Craft Spotlight: Make Jewellery

Make Jewellery 

My mother-in-law is a collector of hobbies.

She has tried almost every kind of craft under the sun.

And she loves to read.

And shop.

So, add those things together, and you get a one woman craft library.

All at my unlimited disposal.

On a recent "library trip" I picked up this great book (pictured above) published by the makers of Make Jewellery Magazine.  Out of all of the beading mags, I think Make Jewellery is one of my favorites.  It has big pictures, amazing styling and trendy designs.  Unfortunately, the don't sell it here.  Its published in Europe.  My in-laws take a yearly trip to the Czech Republic for the store and she gets them there.

So this recent book is amazing.  I have already tackeled several projects and used several others for inspiration.  My favorite project was this necklace:

I like the big beads, mixed textures and playful bright colors.

Here is mine.

The glass, plastic and metal beads came from Shipwreck.

The chain is from JoAnn's.

And the blue crochet bead came from a scarf I bought from Old Navy.  I loved the color blue, but it had these funky blue balls as "fringe". Weird. So I cut them off and into the stash they went.

As you can see, I did chain links on my version. 

I also went with a few more beads.

Also, instead of a clasp, I used a piece of lace as a closure. 

I wanted to be able to adjust the length so I could have both a longer necklace and a shorter "choker".

I think it looks great paired with a basic black T and jeans.

I also have on some big silver hoops from F21.

Basic. Classic. With the necklace for that touch of sass.

Also recently created:

And this bracelet with crochet flowers from ComfyCountry on Etsy.

I think this bracelet looks rather cute with my necklace above!

This necklace with gorgeous painted wood beads, also from Shipwreck.

This was made with just beads and ribbon.

Super simple and super cute!

Thanks for looking!

Etsy Update!

My Etsy Shoppe has just been updated!!!

There is an assortment of flower/feather clips similar to the one above

but hands off ladies, this one is mine!

Come Shop!!

www.JillofallTradesCRAFT.etsy.com

Slowly but surely...

I am listing items in my Etsy store!!!

(Currently taking a short rest, but I'll be back to listing more items after sustenance)

Unfortunately, I'm not listing as much as I would like.  

BUT!!! 

I have it all worked out in my planner.  

An update schedule.  

Me! Scheduled! Do you believe it?

I intend to list new product each week this month, focusing on a specific product each week. 

This week... BOWZ!

And in future weeks, be sure to look for 

HEADBANDS!

and

FEATHERS!

and

EARRINGS!

and 

MORE BOWZ!

OH MY!

Date Nite Surprise!!!

Hubs surprised me last night by getting a babysitter for Goose.

I love HIM!

So we went to our favorite restaurant.

Sushi Go Round!!!

I ate until I was stuffed to the brim.

And it was delicious.

The food comes around on different colored plates (based on price)

and you just grab what you want off the conveyor.

The beautiful blown-glass fish wall. So purty!

And a quick wardrobe remix!

Shirt: Mandelin's Consignment, $8

Bag: Target, $25

Hairbow: Kelsy-made
Necklace/Earrings - Walmart, $10
Watch: Silpada
Brass cuff bracelet: VV, $2

And now I am back to sewing!

I'm making headbands tonight and more bows.

I got some WONDERFUL vintage feed sack fabric from Fun Junk.

And tomorrow is picture day!

BECAUSE...

I still intend to list some things

(I admittedly will NOT get everything listed)

sporadically over the next month!

Preview

Okay, so the plan is to re-open my Etsy store (well, its technically not closed) around the New Year and have a bunch of new stuff to post.  I still have to take photos of everything, but I have in the works, some knitted bows, feather head bands and clips, skoods, and, of course, more jewelry.  

Here is a small preview! 

I haven't decided if I am keeping this one though or if I will list it. We shall see! I have such a hard time making stuff for the shoppe... 

I want to keep it ALL!!!

PS - I even made a little clippy, Christmas style, to wear to the office Christmas Party tomorrow.  Had to pull out some broken vintage jewelry to make them purty!!!

WIWT - The One with the Cute Office Girl

The law office I work for is pretty small. Its just my boss and I. So, we don't really have a real dress code. Most days I can just wear jeans or whatever, but I try to dress cute when I know we have clients coming in. And when we have days like today, where we have a deposition scheduled in the office, I like to cute it up even more.

Seriously... I'm a mom, but I still want to look CUTE!!!

