[ earrings made with two long shells and random pearls and beads. ]

I’m a bit nautical-crazy lately, it would seem. Between the rope belt I made*, the seahorse necklace procured at Target, and the seashell jewelry I’ve been working on, I dare say that all things ocean-related have become a bit of a preoccupation! The jewelry making started after we visited the beach while my sister was visiting. We were actually hunting for shark’s teeth, but I’m rubbish at that, so I stared gathering shells instead! I found some really gorgeous specimens–far better and more delicate than anything I ever found on the Mid Atlantic beaches.

So far I’ve made a necklace and set of earrings, using just bits and pieces that I had lying around (beads from old necklaces, chain from thrifted pieces). As with most of my jewelry making projects, I referred to my favorite book on the subject: Bead Simple. Without that book I would have never figured out how to make jewelry properly! I think I really need to get some more beads to add to my stash though; I have been using these pearls for ages, and I’m getting kind of tired of 75% of my self-made jewelry having pearls. lol. Maybe I can find some neat necklaces to take apart at the thrift store? Hmm…

[ a necklace with a bit of a surprise! isn't the shell beautiful? I've never seen anything quite this pretty on the beach before! ]

Some tips on making jewelry with shells that I picked up along the way… Although most recommend using a Dremel tool to drill holes (and this would be useful for thicker shells), I used a bead reamer (found at JoAnns), which worked perfectly. For those not familiar with it (I had no idea what it was beforehand!), it’s an awl-like tool that has a rough point used to smooth the inside of beads. With a little gentle pressure, I found it worked in a pinch. I also did a little research and it seems that spray finish works great for keeping the shells nice and shiny and protecting them. I still haven’t done this with mine, but need to so they don’t discolor (or break as easily, I suspect).

*Thank you everyone so much for the feedback on the rope belt I’ve been posting about! I’m really tickled you all liked it. I would like to do a tutorial on how I made it, as it’s pretty simple and requires few tools (plus I want to remake it anyway). So I’m adding that to my Tutorials to Write list, and hopefully it won’t be too long!

[ these are terribly addictive to make one right after the other... ]

I have recently discovered the joy addiction of making buttons covered in crochet. Credit goes to this .pdf of the essential 1940s Make and Mend for Victory booklet (a big thanks to Susannah for generously scanning and sharing this!) for spurring me on to take up my crochet hook again. It’s been years since I’ve used a crochet hook for anything other than finishing a knit garment, but it didn’t take long for me to get in the rhythm of making these! They’re addictive. Not to mention pretty darn cute and oh so vintage!

[ a vintage dress with crochet buttons. ]

[ the entire vintage dress, picked up at a flea market a couple years ago. ]

I’ve always loved the look of crochet embellished buttons on vintage garments (such as the frock above), but being largely crochet-ignorant, I had no idea how to go about it. It’s one of those lovely details that make vintage pieces special–you just don’t see them on modern garments! But I’m excited I finally have instructions on how to make some–I think perhaps they might be just the thing for a project down the line, don’t you think? Now if only I could find some other vintage patterns for crochet buttons–just to add a bit of variation!

[ click for a larger view. ]

Please excuse a bit of a different post for Friday this week. Having been without my computer for most of the week, I didn’t keep up with my blog reading/bookmarking enough to be able to put together an Inspiration Week post for today!

After a few months of becoming painfully aware that the current state of jewelry “organization” was woefully inadequate (e.g. things piled into a small, vintage lotus bowl and stuffed in an organizer in my closet), I knuckled under and did something about it last weekend! A few years ago I had made a jewelry organizer from an old frame (hanging on the right), which worked for a time and still is in use now. But, not only did it need to be updated (new paint job), but I had outgrown it. I don’t have a huge costume jewelry collection, but it’s large enough and if I don’t have it out in the open I forget what I have.

[ click for a larger view. ]

So I decided to make a two piece set to house all my jewelry that could be hung to store it (necklaces, hook earrings, non-bangle bracelets) as well as a place for all my brooches. I used the smaller frame I already had and another I had picked up at a yardsale a couple months ago. Both were painted with a glossy black paint (leftover from painting our dining room chairs), and then I stocked up on silver tone nails, hooks, wire and window screening to add the storage capacity to each.

