Jewelry Makeovers: Bling It On!

Mother's Day is on the way, and it's time to show Mom the LOVE!
 
But let's get real here, shall we?
Not everyone can afford to head to a jewelry store and buy a sparkling gem for Mom.

It's not about how much you love her, it's about your bank balance

and being the responsible person she raised you to be.

So, how about some ideas for re-imagining baubles from the thrift store or flea market?
A few easy steps to make the old NEW again?
I mean, Mom loved those macaroni noodle necklaces we made in kindergarten, right?
So if she's into jewelry, and hip to vintage and reclaimed style, 

let's make her something with a BIT more sparkle and shine!

This past week, I took some of the stuff that's been cluttering up my jewelry box

and took a good look at it all.
As I did, I started laying various pieces together, thinking about how they could be changed,

and came up with some new jewelry without spending a cent...

[unfortunately, I didn't photograph the 'befores' because it wasn't until I was DONE
that I decided to make this a blog post!]

Project 1: a multistrand necklace.
I had three various-sized and length silver metal chain necklaces (dollar tree, years ago)

one ultra-long chain with multi-colored resin beads (thrift store, $2.00)

and one chain with big loops and pink plastic beads. Yes, plastic.  

I don't know why I held onto that pink one - but I am glad I did!
It became the base for the new piece....

I just opened a few of the large links, and slipped a link from the other necklaces into them:

The bejeweled chain was folded in thirds, then attached,

and the silver chains were spiral-wrapped around the others, then attached.

It's chunky, it's fun, 

and it perfectly matches one of the bright graphic Mickey Mouse tee shirts I wear to work!

[ I have five strands of pearls that I am going to do something similar with, too]

 Project 2: a pieced necklace

This one came about because I truly love the vintage pieces...

I had them listed here in the HOMEWARDfound shop, and they didn't sell.
Which is GOOD, because I really didn't want to part with them!!!

I started by deconstructing the clip-on earrings, removing the backs and clips, 

and also the pin from the back of the brooch.
Then I took another cheap chain I had, one with metallic resin beads, 

and took out the center chain link and removed the bead that had been on it.
Then I connected each of those 'ends' to the floral elements, 

and attached that one bead to the bottom petal of the large flower.

The warm gold-silver tone of the chain picks up the gold accents on the vintage flowers, 

and the beads make it fresh and fun.
It reminds me of stuff from Anthro - without the price tag!

Confession: I cussed a lot while making this one. A LOT.
This was tiny, tiny work.... I made a lot of boo-boos, and it took FOREVER!
But I finally got it, and I LOVE this piece.

Project 3: a found object bracelet

A delicate bracelet (flea market, $5.00) is the perfect place to add miscellaneous charms.
I used what I had, and added some vintage buttons with gold filigree centers,

a leaf from an old earring, a vintage rose charm, 

and what I think is a charm from a school sorority or club.

You could do this with orphaned earrings, special buttons, even rings,
saved by Mom because they are reminders of the past!

[ This piece is for sale in the HOMEWARDfound SHOP. ]

And finally, an idea that I had so much fun with...
It's so SIMPLE and EASY and INEXPENSIVE... you just won't believe it!

Project 4: a magical transformation

No, it's not buying earrings that match your nail polish.
IT'S BETTER!

It's PAINT your jewelry with Nail Polish!!!
The stones in these earrings were originally red.
But as nice as they were (sterling silver, from Sundance) I haven't worn red for a very long time.
But I DO wear PINK!

I grabbed this new bottle of 'Enchanted Kiss' nail polish 

from the Beautifully Disney makeup line

and blobbed some hot pink polish over the red stone in the earrings.

It was like..... MAGIC! ;)

These perfectly match the pink logo on several of my work tee shirts,

along with a hot pink dress that I bought myself for my birthday.

Those earrings I never wore? I wear them every week now!

What are you waiting for?
Go take a peek into your own or Mom's jewelry box,
 hit the thrift stores or a flea market on Saturday,
and you can BLING IT ON for Mother's Day!

shared online:

 Yesterday on Tuesday | Project Inspire{d}

 One Project Closer | Creativity Unleashed

Cinco de 'Orange Crush' Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
This easy to pull together look was inspired by those chairs in the photo above...

the regular metal folding chairs were pretty old and ugly,

until my Mom went at them with a few cans of orange spray paint!
Now they add a juicy orange accent color to her back patio area.

Mom also painted some old baskets and coffee cans orange,
giving me plenty of color in this Orange Crush Cinco de Mayo party setting.

The elements of this design are galvanized metals, burlap, and the color orange.

I rounded up galvie buckets from the garden bar, burlap from my office stash,
and everything orange I could find around the house!

The 'grass' umbrella establishes a south-of-the-border theme,

and the super-easy burlap & paper banner adds a splash of color to the green backdrop.

continue reading to see more ideas!

Sweet Simple Nests

Years ago, I was bent on cleaning up some flower beds near my front entry.
I had endured the garish orange day lilies blooming there (planted by the owner of the house),
and now that they had finished, I was ready to eradicate them from my yard. 

I wielded cutters and rake, bringing them to their proverbial knees...

and quite by accident, I discovered a new material to create with:
DEAD foliage.

Deb has not gone 'round the bend here, I swear....

The dried, browned stringy leaves of the daylilies had landed in piles as I trimmed.

