Moss Pie

Hi everyone!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend where you are.

The sun is shining here today and I couldn't be happier.

Jack needed to be walked, so we bundled up, I stuffed a plastic bag in my pocket (no, not for Jack's poo), and we set out to take in some nature.

I've been wanting to gather some moss to incorporate into my creative projects and since there is no snow I thought today might be a good day for it.

We  found lots of beautiful moss, but it was frozen and difficult to gather.

We brought back enough to fill this old pie pan.

With a little left over to fill this recycled candle jar.

I love the way it looks in this jar!

The fragrance is so fresh and earthy.

On our way back the wind was blowing and it felt more like a day in March than a day in January.

Jacks ears were flapping in the wind as he pranced along, happy to be out in the fresh air.

He's content to nap now and I feel energized enough to clean up some of my crafting messes that I've made this past week. 

If the sun is shining where you are, I suggest getting outside for a while.

It really does make you feel better.

See ya soon.

Karen

WISH

Yesterday I talked about some textile beads that I had been making, so today I'm going to share with you the finished necklace that I've created using some of those beads.

The textile beads used in this necklace are made of torn strips of rose colored silk wrapped around handmade copper findings. I also made the copper clasp and as you can see it's a little primitive.

This necklace has an overall primitive look to it and I'm happy with that.

I've been experimenting with some resin too.

Most importantly I'm having fun learning something new.

Have a great Friday everyone!

Karen

Textile Beads

Hi everyone. I'm back to making jewelry today. I've made a lot of earrings in the past week and although my technique still needs improvement, I decided to try a little something different today. I want my jewelry to be more me, if that makes any sense. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I want as many of the parts and pieces that I use to be my own creations. Of course I'll still be using beads and vintage findings that I've purchased, but I want to incorporate more of my style into each piece. That being said, I will be adding textiles to my jewelry at times.

This idea isn't something new. I was gifted a beautiful necklace that has an amazing textile bead.

I started out trying to make these perfect and uniform, but after browsing through some of my jewelry books, I realized that the pieces I was drawn to the most, were the ones that had the most imperfections. You know, the things that look more handmade.

I suppose if I wanted perfect, uniform looking jewelry, I could go to the mall and buy the same old things that everyone else wears.

My goal is to create one of a kind wearable art.

I'll be back soon with a finished piece which includes these textile and copper beads.

Have a great day and create something that's all you.

Karen

Beating The Drearies

I don't know what it's like where you are, but I haven't seen the sun here lately.

It's been cold, grey and dreary with snow or rain forever it seems.

I need some light and a little bit of green.

So, I made my own.

I turned on the lights, lit some candles and added some green touches to my kitchen as I cleaned.

I burn lots of candles around here.

I've been saving this one for a dreary day and today is that day.

I stuffed some moss in the bottom of this wire candle holder to add a little green.

Yay, some green and some light!

I'm not so fond of cleaning the kitchen, but by switching up a couple of things, it makes it not so much of a chore.

Okay so you've seen the light, now I'll show you some more green.

I love this old army bag.

I switched out the red utensils for some green ones.

I added a few fresh linens with green touches.

And some old ceramic pieces.

I also brought back some of the plants that I had relocated during the holidays and now everything looks brighter and fresher. Taking photos as I go along makes it seem fun, so thanks for putting up with all the pics.

I wonder, does anyone else out there take photos as they clean?

It works for me.

Thanks for visiting. See ya soon.

Karen

How To Make Lemon Sugar Scrub

My daughter stopped in for lunch today and brought me this wonderful gift. 

It's some sweet (literally) lemon sugar scrub.

It's wonderful because: 1- It's all natural, you could eat it if you wanted to, but I wouldn't recommend it (I actually tasted it and it's pretty good). 2- You can make it with things that you probably already have in your kitchen.  3-It makes your skin feel smooth and silky. 4-My daughter made it.

