Crochet Bracelet by Wren Handmade

I just had to share this great jewelry item. For those that love to crochet and love to make jewelry, this is a natural fit. Who knew that you could make such intricate patterns with crochet.

I found this post via the Purl Bee and Wren Handmade graciously provided the pattern to that everyone can make their own bracelet. So HERE is the link to the pattern over at the Purl Bee.

If you would prefer to just buy one of these wonderful creations, here is Laura Normandin's Etsy shop.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Featured Artist - Julie DeGroot

I stumbled across this wonderful glass artist today while cruising the 1000 Markets site. She makes some of the most magical garden elements. Wind chimes are some of my favorite things to have in the garden besides rocks and hers are very unique. I especially love the stained glass koy fish for those that do not raise their own fish. Here is a little bit about Julie.

Just a little bit about me, I live in Beautiful Western New York, in the country surrounded by the woods and nature in a home that my husband and I built together from the ground up. The picture above is my teahouse and was a present built by my son and my husband, which is very dramatic when lit up at night. The pond in my banner and used in a lot of my pictures was hand dug and sculpted by hubby and me, filled with Japanese koi and lots of love. My gardens are wonderfully peaceful and just a beautiful place to sit to be inspired. When I find the time to do what I love, I’m in my glass studio, if not you will find me in my gardens : )

I am a self taught artist ~ I have been enjoying and creating stained glass, mosaic designs, paintings, murals and my gardens for over 20 years now. My art is everywhere inside and out of my home.

I have this great passion for glass, for my gardens and the great outdoors, so I combined them all to create my glass art for your home and garden. I create one of a kind stained glass art, inspired by nature. All of my glass art is individually designed and handcrafted by myself. Each piece is totally unique.

I’m always on the lookout for vintage glass, beads or different objects to reuse. I love to upcycle these into my art. To take nothing and turning it into something! Love that!! I think a garden should be filled with not only plants & love but a whimsical place to visit, little surprises around every corner.

I have a lot of fun creating my glass art ~ Nature always sings to me ~

Please check out Julie's 1000 Markets site and find your Jewels in the Garden.

New Jewelry Posted

This week has been devoted to making earrings and getting some posted for sale. All these pictured are either for sale on my ArtFire or 1000 Markets shop. My favorite is the carved turquoise, coral and apatite. Now to start on some inexpensive pendant/necklace designs for the salon. I have the earrings ready and now to work on the other items that need to get refreshed for Fall. I haven't had a lot of time to devote to making items this Summer due to family needs, but now I'm ready to go again. Just being back in my little craft room has inspired me to continue to remake old jewelry pieces and create new ones.

Today was our Gem and Mineral club picnic, so I did get a little reprieve from my normal routine. As it was a little hard to get going this morning and make the potluck dish I wanted to (swedish meatballs) we opted for an apple pie from Costco. Those pies are so good and this one was no exception...just needed a little vanilla ice cream to go with it.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend and remember to enjoy yourself every moment of the day because life is short and we only have a limited amount of time to make our mark on this world.

DIY Washer Necklace

I've seen some different washer necklaces, but this one, I'll try. I found the link to Chic Steals from One Pretty Thing's blog.

The first picture is the Washer necklace from Chic Steals and the second is a kit you can purchase from Urban Outfitters. All you need is some grosgrain ribbon and washers from the hardware store. Check out Chic Steals blog for the tutorial. I really like the size of the small washers best and the red ribbon really sets it off.

Old, New, Reuse, Repurpose Jewelry

Martha Stewart.com has some wonderful ideas for reusing or repurposing some vintage jewerly such as the belt made from bracelets, the wool wrapped bangles or the button necklace. I love the feathered headbands...not sure where I would wear one of those except to a Roaring 20's party, but they are fun. The wool wrapped bangles would be easy to make and I would wear that. I bought some unfinished wood ones at the craft store a few weeks ago for the purpose of collage, but this might be a better option. Head on over to Martha's craft area and check out the instructions for these and several others you might find interesting.

On another note, we are off to the Experience Music Project wth the G-kids today and I have to get in the craft room and make us some "Peace" pendants for the occassion. We don't have the tie dye T-shirts which would be fun to wear for the day. It's Woodstock week and if you wear a tie dye then you get $3.00 off admission....oh well, it was a little late last night when I found out about the discount to go buy all the stuff and make new T-shirts.

Enjoy Santana and Peace Be With You!

Jewelry Pouches

Pearl over at The Beading Gem's Journal has found some great tutorials for anyone wanting to make their own jewelry bag. There are several different bag styles. I actually have made the circle one with the pockets on the inside before and have bought some to use as gifts when a customer purchases an expensive item. Check out all to see which one you would prefer to make. I'm liking the simplicity of the one from the Purl Bee, but what's your favorite? Do you have a favorite item to hold your jewelry in?