Day 14-Feathers!

I was inspired on a recent craft fair outing to try making feathery hair pieces! I could only find a few feather colours so these are 2 very similar. I am going to hunt down some peacock feathers and make some more!

This is stitched to an elastic headband.

I attached this one to an over sized barrette.

These were REALLY fun! However, the dye from the feathers soaked into my hands and I can't get it out!

Day 12-13 feet of pure jolly.

I did it! I finished the garland. Stinging beads is a truly meditative activity. I find it hard to pull myself away from it. I may have to make some more of this!

Day 11 - Garland part 1

I am finally finished stringing this section of my garland project! My plan is to string about 3 or 4 sections, each section being different. This way, as it winds around the tree it will look like I've put on a few strands. I think this will fit with our Christmas tree's non theme theme!





I will stick to the red and green theme for the main stretches of each garland and change up the feature beads.

See you tomorrow!

Day 10-Not finished!

Making beaded garland has been in the back of my mind for the past year. Finally, yesterday, I started stringing it! I think it will take a few days so I will finish it and then post it!

On the ninth day...more Christmas!

When I received these giant golden earrings (they originally had smaller gold circles on top) I KNEW they were meant for something special.


The necklaces I made have never felt quite right-






The necklaces I made from the top parts of these earrings have both sold. I guess these ones just haven't found their rightful place in this world.

UNTIL NOW!

Day 8 = more birds!

I am sure that this was considered very pretty when it was made but I am afraid I can't live with the the plastic leaves! Not to mention that balding birds have seen better days!

The nest, however, looked pretty good to me and I still had birds left in the Sally Ann bag so I thought I would "Christmas up" the branches the kids and I "planted" in a flower pot and decorate according to our whims throughout the year.

Here's a more up to date, festive bird's nest.

I looked up pictures of Cardinal's nests and I have to say that while this is not an exact replica, it's close enough! I guess it should be a bit messier and made of twigs but I think this particular cardinal looks very comfy in his new nest! Beats living in a plastic bag...

Day 7! Already?

So this was another brooch I was saving to make a necklace. But today it screamed Christmas to (at?) me so I went with it!



I originally hung it from the middle of the elephant's back but the head is heavy so it tipped forward. I think hanging an elephant from the tree is maybe a little unusual but this one is SO pretty right?

Now I am wishing I had a giraffe...

Day 5-Shiny, Happy, Rhinestones

Well I forgot to photograph this brooch while it was still a brooch so here it is shortly after I removed the pin etc and covered the spot where there was a black spot (missing stone) by wrapping wire around said spot. Can't see what I mean? Great! The plan worked.












Then I used the wire wrapped, missing stone spot as my new pendant's hanging place and decided to stay true to the old glamour feel of the piece by adding pearls and shiny crystals.









Just add a little black dress and you're ready for New Year's Eve!

Day 5...More Christmas!

Okay...THESE are earrings! I'm thinking last worn in the 80's? I had NO idea what to do with them and was going to throw them out...

...and then I started taking them apart (to save the head pins) and realized that with a few changes, these would make great Christmas decorations.

I changed the beads from purple and pink to red and white, turned the posts into loops, attached chains and VOILA!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Day 4 the birds!

Every year I collect more birds for the Christmas tree and every year I complain about the twisty wires on the feet! It's impossible (for me) to get them to sit right and then it is a PAIN to take them down after the season.

These birds were in a plastic bag in the Sally Anne and I couldn't leave them there!





So I removed the wire from their little feet and strung new wire through their backs...I then couldn't resist giving them each a little Christmas necklace!







I think I will dig out all of my tree birds and redo them before we put the tree up.

I am going to Salisbury Greenhouse tonight to listen to Edie sing...I will probably come home with a few new birds for this year!

Day 3-Twofer!

I fell for these earrings at County's Clothesline and assumed I would make 2 necklaces...

....but instead I was inspired to keep them together!

The 2 earrings hanging on a chain make a floaty, free feeling pendant. I think I will wear this one myself before I let it go!

Day 2...So Christmassy!

This has been sitting on my desk for months. I have no idea what it is or where it came from. I can only guess that it was a part of something I took a part and forgot about.

Now it is the focal point of a festive necklace!

Day ONE!

So I bought this at a yard sale and LOOOOVED the look of it so much that I over looked the missing stones. I have always meant to do something with it so I guess this is a great place to start.










Here's what happened when I took it apart and got rid of the broken pieces...glamorous no?

hmmm....

I have been admiring some blogs lately (esp. http://www.newdressaday.com/!) and thinking maybe I would get back to mine someday. I am a little surprised that JUNE was the last time I posted but I guess that's life. I am thinking that my blog maybe needs more focus. Something I can work on...a theme? (a la New Dress or Julie and Julia ) I am thinking of challenging myself to create something daily, but that's the easy part since I bead (obsessively) daily anyway. So at the risk of being a copy catter... I think I will attempt to create "something from (next to) nothing" each day. Like...new jewellery from old jewellery...or a new _____ from an old _______. I'll fill in the blanks as I go along.

I am hoping to give my creativity a little kick in the pants and also to simply embrace the side of me that loves to scavenge and bargain hunt and rescue things that have been tossed out. Lately I have been feeling like the thrift shopping needs a different focus as well. Certain episodes of "Hoarders" have made me think twice before picking up random items from the Salvation Army and this new plan will help me make good decisions about what to bring home!

So. I am hereby challenging myself to return to my computer tomorrow armed with a photo of something I created out of something else...

night