Introduction to a Handmade Christmas

Christmas has not always been a time of delight and joy for me. When I was younger and less able to appreciate my blessings in life, I thought Christmas was just a big fat reminder of everything I DID NOT have. I wallowed in my prediction that there would not be enough love, gifts, generosity, money, invitations, etc. and recruited others to do the same.

I worked hard to make "Bah Humbug" fashionable. My ridiculous self-centeredness made every flippin' Christmas carol feel like a giant raspberry from the universe.

Before the season was over, I would end up flush with all kind of gifts and blessings but I would be unable to enjoy them. I was pretty certain that the only reason I got what I got was because I sustained a level of prepared disappointment and experiencing any sort of joy or gratitude might jeopardize the possibility of getting more...

In other words, I was a spoiled young woman and no matter how much I got, it would never be enough.

But being a mom has totally changed this pattern of behavior for me- thank God! I work very hard each year to shelter my children from the commercialism and the emphasis on "getting" by doing a Handmade Christmas.

Last year baking Christmas Cookies

Last year, I was blessed to discover a whole like-minded movement which has made this tradition even more exciting. I have found so much inspiration from bloggers like One Crafty Mumma and Me and My Thoughts where there are tons of great ideas and dozens of tutorials.


This practice of a Homemade Christmas focuses on the joy of giving and encourages creativity. I can not tell you how much my kids thrive on making gifts for others. Maybe this story will... Aidan came home from school a week ago with a huge list of toys he wanted from Santa. There were well over $1,000 worth of gifts written in his cute 1st grade handwriting and he seemed pretty sure that if he sent the list to Santa, he would get each and every one of them. I explained that Santa might bring one item on his list but not all of it.

He said, "but lots of the kids at school get everything on their list and I get in less trouble than a lot of them."

Every year we make a homemade Chicken Pot Pie together

I told him that Santa brings gifts to match the traditions in each house and at our house we focus on the giving, not the receiving. He was not thrilled with that answer, but I went on to explain how in our family we may only get one or two big presents from Santa but we spend the whole month of December doing things to celebrate Christmas like decorating, making gifts, ornaments, cookies and most of all, spending time together. Other families may get lots of "stuff" but their Christmas is just a morning. They wait, wait, wait, until Christmas arrives; rip through the presents and then it is all over for another 365 days.

"Hmmmmmm" he replied. He was clearly analyzing the data.

The next day we started getting our Christmas groove on by drinking gingerbread tea, listening to Christmas carols and doing Christmas crafts. The kids made all kinds of ornaments and paper chains and not once did I hear someone say "I'm bored!"- (a Christmas miracle!) While we were cleaning up, Aidan said "I like the way we do Christmas mommy. I LOVE doing crafts with you. When can we do it again?"

"Next weekend, and every weekend after until Christmas" I replied. He smiled huge and yelled "Yeah!" while he jumped up and down. "I don't need all those toys mommy... just the Lego's"

So here are a few of the goodies I have started on for gifts this year (just to wet your whistle). Tutorials and more pictures will follow. Subscribe to my feed so you know when new articles are posted because I have a lot of fun and easy crafts that are earth friendly, easy to do and inexpensive too. Welcome to Homemade Christmas everyone!

The handles on this bag are made from an old scarf


Burlap and cotton reversible shopping bag

This is a ring

This is a pendant with a tiny spool of thread, pin and button

So I’m included in a Treasury, now what?

I just got an Etsy "convo" letting me know that I have been included in another treasury. This is my 4th time being included in a treasury and it feels like a honor but is it? Well I did a little research and found this great article by posted by Diana Rajchel . I thought I pass on this fantastic information for those of you who are wondering "so what?"

Let’s say you wake up one morning and you find a convo in your Etsybox: you’re in a treasury! Of course you should go, click, and post a comment thanking the curator. It’s the gracious thing to do, after all. And you could just leave it at that. Treasuries are random, low-traffic things with a short lifespan. Why make a fuss?

