Necklace Made From Scratch...

It was so cold yesterday that I didn't accomplish much on the cabin porch...but after supper I decided that I needed to do something.  

I love the little owls that I used to make the owl necklace earlier this week so I decided to make another one.  I had seen a steampunk bracelet that connected gears to make the chain and thought that would work for this necklace.

  
So this is what I came up with - gears, two different chains, a key and a charm.  First I stacked and glued some gears together and then I paired the owl and key together so the owl would show up better.  Using jump rings, I connected everything.  Then I glued the tiny balls off a ball chain in each gear piece and in the owls' eyes.  Done!

I don't solder - yet - so I use heavier/thicker jump rings that are stronger than the normal size.  I like the way this turned out...hope it will find a good home.

I bought vintage clip earrings with the idea that I would make a bracelet.  After finding enough earrings, I made this vintage bracelet!  I'm pretty sure my Gram had one of these pairs of earrings.  She loved jewelry...her one dresser drawer was filled with the little boxes that jewelry was sold in back in the day.  Such treasures in each of those little boxes.  It was magical just looking through her treasures.

To look on my dresser, in the drawers and in my jewelry armoire, you just might guess I got my love of jewelry from my Gram.  She had many earring and necklace sets...in those boxes in her dresser.

Met a friend for lunch, stopped at the dollar store and finished up at the quilt shop.  I'd say it was a very good day even if I don't do anything else.  

Take care,

Bonnie

Jewelry Metamorphosis...

Metamorphosis...is defined as a change into something new!

Today after returning from a visit to a couple of antique stores and a take-out-to-the-park lunch, I dug into my three train cases full of jewelry parts.

First I decided to organize things a bit and found this pendant/pin with an earring glued to it.  I had made another pendant using the other earring and this one never moved me to finish it.  While the other one sold, I didn't like the way this one floated in the oval space.  I pried it off and in the process, two of the blue sapphire looking stones came off.  Using E6000 glue has always worked great for me so it took a little abuse to remove the earring.  I just glued both stones back into the piece and it awaits another future creation.

In my organizing, I found these fun owls...now one of these is not like the other.  Can you tell which one doesn't match?  It actually pays to open the little bags when you get them from an Etsy seller.  The connecting o-ring was missing on one. 

Anyway - I thought - hmmm.  I think we have a match...and it fit nicely into the space.  But I didn't like the brass background so I thought of gluing a piece of an old book page into the oval.  However, no old books along.  So what else can I use when I am here at the cabin???

I had picked up a free paper at the antique store so I paged through it and there was my old looking book page look.  An old business card for a tea room...so I cut out part of it and pressed it to the pin.  It left a mark where I could cut out the oval and then I glued it on the pin.

Now its looking better after I glued the odd owl into place.  The eyes were just indentations so being the glitter/bling girl that I am, I looked around the table to see if I had anything that small.  All my rhinestone things were too big.  Then I spotted the ball chain....Aha!  So I cut off two of the little balls and used my E6000 on a toothpick to glue in the eyes and now it looks complete!

I really like the look of my little odd ball owl...and the pendant looks way better to me.  I like to use ball chains on my necklaces.  I leave them super long so you can just cut them the length you want your necklace to be or you can add a different chain.

It was a good day - nice cool breeze on the cabin craft porch!  Let me know what you think of my little metamorphosis.  Funky owl makes me smile.

Take care,

Bonnie

To The Lake...

 
It's that time again...we're off to the lake in a couple of days.  So today I cooked and baked.  Now when we get there, we'll have all kinds of good eats and I won't be spending so much time in the kitchen...I call it the play kitchen.  It is small and somewhat awkward with minimal counter space and cupboards.  But we like it there - we can bring our dog, Annie.

Usually we meet friends two or three times during the week but last week Annie had two strokes - one on Sunday and one on Friday.  So while she is better, we don't want to leave her in the cabin while we are gone.  Her balance was way off so she would stumble and actually fall over.  Now she is stronger...she walked around the whole driveway for the first time in a week.  Her head was turned to the side and now it is straighter most of the time.

Today the weather was perfect for me...in the 60's with a cool breeze.  I hope that is how it will be Upnorth at the cabin.  I love sweatshirt weather!

 These pictures are from last year...makes me excited to get the car and truck packed up.  I will report from Upnorth and my home away from home.  I'm bringing jewelry supplies and books and maybe some hand sewing/embroidery.

 I finished my Bluebird pillow and will bring it into the shop tomorrow.  This pillow was made on my embroidery machine...I love this software.  This is my third one - can't wait to make them all.  I made one with a Cardinal and another with a Chickadee.

 

Well - off to bed to read.  Lots more to do tomorrow to get ready for relaxation at the cabin!!!

Take care,

Bonnie