Hi again!  While I'm on the subject of recycled denim jewelry (see last week's post with roses made from blue jeans), I thought I'd show you an updated version of a different style of blue jean pendant.

Today's necklace is madly simple to make, hand-painted, and eco-fabulous.

Just paint and then Sharpie on a scrap of denim.  Like this...

And you end up with...cuteness!

There's a hidden bail in the back, made of felt.  In my original version, I used little metal nailhead studs to connect the pendant to the bail.

A really fun, casual chic look.  Here my sweet friend Kim models one so you can see it on.

In this new version, I used the same method as in my denim roses, i.e., a headpin with a flat spacer, like this:

The updated method allows for a fancier, flowery center...
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Hello, my friends!  Today I have a fun and flowery upcycled jewelry idea to show you.  Denim rose pendants!

The unique thing about these roses: a secret metal structure underneath, that keeps the petals from drooping.  Just like an underwire bra!

Not that any of us know anything about underwire bras...no, no.  No droopy petals here.  We are all naturally perky.   But I digress.

The DIY

My rose has four graduated circles as the main petals.
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Once, long ago, I made some teeny little silver house ornaments, using recycled cardboard.  These new ones are a bit bigger, with a fresh technique and several different uses.  And...antiqued!

They can still be used as ornaments, but they are also fun turned into fridge magnets...

...or greeting cards...

...or standing up anywhere: your mantel, a side table, even the kids' room, hee hee.

They are eco friendly and so fun to make.
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Hi, guys!  A little post with a little baby onesie.  I thought I'd show it off because I have a bit of a mental block.  See, I am convinced I am utterly terrible at free-hand painting!  But whenever I let go of that and just allow myself to daub, I often end up very happy - not only with the result, but proud of having made the effort.

If you might feel the same way about tackling a decorative painting project (or any project, really), maybe this will inspire you to go for it.
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Ain't nothin' but a hound dog...

...with a flower on her collar!

I  experienced a fashion emergency this week: a trip to Vegas was approaching, and because Matilda always gets so much attention when she walks through a casino, I decided to add a pretty accessory to enhance her star quality.

I made the cute collar flower from two waiting-to-be-repurposed items I had been saving for just such an occasion.  (Both from the dollar store.
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This little box - formerly a grocery store cheese container - holds an awesome homemade gift for a kid!

That's right, people, you can make a super fun, easy, crafty kit for some lucky child.  All you need: a handful of beads, a bit of craft wire, and a Sharpie.  A great project for girls and boys - snakes are cool for everybody.

Check out the quick-as-a-wink DIY.

Begin with a piece of craft wire, between one and three feet long.  (Some kids prefer loooong, crazy mismatched snakes.
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Here's a pair of lovely, lengthy earrings - along with a little mystery.

Can you guess which inexpensive item I took apart, altered and reworked to make them?  Now, don't be hasty!  We are playing on the honor system here, so don't scroll until you have a guess firmly seated in your brain pan.

Are you ready to scroll?  Here we go...

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Keep scrollin'...

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Hint: I found this item at the dollar store, a favorite haunt of mine.
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I surprised myself with this project.  Never having tried fake stone before, I was unsure.  Could I pull it off?  Using Crayola air-dry clay from the kiddie craft aisle?

But golly, I love how these turned out!

I've thought of a bunch of ways to use my lovely Easter Island heads.  How about:

Mounted grouped in a shadowbox frame.

Turned into way cool Xmas ornaments.

Embellishments for decorative boxes.

Slightly insane statement rings.

Brooches or hat adornments.
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Hi, all!  Here's a mystery for you to tackle.  Take a look at this big, bold upcycled necklace:

Do you like it?  Me, I am superduper pleased with how it turned out.  Now for the mystery part.  Who can guess the origin of that crazy, swoopy black focal piece?

Wait!  Don't scroll until you think you've got it.  Take your time...don't be too hasty...

Got your guess?  Okay, scroll away!

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Wait for it...

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Okie dokie, here's the answer!  It's...it's...
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Hello hello!  I have something small and fun to show you today.  First take a peek at these sweet necklaces - the pendants are made from sewing bobbins and vintage buttons.

If you want to make a bobbin bauble - an oldie but goodie, from way back in the history of this blog - here's the original tutorial.

To create a necklace, all I did was add two beads up the center of the bobbin, with loops on both ends.  One loop got a tassel, the other got a beaded necklace.
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