Tie Dye is Not Just for T Shirts!!

In a world of a higher consciousness,  re purposing, recycling and up cycling are in the forefront of so many peoples mind. 

I am more aware now of what I do, what I waste, what I use, where it is sourced and so forth. 

In doing so, to do my part to limit manufacturing and waste, I have committed to buying "used" when at all possible. Even with my jewelry and tie dye business!

These shirts for example, are in great condition, bought from a local thrift shop and re purposed to give them a new life and more color!!!

I mean really, who wants a boring white dress shirt :)

There are so many cotton clothes that I can get a rubber band around, and that means, I can dye it :)

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Fun New Dangle Necklaces!!!

I am all about the dangle, the charm look. I keep going back to this type of design.

When I first started making jewelry it was just a natural progression to hand wrap beads and hang them on chain. Just the next step in learning jewelry design, so to speak.

I re visited that old design and have come up with these :)

I call these "Anything Goes"

This is a fun idea to use up the one offs that you have laying around from other designs. It makes a great collection of color, textures and sizes.  Even as you re purpose your older jewelry, set a couple beads behind, and you can make a memory necklace for yourself!!!!!


Right now these are only available locally at The Green Monkey, but I promise you will be seeing them soon in my Etsy store!!!

Fun Earrings from a Broken Bracelet!

My mom is the best at finding me the best things to create from. She is always at flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales looking for little treasures to send to me. I have had this one for a couple of years, just waiting for the right inspiration. I love this bracelet so much, that it honestly was hard to not just fix it and wear it. But I wanted to give it new life.

Once I sat down, it didn't take too much effort to start putting these earrings together.

They have a bit of weight to them, that gives them the best swing. I feel sassy :)

I was watching one of my favorite movies while making these - Say Anything - Have you seen it? Do you see the 80's influence?

ArtBeads ‘What’s Old is New Again!’ Blogger Challenge

Oh kids this is a fun one. Artbeads' new blogger challenge is titled - What's Old is New Again, and I am excited.

I have an awesome necklace from my mom from the 70's and have been putting off popping it apart to re purpose it, until now :)

Artbeads gave me a great opportunity to pair it up with some really fun beads and re vamp this necklace into something new and fun!




Here is what I got -

BS-0038 6x8mm Dark Amber and Opaque Sky Blue with Picasso Roundel Bead Strand *

SW-BD245 Stoneware Brown with Light Blue Daisies Tube Bead *

LMP-0146 Yellow and Orange Roundel Beads (7 pcs) *

CR-RL131 5x4mm Opaline Yellow Roundelle Strand *

I can't wait to dive in!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Treasures Found

Out walking the dogs this morning, I find this






There were two triple hooks on the lure, I am so glad it didn't get stepped on. I picked it up, thinking I would throw it away, properly, and I began to look at it. This could be a focal on a really fun necklace.

What would you do with this lure?

Memory Wire Choker

Leigh sent me a picture of a bracelet that she wanted me to try and make -



So cute with that little ribbon tied onto it. It is from Old Navy. It is an elastic bracelet

*insert Psycho theme* *We we we we we we we we we*

I can't tie a knot!!!

So I thought, I'll do it with memory wire. I used some Bead a Lon memory wire I had (I don't recommend this brand for memory wire, it stretches and will not hold it's shape) and for the sake of the experiment, I thought I would give it a try.

The agate beads were too heavy and it would hang off the wrist. There was no way you could functional wear this as a bracelet.

*think* *think*

What about a choker. I tried it on - IT FIT PERFECT!!!


Front view


Back veiw


This is a real fun design, and so easy to wear!

There never is a real failure is there - always an opportunity to learn something new!!!

Once more to the garden - Re purpose project

Still running with yesterdays theme of the re purpose of the Octopus's garden, I made these bracelets.

They are VERY similar, but that is ok. These freshwater pearls are so much fun and so active, I couldn't stop at one. I used a random slant on the original focal idea with the flower of the Octopus's garden necklace and just added faceted Czech crystal and sterling daisy spacers..







This one I used groups of seven and separated them with the daisy spacers and the Czech crystals.



I love looking at it on my wrist - it makes me giggle!!

Have you re purposed any jewlery? I would love to see it! Post a link in my comments and share it with all of us!

