Discarded book Cover Jewelry Displays

A few years ago I learned a dirty secret about some book sales.

Sometimes, after the sale is over, they recycle what does not sell.

This sometimes involves removing all the covers and then recycling the pages inside the book.

All those wonderful book jackets end up getting discarded.

The HORROR!

I was appalled.

But a friend saved several boxes of book covers for me for my art after one such sale.  

This is one of the ways I used the covers.

I used a band saw to put 2 short cuts in the top for the necklace to slide in.

For shows, I slide each one into a cellophane bag to keep them from getting tangled.

I am pleased with saving a few boxes of book covers from the landfill and my jewelry gets a great new display.

I will show you some of the other great projects that came from those book covers later.

What unusual items do you use for display/packaging?

Thanks for stopping by....

Workbench Wednesday... T-Shirt Yarn

One of my favorite materials is t-shirt yarn.

I did a post on it earlier here.

 I also did a post on Hometalk.

Some of the yarn was made from t-shirts that were already destined for the rag bin.

Some t-shirts were purchased at the local thrift store for about 50 cents each on half off day.

My daughter and I stocked up on different colors. 

 Our cart was full and the lady behind is kept sighing.

We were chatting with the thrift store staff while we were checking out.

When my daughter went to put the cart away, the woman who had been behind us approached her and asked what we were doing again....

My daughter told her and the lady said it sounded cool.  

It made us chuckle.

This week on the workbench, I was cutting the t-shirts on my back porch workbench and making yarn for some yarn projects.

I really liked the colors in this group.

The t-shirts were super soft so this yarn is extra soft and stretchy.

I love that this time of year my workbench may be inside, outside or a combination of both....

I hope you have something on your workbench right now too...

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Gourd Bangle Bracelets- Workbench Wednesday

 Have you seen the current issue of GreenCraft magazine?

If you are not familiar with it, it contains dozens of fun, green crafts and projects.

It has everything from organization to jewelry to home decor.

It is right up my alley.

I am thrilled to have a few projects in this issue.

Probably my favorite are these bangles made from gourds.

You can take a look at the magazine for the complete how to instructions.

I thought maybe I would share some of the behind the scene photos not shown in the magazine this week for workbench Wednesday.

Start with a dried goose neck gourd.

I got this one from my friend Linda.

Cut rings.

You can tell I took these pictures last summer.

No green grass here yet.

Every so often, I have to cut a watermelon slice on the curves to maximize the number of usable rings.

I will find something to do with these later.

Same with the bottom part of the gourd.

I have a plan for it.

The tiny top part is also saved.

The pithy center pulls right out.

Once sanded...

Let the fun begin.....

 These first bangles were a fun way to play around with the process.

This one reminds me of a giraffe.

A friend told me I should save this one...

I probably will...

These are so lightweight.

I love that.

They make a very interesting sound when I wear them...

Sort of like bamboo wind chimes...on my arm.

I like my slices sort of wonky so I did not measure them or mark  them when cutting.

If you like things precise, you can mark them with pencil or tape.

I tried to most different patterns on the Brave bangle.

If you want to learn how to make these, pick up a copy of GreenCraft.

You can find it on news stands in craft stores or large book retailers.

Or you can order it directly from Stampington here.

It is always a pleasure...

Thanks for stopping by....

            Linking up with these great blogs.

Playing with Photos...

This week I shared my fun little wool can cozies.

When I was taking the pictures I was goofing around.

My photo area had sheer curtains hanging next to it so I tried placing them over the camera lense to see what would happen...

Ok.

So that one is not too great.

I tried a few more.

It is sort of interesting...

Sort of ethereal.

That or it just makes me feel like I need to rub my eyes...

The easiest possible filter...

Enough of that.

Here are the cozies again.

Have a great day...

                      Thanks for stopping by....

                  Linking up with these great blogs.

Recycled Wool Sweater Cozies

I am always grabbing cans and jars from the recycling bin.

I love utilitarian pieces from what some consider trash.

I love all the ways you can fancy them up.

This time I wanted something super easy.

I took 2 sweaters that had been felted.

I now do this at the laundromat when I take my giant comforter.

I washed them on the heaviest cycle on hot.

Then I threw them in the dryer.

One year I did them at home and the sweater pilled and balled so much I had to call a repairman to come unplug the wool balls from deep in the machine's workings.

I have been banned from felting at home now...

For this project, I am going to use the sleeves.  

Before I cut anything, I slid the can and jar inside to make sure they fit.

I measured and cut them to fit how I wanted them to.

Don't they look cozy?

Then I cut 2 hearts from another red felted sweater and blanket stitched them in place.

No they hold my art supplies stylishly.

These would make a great little gift.

It could be even more special if you used a sweater from the recipient.

Maybe I will whip a few more of these up for gifts.

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs.

Whimsical Garden Decor: Re Purposed Bird Feeders

This summer I got together with great friends a time or two to make some fun things.

Some of our projects took longer than we expected so when I saw these light covers at the thrift shop, I scooped them up for a fast and easy project.

I bought this little set of 6 cups and saucers with a similar project in mind.

 

I bought  a sheet of rubber at the hardware store along with rings and nut caps

I also got some copper pipe and a great new ratcheting pipe cutter.

It was one afternoon we actually finished 3 pieces each and it was easy.

Here is my bird feeder.

Supposedly, since these are tempered glass to withstand the heat temperatures from the light bulbs, they are fairly durable for weather fluctuations.

I did not get a chance to take a picture of the little green cup and saucer feeder.

And these pictures were taken about a month ago and the flowers have died back quite a bit.

It has been dry here.

We have not mowed the grass since the middle of August.

I love how this little project turned out.  

The best part was time with friends.

I also loved that these already had holes.

All we had to do was cut a little piece of rubber to cushion the hardware and screw them together.

I had the chain already too.

What fun things did you add to your garden this summer?

 Thanks for stopping by...

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15 Jewelry Projects From Up Cycled Materials

I am always looking for ways to reuse something I have or something someone has discarded.

I also love the challenge of taking something common and doing something uncommon with it.

Take a look at some jewelry projects that started with some very non-jewelry related items.

These bangles got an upgrade with buttons and some earring flowers.

Find the post here.

A vintage spoon and a bullet casing became this fun necklace.

Find the post here.

These fun rose bracelets are actually made from plain white sheets.

See how to make your own here.

And more sheets transformed this bangle to a fun cuff.

Tutorial here.

These plastic bangles got a makeover with some washi tape.

Make your own by following this tutorial.

The following pieces remain among my favorites to this day.

These were made from plastic tubing, shotgun shells and were dressed up with recycled silk strips.

See the full post here.

Some incorporated hardware pieces as well.

Don't throw away that old puzzle because some of the pieces are lost.

Make some earrings instead.

See the post here.

You might want to raid your kids pockets after seeing this post.

A simple glass marble becomes a fun yet sophisticated necklace.

See it here.

The same post shows how to turn a tiny glass Christmas ornament into a tiny time capsule.

A bullet casing can become an amazing jewelry piece.

See the full post here.

These pretty earrings started with some paper flowers from the scrapbooking section of your favorite store.

See the post here.

How about making some very artistic earrings from some beads, yarn and discarded book pages?

See them here.

More buttons...

This time getting a new life as a fashionable choker.

Here is the post.

This bohemian sweetheart stars beads made from felt and discarded book pages.

See the post here.

I promise to bring you more up cycled jewelry pieces soon.  

It is my favorite thing to create.

Thanks for stopping by....

                  Linking up with these great blogs.