Here’s why:

Etsy admin looks through treasuries for front page ideas. While we on Etsy are still subject to admin’s whims and limitations, it does at least give us a chance to present new ideas to them.

So when your item is included in a treasury, you are being nominated by someone as front-page worthy. It’s like receiving a neighborhood association award: it means something to the person who picked you, and it might mean something to you.

If you assume the attitude that you’ve essentially received a small award, you should proceed as you would with any other award: tell the world. You’re helping bring more attention to your item and the items of others and it gives you a little bit of content for your social networking sites. Just grab a screenshot – you can use the print screen function on your desktop or one of three or four add-ons available in mozilla – and you can upload the image to your respective accounts. I’ve even gone so far as to add my treasuries to Etsy-treasury specific groups on flickr.

Places to Go with your Treasury Screenshot and What to Do when You’re There:

Myspace
Add it to your slideshow. Create a 500 pixel image with a link back to the treasury and post it in bulletins. Ask people to click.

Twitter
Tweet it no more than twice. Add a link.

Your personal blog
Post the image. Say how it makes you feel.

Facebook
Add it to your notes field.

Your Etsy shop
Include a link in your shop announcement, just be sure to take it down as soon as the treasury expires.

You can also talk about it in forums in the appropriate areas – Etsy pretty much keeps you to Promotions, but it still can get some play there if your treasury is attention-worthy. I’m not suggesting you drop everything when you get in a treasury, but doing one or two of these things can help inch you up that path of recognition.

Gratitude project - Day 7

How is it day 7 already. Well I've got to hurry to catch my train so this will have to be a quickie but after reading so many other wonderful lists last night, I have plenty of things in mind.

1. Nacho night at our house
2. my car
3. fresh starts
4. Gingerbread coffee from Trader Joes
5. the gal at Michael's who noticed I haven't been in yje store in a while -she refers to me as a "regular"
6. Jennifer Stewart who introduced me to the world of vintage
7. my husband likes me just the way I am
8. Aidan's idea of a reward or treat for getting an "A" on his spelling test is getting to stay up past bed time and play SKIP BO with mom
9. my sense of humor. I don't know where it comes from sometimes, but it cracks me up
10. mineral makeup - it really is superior to liquid
11. a stocked pantry
12. Gary - our goldfish - he's just another member of our family
13. sometimes I choose to be happy rather than right
14. the incredible nature that exists all around me - God is the best landscaper
15. love in all its forms
    
16. for people who fight injustice
    
17. I could lose some weight if I just stopped eating the way I eat
18. salads - yummy
19. Edit -->undo )
    
20. the sunrise - I am not a morning person but if I am awake - I sure love the dawn of a new day

Ok I have to get going or I'm gonna be late so please forgive my typos and other boo boo's. I'll proof later. We have 2 more new Gratitude Project bloggers: Lori Delisle at The Style Girl and Cynthia at Technicolor Postcards Be sure to visit these amazing gratitude lists for more positive thinking and joy.

• Cameron Yates - Create Beauty Daily
• Heather Main - Runs with trimmer
• Lori Hudson - Duct Tape and WD40
• Zanne Koller -Zannedu
  
• Sooz! - Creative Chaos
  
• Aimee Porco - Dream Big
• Katie Hugh - oliverifairy
• Maryella - createsmileslaughter
  
• Rebecca-
• Laura Krohn - on facebook
  
• Jim Dandy - Running with Feathers
• MorningDove - Morning Dew
  
• Katherine McKarney - Looking for Inspiration
• Paula - plays with mud
• Linda at Rue Paris -rue-paris.blogspot.com
• My Dear darling
• Lori Delisle at The Style Girl
• Cynthia at Technicolor Postcards

Day 6 - Gatitude Project

Eva is still sick but doing better this morning - she held her high fever through the night so I slept with one eye open. That kind of worry is no fun. My imagination gets more of a voice than I'd like... I started worrying that if I drifted off to sleep, she would take a turn for the worst. There were lots of tears and I gave out a zillion hugs while pushing fluids but we made it without incident. I am dog tired this morning but she seems to feel a little better. Tim's taking her to the pediatrician this morning so I have the morning "off." I have so much work to catch up on that I do not see a nap fitting into my schedule. It's OK - I am at the point where I would rather not feel so behind then feel tired. This gratitude list will be geared to getting into the groove.