This emerald green shirt is one of my faves! I love the high neck and the color is so rich and awesome. The black skirt and tights were an easy match. The green really POP's against the black... but I need another color. Something that didn't match, so in turn, it would match... if that makes any sense to you?

And then I remembered this grey sweater hiding in the back of my closet. Cropped or just shrunk, I don't know, its still cute, with its ornate crystal buttons. Then I remembered the grey wedges I just got from VV. Throw on some coordinating baubles and good to go!

I don't know what it is about the grey. It's a non-color. But I think, because of that, its easily paired with pretty much any color... like green... or black.

Sweater - Macy's - old, probably bought on sale

Shirt - hand-me-down

Pleated Skirt - Gap via Goodwill $6

Tights - Assets by Target $10, on sale

Shoes - American Eagle via VV $5

Jewelry - Silpada Earrings $too much

Nutty Bracelet $20

Necklace - Made by my MIL

And in Etsy news... I re-listed a bunch of stuff in my shoppe today and plan on listing some new things I have made recently too. One of the items listed I am actually wearing today, its one of my favorite creations!

I'm a Butterfly...

I have decided that, like the butterfly, it's time to emerge from my cuccoon. All this self-induced isolation is quite depressing and I am ready to dig myself out of my funk.

I think it started yesterday, when on a whim, I decided to chop off about 6 inches of hair. Figuratively and literally I feel like a load has been taken off. Damn, I had a lot of hair! It's a cute short bob and I love it. Perfect for summer. It's been years since I've had short hair.

Really, don't have a lot to say today. Just wanted to wish you all a wonderful weekend and let you all know that you will be seeing more of me from now on. And of course that I've missed you! Lots! Promise. I've got frocks to show off, crafts to display... I have even been SEWING!!! (...by hand, but hey... its a start!)

Shirt - Target (sale! $3)
Skirt - Etsy - Southern Skirts (New skirt obsession, more on this later)
Shoes - Anchor Blue (hella old... 'member that store? I seriously love theser shoes!
Bag - Vintage - Fun Junk (Nancy has a blog! Loves!!!)
Anklet - Handmade from Africa

So, let me close by saying I miss you all, my lovely internetz friends! I'm ready to feel normal. Hubs and I are (getting there) in a much better spot, even falling in love again. Love that can't be broken or questioned... not that I ever (not even for one second) questioned our love. I just think that now, we both know how much work it's gonna take to keep the fire burning (red-hot right now, in case you were wondering!)

Anyway, hope it's sunny where you are. It's supposed to be beautiful this weekend here so I envision lots of time spent outside working on my tan (or blowing bubbles with Goose or both...) and of course the obligitory weekend cleaning day. The joys!

Half day for me today and I am gonna go enjoy the sunshine. Might even hit up a park with my Girl, who knows... summer feeds my soul!


PS - Love love love you!!!!

Custom Craftiness by Jill (aka KelsyC)

Custom Orders make me so happy. I love to create, especially for other people. Seeing the look on their face or reading their comments when they get the fruits of my labor. The ideas in my head coming to fruition. The paint and glue under my nails turned into something tangible.



This is the first custom guest book I have done that has not been baby shower related. It was for a 50th Birthday Party. I have to admit, I had a little trouble matching the requested colors, especially the gold. They just don't make gold paper, (but they do make gold wrapping paper and gift bags, etc.) thankfully I was able to come up with an alternative.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out. The colors look great and I got word from the new owner that it was very well recieved at the party. If you are interested in purchasing your own guest book, I do it all through my Etsy store, but feel free to email me (email addy on the sidebar!) first to discuss the details!

Anyway, here are the rest of the pics!














The chipboard album (by Bo Bunny) was already that pretty cream color so I didn't do much to it other than ink it in black and gold. All the flowers are Prima and the butterfly punches are by Martha. Also used a CTMH stamp set on the cover... love that clock set (called Time Flies... I think) use it all the time! Oh yeah, and the gold glitter alphas are by Making Memories.

Thanks for checking out my custom order! And of course, email me if you are interested (they make great gifts!)

Etsy Shoppe Update

Mission COMPLETION!

Finally finished the Custom Order I had on my plate. I had 2-4 weeks to complete it, and this week was my 4th week. I completely forgot to work on this at the retreat like I should have, but it's done and ready to ship and I really hope the mom likes it!

















TFL!