This is a fun pendant and earring set that actually started out as something else entirely.... but I love how it has turned out. This is my first attempt at soldering something other than a jump ring, and I am so pleased with the result- I want to be out with the torch and pick all day now.

However.... the story of Little fish, little fish actually begins as a vision of Art Nouveau inspired vinery. After I had soldered the pieces together I was looking and thinking and thinking some more, and it reminded me not so much of leaves and vines but of summer days I spent with my dad fishing at our cabin way way far away, in the middle of the great forested north (northern Saskatchewan). My dad passed away when I was young, and he was often so busy when we were in the city, but the days at the lake were such fun. So my summer-theme is more a summer pass-time and a memory of my family- special for me, fun to have made, and lovely to wear.

Oh- the stuff.... sterling silver with copper Swarovsky crystals, peridot chips and citrines. The larger stones are citrine- these are sooo lovely and delicious..... and very summer with the warm greens.
Thanks for looking!



The clasp for the necklace is in the front so the cored is very smooth on the back of the neck.


Detail of those delicious cirtines....



Variation where the peridot string falls to the side.

This past weekend my son's school had a big fundraiser, part of which was a silent auction. I have been busy making some trinkets to donate, and thought I would share my favorites. It was a lot of fun- not sure what I am going to do with my jewelry dabble time now that the auction is over!

The photos did not come out well, and I am somewhat disappointed by that. however, you can get the idea...

On a recent visit to a thrift store I found a lovely brown wool cardigan. It was a beautiful color, had lovely shell buttons, and was nicely soft and warm. I took it home and found a nasty hole in the elbow- big enough that you couldn't get away wearing it without someone noticing the hobo-ness of the sweater.
So I felted, cut and stitched- my first project in felting a sweater and sewing something with it. My machine almost choked on some of the fuzz, but out of it came this lovely little purse. I am so tickled with it, but I did end up giving it to my son's preschool for a fundraiser auction.
At least there is another side of the cardigan, complete with pocket, so I can make myself another.

I am super curious, but I can't see the pictures....
I haven't viewed photos through photobucket before. Is there a password used?

They look really sharp- like something you might see on one of the designer shows. I love the fabric- very crisp and elegant!

Nice job on the painting too- you have so much more patience than I would on a project like that! Excellent job!

Hi crafty people!
This is my first challenge- as well as my first doll, first recycled sweater, and I am so incredibly pleased with how my little Miss Molly turned out!
Meet Miss Molly Puddlesox



She started out as a sweater (at one time a very expensive sweater from Talbots, now $3.99 from Goodwill...) and a t-shirt (also $3.99), plus a pair of well loved purple infant tights ($2).



(there is another navy sweater that I considered using but ended up not- a lovely 100% wool Eddie Bauer that has been felted to a size that would fit my 4-year old).

Miss Molly's body was crafted from the t-shirt, and her lovely ensemble from one arm of the sweater. The tights I sewed down so that they create a body covering as well as long dangly legs. The tights had a lighter shade on the toes and heel, and I ended up having to trim off the heel. However, the way that the toes came together, they created little mauve shoes for my fashionista.



I used extra stuffing, purple yarn, felt, embroidery thread and a few buttons left over from projects from long ago,, and voila- there she is! I love her, and am so excited to have made something for my baby girl. She thinks Miss Molly is pretty neat too



This was a really fun challenge, and I love everything everyone has done- so much creativity!
Thanks for looking!

wow. the shirt is just........ wow. Makes you wonder what designers are smoking that they would design- and approve- such a fabric. Makes a lovely tote though! And there would be no risk in anyone  sneaking away unnoticed with it. Has its own alarm system built right in!

Amazing model too- and so sweet for him to take time from a busy schedule of photo shoots and runway sachays for you!

Beautiful- very cute idea. I love Mary Engelbreit, she is just so happy.

Excellent dumpster find, too!

Hi ladies and beading gurus,
I have been asked by a friend to restring a necklace that she bought as a gift for her mom. This is the necklace:


I am just not sure what would be best to use for stringing. Originally it was on what looked like a really fine nylon string- reminded me of dental floss. I find tiger wire so stiff, but I have never used anything other than that so I am not sure what would be strongest but still allow for flexibility of the necklace.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

A fellow collector- I have trouble tossing stuff too.

If you have ots of shells, and you would like to display them in some way, you could make a mosaic plaque with your house number, your names, or some lovely pattern that reminds you of the beach.

You could also make a mosaic table with them, and lay a sheet of plexiglass above to protect the shells, or create a shadow box coffee table that has a hinged top, fill it with sand from your beach, and decorate with shells- you could have your own little zen beach in your living room (or bedstand, or balcony garden, or wherever).