1. The holidays are coming (and a month off of school to get my batteries recharged!)
2. That the holidays do not stress me out because we keep it simple
   
3. That I have a studio in my house to do my work and school
4. Tim - I know I have written things about him in previous lists but I want to acknowledge that he's my lobster.
5. caffeine and sugar - that I am not a slave to either, but I do love them both.
6. Noggin - I love that if my kids are gonna watch TV, there is an educational, commercial-free option!
7. My wonderful stash of art supplies - it took a long, long time to collect, but I almost never have to go to the Michaels's to get items for a project.
8. our back yard - we have wonderful trees, a lawn, two raised garden beds and enough space for our kids to kick the ball and ride their bikes (in circles).
9. tivo
10. to do lists
11. humanity at its best
12. children and all their magic
13. comfortable shoes
14. books
15. silliness
16. goodness
17. I am not in charge
18. that I did not get the bug (so far) that is making Eva sick
19. electricity - it sure is handy
20. teachers

We have 2 new additions to the gratitude project from the SFEtsy team: Linda at Rue Paris -rue-paris.blogspot.com and My Dear darling!
Check out these other gratitude lists too and then- post your own!!

• Cameron Yates - Create Beauty Daily
• Heather Main - Runs with trimmer
• Lori Hudson - Duct Tape and WD40
• Zanne Koller -Zannedu
  
• Sooz! - Creative Chaos
  
• Aimee Porco - Dream Big
• Katie Hugh - oliverifairy
• Maryella - createsmileslaughter
  
• Rebecca-
• Laura Krohn - on facebook
  
• Jim Dandy - Running with Feathers
• MorningDove - Morning Dew
  
• Katherine McKarney - Looking for Inspiration
• Paula - plays with mud
• Linda at Rue Paris -rue-paris.blogspot.com
• My Dear darling
  

Gratitude Project - Day 5

Had a long night with Miss Eva who spiked a fever in the middle of the night and developed a cough in a matter of minutes. I slept half heartedly as the mom in me worried that she might have swine flu. A gratitude list is just what I need this A.M.

1. flea markets
2. free cycle - in the last year, I have picked up my drafting table/chair, full spectrum over head lights and a gigantic box of unique rubber stamps
3. the ability to check my email from my cell phone
4. the feeling of "inspiration"
5. all the awesome family traditions that Tim and I have invented together like our handmade Christmas and "no stress" Thanksgiving- our motto is "dude, its just a day..."
6. that I have tools for living
7. sea ranch - wish we could have a wassima retreat there.
8. even though Eva has a fever and feels crummy, she just walked into my room with stickers all over her PJ's; then she pulled her pajama top up to reveal even more stickers all over her tummy.
9. hot showers
10. 70's music - all kinds
11. that Maggie brings me somerset studio magazines
12. that I'm OK with being one of many (most of the time)
13. Vintage everything!!!
14. the great times I have with my mom
15. sushi
16. red cross - what would the world be without it?
17. the unknown -mystery is good
18. that Tim and I still do sweet little things for each other on a daily basis
19. that my kids tell me they love me all the time - just out of the blue.."i love you mommy"
20. my body..it aint't perfect but it works most of the time and I'm so grateful for everything it does!
    

Day 4 Gratitude Project

Think I better start my morning with a gratitude list so I can reap the benefits all day long...

