Crafting with Embellishments

I have been looking for some quick craft projects lately. Something that I can do just for myself but won't take away from my family or work. I was at Hobby Lobby and I came across these great embellishments that I thought would be perfect for a quick craft.

I started with hair pins. The bobby pins even have a flat surface for gluing the embellishments on (you can get them at any craft store in different sizes and colors). Using hot glue I attached the embellishments and buttons to the pins.

 

These little hair pins will add vintage style to any up-do.

I also made a few book marks. These are so simple and would make a really sweet gift. All you have to do is glue a paper clip to the back of the embellishment.

And speaking of books here is a list of all the books on my TO READ list this year:

-Reached (3rd book in the Matched series)
-Infernal Devices (3 books)
-The Lorien Legacies (3 books)
-Divergent and Insurgent (already read them but want to read again before the 3rd book comes out this fall)
-The Host
-Mistborn (3 books)


I am sure I will add many more to this list but that will do for now. Are there any books that are on your book list or you have read that I should add to my list?

Fun Find Fridays Week 1

Another one of our weekly posts will be Fun Finds. These are all great products from my favorite Etsy shops. I have really been interested in jewelry lately, trying some new crafting ideas.

The first shop I love is Black and White Jewels

 These earrings are gorgeous. The shop specializes in wedding jewelry but I would wear these all the time.

The next shop is a specialty shop Divine Jewel.

 This necklace is AMAZING! I love all the gem work. Any bride would be beautiful in this statement necklace.

For some every day wear I really love these bracelets from Infinity Wish

 I am really into layering bracelets for summer and I love the mixed media of these pieces.

The last shop I would like to feature is a supply shop Bead FrenZ

Aren't these coral colored shell pearl beads gorgeous. I love chunky bead necklaces in the summer with maxi dresses on plain t-shirts.

Those are the shops I found this week. Hope you found something inspiring.

Simple Rosette Necklace

This past week I was at the SNAP conference in Utah.  I had a great time and learned so much but it will take a little while for me to recap the event.  In the meantime I'll be sharing some of the projects I completed in preparation for the event.

Last year I was making a lot of rosette necklaces but was bored with the trend so I wasn't wearing any of them myself.  I've gone back to loving this style of necklace and wanted to make myself something to wear during the conference.  

I used scrap fabric to make rosettes and hot glued them onto white felt.  I did not draw a template on the felt for this necklace but if it's your first time making this style of necklace I would recommend taking that extra step.  You don't want to end up with an odd shape after you get all your rosettes glued together.

I trimmed the loose threads, cut the white felt backing around the edges, and added a couple of embellishments.

The project was going smoothly until I realized I did not have a chain for the necklace.  I spent almost an hour attaching little rings together.

To attach the chain I glued a piece of felt over each end on the back of the necklace.

I attached a clasp and my necklace was done.

 

I was wearing the necklace during a photography class and was lucky enough to get my friend, Katie of Sweet Rose Studio, to take a pretty picture of me.  I love it!

photography by Sweet Rose Studio

I just might be wearing more of these necklaces this year!

Earrings Painted with Nail Polish

Yesterday at Target I noticed a few pairs of bright colored earrings.  I didn't purchase any but couldn't stop thinking about the accessories.  Instead of going out again to buy the earrings, I raided my own jewelry box.  I had a couple of pairs of inexpensive earrings that could benifit from a color change.

I wasn't sure if I should use acrylic or spray paint.  I looked through my paint inventory and didn't find any exciting colors to use on my earrings.  In trying to decide on a color I realized I have so many bright colored nail polishes.  I picked two colors that would make great earrings: Sally Hansen's Blue Streak and Elf's Fire Coral.

I used pliers to remove the hardware on the jewelry.

I painted the earrings with the nail polish brush.  They took several coats of polish to be fully covered.  I was careful not to apply the polish too thick because I didn't want to cover the pretty details.



after first coat

I love how they turned out!  Now I just need to find the perfect clothes to pair them with before the SNAP conference next week! 

I'm linking this post here.

A "New" Necklace from Broken Costume Jewelry

Today I discovered all the broken costume jewelry I have in my jewelry box.  I must have been holding on to it for years...I had a lot!  Instead of throwing it away I used the pieces from an old broken necklace to turn it into something I would wear again.

My mom gave me this odd necklace with turquoise colored plastic beads for Christmas a few years ago.  I wore it a lot because I really liked the color.

Eventually the clasps broke on the ends and I retired the necklace in my jewelry box.

Today I took it apart to salvage the beads.

I'm a big fan of mustard yellow and turquoise together so this little yellow ribbon was perfect for my necklace.  I used a needle to string the beads on the ribbon.

 Five minutes later I had a "new" necklace.

Go check out your jewelry box; you might have some broken treasures waiting for a makeover.

 

Homemade Gifts-I Can Make That

Welcome to another edition of I CAN MAKE THAT.

Homemade gifts are tricky. I think they can go over one of two ways:
1. if done well the receiver may feel that it is a very special gift since it was homemade and full of heart.
2. if not done well the receiver might think..."oh what a cheap skate, can't even get me a real gift."

Well this year I took the homemade approach. Every year my husband's side of the family chooses a name out of a hat. That way we don't have to give to everyone. It is really fun to figure out what to give each other and since you just have one person to focus on you can really put some thought into the gift.

This year I drew my SIL Caitlin (she doesn't read this blog so I am not worried) but CAITIE IF YOU ARE READING THIS POST STOP!!! So back to the gifts. The first was the subway art with her last name on it. You can see that post here. Then I saw the perfect apron floating around Pinterest and instantly thought of her. She loves Harry Potter, we are talking the biggest fan. Read all the books several times points out all the missing parts in the movies. I bought the patch from Amazon and a genuine Harry Potter tie online (total cost for both $12). I wanted it to look genuine so I spent a little more on the items that make it a true Harry Potter item. At first I tried tying the tie but it was too big and bulky so I ended up cutting out a tie shape and sewing it on. All I did was trace a basic apron shape and curve the bottom. Then add a black gathered rectangle to make the bottom ruffle. Outline the whole apron in black bias tape, add your straps, add the little touches (tie, patch, pockets) and you are done.

Another gift that I made was a watch for my other SIL Marissa. She found this watch on Etsy for $70.

Cute watch but WOW on the price and I worry about buying something like a watch on Etsy. What it if doesn't work? So I told my MIL I could make one like it for her. I used this tutorial and it is REALLY easy to make. I couldn't find a watch face that I liked. I searched and searched (Michael's, Joann's, Hobby Lobby) no luck. So I used an old watch of mine that I never wear anymore. Then I used a skinny belt I already owned. All I had to buy was the rivets. I love it, I might even make one for myself out of another old watch.

Hopefully the girls will like the gifts and know that even though they may not cost much to make you can't put a price on something from the heart.

I have one more homemade gift to share on Thursday so please come back.