Copycat - Vintage Beaded Bracelet

I discovered this great blog the other day while at work.  The author, Erin Siegel is a fantastic bead artist.  I fell in love with her beaded bracelet in this post and wanted to make one of my own.

Shipwreck Beads recently (like a year ago) bought out the inventory of a store in the mid-west that was all vintage glass beads.  12 semi trucks full.  And slowly I have been hoarding different mixes and colors.  This mix is vintage Venetian glass that is probably over 100 years old.

When I saw Erin's bracelet, I immediately knew that I wanted to use my own vintage seed beads to re-create it.

It's 6 strands, strung on Irish Waxed Linen (another item I bought ages ago and never did anything with) and a vintage button from my stash.  It was SO EASY to make, I think I may whip up a few more tonight.  I seem to buy a lot of seed beads, the colors are so intoxicating, but I never actually make anything with them.

Beautiful. (Yes. You are.)

I haven't posted in a while. It's been really hard for me.  I just don't know what to say.  Especially after this post, where I talk about body image and being comfortable with how I look.  But that was before I gained 30 pounds. 

I'd like to sit here and tell you all that I love my body.  That I'm proud of how I look but I can't.  I hate it.  I'm ashamed.  I absolutely hate how I look. 

I haven't taken any outfit pics lately.  Nothing I own fits.  And if it did, I wouldn't be able to see past my double chin.  Or my flabby arms.  Or the extra 10lbs that the camera adds.  But... I'm trying.  I'm learning. 

So here are some blogs I have been visiting lately.  And the funny thing is that I look at all these women and think about how beautiful they are.  I wish I could look at myself and feel the same way. 

Curve Appeal

Curvy & Wholesome

The Curvy Model

F*$k Yeah Curvy Fashion

Beautiful and Strong Women

PS- One plus of gaining weight = boobs!

Lay Me Down To Sleep

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These bedrooms from House Beautiful are so lovely. 

I love the mix of chocolate and the red, pink and taupe tones.

I don't even think my husband would object to them being to girly.

Is it naptime yet?

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!

"Simple" Goals

I think I began blogging because I like to have a captive audience.  To have people listen to me.  I like ot show off.  When I first started blogging, I didn't know much about it, I still don't.  I would get lost for hours inside the pages of people's lives.  Their ideas, their projects, their children.  I wanted to include them in my life too.  And I wanted to allow those who know me to see a side of me that they normally don't.  It started with crafts, sharing my ideas, my projects and my favorite things.  I chose to name it "Jill of All Trades" because I have a hard time settling into one thing.  I love to experiment and try new things.  I'm good at them, but not usually the best. But I have fun so its okay.

My crafting passion started out as a child with beads.  I remeber going to Shipwreck with my mother and buy bags and bags of wooden beads.  I remember we put then in an old Lego briefcase and we had them for years.  I love to make my own jewelry, earrings especially.  I love to look at jewelry in stores and figure out how to make it myself.  I love to take old things and make them new. 

The more I blogged, the more different blogs I discovered.  Scrapbooking blogs, fashion blogs, indie blogs, style blogs... I didn't want to be just one blog.  I'm interested in more than one thing.  There are so many different facets of my personality I want to talk about. And I seriously lack focus!

I would love so much to become a "professional" blog.  Have more giveaways and sponsors... link parties and guest bloggers but I just don't have the time.  I'm already a full time worker, wife and mother and a part time crafter (full time crazy person)... blogging is supposed to be just for fun. Not a job.

But I like that I have gotten to the point where I have some regular(ish) features.  Mondays are my "free" day, usually updates and pictures from the weekend.  Tuesdays are my craft day, I share links and project ideas,  It's also the day I share my own projects.  Wednesday is "Working Mom Wednesday." I love Julia's meme and try to participate every week.  She's a friend and I love to give her my support. On Thursday I like to talk about trends, in clothing and crafts to whatever suits my fancy.  Thursdays are also the day I like to feature product reviews.  Its just stuff I like that I think you should know about.  Then comes Fashion Friday.  I'm trying to limit my wardrobe posts (I'm gonna get back into this!) to Fridays.  In the future, I hope to also feature some of my favorite fashion bloggers too.  And that leaves the weekend.  I don't usually post on the weekend.  Besides the fact that I don't currently have a home computer, weekends are strictly family time.  Two days a week is hardly enough time to spend with my husband and daughter.  I don't want to waste it on blogging.

Maybe someday I will have more time to spend blogging.  Maybe I can become a full time blogger and crafter but for now I think I am doing all right.  I like the lack of pressure.  I don't feel guilty when I don't blog or if I'm not "on schedule." I don't have to worry about funding or giveaways or sponsors.

All that said, I still want to be a better blogger.  A better friend.  To actually participate in the blogs I love so much.

And this has all been leading up to this...

