Thursday, May 23, 2013

Repurposed Vintage Earrings and Button Bracelet


Vintage Earrings and Button Bracelet
 
 
I love vintage earrings and buttons.  I'm a hoarder of these.   This bracelet is really easy to make.
 
Purchased the bracelet blank from Fire Mountain (is it one word or two?) and used E6000 glue to attached earrings and buttons to bracelet blank.  The bracelet blank is links with flat disks between links so glue the baubles to the flat piece.  Remove any shanks, clips, etc. for the earring and button backs.  Sometimes the earrings are wired to another flat piece and you may wish to remove this piece also.  But be careful - it may destabilize the earring itself.
 
Arrange your pieces in a composition that pleases you and then glue.  It may require that you glue one - let each piece dry before you add the next one.  And there you go.  Be sure to do this in a well ventilated room as the fumes are a bit strong from the glue.

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Bullet Casing Earrings - A Birthday Gift for A Friend

 
38 Bullet Casing Earrings
 
 
Ever since I saw bullet casings used to make jewelry, I've wanted to make some.  But, the problem was not getting the casings but drilling them.  I tried using my handy dandy Dremol tool but the bit was too small and the casing got hot.
 
Desperate to make earrings for a girlfriend's birthday gift, I implored my husband to help me.  And, he came through.  Not only did he do these two but several more so that I have them ready for my next project.  He used his regular heavy duty hand drill and a metal drill bit - 3/32nd.  The casings were wrapped in a piece of cloth and he held it steady with a pair of pliers to drill.
 
I used 18 gauge silverplated wire formed duplicate links and hammered them on my anvil with a regular claw hammer.  I wire wrapped several faceted glass beads and hung them on the hammered links and then wirewrapped the tops with another piece of wire this time 22 gauge, threaded it through the hole in the casing and added more faceted glass beads, wire wrapped a loop, hammered it then attached the sterling silver ear wires.  Ta dah! Birthday gift complete. 
  
Skip To My Lou

Friday, May 17, 2013

Bold Button Bracelet - What To Do With Buttons




 
Button Bracelets
 
 
You probably have seen these all over the internet and at craft shows.  Button bracelets are a fun way to repurpose vintage and not so vintage buttons.  It's not hard really,  just takes time - a few hours.
 
 
I used a wide elastic band for the base.  I took a piece of 1 inch wide elastic and wrapped it around my wrist - loosely.  Allow for some give so that it will fit different wrist sizes.  Then I cut the elastic and sewed the two ends together securely with my sewing machine.  Since the elastic will get stretched when the bracelet is put on and taken off make sure that the ends are secure.
 
 
I used a dark brown elastic to coordinate with the buttons that I chose to use.   You want the elastic to blend in  with the buttons in case there are gaps.
 
 
I preselected some buttons that I knew I wanted to use as focal points.  Then I picked through my button stash and found smaller buttons to be fillers.   I used coordinating thread also so that it doesn't stand out against the brown elastic.  There's lots of stitches and you don't want to see them on the backside of the bracelet. 
 
 
I start sewing buttons on the elastic band  - the smaller ones first - usually at the edge of the band.  I like to have them extend beyond the edges of the band. 
 
 
Keep sewing them on and try the bracelet on every so often.  You will notice where there are gaps, etc.  Just fill them in with a button.  Stack flat buttons  and sew together or use a flat button and one with a short shank sewed together.  The fun part is you never know what your bracelet will turn out like but guarantee, it will be gorgeous!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Upcycled Leather Cuff Bracelet with Conchos




Leather Cuff Bracelet with Conchos
 
 
I've played with old belts and used them for purse handles before.   Found 3 different belts, one was a mens' worn out belt and two were ladies belts with metal conchos.  One was black faux leather and the other was turquoise faux snakeskin. 
 
 
I cut the mens' belt to a length that fit my wrist, strung the conchos on a piece of scrap leather and layered it over the belt.  Then I punched holes in both pieces to add the clasp.  Wire-wrapped the claps to the ends of both pieces and clasp.  

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Handmade Cards from Childrens' Books




Handmade Cards from Childrens' Books
 
 
I love books,  I really love books.  Going to the library was one of the highlights of the week when I was growing up.  I loved to study in the library too - so quiet and relaxing.
 
 
So, it's no surprise that I have amassed a lot of books.  Some are in good condition, some in not so good condition.  I love vintage childrens' books, the illustrations are sweet and nostalgic.  So when I come across a book that has been scribbled in, pages torn, or simply worn out from countless bedtime stories, I like to salvage the illustrations.    The illustrations are cut into a size that fits on a card blank or on a hand cut tag.  Then they are ready to send to a friend or attached to a gift.
 

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Peter Rabbit Reinvented


Peter Rabbit Gift Tags or Bookmarks
 
 
Beatrix Potter's illustrations are timeless.   I found an old  Peter Rabbit datebook that was given to a child as a birthday present.  A few of the pages had notations on for a friend's birthday, school date, etc.   It was eventually discarded as the year passed.
 
 
These darling illustrations were rescued from the datebook and repurposed into tags. I used some cream colored cardstock, cut out the illustrations and inked the edges of the both the illustrations and cardstock.
 
Chocolate brown satin ribbon was added.  A great way to salvage a discarded datebook.  The rest of the book went into the recycle bin.