1. tolerance
2. our dishwasher
3. hiking
4. alka seltzer
5. indoor plumbing
6. my Etsy customers and all people who support small businesses
7. Craig's list
8. California casual - I love that I never have to wear panty hose or high heels and that putting on makeup is considered getting dressed up.
9. sharp cheddar cheese - you satisfy me in way that nothing else can.
10. Steve Carell - he makes me belly laugh (especially in Bruce Almighty when he is doing the news)
11. that I am free (I not only live in a free society but I am not incarcerated or institutionalized)
12. that I have relatively good mental health - we don't realize how lucky we are that we don't have schizophrenia or other debilitating mental illness.
    
13. that my kids are healthy
14. that my husband does laundry, dishes and he cooks pretty good too.
    
15. that there is a group of people making these lists with me so I can get grateful from theirs as much as my own!
16. Michael's 40% off coupon - it has saved me a fortune (hmmm or maybe its cost me a fortune???)
17. that I had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling when I was younger.
18. the tool room at school - you can check out ANYTHING there - from power tools, to welding equipment. to dental instruments (not for your teeth - for carving)
19. zip lock bags
20. random acts of kindness

Project Gratitude -Day 3

Dude! check out this awesome "logo" for the gratitude challenge now fondly know as "the gratitude project" (or "Hradtitude" if you are me) - I totally had to borrow it from Paula at plays with mud. Thanks Paula!
So we had such a nice time celebrating Arlina's birthday and eating her incredible homemade authentic Mexican food tonight. It was so great to see the kids playing together so nicely in one room while all us grown ups were having a great time together in another. Mark V. brought these amazing flour tortillas and Eddie made the best guacamole EVER! good times... and now that I'm full and relaxed here is my third list:

1. Yesterday I had an entire day pain free - that's right -nothing, nada, zilch, and life was really, really good. Yeah!
2. For the amazing shopping arena "Etsy" and that I have 2 shops there that are successfully selling!
3. that my daughter still has a little kid accent...I love that she says "i love you to the 'oon' and back" and "those are 'mine' shoes".
4. That I sleep well just about every night.
5. I have a sufficient substitute - that and more...
6. Laura's brownies...damn
7. that I studied in Bath, England with the finest group of people you could ever meet. Friends I'll treasure until the day I die and memories that I'll take with me to the next life because they are so good.
8. we can get fresh fruits and vegetables year round at any supermarket in our area.
9. pause and rewind
10. Obama
11. That I get to go to Artfest next year! and I'm rooming with Lori - how fun is that??
12. That my parents paid for braces when I was a child
13. Alyssa and Aidan are in the same class.
14. I have an education
15. We don't have credit card debt.
16. science fiction
17. the color green - it is so beautiful
18. facebook and reuniting with friends from another time in my life and for the ability to stay so well connected to people in my life now.
19. the ozone layer
20. that 40 is the new 30

here are the latest updates to our list...I feel like I'm forgetting some people...if I didn't add you will you remind me again. I drowned in my email today...

• Cameron Yates - Create Beauty Daily
• Heather Main - Runs with trimmer
• Lori Hudson - Duct Tape and WD40
• Zanne Koller -Zannedu
  
• Sooz! - Creative Chaos
  
• Aimee Porco - Dream Big
• Katie Hugh - oliverifairy
• Maryella - createsmileslaughter
  
• Rebecca-
• Laura Krohn - on facebook
  
• Jim Dandy - Running with Feathers
• MorningDove - Morning Dew
  
• Katherine McKorney - Looking for Inspiration
• Paula - plays with mud
  

Gratitude Lists You Don't Want To Miss!

Alrighty...here are the links I promised...some have already begun and some will be starting soon so be sure to pop in again if there isn't a list at this time! If I did not put you on this list, please send me an email or leave a comment as I'll be posting updates daily:

• Cameron Yates - Create Beauty Daily
• Heather Main - Runs with trimmer
• Lori Hudson - Duct Tape and WD40
• Zanne Koller -Zannedu
  
• Sooz! - Creative Chaos
  
• Aimee Porco - Dream Big
• Katie Hugh - oliverifairy
• Maryella - createsmileslaughter
  
• Rebecca-
• Laura Krohn - on facebook
  
• Jim Dandy - Running with Feathers
• MorningDove
  

Day 2

OK I'm on the fly because I have to catch an early train to school so here is my day 2 list...

