Figure 2: Surgical Steel Earrings with seed pearls and glass beads. Made for the gentleman's mother.
Figure 3: WIP: cloth earring and necklace set.
figure1
figure 2
figure 3Parents are visiting! Lots to do!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
DIY: More Jewelry Projects
Figure 1: Hematite and cloth earrings on plastic findings. Not sure how well the superglue will hold up with cloth.
Figure 2: Surgical Steel Earrings with seed pearls and glass beads. Made for the gentleman's mother.
Figure 3: WIP: cloth earring and necklace set.
figure 2
figure 3
Figure 2: Surgical Steel Earrings with seed pearls and glass beads. Made for the gentleman's mother.
Figure 3: WIP: cloth earring and necklace set.
figure 2figure 3
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Jewelry Projects With Metal Findings
So obviously my insomnia has been paying off, and obviously these earrings were not meant for me, as I previously stated in A Writing Closet that I am allergic to metal. So... anybody want?
The picture of the top earrings isn't so good, but the lighting was bad and unfixable. They are a yellow bead between to white spoked beads. I think they resemble daisies, so I'm calling them Daisy Earrings. The second pair I feel are very architectural. I called them Piled Up Earrings because they remind me of piles of rocks on a beach. Like so:
These rock "sculptures" were piled up by my Uncle Ken one day in August of 2006 while we were vacationing in Bay Point, Ohio. I took the picture. I miss that place. I miss the peace it always brought me. I hope I can go back someday soon. I haven't had a proper vacation in.... years. I think this picture was from my last proper vacation, and before that it was somewhere around middle school.
Well folks, I'm off to bed. it's one in the morning and I have an early, friggin' loooong day ahead of me. Peace out!
Shopping Haul from Yesterday
Yesterday I had some extra cash, so I treated myself to some new summery clothes. It felt so good to treat myself after months of pinching pennies. So, between some sales and some savvy spending habits (drilled into my courtesy of Mom and Older Sibling), I was able to buy about $150 worth of stuff for about $50ish. I washed everything, but not everything was dry enough for pictures today, so here are pics of MOST of what I got yesterday:
Not pictured: a red jersey dress, pink flip flops, navy and black bow rings.
Not pictured: a red jersey dress, pink flip flops, navy and black bow rings.
Project: Jewelry Again
Last night I couldn't sleep, so I got up and finished this earring and necklace set. I couldn't get a good picture because the glass beads kept reflecting in the flash and so did the backgrounds I kept trying. So I was forced to try without flash, and this was the result. I've played color balance and contrast and brightness. Hopefully you can see this....
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
hottness
No, not me, although I'm rather pretty. The weather! It's hot and humid here in Pittsburgh, PA. Today I bussed down the street to the school to work on the School's Summer Reading List, then I checked out the VS Clearance sale. No luck on the latter. I popped home and before I popped back out, was forced to change shirts from perspiring. Went to F21 and H&M after dropping donations off to Goodwill. Scored some totally awesome stuff, which I will eventually outfit post here later. Rested, then did grocery shopping. Upon arriving home, I had a lovely cool shower, the effects of which haven't lasted.
Everything is washed and trying to dry in this humidity. By the time I pulled the wash out of my dryer, and brought the hot stuff upstairs, I was sweating again. I feel like I need a third shower! Ugh!
Still... I'll take this over snow ANY DAY.
This night calls for ice cream.... after I put away the laundry and turn the fan onto the handwashing that's drying on the rack.
Everything is washed and trying to dry in this humidity. By the time I pulled the wash out of my dryer, and brought the hot stuff upstairs, I was sweating again. I feel like I need a third shower! Ugh!
Still... I'll take this over snow ANY DAY.
This night calls for ice cream.... after I put away the laundry and turn the fan onto the handwashing that's drying on the rack.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
book giveaway!
Jessica Quirk of What I Wore is giving away 10 signed copies of her books! Enter here: http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/tagged/Giveaway and visit her site here: http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/!
Reading Jessica's blog is partially what inspired me to create my own. Hopefully, one day this little corner of the internet will be as successful as hers!
Cheers!
Reading Jessica's blog is partially what inspired me to create my own. Hopefully, one day this little corner of the internet will be as successful as hers!
Cheers!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Jewelry Projects
figure one: my new coral-themed necklace and earrings set.
figure 2: a better picture of the previous earrings I made
Figure One: I bought the coral beads and the double strand of reddish seed beads at Michael's on clearance. Then I knotted together a bunch of linen-colored ecru (the thick embroidery thread used in cross stitch) to incorporate the at-sea theme. I sewed on the red plastic french hooks and voila!
