Coming today....Superstition Blog Hop

I am thrilled to be a part of the Superstition Blog hop this Friday the 13th.

And you will get to see what I made very soon.

This daylight savings time threw me off and my piece did not get photographed before I lost the light yesterday.

So as soon as I get a few photos of my piece, you can stop back and see it today.

By lunchtime.

Until then, needing some Friday the Thirteenth fun?

Head over to any of the blogs below today to see what they came up with.

Tammy at the Paisley Lizard was our kind and gracious hostess...

See you very soon...

http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/

http://www.fineanddandyjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://beadwenches.blogspot.com/
http://abcoraldesign.blogspot.com/
http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/
http://www.onecanvasatatime.com/
http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
http://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/
http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
https://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com/
http://www.mhotistudio.blogspot.ca/
http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/
http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com/
http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/
http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com/
http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr/
http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/#sec-blog
http://blondespotpinkshoe.blogspot.com/
http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/
http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog
http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/
http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/
http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com/
https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by....

Craft Lighting Holiday Edition 21015-Snowman Snowglobe Ornament

Well, Craft Lightning is back...

It's the holiday edition, so let's make a 15 minute or less ornament...

One of the things I love to stock up on in the fall is clear glass ball ornaments.

They beg for all sorts of creativity.

These have a tiny pompom snowman inside.

Glue two white pompoms together.

Paint a toothpick orange. 

 Cut off the end for a nose and glue it in place.

Use a pair of tweezers to squeeze the body. 

 Once you are sure it will fit, add a drop of hot glue to the bottom and carefully guide it into the ball without touching the glue on the sides.

Hold it down to the bottom until the glue cools.

Add some fake snow or glitter.

Replace the cap and add some jute for hanging.

Ta dah!

You could make enough for your whole tree in an evening.

Or one for everyone on your gift list.

Be sure to visit our hosts for all the other great projects!

 

  

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs.

Jewelry Affaire magazine Giveaway

Do you ever look at back at your journey and pinpoint moments that changed your path?

I do.

As an artist, I have always created but through the years, the materials, mediums and styles have changed.

Jewelry making is relatively new to me.

I have been doing it for about 8 years or so.

It started with a necklace I bought and dissected for weeks.

And then, into the journey, I discovered Jewelry Affaire magazine.

It was a game changer.

I am very visually stimulated.  

Their pieces and attention to detail caught my imagination and set it on fire.

I can change my whole way of thinking with one new little detail: a knot, bead, clasp, headpin, focal...

My head swam for weeks and then my hands started to create.

Looking back I have to laugh.

Anyone that knows me knows how much I make now and in how many styles....

So I am always amazed and thrilled when I see an issue that actually features some of my work...

But more of that later.

Today I want to give you a chance to win your own copy of the newest issue.

But first I want to show you a few pieces that have grabbed my attention and imagination in this issue.

Sarah Donawerth captured my admiration and the cover with her whimsical bangles.

And I learned something about fairy tales...

Fiber is one of my favorite things to incorporate into a piece to soften it and Mayumi Schuster does it beautifully in her pieces.

The featured artist in this issue is Connie Poirier Trikoulis.

With good reason, too.

Her work is lovely and inspiring...

Ahhh...Melinda Barnett...

Her work is always a breath of fresh air.

I am so fortunate to call her my friend...

I especially love her inspiration story for this piece...

I am totally obsessed by little bottles and vials so this one by Kris Auderer definitely caught my attention...

In every issue, there is a piece that makes me say, "now THAT is genious!"

In this issue, it was these feather earrings by Emily Deister.

She totally reinvented feather earrings.

Love them!

Here is another favorite from Melinda Barnett.

I love the focal and the chain...

And now I can finally get to those pieces I made...

It never fails to amaze me when I see something that sprang to life in my hands on the pages of a magazine...

This turquoise bracelet is a keeper...

My faux bone earrings are made from Sculpey polymer clay.

I love them.

That finish is one of my very favorites to date.

These beads are from Sculpey as well with the shimmery finish created with DecoArt paints.

The beads remind me of the years my husband tilled the whole length of our lot in the back to plant a row of sunflowers...

Boy, was it hot.

And the skunks ate more than half the seeds...

Little buggers.

But the ones that grew brought me such joy.

Did you see anything that made your mind catch gear?

This is only a very small sampling of what is in the issue.

  You can pick it up at newsstands, or from Stampington.

Or, if you live in the continental US, you could possibly win it.

Just leave a comment below telling your favorite material to use for making jewelry and you will be entered for a chance to win....

I always seem to go with one week for the giveaway but this time we will try two weeks...  

I will choose a winner on November 17th and post it on the 18th here on the blog.

I always love hearing what inspires you...

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs...

Surprises on a Monday Morning...

Good Morning!

I hopped over to the blog to see that I had scheduled a post with the Taking Home the Tree Ornaments several months back.

I completely forgot it was going up today.

What a nice surprise.

And I have a nice surprise for you...

The winner for a free issue of Haute Handbags magazine from Stampington and Company.

It is a great issue.

Without further delay, the winner is Jennifer Vincent.