1. being able to do what I love as a profession
2. that I'm in a really great marriage
3. camping
4. weekends
5. Maggie time (most Saturdays she comes over for a few hours to create, connect, giggle and affirm - there is just no smack talk, scheming or whining when we get together - its not in our nature...)
6. Today is grandparents day at school and both of my kids have a grandparent in their class with them all day to watch their plays, go to chapel, hear them sing and eat a picnic lunch with
7. that I lived in Africa
8. that I don't have to drive to San Francisco...i take 2 different trains and end up a block from my classroom.
9. That my school has provided me with 2 hours a week of free tutoring so I can find my voice.
10. that I believe that there is a power greater than myself who is with me always
11. the extraordinary generosity that has been shown to me and my family over these last few months.
12. the amazing relationships I have with ppl ac cross the country that are almost exclusively maintained over the Internet.
13. Heather for showing me another path...it may seem silly but you changed the course of my life
14. Kimmy and Jen - I love that over distance and time we have kept our friendships so strong. you are part of my family really and I treasure that.
15. That the park is across the street, the farmers market is 1 block away every Sunday and I can see Michaels from the sidewalk in front of my house.
16. That Emily and Dan live so close
17. Lindsey - she is a gift in so many ways
18. Glee- that show just makes me happy.
19. pumpkin pie
20. Our gardener Nate who offered to discount our bill when he heard Tim had lost his job and has given us several free months because he came into some money (none of this was requested...he just did it because he's an incredible man) Its the gesture not the money...he makes me want to be a better person

i know I also promised a list of participants and their blog addresses but I've got to get going so I'll compile tonight Off the top of my head I can tell you that Cameron, Heather, Aimee, Sooz, Lori, Katie, Zanne, MaryElla, Moi, Morningdove and...crude...forgive me I gotta jet....but these ladies are participating and most of their blog links are on my right side bar... happy day

Gratitude List - Day 1

Boy do I need this...Before I begin my list I'll share that I have been having a hell of a time with my TN pain. My whole life has been affected and I have had to make huge adjustments in my expectations. I try really hard to stay positive on my blog and on facebook but I don't feel very authentic. If I said what was really going on, all I'd do is complain so I have been doing a lot of isolating to avoid wearing people out. I reserve all my fun, good humor and positive energy to lavish on the kids and Tim so that their lives are not impacted more than necessary. The result is that when I can't do it any longer, I disappear into my room and try to manage the intense pain with relaxation techniques, surfing the web, TV, and anything else I can do to distract me or ease the discomfort. Yes that includes eating large quantities of my kid's Halloween candy. What can I say...it helps for a few minutes.

I have had my share of dark moments but God is good and has graced me with more blessings than pain so no matter what escape plan I imagine in those stretches of 9 and 10 suffering, I have a smile for the joys in my life. Here are just a few in no particular order...

1. my children's genuine happiness with their lives
2. St. Timothy's school
3. my friends, family and community - you know who you are
   
4. my husband's wonderful sense of humor
5. my mom
6. Bill and Bob and everything that follows
7. I get to go to art school
8. our home
9. willingness each and every morning
10. health insurance
11. Peggy Z
12. to be an American
13. for my sight, hearing and ability to walk
14. our amazing planet and those that fight to save her
15. my in laws who are so far away but so near in our hearts
16. forgiveness
17. our military, police and firefighters who protect us from harms way
    
18. my computer...I'd be out of work and cut off from much of the world without it
19. clean water - we don't realize how lucky we are
20. that I live in Northern California - for the weather, the open mindedness, tolerance, diversity and opportunity

so that is my first list of 20...6 more days to follow. I already feel lighter. So happy to be doing this! Off to see what Aimee, Cameron, Lori and any others have written to feed off of their positive thinking too!

