Large Jeweled Plaque Necklace

This necklace is my favorite piece of jewelry I have made so far. My best friend Lauren's unique jewelry collection and my husband's nature photography inspired this necklace.











First I took a piece of paper towel to make a pattern. I drew the neckline I wanted by tracing a butter bowel.
Then I used a baby food jar to create the scalloped look.

I then cut out the paper towel pattern and pinned it to a piece of felt folded in two. I cut out the felt pattern, which left me with the a front and back.

Next, spray paint the front felt with your choice of shimmer color. I used Krylon Glitter Spray. While the felt is drying, figure out how you want to arrange your jewels on the paper towel pattern.

When you are ready to sew, start with your center stone and hand sew it on to the front piece of the felt. Then sew your smaller beads around your stone. Due this with each stone, working your way to the outer-edges.

When your done it will look like this. Don't worry about it being perfect. It is the imperfections that make it unique and beautiful.










Next, take the back piece of felt and hot glue two pieces of ribbon.

I messed up on this part. I would recommend gluing the ribbons straight up and down - not at an angle. I also recommend gluing the ribbon just a little closer to the center. *I am going to fix mine, and I will add a picture on Saturday.










After you attach the ribbon hot glue the back piece of felt to the front piece of felt. The ribbon should be sandwiched in between.

This is a picture with the flash. In real life, it is not that shiny!

Recycled Watch Band Bracelet - Inspired from Ruffles and Stuff

Today's post was suppose to be baby clothes that I am making for 9-month-old Rily, but in the process of sewing I broke my sewing machine needle.

So, taking the broken needle as a sign that I needed to get started on house cleaning, I began to tidy up my mantle. On my mantle I found a watch that Rick's grandmother, Carol, gave me. The watch does not work anymore, but it is a beautiful watch. It is also a reminder of great woman who accepted me as family from the moment she met me. I would never get rid of the watch, and as I was thinking of way to make it wearable again, I remembered a recent post from Disney at Ruffles and Stuff - Recycled Watch Band Bracelets.

Tada!!!!! My version of the recycled watch band bracelet.

Here is the tutorial on how to make this awesome bracelet turned watch!

Anthropolgie Inspired Frayed Beaded Ribbon Necklace

Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores for inspiration. Everything they have to offier is a great base for my own designs. I like to edge up the romantic, vintage feel of Anthropologie.

My good friend Danielle and I both have a fondness for one Anthropologie piece - the frayed diamonds necklace.

(left Anthropologie necklace)
The only problem is this necklace retails for $168, and that doesn't even come in 1,000 miles of my budget. So below is my version.

















I don't exactly know how I created the necklace, because it was a learn as you go process. I have enough material that I will make it again, and document it the second time around.

I gave this necklace to Danielle for a very late Christmas gift. I made the necklace choker length, with the thought it would look great with a black crew neck or turtle neck.

Here are some pictures of Danielle modeling her gift.

By the way I made this necklace for around $5.

Also, check out Disney at Ruffles and Stuff for other amazing Anthropologie inspired jewelry.

New Year's Lucky Bangles

Happy New Year!

I thought there was no better day than New Year's Day for my very first post!

I follow two very important traditions when celebrating the New Year. I wear something red and incorporate circles.

Some believe wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve is good luck. I choose to believe it is lucky if I just wear something red on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Many people also believe that they should eat food in the shape of ring while they celebrate the New Year. The ring represents coming full circle and a fresh start. I believe it doesn't hurt to incorporate circles into everything while celebrating - even your wardrobe.

So in keeping my traditions I decided to create some jewelry I could wear to celebrate the New Year.

I love bangles, and I love the look of the three bangles. What I don't love is the bangles clanging together - being a regular annoyance. So, I created my own version of the layered bangles.

I took three different bangles. I love the retro ceramic bracelets, and I love the jeweled bracelets.

I cut the elastic on the jeweled charm bracelet and removed the colored gems. I saved the charms for another use. I then hot glued the gems on to the bigger bangle - the green one. I then hot glued the smaller bangle - the blue bangle on top of the gems. I applied pressure for about 30 seconds to make sure it stuck well.

 













My final product - a new version of the layered bangle bracelets.