Here's the how to:

Mix together 1 cup olive oil and 2 1/2 cups sugar.

Then add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix again.

I used it on my hands and it made them look and feel better.

You can make this in different fragrances by adding essential oils in place of the lemon juice.

Thanks Jamie for making this for me and for sharing the How To.

Hugs Everyone

Karen



See Through Blue

Last night I just couldn't stop working on my new obsession of jewelry making.

Most of what I put together were failures, but I kinda like these earrings with the see through, hollow, blue beads. They remind me of little blue lanterns.

Today I must leave the jewelry making zone and get back to reality.

 Laundry, cooking and cleaning : (

Hopefully I can squeeze in some creating time along the way.

Hugs

Karen



More Adventures In Jewelry Designing

Yesterday I talked about getting started on the grand plan I have for designing my own jewelry.

As you may or may not know, I am familiar with the process of designing crocheted jewelry, but working with metal, beads, wire and such is something pretty new to me.

For the past several days I've been seriously making an effort to learn a few simple techniques and believe me, it's not that easy.  Designing the pieces is fun.

Putting all the pieces together takes some skill and I think that will come with time.

I love this pair of earrings!

As I mentioned, I need more practice, they're not perfect, but I'm happy with the design.

Don't you just love these small vintage rosary charms.

The mess in my craft room is like an explosion happened in there.

It's all part of the process I hear.

I'll be back with more Adventures In Jewelry Design Soon.

I hope you are having your own adventure where you are.

Karen

New Appreciation For Jewelry Designers

I've always had a love for handmade jewelry.

My all time favorite designer has to be Sharon Borsavage.

Over the past two years I've acquired quite a few beautiful pieces of jewelry designed and created by Sharon. 

 For some reason, I thought I might be able to make a few things for myself, so I bought a book and everything I needed to accomplish designing my own jewelry.

Well, guess what, it's not that easy.

After many attempts, several yards of wasted copper wire, four broken nails, a slight stabbing, a small burn, a headache from hammering wire and a lot of frustration, I finally accomplished a hook and eye for one necklace.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the time factor involved...I can't even guess how many hours were spent on this project.  And the cost is another matter. None of this stuff comes cheap.

 Don't get me wrong, when I say I accomplished this, it's nothing like the stuff Sharon makes. I could never sell these, but since I made them, I'm wearing them.

This is necklace number one.

There are absolutely no handmade parts on this piece that were made by me.

I did design it and put it all together, but the parts and pieces were all purchased from other people.

This amazing pendant was an Etsy purchase.

I used a wrapped  paper bead, a vintage piece of furniture hardware that's covered in white chippy paint, a few more beads, a copper hook and some chain.

Necklace number two includes the copper hook and eye that I created myself.

This one is made up of bits of broken rosary, stone and ceramic beads, some chain and a handmade pendant that I purchased.

Due to the injuries acquired making the hook and eye, I don't think I'll be trying to solder my own pendants any time soon.

I put together a few pair of earrings as well.

Nothing spectacular, but I like them.

I used a combination of vintage and new components for these.

I made my own ear wires for these last ones.

I now have a whole new appreciation for those people, like Sharon , who can create such beauty for the rest of us who aren't quite as talented.

See ya soon.

Karen

Old Worn Velvet Photo Keeper

My husband knows how much I love these beautiful old photo albums, so when he finds one in good shape he brings it home for me. He has some idea that one day he might find something wonderful hidden behind the photos. I think they are wonderful without any added hidden treasures.

They are treasures all in themselves.

I love the worn velvet of the covers and the beautiful brass hardware.

You can't find photo albums like this today.

The black and white photos contained in these fabulous old photo keepers are like magic.

They are reminders of days gone by.

Precious children.

Dressed in their finest.

I imagine how life was then.

Every picture tells a story.

This last photo is one that sits on a shelf in my dining room.

It's my parents on their wedding day and is one of my most special treasures.

Karen