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...

This little blog was so in need of update. I have been thinking about it so much during the last year and finally it was time. I started this blog almost 4 years ago this week to try find an outlet for my creativity. I know now that writing is not one of those outlets, but I love to create and try hard to explain the process on how I have created.Blogging has also changed over the last 4 years and if you are a blogger or read them you already know it is a different blog world today. I have not blogged as much in the last two years since I really have found something I like to create. This past year I have been busy making jewelry and selling at shows. This takes up a lot of my time that I would normally be creating,sewing and blogging. I have although made all my display and fitted tablecloths, so I still am making other things. I have a few post in the next couple weeks planned and I think they will be enjoyable. Please keep reading here at my newly designed page and you can foll...

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...

I have been so busy this Spring getting ready for some upcoming show over the summer that I have had little time to create anything but jewelry..  I call this one Central Park.. It's a map of Central Park,a Domino and a lucite flower. Orange You Glad it's Spring Pedant. Felt circle,Button and rhinestone Star on a Key Oh and these Lovely Flower pots that are not really jewelry but make the outside of my house look pretty too! I will post soon on my First Outdoor show that is a week! Enjoy!

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...

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!