Jennifer, you can leave me your email here. 

That way I can get in touch with you for your address information.

Now that is a great way to start the week.  

Stay tuned tomorrow for a chance to win an issue of Jewelry Affaire.

And just a reminder, you can sign up to receive our blog posts delivered to your email inbox so you never miss a post or sign up to add them to your Blogger reading list.

Just check the side bar...

Thanks for stopping by....

Taking Home the Tree Ornaments

Last year, Taking Home the Tree ornaments were all the rage...

With good reason...

They are adorable...

  Here are a few for inspiration this year.

I have been keeping my eyes open for small cars this year.

 I  pick them up when I see ones I like.

Some of them are new...

Like this little guy...

He looks old but he came right out of the box.

And then some are reclaimed.

I like the chippy, loved look.

I also like creating an unconventioanl interpretation.

Like this garbage truck... 

 How fun is this?

Cute on so many levels...

If a had a son, I would so make him an ornament for the tree with his favorite kind of truck.

I did clean this little guy up so the dirt left on him is intentional...

This little car is new as well.

But it is perfect for a vintage look ornament.

I add a drop of hot glue to the top of the car and add the tree.

The baker's twine is mostly for show and a way to hang the ornament.

Hope you make a few of your own...

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs.

A Look Inside Haute Handbags...and Another Giveaway

I hope you are not getting tired of the chance to win something from me.

I believe in spreading good things around the internet.

And who does not love a chance to win something?

What's in it for me?

I feel good about sharing a publication that I adore.

I get to brag just a little.

I get to feel great that I am giving you a chance to see the issue for yourself. 

 So, I get a lot too.

Have you ever looked at Haute Handbags?

It has been one of my favorites for years.

It has a great combination of artistic bags.  

They range from purchased bags that are altered in some way to bags completely created from scratch.

The materials they are created from will have to reassessing everything for potential handbag usage...

Karen Valentine has such a sweet style. 

 It totally appeals to me.

I would so carry this bag....

Chantal Johnson made this, and another gorgeous bag.

Jana Holland transformed a vintage bag into this piece of art...

Colleen Davis takes knitting to a whole new level and truly elevates it to an art form.

How gorgeous is this?

There are some beautiful bags incorporating  vintage laces and doilies from Grace Bachmann.

And then there are those pieces that are just perfect.

Where someone takes something simple and utilitarian and turns it into art.

Bo does that with these painted change purses.

I love Sarah LoCascio's shopping bag...

She actually has me thinking of a few new ideas myself...

And then there is this little needle felted owl bag.

This one is mine.

I made to enter in the fair.

It was a fun little bag to make.

It is fun to carry too.

So, on with the giveaway.

This giveaway is open to continental U.S. residents.

For a chance to win, tell me in the comments about your favorite handbag.

Why was it your favorite?

I always love hearing your stories...

I will choose a winner Sunday. 

 Good Luck!

Linking up with these great blogs...

Thanks for stopping by...

The Button Bargain Bonanza...

Well, hello!

It seems like every post I have been doing has been giveaway related.

I love doing that, but I have been crazy trying to do a ton of other things so the blog has taken a hit.

I will try to get back on track. 

At the beginning of September, my husband and I went on our yearly date to a large flea market in the area.

The day was dark and it was raining...a lot.

We put on our raincoats and rubber shoes and put extra garbage bags in the wagon for purchases.

Off we went.

In the 4th booth we looked in, I hit the jackpot.

I found 2 boxes of zinc and glass canning lids, a hardware organizer full of vintage jewelry, a big pile of silver trays, a wooden soda crate filled with vintage bottles and what I about to show you next.

The two guys in the booth pointed out that under the table, there was a basket filled with sewing stuff.

Here is some of what was in the basket...

So, I love little things that tell a story.

Who was Ruth?

Why did she have to write her name on her sewing box?

We will never know, but her little label will stay there as long as I own the tin...

It was filled with mostly thread.

There are some old wooden spools but there are also some modern plastic ones so Ruth was still buying supplies...

This tin is adorable in itself...

Why don't we make such charming packaging anymore?

Another story scratched in the lid...

I.R. + J.B.

Does it make you wonder too?

The mint tin was filled with goodies...

Then there were these 2 Ritz cracker tins....

Are you ready for this?

They were filled with vintage buttons...

Can you see how cool they all are?

You know I LOVE buttons.

Here is the second tin.

More button goodness...

They are pretty grubby...

The dirty stickiness old buttons get...

This basket was piled full...

Here Is another tin.

What is inside?

More vintage buttons...

And here is the last tin.

Can you see the image of the woman?

There was some damage from something that was set on the can at one point.

Maybe a glass of sweet tea in the sewing room....

This one was filled with buttons still on their cards and all sorts of vintage sewing notions.

There was a plastic container of thread on spools too.

All of that and a great basket that they were packed in for....

you are never going to believe this....

my husband could not even say "you already have enough buttons!" for this price...

$3!

Yes.

No joke.

So it was a very good day...

Even though we got soaked to the skin and pretty muddy.

We had fun together too...

What have you found lately?

Thanks for stopping by...