Janet of All Trades

This past weekend I participated in my third craft show and premiered my new Dominoes and Key pendants. There were over 200 Craft booths and a huge basket raffle to benefit the Ben Franklin Elementary PTA. And the best seller was my Necktie Cuffs with Key and Button embellishments. I took them at the last minute thinking they would be a good addition to my wares. It was a good show and I discovered this talented young man, creating items out of old paper,maps and frames. He is Joshua Fraass and had the most interesting items and his display. Well I can't even describe it since the photo can only do that.  He only creates items from things he can recycle and they are amazing. And his display was utter eye candy perfection. Paper and vintage together. and a little bit of burlap. I was in recycled heaven. He also sells at a two local stores, so if you are in the Western New York area, Check his creations out at Patricia's Back Barn,...

I am not a huge fan of Heart jewelry but the closer it gets to Valentines Day my opinion seems to change. So I decided to make a little necklace out of some recycled telephone wire and leather strips. To start the heart I cut two piece of telephone wire about 18" Long. Next I used a Glitter Heart as my template for the shape of the heart and bent the wire accordingly. For the center of the Heart I twisted the two wires together about 5 times. You can do this with your hand or you can use a pair of pliers. I then shaped the bottom of the heart by twisting the ends together Then I wound the extra back up over the twist to form knob. I then added a little leather cord and it was done.  I made a second one by stringing a few faux pearls on the wire and wrapping the leather cord in between.  They are so easy and inexpensive to make. Just add a few pearls..  And you have a cute and fun Valentines Necklace! Enjoy!

I have been busy making jewelry and pendants over the last few weeks and have created a few easy pendant cords that can make any pendant look good for just a few pennies. They are all very simple and only use a few supplies that you might already have The first one is a satin cord with spring ring closure. I started with a roll of statin cord,crimp ends and pliers. I cut the statin cord to about 18" long since this seems to be the correct length for a pendant. Then I laid the cord in the end and crimped I crimped the other end the same way and I was almost done. I then added a spring ring and jump ring for the closure. It was done! For the Second cord I took a length of Leather and a bead. I then threaded the bead on to the leather.  Then tied a knot on each end. Lastly I tied a loop on one end and made sure that they bead fit thru snuggly. The Last cord was made from super skinny ribbon and a button Cut to 20 inches so to leave enoug...