The attitude of gratitude...

It is November people and that means it is time to get our gratitude on. In just 2 weeks we are going to be enjoying turkey, loved ones and loads of Christmas commercials in observance of gratitude and all of the blessings we enjoy as Americans. Last year I did a week of gratitude lists on my blog and the practice took off like wildfire. Lets see if we can generate even more buzz this year my fellow bloggers by starting the second annual "Attitude of Gratitude." Here is an the introduction from last years kick off:

When I am feeling frustrated, short changed, insufficient or victomized, I have a wise friend who reminds me that you can't feel self pity and gratitude at the same time. She has suggested on many, many occasions that the best way to combat feelings of resentment, jealousy, disappointment, inadequacy and sadness is to make a gratitude list. Her Rx for a "spell" of bad feelings (lasting more than a few days) is to make a gratitude list of 20 things everyday for a week. You are not to duplicate things you are grateful for, and in my practice, I try not to make a list of specific people because it prevents me from digging deep. My WASSIMA gals and I decided we were going to do a week together. Some of us were feeling low, others just liked the idea of it and I think it is a great way to go into November, which holds Thanksgiving and to officially kick off the Holiday Season.

So starting tomorrow my week (and attitude) of Gratitude will begin. Start yours with me if you can and lets feed off of one another so that in a weeks time our gratitude has grown exponentially. If you decide to participate be sure to leave a comment here with a link to your blog so everyone can find you...and lets be sure to comment on one another's blogs and recruit others to do the same to keep up the momentum. Perhaps you'll want to copy and paste some of this message so your friends and family can join the fun! See you tomorrow!

Just Having Fun...

Even though we were sick, I really enjoyed all the quality time with my family these past couple of weeks. Aidan is now old enough that he is a serious competitor in Skip Bo so we have spent a lot of time on my bed playing cards. Eva is such a cuddlier and I've been savoring every minute of having her wrapped up in my arms. We've read stories, played with her babies and colored in her coloring books. And at night, once the kids are asleep, Tim and I have been chit-chatting more often. We are so lucky to have such aligned views and goofy senses of humor. I don't know how come I am so blessed... I just know that I am.

I am a little anxious because I missed so much school and work while the kids and I were sick though. Oddly in juxtaposition, I am swirling with excitement over the groovy things happening with my Etsy shops. Business has been going great and I have gotten a lot of great feedback from my customers. I posted dozens of wonderful new treasures over the weekend and I have a giant box of goodies on its way from this amazing estate sale. I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve waiting for the package to arrive. hee hee.

Tomorrow I have to buckle down and get caught up with some of my client work, finish my mid-term project and start on a new clay sculpture. Oops, let me re-phrase that... I GET to buckle down and get caught up with some of my client work, finish my mid-term project and start on a new clay sculpture. It is a privilege to have my clients and go to art school...it is so important that I don't let being behind make my situation become stressful. I am committed to enjoy myself even if it feels a bit overwhelming. I'm thinking of tying a string around my finger because the hardest part in all of this activity is REMEMBERING to be happy.

A Hard Day at the Office

I'm still battling this nasty cold that has ripped through our house. I have no voice and I'm still super tired so when my mom came over to visit today, I was not the best company. Then the mail came and a large box filled with an assortment of vintage hats. We started modeling for one another, then we added jewelry and the next thing we knew we had configured an assortment of Vintage Accessory Kits. It was such fun pairing these unusual bonnets and caps with gorgeous brooches, earrings and necklaces. Then mom suggested I get dressed (yes, I was still in my PJ's) so we could snap a few photos of me with the hats and jewelry to post in my Etsy Shop.

I ran a brush through my hair, put on some lipstick and we had a fabulous photo shoot in the guest bathroom. The natural light was perfect and our pale shower curtain was a fantastic back drop. It must have been a sight to see my mom twisted around this bulky DSLR, smashed in the corner of the bathroom to get the right angle, while I sat on the edge of the tub posing in the most conspicuous ways so that the camera could capture the interesting accessories I had on. I laughed out loud as my mom started saying "yes...that's it...hold it...yes...turn...yes..." right out of an Austin Powers movie.

