Janet of All Trades

It has been a very busy summer since I decided to start selling jewelry at outdoor shows. Like anything new, it has been a learning process and every show brought different challenges. So I have compiled a list of the things I have learned by facing the challenges if you are ever thinking about embarking on this adventure! (1) Weather You can not control it but you can control how you deal with it. I learned that wind is not your friend and displays that worked inside don't always work outside. We had to weigh down all my mannequins with sand filled cigar boxes and screw their bases in to the box to keep them from moving. This took about two shows with gusty winds for us to learn this, since we got tired of hanging on to everything and picking broken jewelry off the ground. (2) Good Shoes Now when I mean good, I don't mean date night shoes or those that are really cute. I mean good as in possibly orthopedic and ugly. Your back and feet will love you at the end...

I named my Jewelry Mannequin Mable over the Spring since I really thought she needed a name. She is an average size but I always thought she was a little plain and need a scarf or top to dress her up. So I thought I would make my own dress for here that alway would serve as a cover to protect her stark  white skin. I started with an old sheet in a light tan color that I thought would work the best for display purposes. Next I basically made a sack. Two rectangular pieces sewn together on two sides only. Much like a pillow case but open on both ends. Next I cut out the shoulder cuts. I did this first by placing the sack on Mable and tracing the curve of the shoulder. I then cut both sides to match.  Now the last few steps I kind of fumbled along with since I have never made a piece of clothing that looked anything like it was suppose to nor do I have the best sewing skills. I basically but the sack on Mable and pinned and re-pinned and sewed and resewed until i...

A few months back we purchased a dresser from Ikea. And as you know it came unassembled in large box with many pieces. Upon putting the dresser together my lovely husband notice two outstanding pieces of cardboard(not to heavy or light) that were used between the pieces. Now to this girl who loves to recycle, this looked like a piece of gold and knew I would have some use for it. And I finally did. First I cut out a mannequin or bust shape from the cardboard and a second pair of legs. I free hand drew the pattern but it took me a few ties to get it just right. I covered the mannequin with an old book page and sealed with two coats of Mod Podge and then wrapped the edges around the back. I probably could have cut a piece to cover edges of the back,note for the next one. For it to stand I then had to cut a slit in the mannequin base from the bottom to just below the paper. On the other base, I cut a slit about 1 inch long from the top and slid them together. The make...

My obsession with mannequins continued this week when I remembered a free pattern for a tiny dress form pin cushion that I saw back in January.  It's a two page download at www.thediydish.com  with a video that takes you thru step by step of the process. I wanted to make a few of these for my craft room but thought they would also look lovely adorned with my recycled jewelry. So I started by selecting a few fabrics in colors that I love. Blues and greens are my favorite and make me feel like spring is not far away. After cutting and sewing the simple patterns and easy instructions (via video), I had these three stunning ladies in my craft room. They require very little fabric and can be mounted on candle sticks or spools. I made the long green dress form about 4" longer than the pattern since I wanted a bit of height and enough space to hang pedants. I added glass drawer knobs and beads for the neck inserts. I then added a few necklaces. I chose just a...

I have searching for an antique mannequin for a couple of years. They are hard to find and very expensive when they are found. I also have read many tutorials on how to make your own but never thought that I could pull it off until this past weekend. I started with a great pattern that I found on Etsy from Tracy Bell and you can buy it here .  The instructions are easy to follow and the results are amazing. I started with a nice linen in a medium taupe color since I thought it would look vintage and classic. Pattern was easy to read and after very few steps of a little sewing and a little stuffing, I was left with this.. I used a candle stick that I had and no longer used for the base and added a few of my recycled jewelry items. It was so easy, I made a second one and intend to use both of them to display my jewelry as well be able to take better photos. I am so pleased with the results. I now have my own Jewelry shop in my home! Lovely and Professional l...