Something a little different

I have been feeling very crafty lately and with the season change I decided to create some home-decor for Fall. Here are the projects I've been working on:

Painting acorns. These looked so cute in an old mason jar until they started sprouting and growing mold. Apparently, you should bake them before painting.. Whoops!

I found this wooden jack-o-lantern in the basement of my mom's house. I took him home, gave him a paint make over, and added a candle. Viola!

I just love typography, so I knew I wanted a sign. I used scrap wood and letter stickers to create this cute "Fall in love" sign.

Top of the entertainment center, all decorated. This cost me $0!

Painting mason jars. These candle holders were made by my friend Beth and I. They aren't as easy as some tutorials would lead you to believe, but we had such a fun craft day!

Clay mini pumpkins! I haven't touched polymer clay in years, but these turned out so cute that I will explore this medium more.

What fun DIY projects have you tried lately? Did you have any mistakes like my moldy acorns? I'd love to hear your story!

Thrift Store Blog Hop

Sarah, over at Pookledo, is hosting a blog hop today! You all know how much I love participating in these, but this one just seemed like it was meant for me. Her challenge to the participants was to purchase an item from a thrift shop worth less than $1.50 and to create a piece of jewelry using that object. I do that ALL the time!

I purchased a necklace from Goodwill for $1.99. I went a little over budget, but this is Connecticut people. They don't sell anything for a buck, everything is overpriced here. What I really liked about this necklace was the dark teal color. The gold irregular shaped beads are okay, but it's the round beads I was really drooling over.

The bracelet I made uses these teal beads, as well as, Serpentine and lucite coral colored beads. The focal bead is handmade, however I do not have the information on who created it. (please help me give credit if you know!) The bracelet is finished with a large lobster claw clasp.

Don't forget to visit the rest of the participants in the blog hop!

Sarah - www.pookledo.blogspot.co.uk
Deb - http://greenshoot.blogspot.co.uk/
Kimberley - http://goddessesandbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Skye - http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.co.uk/
Ambra - http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com/
Beti - http://stringingfool.blogspot.com/
Emma - www.apolymerpenchant.com
Shelley - www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Tammie -  http://ttedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Leah - http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/
Denielle - www.somebeadsandotherthings.com
Keri Lee - http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com 
Rochelle - www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Pam - http://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Ingetraud - http://ingetraud.wordpress.com/
Audrey - http://esperianterra.blogspot.com/
Julie Anne - www.thepeacefulbead.com
Sharyl - http://www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Micheladas - http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com 
? -   http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Kala - http://maybejustperhaps.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Success!

The Art on Groton Bank show was a success!! I could not have wished for a better day weather wise and I just love the location of this show! We enjoyed the cool breeze coming from the sound, while under the shadow of New England's oldest standing obelisk at Fort Griswold.

On Sunday, I went to a local flea market to stock up on some more vintage keys. They make such awesome pendants!

I was really enjoying a perfect summer weekend, so I decided the best way to end it would be some delicious fried seafood for dinner and watching the sunset at the marina.

 

Photo credits:  1 | 2 | 3  

Creative Chaos

I was chosen to be a part of Skye's June design challenge. The photo above shows the goodies that were sent to each of the participants. We all had to make pieces of jewelry using what Skye sent and other beads from our personal stashes.

I love to upcycled hardware, so when I got these lock washers I was really excited. For the earrings, I used the larger ones and long, vintage glass beads. The necklace uses some red jasper beads and brass washers from my own supplies. I found the amazing old key while digging through a friend's garage :)  I also started to work with the little glass bottle that Skye sent. But that project will have to wait till another day.

Below is list for the other participants. Make sure to stop by their blogs and see what they created.

Skye - http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com/

Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Shaiha - http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Rochelle - http://acreativechelle.blogspot.com/ - You are here

Flea Market and Mother's Day

Sunday was a beautiful day, so I took a drive up to a local flea market. Then I had dinner with Mom before heading home for a relaxing night of reading The Hunger Games.

A booth full on buttons!

Some of the buttons I took home.

Other little treasures I found.

How I ended my weekend :)

{Tutorial Love} Spring Time

Six Fabulous Spring Time Tutorials!

A collection of my favorite instructional craft projects for spring time.

All photos belong to the tutorial author.

Bird's Nests DIY Spring Art

DIY Ordinary to Extraordinary Flip Flops!

Toy Animal Planter Tutorial

 

Create this cute Cinch Tee for spring time!

You'll never guess what these cool charms are made from.

So cute and fun! Happy Spring Garland!

Upcycled Copper Flower Earrings

About a year ago I started the 'Upcycled Jewelry Project' with the idea of collecting old and unwanted jewelry as donations. Then, I rework the jewelry into new and sellable designs and donate proceeds from these sales  to local organizations that help women in need. Although I don't get to spend as much time as I'd like on this project of mine, there has been such a supporting from people and it is so fun that I try to make a couple pieces a month.

These earrings were made from old clip-on flower earrings, vintage glass pearls and metal spacers from a donated necklace and scrap wire.

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(Tip: Don't be afraid really dirty jewelry. Warm, soapy water will make them look like new!)

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Finished Earrings!