When I transferred the photos to my computer and got a look at them for the first time I was shocked. Holy cow - I felt like crap...how was it possible for me to look so darn cute... the saleswomen in me says "it was the accessories," the artist in me says "it was that incredible natural light" but the daughter in me knows that it was because I was hanging out with my mom.

Upcycling on Etsy

The word Upcycling was coined by William McDonaugh and Michael Braugart in their book on ecologically intelligent design, Cradle to Cradle in which they define upcycling as the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value. In the world of Etsy, this term has been intermingled with other “green-centric” terms like “adapted re-use,” “reclaimed,” and “eco-friendly” causing the word to grow into a broader more colorful definition. "Upcycled" items are not limited to the many "trash to treasure" products for sale on Etsy like Urbanwoodswalker's recycled newspaper bowl.


The expression or "tag" upcycled is also used to describe pre-owned items that have been given a second life through a metamorphosis into a new product with a new value. Recycling and invention have converged into a kind of crafters schizophrenia where function, beauty and eco-conscientiousness have come together. Hand-me-downs of yesterday are dressed up and sold as responsibly repurposed. Old items carefully stored for generations are rediscovered as wonderfully vintage.

Etsy offers all kinds on opportunities to participate in this movement as both a consumer and a crafter. There are hundreds, nay thousands, of shops dedicated to the genre of upcycled goods. Here are just a few…
Joy's Jewels - transforms antique typewriter keys into beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces


Buffalo Nerd Project - "science geek by day, sewing chick by night" - turns men’s suit jackets into fabulous purses.

and Rouge Empire who takes silk ties and reinvents them into five pocket wallets.

For those of you who would like to join in on this movement by refurbishing the old into something new either for your own use, unique gifts or for resale, Etsy has many vendors to supply you with everything you will need. In fact, there is an entire department dedicated to vintage where you can find all sorts of items to convert, reinvent or embellish with. Take these adorable vintage Grasshopper Keds from Adalaide's Homesewn for example...




...they are cute but could use a little cosmetic surgery to make them fabulous. Replace the laces with this gorgeous Vintage French Red Velvet Ribbon from Finiribbon.

Use craft glue to tuck the ends of the ribbon neatly and instead of a big floppy bow, pick up these darling vintage earrings and brooch from Merrelle Accents and attach one to each shoe.

Pin the Brooch to your purse and viola... a darling new look and one-of-a-kind design made by you!

Many people think they are not creative enough to upcycle vintage items into something new, or they get overwhelmed with the very thought and decide it is more trouble than it is worth. In an effort to dispel those beliefs, I have included a list of 20 ways to upcycle vintage jewelry in 10 minutes or less. Coincidentally, this list ties into the many wonderful jewelry pieces I have on sale in my Etsy shop www.jillienedesigns.etsy.com.

1. embellish a pillow



2. decorate a purse



3. spice up a curtain tie back

4. attach to a hair clip or head band

5. make unique napkin rings



6. dress up a candle holder

7. use an orphan earring as a gift topper instead of a bow

8. transform a pair of shoes with vintage earrings

9. arrange pieces with other trinkets to create a shadow box for display



10. adhere to the top of old jelly jars to create darling spice jars or desktop storage

11 embellish a book or photo album



12. connect to a zipper to make a fancy pull

13. glue to paperclips or push pins

14. attach to your phone or keys as a decorative charm

15. convert into a Christmas ornament



16. refurbish an old cabinet with vintage jewelry drawer pulls

17. liven up an old hat



18. string on ribbons and use as wine glass charm so no one looses their beverage

19. decorate a mirror



20. upcycle into new jewelry pieces!

Creative Sanity

Some people jog, some people write in their journal, I create, to stay sane.