ELSIE'S 4 SIMPLE GOALS

 

1. 
   
   Write a blog mission statement. Hey look, already done!
2. 
   
   Comment on at least 1 blog per day. Linking this to Elsie's blog. Another goal complete.
3. 
   
   Cut the junk! Junk food, candy, pop, alcohol.  It all needs to go.  I need to make better choices. An apple instead of a candy bar. A glass of water instead of pop.
4. 
   
   Quit being lazy. I need to get off my ass and do something. I'm not just talking working out, that too.  I'm talking about the hours I spend on the couch watching TV after I get home from work.  I need to just get up and go for a walk, work on a project or *gasp* clean. 

I think those are pretty simple, right? The first two are already done.  But okay, the last two are kind of all encompassing.  We're talking a total lifestyle change here people.  In all fairness (or laziness?) maybe those aren't simple enough.  Maybe they should be even simpler?

KELSY'S 4 EVEN MORE SIMPLE GOALS

1. 
   
   Read a book. A real, paper book. Cover to cover.
2. 
   
   Write a poem. On paper. With a pen.
3. 
   
   Make art for my walls. Put it in a frame.
4. 
   
   Make a robot. From recycled boxes. Cuz I promised Goose.

Now those look like things I can do!

How To Be Alone

You may have seen this video making the rounds in the blog-o-sphere.
It's so very moving and inspirational.

My favorite quote:
"If you're happy in your head then solitude is blessed and alone is okay."

Enjoy!

Bow Tie

Betsy Johnson "Iconic" Collection

Black Bow Necklace

Sterling Silver Marchasite and Freshwater Pearl

Bow Necklace

Sweets by J2Jewelry

Lucite Bow Tie by sophiedear

Tied Up Earrings by briguysgirls

Whisper in Pumpkin by themustardseedco

Pink Metallic Bow Ring by alexlovestocraft

Victorian Bow Necklace by gypsycarriage

Ribbon -- Don't Forget by sparklethots

AND HERE IS WHAT I MADE

It used to be a hairclip.

It broke ages ago and it was too pretty to throw away.

So I saved it.

Well, inspired by all the beautiful bow tie jewelry on trend right now,

I pulled out my broken clip and set to work making a necklace.

I love how it turned out!

I paired it with black, white, and cream peals and used black ribbon to fasten it.

I really want the "Don't Forget" ring above. It's so pretty!

Crush

There is one certain blogger that I especially admire.

Her name is Alexa Mae.

She is so inspiring, with her writings on faith and motherhood.
Her story alone is one of triumph. Her husband suffered a debilitating stoke and he is now on the path to recovery.

I imagine that Maddix and Goose would be great friends. Giving each other tattoos and swimming in Maddix's little pool.  And her son Bronson? What a doll! He just started kindergarten and is on his way to breaking all the ladies hearts. I'm sure Goose would be smitten. She's a bit boy crazy these days.

Out of all the blogs I have ever read, Alexa is the blogger I would love to meet the most. I bet we would get along great! For one, she is just as clumsy as me. I was sure I was the only one in the world that was able to fall UP stairs. Her sarcasm, wit and charm are impossible not to like. 

I can see it now, the two of us sitting outside in the shade drinking lemonade and laughing. Watching the girls play "mermaids" in the pool or maybe picking on Bronson. Cuz that's what little girls do to little boys when they out number them.  We would be so immersed in our conversation that we wouldn't notice that the kids got out of the pool until we realize how quiet it had become.  We'd go look for the girls and probably find them in fancy dresses, jewelry, makeup and trying to put on nail polish. Something else little girls do.  Maybe we would play dress up too. And then put on some loud music, Lady Gaga please? and dance and sing like crazy people. 

Isn't her family lovely?

Her blog makes me feel good about being a woman, wife and mother. Despite the struggles she has faced she has remained strong. I know I can always go to her blog to read something to lift my spirits. Her humor and insight... I can't get enough!

Rule Breakers. Horizontal Stripes.

Horizontal Stripes?

Do or Don't?

CELEBRITY INSPIRATION

Kim Kardashian

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Cameron Diaz & Michelle Williams

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Katie Holmes

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BLOGGING FASHIONISTAS

Kendi

source
Elaine

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Stacy Kay

 

source

TIPS

How To Wear Stripes

WHERE TO BUY

Modcloth, Lulu's, Target, Old Navy

source

source

source

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HOW TO WEAR

in REAL life

strapless knit dress: Goodwill $5.99

belt: Goodwill $7 NWT (from Target)

shirt: hand-me-down (I should have ironed it...)

shoes: Target $7

scarf: KelsyC made

So... what do you think? 

Would you "break" fashion rules and show your stripes?

photo cred: Goose has been officially hired as my fashion photographer.

Should I build her a portfolio on Flikr?

LOL!