[ click for a larger view. ]

The larger frame got the screening for storing pins as well as a series of hooks to hang necklaces on from the bottom edge (tacked to the backside of the frame). The smaller frame was fitted again with wire (suspended between nails) to hold earrings. For less than $15, I have loads of storage space for my jewelry! For the first time in years, I’ve got almost all of it out on display so I know what I have and can actually wear it. lol.

How do you store your jewelry? Do you have an elaborate system, or something much more simple? I’d love to hear your ideas!!!

[ click for a larger view. ]

[ my striking green dress. I adore this color! ]

Oh dear… I vanished again from Blogland for a bit! I have an excuse though: I spent my weekend testing a super secret, new pattern from this lovely lady. That meant locking myself in my “sewing room” for a few days, unplugging the computer (well, not really–I listened to a lot of podcasts and music!), and drinking lots of tea to stay alert. hehe! I wish I could show you the finished garment, ’cause it’s super cute, and as with all of Sarai’s designs is quite flattering and has that vintage vibe that I love so much. I promise, once she officially launches the new patterns, I’ll show you!

[ the red, cashmere sweater I refashioned--two years after I got it! ]

What else have I been doing? Well, to be honest: lots of creating! I altered a red cardigan that has been in my pile for almost two years (tutorial coming soon!), whipped up a skirt last week as well (the gray one in my fall sewing lineup), finished altering and hemming this dress, and have cast on a snood on my knitting needles. You may remember earlier this year I said I was knitting a snood, but I never said it was finished to showed any photographic evidence. Mostly because it was one of those projects that just crashed and burned–due in part to selecting the wrong sort of yarn. This time I grabbed something a bit more suited, and have been happily (if not slowly–I find larger needles are hard to manipulate in my smallish hands!), knitting for a half hour or so in the evenings. I hope to have some pictures very soon of the finished piece!

So, my dears: what have you been up to?

[ click for a larger view. ]

I’ve been collecting frames for the past months, with the intention to liven up a big, blank wall in our living room. It’s huge, beige and boring. Today I finally pulled out the stack of frames, boxes of photos (both family and found images I’ve bought at antique shops over time), and some scrapbooking supplies–determined to add a bit of personality and color to our “problem wall”! I thought it would be fun to show you all how I did this, especially since it’s both easy, colorful and inexpensive (the latter being the catchphrase for most of my decorating!). I know it’s a take off from the usual fashion-centered fare here, so I hope someone will find it useful!

[ click for a larger view. ]

To do this project you’ll need: a frame (the picture area being larger than the photo you intend to frame), a snapshot or old photo, scrapbook paper (old wallpaper, wrapping paper, etc. would work just as well. Just realize these tend to not be archival safe; a concern especially for older photographs), stick on labels (optional; mine are from the Martha Stewart line of scrapbooking supplies), ruler, pencil, pen, and scissors.

[ click for a larger view. ]

Begin by measuring the photo area of your frame and measure out on the backside of the scrapbook paper. An easier way to do this is just remove the paper insert that comes in many new frames and trace it. Cut out.

[ click for a larger view. ]

Measure your photo, and mark where you would like to center it on your piece of scrapbook paper. I positioned mine slightly above the horizontal center mark, to allow for a label. Attach the two top photo corners. I found this worked best when the photo was slipped into the corners.

[ click for a larger view. ]

Attach the bottom corners.

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Attach the stick on label. This is totally optional, but I thought added a bit of charm to the piece. You can write something in, or leave it blank!

[ click for a larger view. ]

Slip the entire piece into the frame, secure the back on, and find a wall to add a bit of color and fun to! I’ve also done this with a handful of other photos and love how it sets the pictures off, without the fussiness of using a mat (or annoyance of cutting your own!).

[ click for a larger view. ]

I hope you enjoyed this! I’ve been pumping out loads of budget-friendly decorating ideas lately. Especially Christmas ideas. We just found out last week that Sailor Husband’s family is going to be celebrating both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in our little apartment, so ideas on how to add a bit more festivity (we don’t have many Christmas decorations yet!) on a shoestring have been my newest brainstorm! hehe!