Sweet Perfume, Simply Beads-Feb, 06 copyright DRG

It’s Earth Day!  And you know how I (and a ton of other people) love to repurpose and recycle old junk things into new stuff!  I wanted to share one of my projects that does just that!  This is an old perfume bottle transformed into a hanging bud vase with beads, buttons and wire—-Perfect for dangling violets, dandelions, and daisies on your kitchen window.  Back in the day, I sold these at the farmer’s market.  Which reminds me of the lady next to me who sold wonderful homemade scones and coffee.  I could go for one of those right now!

I would search flea markets high and low for any sort of tiny bottle—and if you’re really lucky, they still have the label on them.  Those were always my favorites.  Now that I think about it, I just saw some vintage label clip art on Dover’s free sampler.  Hmmm, I bet you could decoupage with Mod Podge a faux label onto the bottle.  Thinking out loud here.

There are TONS of fun recycled craft ideas out there for you and for kids.  Craft Gossip’s Recycled Crafts Blog had some good stuff (be sure to check out older posts) and book reviews on the topic.  Make-Stuff had some clever ideas.  If you liked yesterday’s post about recycling clip-on earrings, check out my project in the Spring issue of Make It Mine, for tips on transforming vintage jewels into wine charms.

Have a Happy Earth Day! Go Green everyone!

Oh the rains, they have been a’ pourin’ the past couple of mornings—my favorite kind of start to the day. It washes away all the dust and goo on the plants and sidewalks here, clears the air for a couple of hours.  The smell of coffee and the tap, tap, splat sounds on my studio windows…mmmm I am lost.

And with all the rain, brings blooms, thus this month’s Ornament Thursday theme-Sprout!  Ok, I added the exclamation point.  Growing up in Indiana, most of us are ready for Spring about this time of year wondering if we will ever see daffodils or sprouts again.  In fact, Grandpa called Easter Sunday morning and told me it had snowed back home.  Try hiding brightly colored eggs on a blanket of white for the big egg hunt.  Two times, we have been in Germany at the beginning of Spring.  I remember the corner flower markets had beautiful pansies and tulips out front.  The shops were full of wonderful decorations like paper mache eggs, grassy straw wreaths, pipe cleaner chics, and felty flowers.  I can’t help but think about those trips when spring rolls around.  One of which was my first time traveling abroad-quite magical.

Here’s a felty flower brooch that I whipped up to sprout out of this loud green jacket.  I’m sorry to say the flower does not squirt water even though it looks playful enough.  I used orange silk spread across the top of my red felt before I wet felted it to give it a swirly smooth texture (see the end of this post for a materials list).  The jacket I’ve had for years, and I can’t give it up—it’s my favorite color.  However, I gave it a face lift by shredding along some of the seams with a seam ripper.  You can use a razor blade to kind of fray the areas a bit too.  If you’re looking to explore felted jewelry making, check out my book, Felted Jewelry.  Let me know if you have questions about where to by wool and such also.  I’m happy to help. 

For this project you need:

• Wool Roving
• Silk top (optional)
• 1 Felt ball
• Green sheet of embroidered felt for leaf from Ornamentea
• Seed beads
• Needle felting tool by Clover

Happy Spring! Happy Sprouting! And here are the rest of the Ornament Thursday Club Members!

Ornament Thursday is back every third Thursday of the month!  Yay!  And this month’s theme is Love Story.   

Love Story.  This March, Butch and I will have been together for 10 years.  What can I say except for the time has flown.  Finishing college, buying a house, selling a house, adopting a dog, changing jobs, moving towns, moving to the opposite side of the world, all the while still decorating the Christmas tree, holding hands on walks, paying the bills, and fixing dinners…together for 10 years.  Making that little list makes me think about all the changes in my life except for one thing.  Butch.  We’ve been side by side climbing the mountain of Life for the last decade.  I think it was my Grandpa (who’s been married since 55′ (i think)) how much he has enjoyed sharing his life with someone all these years.  I’ve kept that little thought in my back pocket and refer to it when I’m feeling that sharing isn’t always easy, but it is rewarding.  It’s true and it’s what makes the love story all the richer.

