Back to work!

It has been several months since I have posted anything here. I am getting back to work online and on my newest creations of jewelry. I started making collage necklaces,made of buttons,beads,pins on a leather piece. They are quite different than other things I have done. I will be posting some pictures of some examples of this new style. One of my favorites sold this weekend. In the next several months I will be making lots of new jewelry and will be posting pictures here and on Etsy! Now I need to get back to work!

Inspired by Art Museum

Last month I went on a class trip with my oldest son to Washington,DC. We had a nice day and explored a lot of the Smithsonian museums. I still keep thinking about the Art museum. I was allowed to take photos, so I did. The colors in some of the paintings,though quite old, are still vivid with color. Some of the photos I will be posting and then posting the jewelry I created with the art as the inspiration.

Recycled cardboard cuff bracelet

I have decided to show how I make some of my cuff bracelets. I have taken pictures of the various stages of the bracelet in development. I decided to make these after I was left with a long roll of super strong cardboard. The roll was from a big roll of holiday wrapping paper. I finished wrapping some gifts and used all the paper. I stuck my hand in the roll and got to thinking what a perfect size for a bracelet. This being extra sturdy, I have to use a saw to cut it. You can make it as thin or as thick as you want. Just slice off a piece and begin. The next step is to file the edges for a smooth finish to the sides. The next step to pick your fabric,paper or ribbon to go around the cuff. In this one I used black bias tape that I had laying around. You wrap it around the cuff, securing it with fabric glue as you go. Let it dry for at least a day. Next, I added a vintage white flower piece to the front, I used E600 glue for this. Let this dry again. To make this cuff more stain and weather resistant, I sealed it with several coats of varnish sealer. This seems to give it some shine and texture ,also. So, there you have some instructions for the cuff. I have made many of these using the same big roll of cardboard.