Origami Owl Living Lockets

I'm so excited to tell you about some gorgeous jewelry I've just become familiar with.  A few months ago, my son-in-law ordered a locket for my daughter for their anniversary from a message board he is part of.  Needless to say, she was giddy delighted - and for good reason.  WOW! was it beautiful!  Since I was so impressed, yet had never heard of this company - I thought you might not have either.  So, I thought I would share:

This is a special locket made just for me!!! 

I.LOVE.IT!

Notice the camera and the postcard (to represent posts)?

The company is called Origami Owl, and they are a direct marketing company that sells lockets and other necklaces through their designers.  What I love about the lockets, aside from how lovely they are, is that they can be opened and the charms changed to fit whatever look you desire.  This fits my style exactly, because I love having items - whether decorative, clothing, or jewelry - that can be used many different ways. 

The lockets are made of stainless steel, are hypo-allergenic, plus will not tarnish nor rust.  The gold and rose-gold lockets are actually plated with 18K gold.  I think the quality is very noticeable, and when you consider how versatile the lockets are - it seems like a great product for the price, to me.

I also like that the plates and tags are hand-stamped here in the US.  I am very concerned about human trafficking, and I like knowing where the products I buy are made.  I want to support our domestic industries, and I'm happier knowing that some child in a remote third world village is not stamping out what I'm choosing to wear for ornamentation.

My designer is Dorraine Hudson, and I hope you will check out her website here (or there are now links in the right sidebar of my page)

www.dorraine.origamiowl.com

and go like her facebook page here:

Origami Owl - Dorraine Hudson, Independent Designer

She may be offering some giveaways in the future - 

and you wouldn't want to miss out!

You can place an order directly through her website, or contact her on FB.  I know she will love to help you out.  These are the steps she suggests when shopping for a locket.  

Aren't they stunning?  Have you heard of Origami Owl, or are they new to you too?  If so, what lockets have you put together?

The biggest problem I see is 
How do you choose?
Thanks for stopping by the tub,

Ellie 

Angel Candlestick Jewelry Displays

Despite the fact that I only live with men now, I must say I'm having great fun putting together a girly room for my granddaughter.  She is just 8 months old and is really only interested in putting things in her mouth, but one day she and I are going to have so much fun playing dress-up and lots of other princessy things.

 Of course she will need a beautiful Snow White type mirror, and what better way to select her jewels than from the arms of angels?

I found these wooden candlesticks at.......oh, you already know where I shop.  They didn't do much for me in wood tone, but the detail was amazing.  I couldn't wait to get out the white paint.  My men think I paint everything white, and frankly, they don't get it.

 

 

I was a little stumped as to what to do about the candle holder area, because they aren't very pretty to me.  After trying several things, I placed some antique door knobs on the top and decided that was what I was after.  I, then, attached some pearls just under the knobs which created a perfect place to hang earrings.

And here they are:

Jewelry angels for My Angel!

Thanks for stopping by The Tub,

Ellie

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday – Brag Monday at The Grapics Fairy  Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Blingy Mascot Charm Necklace

In our state you can find OU or OSU (Go Cowboys!) anything, because they are the big state schools in Oklahoma.  For our smaller universities and colleges it is a little harder to find jewelry and other paraphernalia with our teams' mascots on.

My alma mater is Oklahoma Baptist University.  I am a very proud graduate of this fine school and thrilled to be known as an OBU Bison.  Needless to say, there are times I want to wear something a little blingy to support my school in upscale fashion.

I created this little charm so I can wear some sparkle - and support my team at the same time.

I started with these charms I found at Hobby Lobby.  I have seen them at Wal-Mart, as well.

Using only one of the squares of glass, I cut 4 strips of jewels with 4 stones each from this trim - also purchased by the yard from Hobby Lobby.

I found it easiest to place the glass inside the charm holder first, and then glue the strips onto the glass - using E6000 glue.

Finally, I took a bison charm that I've had for a long time, snipped the tiny ring off the top, and glued it onto the rhinestones.  I suppose finding the right charm for your team will be the hardest part, but there are so many charms available right now hopefully this will not be a problem.

Every time I wear this necklace I get lots of inquiries as to where it was purchased.  If I can find more bison charms, I might just have to make a few to give as gifts.

Don't we girls love supporting our teams with a little flash?  Why, yes ma'am we do! And for my fellow Bison all I can say is, "Ka-Rip"!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday - Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello   

Necklace Charm

Here is a fun, tailor-made gift idea for a friend or family member.