Figure Two: I wired together a bunch of small round quartz beads and some glass beads to each other and to a pair of black plastic french hooks.
WIP Projects: A necklace where the "chain" is braided fabrics. I have it all braided, I just need to figure out how I want to do the beading. I also bought a super glue pen to work on the post earrings. I bought some freshwater pearl beads from Michael's on clearance that I want to try and use.
What are your current projects?
Figure Two: I wired together a bunch of small round quartz beads and some glass beads to each other and to a pair of black plastic french hooks.
WIP Projects: A necklace where the "chain" is braided fabrics. I have it all braided, I just need to figure out how I want to do the beading. I also bought a super glue pen to work on the post earrings. I bought some freshwater pearl beads from Michael's on clearance that I want to try and use.
What are your current projects?
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Refreshing
So my old hair color was... well... old. Four months old, to be precise. Below, a before and after:
Not so inspiring, eh?
And the new color is a bit darker than I wanted it, but it will fade.
Not the best pictures, but I'm heading out the door for breakfast, so food makes me rush! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day!
Not so inspiring, eh?
And the new color is a bit darker than I wanted it, but it will fade.
Not the best pictures, but I'm heading out the door for breakfast, so food makes me rush! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Project: Jewelry
As you probably don't know, I am allergic to metal. All metal, as far as I know. I can handle metal objects for about five minutes continuously, or for about half an hour sporadically. After that, my skin itches and the reaction begins. It's itchy-burning-ugly stuff.
So imagine how limited my jewelry selection is. I can't even use a metal clasp on a necklace. NO METAL AT ALL.
Until I found this awesome website: http://hypoallergenicfindings.com/index.html !!!! I even found, and ordered, plastic earring findings to make some earrings! Which is what I plan to try doing tonight and this week. I will post pictures as the project nears completion. I have three pairs of plastic posts, all clear, and three pairs of french hooks in clear, red and black. Not sure what to do with the posts yet-- or if I should use superglue or rubber cement or jewelry cement-- but for the hooks, I plan on a pair of long dangle-y beads, a fabric pair, and a pair of earrings with one bead hanging off a long strand of ribbon. I might turn one of the post pairs into button earrings. Not sure.
Pictures to come!
So imagine how limited my jewelry selection is. I can't even use a metal clasp on a necklace. NO METAL AT ALL.
Until I found this awesome website: http://hypoallergenicfindings.com/index.html !!!! I even found, and ordered, plastic earring findings to make some earrings! Which is what I plan to try doing tonight and this week. I will post pictures as the project nears completion. I have three pairs of plastic posts, all clear, and three pairs of french hooks in clear, red and black. Not sure what to do with the posts yet-- or if I should use superglue or rubber cement or jewelry cement-- but for the hooks, I plan on a pair of long dangle-y beads, a fabric pair, and a pair of earrings with one bead hanging off a long strand of ribbon. I might turn one of the post pairs into button earrings. Not sure.
Pictures to come!
Life Changes...
Two days ago, on Saturday, I went kayaking for the first time. I was nervous about tipping over, how hard it would be, everything... and wow, was I wrong! It was awesome! A great workout for your core and arms. And relaxing? The Pittsburgh skyline from the river, while floating in the shade of a bridge, is gorgeous! I made sure not to push myself too much; I probably made it about two miles... It was an hour and a half round trip, and the trip back was faster because the current was behind me. I went with somebody special, and the whole experience was just amazing!!! I will definitely go again!
Yesterday we went hiking at McConnell's Mills State Park. Gorgeous scenery, lovely river, and the trail wasn't too hard. The hike lasted about an hour, and we certainly worked off the pizza we'd had for dinner!
Today is another big change. I am interviewing today at a small, fashionable chain store. Currently, I am managing at a local pharmacy, but if this job offers better pay and hours, I may change stores. There's a lot to think about... at my current job, I have six years of "seniority," even though that counts for nothing.... and if this is a lateral move (financially), is it worth it? This new job, if I get it, would be a lot easier to get to and it would be a change of pace and environment.
Have to wait and see, I guess. Wish me luck!
Yesterday we went hiking at McConnell's Mills State Park. Gorgeous scenery, lovely river, and the trail wasn't too hard. The hike lasted about an hour, and we certainly worked off the pizza we'd had for dinner!