The kids are both sick with strep throat and I feel like I am fighting off some mean, ugly germs too, so there has been very little activity under my roof. I've been camped out in my bed with my two feverish children giving back rubs, singing lullabys and finishing projects in the moments in between. I "upcycled" 4 vintage purses into completely new fashion statements. During the 4 very long nights one or both of them have been ill, I found solace in hand stitching trims and embellishing with vintage jewelry pieces to breath new life into these antique handbags.

I listed all 4 on Etsy this evening - we'll see how they are received. It is something I have been wanting to do for months but I couldn't steal the time. I have 3 more bags to play with but I am really hoping my little ones and I will be up and around before I get a chance to start on them. I'd like to save them for the next virus that rips through the Isaac's house! A little something to look forward to :o)

Jewelry Making 101

Welcome to the world of metal smithing. Above are photos of a cone and a two part hollow form (sphere bead) made from copper. These were last week's homework assignments. It is quite a different process to the pre-fabricated ready-made jewelry making world we live in today. The industrial age has relieved jewelry designers of many of the time consuming and labored steps required for the simplest of tasks. Today, we can buy inexpensive closed jump rings and bezel cups but there was a time when jewelers did everything by hand. To be a great jewelry designer, it is important we learn these age old skills so there is a laundry list of techniques we have to include in our midterm projects for my metal arts class. Things like hollow forms, textured metal and wire, rivets, soldering, cabochons in bezel settings and of course, a concept paper explaining your piece at length.

We first created a "mochette" which is a sample of our design made out of paper and other supplemental supplies. This allows us to work out construction issues before we cut into the expensive materials plus helps us estimate how much metal we'll need to order to make our project.

I came up with this necklace which has three flowers of varying sizes and designs. The center flower bezel would be set on a metal swivel attached with a rivet onto a lip soldered to a hollow form. A little twist (no pun intended) on a locket. I thought I'd use 3 different sized wires to create the "chain" and have them swirl and loop with soldered leaves like miandering vines. The entire piece is to be made of sterling which I ordered from H. Schmidt & Son (208 Precious Metals) on ebay. Their prices are incredible and they totally worked with me to get the right amounts and gauges for the projects.

Once I received my materials, I cut out my flower shapes and wire to create the flowers.

I tinkered with the cabochons and flowers arrangements before I decided where I wanted everything.

Next I hammered the flowers and wire to create some texture. Did you know that the word "Smith" is derived from the verb "to smite" which means to strike with a tool? This hammering causes the metal to get hard (work hardening) so I had to anneal the silver (heat the metal to a super high temperature) so I could bend the petals to create dimension. The annealing caused some discoloration which I will remove later in the process after I've added patina.

Next, I had to bend bezel around the stones and solder the ends together, then to a flat piece of silver to create a bezel cup. I have not burnished the setting closed (that is why it looks unfinished) because I still need to patina and solder the settings to the flowers and to the necklace.

For the center flower, I created a wall for the locket and soldering the top on. I still need to set the rivet and cut the locket hole before I can do the bezel for this stone.

Next I'll do some patina, filing/ cleaning up, plus finish hammering /forming the necklace from wire and solder on leaves. Then I'll solder the flowers together and on to the necklace. The final steps will include burnishing the bezel and bending the closure. I simulated the finished look a little for the photos below. I hope it all comes together as planned but we shall see.

I had ordered these really amazing stones to go into it but I didn't realize they were coming from China so they may not arrive in time. No wonder they were so inexpensive, right? It is probably better that I save those beautifies for when I am more experienced anyway.

The wire petals above were soldered together (this is not as easy as it seems and took many times at the torch). I wanted to set the stone with wrapped wire but this technique is also more advanced than I expected so I may not go that route- we'll see.



This is my mess - I love the contrast of all the tools and the itty, biddy stones. You should see my finger tips. No ink stains or matted glue in this craft, but lots of little cuts...ouch. More to come as I progress... Happy Friday!