Fashion show and 'Purpose Pendants'

The last couple of weeks I have been focusing on getting inventory up for the show I did on Saturday. Now that it is done, I start work on making pieces for a fashion show at the end of the month. I want the pieces to be a great accessory, but also make a statement. I began to sort through my beads and categorize them out into groups so I can begin building.

I found this and squealed, how can I go wrong with this!! I am really excited about this one in particular. Last month I placed an order to Rings & Things to get components for a special order. While I was shopping for the pieces parts I found this Chevron Glass Bead, 30mm Round. It makes my heart happy. It was on closeout, I couldn't let it go and take a chance of it not being here when I 'got around to shopping for myself'. So I snagged it up. and boy howdy am I pleased!



I couldn't say no. I love it so!!!

Here is a better picture to give you an idea of the size of this baby - Look how beautiful!!!



I paired it up with this great bead assortment, since I had a blast working with the bead assortment that was sent as part of the blogger challenge. I have an idea in my head, off center, and multi stranded of course :) I should have it ready to go in a couple of days.





I have started making what I call "Purpose Pendants" The pendants are themed by the quality of the stones. I didn't want to call them talismans because that word carries so much baggage. I wanted to make a line of pendants that served a purpose. When you wear them you are aware of the theme intended for that pendant, and hopefully that pendant will make you aware of those qualities and help you through your day.

Peace in the Wend
Laboradorite - peace
Turquoise - peace
Citrine - peace
Moonstone - peace








Love in Abundance
Amethyst- eases money issues and leads to abundance
Carnelian - good luck
Pearl - faith
Garnet - love
Citrine - success






Off to put more stuff up on the site.

Till tomorrow kids!

New life to old pieces - Thursday quickie

I bought a Darice bucket o' seed beads from Michaels, with 5 little containers and each container having 5 compartments each with a different color. Tucked in the bucket are some basic tools, stringing wire, and an assortment of boldly colored plastic beads.

*think* *think*

I am 'getting over myself' so to speak and the way I look at the 'ingredients' I use to make my pieces. Why have I been snubbing my nose at some of the most basic, but also some of the most promising beads/supplies because they are not 'sterling' or 'gemstone'.

*kicks self in pants*

So in light of this, I am looking at these fun and colorful plasticy bits and wanted to play with them. I had a barette I have been holding onto forever thinking i was going to embelish it, and that is exactly what I did.


Dont look at my nails - every so often I go into denial and think I can paint my nails and that beading will not wreck the finish..................right.....



This is the assortment of beads, along with some 26 ga basic wire and the barette.




My initial choices to begin the narrowing down process.



Do several wraps on the end of the barret to secure the wire.





Slide on the bead and then do several more wraps on the links of the barette to secure the bead in place.



Honestly, it is as simple as that!

Finally gettin round to it

While on vacation Jo (daughters nickname) and I went to several little antique and resale shops in her downtown area. Fun little main street, so much to look at. We were at one counter and it was 'OH, I need that!' 'Mom look at this!' 'This is fantastic! I can't live without this!' We went on and on till we had drawn a crowd to see what we were ooohhh'n and awww'n about. Trying on necklaces and three pairs of clip on earrings at the same time, we tried to get an idea of which were the best. We could have been our own game show. We would squeal and clap with delight at each new find.

Contestant number one, look what you have won!!!!

I poked around with a purpose. I am looking for display ideas, and older pieces to use in my re purpose project. I am thrilled with what I found.

I guess it is because I have taken such an interest in it, I am noticing it more. I see more and more repurposed pieces of jewelry. It is exciting to me to breath new life into some of those tired wore out pieces. The combinations of old and new is a great mash up of era and culture. It can educate new buyers to a costume jewelry past that may help them connect to someone in their family. *cue sappy music, I am on a roll* It may spark a conversation of 'What was it like when you were my age' and bring a family closer. Re purposed jewelry can bring peace and harmony!

What have you done with re purposed jewelry? Does it have a meaning or a story with it? Pull up a chair, I'll grab the wine, tell me bout it!!!!


Here are my spoils..




Here is a close up of the goodies.




There are two glass hands, and all the goodies are in an old doll bed. What in the world are you going to do with a doll bed!?!!?!?!



Stay tuned kids!