This project sort of fell together the past couple of weeks.  It all started when I bought some ring forms.  I wanted to collage them with paper and charms and then pour resin in.  But then, I thought about setting them with a clear cabochon.  So yesterday when I was in the craft supply head-quarters of the world/Hong Kong, I found some clear cabs…faceted too!  And they sat a wee bit raised from the base.  Hmm, I thought, seems kind of kaleidescope-y-y.  Luckily, when inspiration strikes, you have a resource.  I ran to the sequin shop and started filling my bags with small shapes. I couldn’t help myself, so on the ferry ride home, I started assembling and I know the man sitting across the way secretly wished he could make one too.  Paper+sequins+cabochon=Super Easy and Fabulous Ring!  I moved my finger every which way, watching the sequins slide and rearrange themselves all the way home.

This is not the one I made on the boat.  This idea didn’t come to me until this morning when I was laying in bed looking at our black and white wedding photo.  The only picture I have here.  I scanned it in, reduced the size, printed and cut the oval shape.  Sprinkle with red hearts and pearls and set the cabochon.  Rocker watched me from the couch zipping around like a mad scientist.  Eureka!  Love Story for your finger!  The downside is these look so much cooler in person.  I’m not so savvy with a camera and I feel sorry for anyone who has to photograph shiny or faceted objects now.  What a challenge!  But, I made another version with just pink paper, hearts and pink cabochon. It really glows in person.

I want to continue experimenting with these.  I have so many ideas!  Also, I will give away one Ring Kit–including ring form, clear cabochon and sequins—you provide the photo or paper. Leave a comment on this post by midnight EST on Sunday the 3rd and I will do a drawing on Monday.  Watch this space for the winner because I’ll need your address! Okie Dokie?

More Love Stories….

Art Bead Scene 
The designers at Art Bead Scene have two jewelry love stories for you! Elaine Ray links together a little love with her ceramic heart components while Melanie Brooks Lukacs tells a little tale of romance in a Gothic Garden
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-two-love-stories.html

Cindy Gimbrone Beads 
Cindy’s Love Story is about a hook and beads
http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-love-story-spirals-n-shay.html

Earthenwood Studio Bead Blog 
What is sweeter than a mix CD for your Valentine? A yummy gift box in which to present it, filled with candy themed decorations, including a cute bracelet and cell phone charm!
http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-sweet-sounds.html

Hali’s Blog 
Hali’s flowers of love in Ancient Bulgarian. Two paintings in stylized Cyrillic spell out L-U-V.
http://labyrinthgal.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-is-back.html

Heart mobile 
painted paper pulp hearts
http://pomly.livejournal.com/43236.html

Humblebeads 
Heather shares her favorite bracelet design in a Valentine inspired color scheme.
http://humblebeads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-love-story.html

Jennifer Heynen of Jangles 
Jennifer has made a fun "Ornament" for her neck that looks good enought to eat.
http://jenniferjangles.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday.html

Joolz by Lisa 
This "Love Story" will last all year long! Lisa shares how beads and books work together.
http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/ornament-thursday-love-story/

Katie’s Beading Blog 
Here’s a happy little heart project for you – use it to embellish a bag or your jeans, or as inspiration for a necklace or bracelet.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-hearts.html

Kriss Cramer – Art Interrupted 
Grow Love! Nuture and care for your loved ones every day. Use this heartfelt book, you can make yourself, to remind you of all the love you have to give.
http://art-interrupted.blogspot.com/

Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine 
Linda’s love story project is a dress she embellished by stenciling dancers and a big band along the hem. Read why and learn how to do it yourself on the Make It Mine blog.
http://cs.makeitminemag.com/mimcs/blogs/makeitmine/archive/2008/01/31/ornament-thursday-january-love-story.aspx

