Made it for me - eclectic necklace tutorial

I decided the other day that I wanted a blue necklace. I'm going through a blue color obsession right now and don't have nearly enough accessories in that color to satisfy me. I bought some chain for the project and looked through all the beads trying to find the perfect shade....to no avail. Since I have eleventy billion beads I thought I'd save myself some money and just use what I already had. As luck would have it, I didn't really have any blue beads at home either. My solution was to make an eclectic, long necklace with multiple colors so I could wear it with an assortment of clothing options.
Want to make one for yourself? Here's what you'll need:

Tools - wire cutters, needle nose pliers, round nose pliers.

Materials: Spooled wire, chain, and beads of your choice.

The beads I chose are all glass and have similar shapes and finishes for a little continuity.

I started by watching season one of Sherlock - again - and making my beads into links using [this] method. I love watching TV and movies while doing this sort of project because making a bunch of links can be a bit tedious.

The chain I chose is unsoldered - meaning the links can be opened. I randomly selected lengths of chain to go between my bead links so that there is no symmetry. I also made the necklace long enough that I can slip it over my head and don't need a clasp.

The length and asymmetry of it means I can twist the necklace around my neck so that any beads are in front. It's like having several new necklaces in one!

I wore mine today with a red shirt and already got compliments. Tomorrow I'm going to try it with a black and blue shirt combination. Oh the possibilities...

Now it's your turn! And I'd love to see photos of your completed necklace.

Totally Random Thursday - that's not Family Guy...

Ladies of Downton.

My brother gave me the password to his Netflix (maniacal laugh) so I could see if they were going to let us see the latest episodes of Sherlock yet. Nope. Guh. In any case I decided to use this opportunity to check out Downton Abbey because no one will shut up about it.

Oh. I see why.

My brother told me after I used his account to watch the first episode he logged onto Netflix and clicked "resume" to start playing the next Family Guy episode like he does every night before bed. Downton Abbey started playing and he thought...well they sometimes have weird beginnings....five minutes later....this is definitely not Family Guy.

Um no, it really isn't Family Guy, thank the Lord.

I laughed forever. Unintentionally making your brother watch period drama? I should win a thousand points for that.

So says the Dowager Countess.

Have you seen Downton Abbey? What do you think?

Coffee steampunk upcycled makeup organization

I was trying to make google search blow up with that title. ;)

I work in walking distance of a Goodwill and have already spent a few lunch breaks zooming through the aisles. 

I picked this up for half price - so $1.50 - I think it is a....candleholder? I'm not sure. Anyway the color was not in great shape, covered in some grime. And I need another candleholder like I need a hole in the head.

But it is nice and wide and the perfect height for my makeup brushes for which I had bought a previous holder but it really wasn't big enough.

 

I painted it oil-rubbed bronze which is probably out of style in the blogosphere by now but I'm thinking about making my bathroom a steampunk bathroom and wanted something with an aged look.

Then I filled it part way with coffee beans - which smelled amazing.

 

And now it holds my makeup brushes - upright so they don't touch - and it makes the bathroom smell like a coffee shop. Win - win!

I have a more in-depth post coming about the collection of upcycled/repurposed items I use in my bathroom and makeup organization in which I've managed to have an almost finished, cohesive look. Stay tuned!

 

Totally Random Thursday - it's not THAT exciting

My friend texted this photo to me this week - it's out of some crafty/home magazine and is an advertisement for cardstock. CARDSTOCK. Have you ever been this excited about cardstock? No, you haven't. Because no one has ever been this excited about cardstock in the history of ever. Maybe she looks so dementedly happy because there are people jumping out of it? People jumping out of your card is almost as unlikely as being this excited about cardstock.
I have to stop looking at it, it's frightening me. I also have to stop saying cardstock.

I was, however, this excited about finding some toffee popcorn at Grocery Outlet one time. It was the kind you microwave pop and it had the perfect amount of sweetness to it and then they stopped selling it in stores and you couldn't find it anywhere and on a random trip to GO there was an entire pallet of it. There was some jumping and a little squealing and it's entirely possible I was making that exact face but I hope not.

Have you ever been this excited about something?

Mosaic Monday - Signs of Spring

After that insane week of snow and flooding a couple weeks ago, things have calmed down considerably! In fact the past several days have been sunny and even mildly warm - especially for us PacNW Oregonians this time of year.

The day lilies and daffodils are on their way, the lilac has tiny buds and the andromeda is starting the bloom. The honeybees were enjoying that and I've noticed the return of robins and other little birds that sing me songs in the morning. That bird nest is old and looks like it blew down from an upper part of the tree, but it still makes me think of spring.

Be sure to visit Little Red House to see all the beautiful mosiacs.