And those piles looked like something to me,

so I picked up a hunk of foliage and twisted it around in my palm, 

and Lo and Behold, a NEST emerged!

I created a whole bunch more, and decorated my home with them.
Then I made even  more, and sold them at vintage shows.
When those ran out, I found pots of dead daffodils at the nursery, 

and they GAVE THEM TO ME!

So I made more nests. With FREE STUFF. We ALL like that, right?!

So in case you'd like to try this, here's my SUPER SIMPLE method to

 turn dead leaves into nests in just three simple steps!

Prep:  Get a pair of scissors and some cotton string or hemp twine,

and cut it into a three-inch length for each nest you want to make.

Step 1:
If the foliage is still attached to the plant, in the ground or in a pot, make this easy on yourself...

grab the foliage just above the bulb area, and cut there.

Step 2:

Bunch the foliage into a long strip, and begin twirling it into a circle shape in your hand

by curling the cut ends around toward the strip. 

Twirl it once or twice or three times around, depending on the length of the foliage.

The uneven ends of the foliage should be on the outside of the nest,

giving a more natural appearance to it when done.

OPTIONAL STEP:
Add pieces of thread, ribbon, twine, etc. to the strip of foliage before creating the nest

to make it look more like a real one made by a bird.

 

Step 3:

Tie a piece of the string / twine around the foliage on the side where the cut ends of the foliage are -

just like threading a needle, feed one end of the string into the hole - and then tie a knot.
This will hold the nest together and keep it from unwinding.
Then cut the string ends off.

Add any charming little details you'd like to...

a tuft of moss, a fading gardenia bloom, rose petals, a precious found object.
I just sit mine in there because I like to change them,

but you can attach yours with glue if you'd like.

Then display your sweet nest as part of your Spring decor!
Here are two ways I displayed the nests I made:

An aqua glass candle holder lifts the nest up like sculpture,

while the galvanized lantern functions like a tiny house for a bird nest.

You can see more of my nest creations on HOMEWARDfound
 Here . Here . Here . Here

shared online:

Yesterday on Tuesday | Project Inspire{d}
(Malia Featured my sweet nests!)

Going Green!

 I half-jokingly posted on the HOMEWARDfound facebook page the other day,

letting out a dirty little secret of my total decorating obsession....

When I change the graphics on my social media sites, 

I ALSO change the decor in my office / studio. To match.
So that when my fresh new home pages are up on my laptop screen, they coordinate with the room.

I know, I know... #Imayneedtherapy

ANyway, the new HWf graphics that I created for May 2014 are all about green and white:

I uploaded the new graphics on Monday. So, on Tuesday, the decor in the office changed... 

out went the yellow from March & April, and in came the greens.

It's amazing how simple accessory and color changes can freshen up a room!

when i redecorate, I just round up and grab everything in the color scheme I can find,
then sort through it as I create vignettes around the room.
If I don't use something, I just pile it into a wire basket as part of a color montage!

 

These two images show projects that I've shared here on the blog:
The wire dome made from a tomato cage and the seed packet tin can vase.

I've used them both in dozens of ways!

Many of the things I use in my office decor ARE 'green' as far as eco-friendly goes,

because there's a LOT of re-imagine, re-use, re-cycle action going on here!
From thrifted, vintage and antique items to everyday materials re-purposed into another use,

nothing is off-limits.

Well, not unless it's red or orange or something. ;)
Just call me #ColorObsessed!

shared online:

Yesterday on Tuesday | Project Inspire{d}

Mossy Mossy Mossy

So, after the Easter eggs and bunnies are packed away, 

what does Spring look like for you?

Me? I'm partial to MOSS.

...and yes, just as my silly title above indicates, I can't say 'Mossy' without thinking

"Fosse, Fosse, Fosse" 

[ which is a funny line from the movie 'The Birdcage'... look it up ;) ]

 I don't go for that 'sanitized' & bagged moss from the nurseries & garden centers, however...

nope. I like my moss straight from the shadiest corner of the yard, thankyouverymuch.
Twigs and weeds and all. Just scoop it up (using a pie server or spatula, of course) 

and pop it into containers like terra cotta pots and brandy snifters!

I shared a tutorial on making FREE moss terrariums HERE last Spring!

I loved this 'moss handbag' planter when I saw it at Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, CA.

It inspired the moss-filled wire basket that I just made for Mom's front door.
[ The moss is real, the roses are faux - salvaged from an old wreath ]

These hanging moss balls used as planters are at the entrance to Roger's Gardens this spring,

and they spin a bit in the wind. 

Very sweet - and EASY to replicate!
* Grab a grapevine orb from the craft or dollar store 

* Wrap it up with sheet moss 

* Fill the inside of the ball with potting soil

* Plant a little fern or begonia into it
* Attach a string or wire, and hang from your patio cover....
OR, simply place the moss ball into a martini glass to display it indoors or on a table!

 One of my favorite haunts up in Washington state was Christianson's Nursery in the Skagit Valley.
There is a little shop in the center of the nursery called 'Primrose',

and every season, they create charming displays with natural elements and vintage goods.
I was always inspired when I visited,

and looking at these images of a spring tablescape, you can see why!
They really know how to use the ABUNDANT moss in the Pacific Northwest!

I would even put up with sanitized moss to create a table like that ;)