Michelle’s Love Story… 
The band is getting back together again! Ornament Thursday celebrates the story of love…
http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story-by-ornament-thursday.html

Ornament Thursday Blog 
January is coming to an end and Valentine’s Day is looming on the horizon. Whether you wish to shower the people you love with love or show yourself a little well deserved affection, the Ornament Thursday Gang has a bevy of beautiful ideas to inspire you!
http://ornamentthursday.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story-ornament-thursdays-most.html

Savvy Crafter 
Candie’s love affair with big rings continue…she’s making her own now! Love Stories and more over at the Savvy Crafter! XOXO!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2008/01/heartsy-artsy-i.html

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done! 
Ah, Love ! This satirical creation of Jean’s immortalizes certain women’s profound affecton for their … handbags!!!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story.html

Strands of Beads 
Love speaks many languages. Learn how to say "I Love You" in an untraditional way with Melissa Lee’s whimsical jewelry project.
http://strandsofbeads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-language-of-love.html

SwellDesigner 
Alexa shares with you her truly swell and punny Valentines!
http://www.swelldesigner.blogspot.com

The Impatient Blogger 
Love is in the air at The Impatient Blogger! Margot shares two vintage inspired jewelry designs that are oozing with romance…in a good way!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2008/01/most-auspicious-return-of-ornament.html

Today is our final installment of Ornament Thursday….It’s been such a fun thing these past few weeks.  I’ve done a fair amount of thinking about ornaments over this time too.  I think I’ve made more this year than ever before!  Each Christmas, I add a few more to the tree and pack a few more into the box after the holiday is long gone.  The next year I carefully unwrap them, surprised at how many I forgot about.  That’s the best part, isn’t it?  The forgetting and remembering.  Our tree is filled with ornaments from our trips, from my grandma’s store, things I’ve made, ornaments from swaps and gifts.  Some evoke a certain period in our lives like a song can—good times and bad.  Over the years, I’ve hung them on supermarket tree lot trees, fresh cut from the farm trees, vintage silver tinsel trees, tall trees, trees in a pot, one year we got the tree, but never had time to trim it (that was sad), bamboo stalks tree, and this year a $10 fake—which compared to previous years here feels like a million bucks!  Oh, I do a lot of reminiscing and reflecting when I put up the ol’ family tree.  You probably do too.  My sister just sent me a cute email about growing up in the 70’s.  I was looking at our tree and this Polaroid picture ornament caught my eye.  I’m pretty sure my mom made it and I had to share.  I just got up to check the date on the back and it says, "Christmas 1993," in mom’s fancy writing.  I laughed out loud.  Sorry mom.  This must have been from 83,’ because in 93′ I was a freshmen in high school and if that isn’t enough proof for you, look at my older sis’s outfit.  Nothing screams 80’s like a pink and white checked bandanna around your neck!  That was also during my Little Orphan Annie wannabe days-note saddle shoes and red sweater. 

Ah, see the memories!  That’s what Christmas ornaments are.   There are some I look at and think, Lord, I’m glad those days are over!  Others, I laugh about or I wonder how that person is doing.   A Christmas tree no matter how scrawny or brawny celebrates Your life and memories.  Thank you to everyone who has jumped in and shared their ornaments at our virtual craft night.  Seeing what you’re making definitely made me not feel so far away from home.  Have a very merry Christmas and we’ll see you next year!  Or hopefully sooner!

Shaving cream & chipboard ornament  – Michelle McGee http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/

Easy needle-felted orb – Katie Hacker http://www.katiehacker.com/index.htm

Do you know about Dover publications?  They produce all sorts of great books.  Paper dolls, kids activity, and my favorite—clip-art.  Every week or so they send out an email with free samples from their books.  This image is one of them.  You never know what you’re going to get and that’s what makes it fun!  Kind of like Trick or Treating!!