmas present.
I'll post how I made put the box together made it look all purrrty and presentable tomorrow night. ;-)

They're waking up....gotta go! Happy Sunday

Ny

My Craft Space-Photo Area

Hey Family,

Seems like everyone is showing off their craft space these days..So I swallowed my pride and wanted to show you some of the places where I work in the house. Today, I'll show you my indoor area. Here is where I have been taking my photos during the winter and on those rainy, crazy days these past few months...try not to laugh..;-P

That solid earthy background is a 6 foot sheet of wrapping paper that my daughter used the white part of for a life size drawing she created in the 7th grade, I "reuse" it and use the brown side. My room window seems to be the only room in my house where I can get some decent light and shadow. So I just prop up the paper against the window and use this gorgeous stoneware cup to hold it in place.

Using the cup in my pictures was by accident, I needed a prop to place my necklaces against and I like the way it looked against the paper ..then I tried earrings..and the rest was history. This cup is actually a "throwaway" that was handmade by an Etsy Artist... she says this piece didn't set right so the cup is not safe to drink from ..but its safe to use for other things , so I made it into a prop, pencil/pen holder and I may make it into some pendants in the future...maybe.


I find the best light is between 12- 2 pm here. the only problem is the sun gives of a haze when I use my black display bust, and it's also the time my son starts to get cranky and needs a nap so I am lucky if I can get in an hour of light time. My camera has issues leaving a "slight snowy" look in the pics sometimes.."the snow" is when the camera is over pixlelating.

So that's it....Where do you take photos inside ?? Please share;-)

Happy Saturday,

Ny

Simple Inspirations

I honestly have no idea where this idea came from. As was fiddling around with some Vintage materials to see what i could come up with.

I don't believe jewelry should be confined to stone, wire,or metal.






I found this gorgeous cameo That I bought from a destash sale on of course Etsy:) Organza fabric was cut into 6 inch pieces and tied together, than sewn for reinforcement. beautiful burgandy ribbon and waxed leather cord. Crocheted together. and Viola.

Odd can be the new in:) Welcome Cameo:)

As a designer I am becoming more and more curious about how much of an impact does the jewelry industry have on the planet. From "conflict free" diamonds to the issues of gem mining in Burma and more. I really wonder.........

Then I think about what affect is all this digging having on the Earth itself? Are lands being destroyed? Wildlife habitats harmed..Pollution from mining excavations..I dunno...I need to know, I WANT to know.

Funny thing was I was making a new pouch when I looked at the last pieces of organza in my hand. I twirled and twirled till I just grabbed and old recycled brass O ring and some silk cord.

and created this:

I am hooked . A few weeks passed and I thought this would be a nice idea too:



THese are one 1.5 inch long handbraided earring made entirely of braided cotton fabric...that's it.
Secured together in a teardrop shape, sewn closed at the top and tied with blue ribbon.
I look forward to more inspirations:) thanks for viewing.

Be Well, Ny