Janet of All Trades

This is a creative challenge and is just the challenge I need. This event originated in Philadelphia and is celebrating it's14th Anniversary this January. (http://www.artclash.com ) It's a challenge to create something everyday in January. But here in Buffalo, the same events is being held but it will runs thru February, since it is the down month for festivals, until March begins and festival season begins. I am rising to this challenge and will either make something each day or make one thing and work on it everyday in February.  It might be something made from books or book pages, or with my bead stash, Our my yarn stash... I think I see a trend on what I might be focusing on. Be sure to check back for updates. February is just over a little week away! Enjoy, Janet

I am not completely finished with my Spring Cleaning, but I did have a little time to create some lovely bracelets. Blues and Greens With a little bit of glass. Pinks and purples and a litte bit of bling. Super fun to make and used up many beads. Now on to my next project.. Earth Day! Enjoy!

Don't be deceived by the title of this post, it's not about cleaning or organizing your home for spring. I thought I have been busy doing that too, I also have been cleaning out my closets and bead stash.  I thought I would share the grouping of beads that I am using for my next projects called Spring Cleaning. Some Blue and Green beads (my favorites) that I have far to many of. Some Pink,White and Purple..some from a necklace that took apart a year ago. Stay tuned to see what I create with my Spring Cleaning finds! Enjoy!

St Patrick's day is one of my favorite holidays. It's not only a day for me to celebrate being Irish but also celebrate the day that I met my husband. There was a little bit of luck in the air that day. So commerate it this year, I have created the Luck of Irish Bracelet. I started by collecting a few things to create my bracelet. Pearl Beads since they are my birthstone. Emerald colored beads to represent the Emerald Isle. Gold beads from the Leprechaun's pot. and embroidery floss in gold and green. Next I followed the tutorial found at Freejewelrymaking  to create my three bracelets. Super easy and quick to create.  A three strand stunner in about and hour. My Luck of the Irish bracelet! Enjoy!

I had been traveling most of the month of September and the one trend that is popular everywhere is braided and beaded bracelets. Like theses from Nialaya  braided bracelet with Skull beads that are handmade in Hollywood. A Shambala style with a stylish clasp. Our this Lovely Beaded Bracelet from the from Silorama  for Wimbledon that looks like mini Tennis balls. I love this braided and chain bracelet from Aureli Bidermann , not only for the color but the paper clip closure!  And lastly, my find and purchase at the beach for $.98 each! Braided bling.. I don't think I could make it them for less! But I might try! Enjoy!

Sometimes you buy something at an Estate Sale and you don't know what you have until you get it home and look thru it. That is what happen to me a few weeks ago when I purchase a coffee can full of vintage wooden and bamboo beads.  Surprise! the beads are fun and remind me of summer camp, so I knew I needed to create a piece of jewelry with them.  I started with some Stretch Magic Cord in black and clear in 1mm thickness. I had never used Stretch Magic before and was happy to read that it is made in the USA and is very easy to work with. I first cut a piece about 12 inches long since I had decided to make a 7" bracelet and would need a little more on each end to knot. Now you will need to Pre-Stretch the cord as per the directions, which means stretching it about 2 or 3 times with one end in both hands. Then I started stringing my beads which is super easy and if you have a bead stopper it helps to keep the beads organized. After a few trial and errors with I figu...

I think I have problem. It might not be oblivious at first but it is getting bigger and bigger. It's not that I am a hoarded or compulsive shopper..  The key to my problem is.. I have too many pieces of jewelry and it is time to let others enjoy them. Each one is unique. And they are now all available in my etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Janetofalltrades Enjoy!

With my collection of beads,buttons and findings growing for my jewelry creating, I found it necessary to revamp my organization so I could spend less time searching for something. This was how I was organizing most of my items in mismatch of clear plastic containers and never knowing exactly what I had. So it was time for a better system. I looked at a few craft store and found one that I really liked. This one was at Michael's and for $44.95 I probably could have purchased it with a 50% coupon to get it at a better price. It had a flip top lid and three removable trays. But I knew I could find a better one and at a more reasonable price. And I did! I found this tool organizer at Harbor Freight for $17.99 and it was on sale for $13.99. Now if you sign up for their newsletter or look online you can find coupons for 20% off.  It is the perfect solution and size. I purchased two since I knew I needed room to expand and could not pass up a great deal. The top ...

I have seen these bracelets everywhere and came very close to buying one. But I knew I could possibly make one for much less and it didn't look that difficult.  I started by purchasing 2mm leather cording and the beads came from my stash. I tried to figure it out a few times on my own but then I found this awesome tutorial on Make It/Fake It with step by step images to guide you thru the process. I used beading thread instead of fishing wire since that is what I had on hand. You start with a button and the top and start your bead. It went along pretty well, but it does take time to perform the beading correctly. I taped the top and the bottom of my cording to the table so it was easier to wrap the thread around and bead without everything rolling around. Once I was done I tied off the thread and made the super easy closure. Just knot where you end and make sure you loop fits over your button (I had to take a few beads off to make mine fit). Then my bracelet...