armor jewelry

thanks to my dearest kristin for sending me to the armor jewelry site. all of the pieces are super sexy - i'm wondering where the sudden love for corset and body jewelry is coming from?

fashion blitz - toy watch

oprah loves it, sandra bullock wears one. yeah, well i didn't know that when i fell in love with this glow in the dark (looks like jade) toy watch at nordstroms the other day. is $275 for too much for a trendy plastic watch?

handmade days - friendship bracelets

i think these bracelets from brvtvs are pretty great - but i bet you could make one for yourself (i might try my hand at it on the car ride to vancouver tomorrow). seems like all you would need is a chunky gold chain, jump rings, clasp, and embroidery floss. stay tuned, i'll let you know how it turns out.

etsy wednesday - damson gin

i love costume jewelry & rely heavily on my great grandmother's collection to adorn myself. damson gin sells the necklace above - i'd like it around my neck please.

lucite link chains - etsy or old navy

i stopped into old navy on sunday (i still like to grab a $30 bathing suit every now & then, especially when it look cheaply identical to this) & discovered the necklaces above.

the old navy necklaces are selling for $10.99, $9 cheaper than mine. i'm sure i am not the first person to create something similar & yes, i feel a little bit ahead of the curve. i'd just like to say - spend the extra money to support etsy sellers & own a unique piece.

found jewelry - dotoverdot

dotoverdot via teenangster. these necklaces are so freakin' great - i love the geometric trends right now.

etsy wednesday - reduction nation

reduction nation has one of the vintage lucite bead collections on etsy. i just stocked up for a new project.

etsy wednesday - bangin' bangles

bakelite lust. bangle crush. color lover. bangin' bangles.

etsy wednesday - elephantine

this necklace from elephantine is almost too perfect. i think i will buy it.


thanks to ms bliss for the link.

etsy wednesday - duet

i want this necklace - knit glam from duet by maddy & yuki.

found jewelry - mociun

thanks to lena for directing me to this gorgeous jewelry line by mociun. i'm particularly taken by the fake gems collection, sigh indeed.

handmade in fort greene, brooklyn.

etsy wednesday - the vamoose

these nautical rope bracelets by the vamoose are just perfect. i like to imagine them with a blazer & jeans or paired with a striped blouse & wide leg jeans. ohhhhh, i want it - for $18, why not?!

etsy wednesday - acorn love

mighty oaks from little acorns grow. some say that the acorn is seen as a symbol for potential strength & virility, as well as of regeneration. coming from the mighty oak, the acorn has qualities of fecundity & patience, & urging those who start small projects to persevere.

i was given a small acorn by a friend before i moved out to seattle almost five years ago; it still sits on my dresser to this day. this wednesday, i'd like to share some acorn love from just jayne for just $21.

limited edition necklaces for sale!

i've just launched a limited edition line of necklaces over at still dottie's etsy site. go check them out now!

sneak peak at the latest

new jewelry from still dottie. more to come next week!

handmade days - auto necklace

not just for schoolhouse tissue box covers anymore - needlepoint. this necklace from auto is frickin' genious. why didn't i think of it?


via design for mankind.

etsy wednesday - chunky chain

i'm in a jewelry rut - i'm desperately seeking a solution (not susan). i think this chunky piece from musette made might be a nice start.

etsy wednesday - orange poppy

i love all of these embellished necklaces from seattle-based designer rebekah; she sells under the name orange poppy. her work ranges from $34 to $78.

handmade days - braided chain tutorial

while flipping through lucky a couple months back, i stumbled upon this this necklace from guess for $35. it seemed like a reasonable price, but i tore it out anyway - seeing if i could make it happen for myself or find it even cheaper.



then a couple of weeks ago i was looking through etsy and found these fun enamel chains, it seemed that they would make a fun braided necklace like the one i saw in lucky. i still really like the silver & am hoping to make a second or third version out of vintage chains & a more polished one from bulk chain at my local bead shop.

this turned out to be a super simple, 30 minute necklace; one totally worth making. the chains ran me $16 & i had to pick up some beading supplies for the closure (could be done as cheap as $5). with that said, here's how to do it.







what you need
wire cutters
needle nose pliers
7 paper clips
necklace closure
beading wire
15 feet of chain (3 5-feet links, silver, gold, enamel)

instructions

1. double each 5 foot chain and mark each with a paper clip. make sure that each chain is of varying length.
2. combine all 3 paper clips with the fourth paper clip.
3. pair off chains & braid tightly for 7 inches.
4. straighten a paper clip and run through all 6 chains.
5. lay the full necklace out on a flat surface, match up each end up the chains. form the chains into an oval, draping into the ideal shape.
6. keeping the draped section in tact, straighten a paper clip and run through the 6 chains where you'd like to start the second braid.
7. pair off chains and braid loosely until the end of the chains. i left a chain or two hang, skipping some braids.
8. finish off the necklace by threading the chains with a final paper clip.
9. to add a closure i followed directions from an associate at my local bead store, so these might be a little rough.
10. first i cut about 5 inches of 20 gauge wire. using a pencil i shaped a loop in the center of the 5 inches, pulled the loop open & turned on end into a 90 degree angle. i then threaded the end of the chains, and closed the loop. then using needle nose pliers i wrapped the side bent to a 90 degree angle around the other side 3 times.
11. forming another hoop, i then threaded in the clasp.
    
12. wrap back down once or twice, clip each wire tight. use the needle nose fliers to tighten the wrapped wire.
13. repeat 10-12 for the other end of the necklace. i added a medium sized glass bead between the loop for added interest.

clearer instructions for finishing the necklace (steps 10-13): witty living, ehow with kathleen wright, and about.com.

click here for process photos. please feel free to email me or leave comments with any questions or suggestions you might have on this tutorial, i always love to hear from you.

etsy wednesday

there is much necklace love these days. i'm trying to decide if i should splurge (ever so lightly) on one signature piece for fall/winter or get a few less expensive (ie h&m, XXII, etc) ones. what do you think?

if i were to splurge, etsy seller, laura lombardi might be the one to convince me. how gorgeous are these?!