Creative (affordable) Luau Invitations

I recently designed and crafted these invitations for my daughter’s 16th Birthday Luau.

I wanted something colorful and layered…this is what I came up with.

I purchased a thick pad of sparkly, scrapbook paper at a national craft store. Using a weekly coupon it was 40% off. I found some bright green envelopes at an office supply store, which picked up the green found throughout the patterned paper.

I measured the envelopes and cut pieces to fit inside with a slide paper cutter. I was able to get two invitation backs from each sheet of scrapbook paper.

Then I took some printable vellum, printed the invite details and cut them to lay over the backs. I attached the vellum with a small piece of double stick tape.

To finish them off I purchased inexpensive paper garlands of luau themed clips from the dollar store. Each garland had about 20 clips attached to fishing line. I cut the clips off of the thin wire and with double stick tape attached each over the top of the vellum.
So inexpensive but very custom and each was different.

You could use this process for any theme really. Try and think outside the box when hunting for components for party invitations.

I find the dollar store a great place to begin!

Photo Jewelry Series – Part Three of Three

These are the two products I use to secure and seal my photographs when creating my photo jewelry.

They can each be found at most national craft retailers or online.

The Glossy Accents is thick and great for filling in a "well" or covering small beads, findings or paper layers. It has it's own applicator and can fit in small areas. A very tiny amount can be applied to the back of your photograph to secure it to the piece of jewelry before covering the top.

The Triple Thick is thinner and easier to spread over larger surfaces. I use a clean, soft, synthetic craft brush to apply it. It gives a uniform look to a wider surface. You must take care not to over-brush the top or your photo might smear.

I also sometimes use a spray fixative (found at any art store) to "fix" or seal my photographs or paper art before finishing with one of the above products.

Be sure to experiment with any product you use and get comfortable with it. There can be a slight learning curve and it will make for happier creating if you feel secure with your supplies.

Creative Jewelry Show Display – Zipper Pulls

When I started selling zipper pulls at my jewelry shows people weren’t really sure what they were supposed to do with them.

Also, they are small and can get lost on a table full of jewelry.

I decided to create a display that wouldn’t take up too much room but that would show how they are used.

I decided to sew a zipper into a piece of fabric and mount that into a small frame. I put the zipper at an angle so that the zipper pull would hang against the fabric and not the actual zipper.

This worked perfectly.

It was inexpensive, transported and stored easily and was eye-catching. If you don’t sew you could easily re-purpose an old piece of clothing with a zipper and with a little glue transform it into a display.

Get creative!

Unexpected Art - Buttons... who knew?

Today at my son's piano lesson we needed to switch rooms unexpectedly.

His lessons are run by The Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School but they are held at a local church.

We peeked in a room we had never been in to see if was free and discovered this unusual piece of art.

At first I was attracted by the quirky mannequin and the texture of the garment but then upon closer inspection I realized the sexy, floor length frock was constructed entirely out of various sized buttons and thread!

Not even fancy buttons. Ordinary, plastic buttons in neutral colors.

The "fabric" glided over the curves and fit like a glove. It was wonderfully constructed.

A little bit of sparkle came from the shiny gold thread holding them all together.The straight gold lines almost looked like golden staples.

I don't even know who to credit for this eclectic masterpiece but I felt compelled to share it!

Creative Uses for Surplus Beads and Findings Series - Vintage Key Rings

Large split rings like the ones used for key rings are readily available at jewelry supply stores and websites.

They come in all different shapes, sizes and finishes and are very inexpensive.

Stack some pretty, loose, surplus beads on wire and attach to the ring directly or with some chain…and there you have a pretty, one-of-a-kind key ring.

I like to have multiple strands and think small spacer beads add to the look. I also recommend wire wrapping the loop for durability.

I punch a hole on a business card and attach the ring …then slip it into a baggie for protection. Sometimes I have a small basket of these by my check out station at shows…just as a little something a customer can pick up.

They also make a nice thank you gift for a loyal customer

Silver "Orphan Charm" Bracelet

Not everything comes out the way it is supposed to...

This bracelet is a result of my early education with PMC (Precious Metal Clay).

When I added this medium to my business offerings years ago there was a lot of trial and error but because of the precious nature of the materials I couldn't just part with the cast offs.

After collecting charms for several years, I decided to create a special treat for myself...a sort of tribute to a new learning experience.

I call it my "Orphan Charm" bracelet. It is made up of fingerprint charms and other pieces that might not have been up to my standards, some samples, designs that didn't make the cut, etc...

Separately they have no real value...but together I think they combine to create an intimate and interesting piece of jewelry.

I do have some more charms that I am thinking of making into another bracelet to offer in my etsy shop...keep your eye out for this one of a kind, personal work of art!

One Special Element - Vintage Bead Bracelet

I loved this carved pendant...

But I knew I didn't want to use it as a pendant.

I think this bracelet illustrates how one special element can make very simple beads more interesting. These icy, crackle, vintage beads were sort of dead on their own...but with a special element I think they look so much more inviting and important.

I like the simplicity of the two colors and think that it makes the detail in the pendant stand out.

Sometimes using a larger piece as a focal item on a bracelet can open up new creative doors!