Today is another big change. I am interviewing today at a small, fashionable chain store. Currently, I am managing at a local pharmacy, but if this job offers better pay and hours, I may change stores. There's a lot to think about... at my current job, I have six years of "seniority," even though that counts for nothing.... and if this is a lateral move (financially), is it worth it? This new job, if I get it, would be a lot easier to get to and it would be a change of pace and environment.
Have to wait and see, I guess. Wish me luck!
Friday, June 10, 2011
A Favorites Post: Hair Products
Hello, and a Fabulous Friday to you! I'm watching the Rachel Ray Show on ABC while I post this. She's making me hungry! I so have to start cooking again. I love to cook and I love to feed people. I want to try making my own salsa, and maybe make some fabulous grilled cheese sammies or try enchiladas....
In the meantime, my hair is SO SOFT today! Even the boyfriend noticed a difference! Recently I made a short trip home, and during my visit, my family graciously indulged my beauty product fixation with a quick trip to Sally Beauty Supply. I picked up a new shampoo called Riveting Reds (from Quantum) and a small tube of Glossing Polish from Silk Elements. My hair has never been this soft, this colorful, this amazing! After three days of use, people have been complimenting my hair non-stop! My color (which comes from a box, lol) has been brighter, my texture softer, my hair shinier! The Riveting Red shampoo also has cousins for Blonde and Brunette hair, and costs about $8. The drops from Silk Elements (sometimes found in the "Ethnic Haircare" Section of drugstores) cost about $2. So for about $10, my hair has drastically improved!
Quantum Riveting Reds Shampoo from Sally Beauty Supply: http://www.sallybeauty.com/red-hair-shampoo/SBS-496105,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair01-05
Full-Sized Glossing Polish from Silk Elements: http://www.sallybeauty.com/glossing-polish/SILKEL18,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH (I got the travel-sized version for much less, and considering you only need two drops, it will last a looong time!)
I also grabbed a travel-sized version of Hairtrition, which smells fantastic and promises to protect color, reduce frizz, and promote shine and bounce. Additionally, I picked up two more travel sized hair masques to try.
TIP: Can't decide what to get at Sally's? Get the trial sized version! They last a fairly long time if you use them correctly, and cost a lot less, and are much less of a commitment than the full sized version.
In the meantime, my hair is SO SOFT today! Even the boyfriend noticed a difference! Recently I made a short trip home, and during my visit, my family graciously indulged my beauty product fixation with a quick trip to Sally Beauty Supply. I picked up a new shampoo called Riveting Reds (from Quantum) and a small tube of Glossing Polish from Silk Elements. My hair has never been this soft, this colorful, this amazing! After three days of use, people have been complimenting my hair non-stop! My color (which comes from a box, lol) has been brighter, my texture softer, my hair shinier! The Riveting Red shampoo also has cousins for Blonde and Brunette hair, and costs about $8. The drops from Silk Elements (sometimes found in the "Ethnic Haircare" Section of drugstores) cost about $2. So for about $10, my hair has drastically improved!
Quantum Riveting Reds Shampoo from Sally Beauty Supply: http://www.sallybeauty.com/red-hair-shampoo/SBS-496105,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair01-05
Full-Sized Glossing Polish from Silk Elements: http://www.sallybeauty.com/glossing-polish/SILKEL18,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH (I got the travel-sized version for much less, and considering you only need two drops, it will last a looong time!)
I also grabbed a travel-sized version of Hairtrition, which smells fantastic and promises to protect color, reduce frizz, and promote shine and bounce. Additionally, I picked up two more travel sized hair masques to try.
TIP: Can't decide what to get at Sally's? Get the trial sized version! They last a fairly long time if you use them correctly, and cost a lot less, and are much less of a commitment than the full sized version.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
At First Glance
Greetings and Salutations!
Thank you kindly for stopping by my blog. This is my first post! I'm so excited to begin this adventure! My aim with this blog is to bring more style, focus and motivation to my life and hopefully to inspire some in others. With this blog, I will share inspirations, discoveries, pictures, news, and of course, offer and accept comments and constructive criticism.
Please stop back soon!
Thank you kindly for stopping by my blog. This is my first post! I'm so excited to begin this adventure! My aim with this blog is to bring more style, focus and motivation to my life and hopefully to inspire some in others. With this blog, I will share inspirations, discoveries, pictures, news, and of course, offer and accept comments and constructive criticism.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)