 I recently went to a craft show in our area and splurged on this necklace and earring set.  It was designed to hang a charm from, and I knew exactly what charm was needed.

First, I printed very small pictures of Pistol Pete -  THE mascot for the Oklahoma State Cowboys - onto card stock.  I actually ran the card stock through the printer - twice - to get a nice vibrant color.

Then, I painted clear nail polish over the entire design, front and back, and let it dry.  I learned to do this through error, for my first two attempts failed due to ink that ran.  

DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.  

COMPLETELY SEAL YOUR DESIGN OR THE INK WILL RUN.

Next, I poured a very small amount of this product 

into the bottom of this bezel - and placed my cut out design on top.

Using E6000 glue, I attached small strips of rhinestones around the perimeter of the inside of the bezel.  It is best to glue these in place before using the dimensional medium, otherwise the rhinestones tend to fall over.

Finally, I dripped more of the Mod Podge into the bezel, completely covering the design, but not the rhinestones.  Allow this to dry for 12-24 hours.

Imagine what fun necklaces you can make that reflect your loved ones' personalities.  I know I would love something so personal.

OK, COWBOYS!  I'LL PROUDLY BE WEARING MY BLING TOMORROW!  

LET'S ADD ONE MORE WIN TO THE SEASON!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

All of these products can be purchased at Hobby Lobby.  The total cost of this charm is probably about $2 by taking advantage of the sales at Hobby Lobby.

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday - Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello 

Christmas Craft Tutorial Link-up Party at The Project Queen

Earring Frame

If you are a frugal person, you're going to loooove this project!  I had all of these materials on hand, so it cost me absolutely nothing.  In spite of that, I think this turned out very attractive and still serves the purpose I need it to.

I took a freestanding frame that has been sitting around waiting for a purpose, 

an old t-shirt that I really liked 

but didn't like how short it fit, 

and an old piece of plastic canvas.  

I don't even know if you can still buy plastic canvas.  

Anybody know?

I cut the plastic canvas to fit the picture frame snugly. Next, I cut a portion of the t-shirt to cover the plastic canvas.  Although I lightly rubbed a glue stick all over the plastic canvas, I think I'm going to re-do this and brush a very light coat of Elmer's Glue instead.  (Just don't let glue accumulate in the holes of the plastic canvas.)  Finally, I hot-glued the oval into the frame.

Isn't this a great way to display post earrings?  

If you remember, I hang my hook earrings on a cup and saucer rack, as shown here.

If the posts of your earrings should want to push the fabric through the plastic canvas holes the first time you hang your earrings, just put the earring back right against the back side of the plastic canvas, and the earring will puncture the fabric very easily.

Wouldn't this make a fun Christmas gift?  I know I would love to get this, especially since I've been needing one for a long time.

Thanks for stopping by,


Ellie

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday - Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello   

Colorful Recycled Necklace

 $3 Garage Sale Purse

The beads were loose and starting to fall off.

But, the beads were perfect to match a cross pendant 

I had purchased

 for $3.

I bought the hot pink beads for $1.50 at the fabric store.

The black-white beads were $1.50 from Hobby Lobby.

All of the other beads were recycled or picked up for 

pennies at garage sales.

Yay!  Finally a necklace that looks right with the cross.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

Amazon Jungle Necklace and Earrings

One of the greatest things about crafty blogs is the amazing talent we all get to witness with just a few clicks of a mouse. Don't you think so?  When I'm bumming a little or need some inspiration,  I look up a few blogs and within minutes my mind is spinning with admiration and ideas.  Aren't you thankful that getting to create is one of the blessings God has given us?

And it's everywhere you go in the world!  So many amazingly creative people.  I'm always mesmerized by the incredible talent I see, the fascinating designs that are unique to a particular region, and the diverse materials different cultures use in their art.  If I could travel my entire life, I would never tire of seeing the talents of others.

One of these talented artists happens to be a friend of mine in Quito, Ecuador.  Today I thought I would share a beautiful jewelry set crafted by her. 

The beads she used for this jewelry are from the Amazon Jungle.  The half-black, half-red beads are called huayruro seeds, and the red and black beads are mescal beans.  I'm not sure if the tiny brown beads are morototo seeds, or something else.  Perhaps you know?  If you would like to learn more about the red and black beads, look here and here. 

The design of this set is just stunning.  It is so enjoyable to wear, too, because of how interesting and beautiful it is. Plus, since Ecuador is a place I dearly love and these beads were once part of that country, I certainly reminisce when I wear it.  The greatest joy, though, is knowing it was made by the hands of my beautiful friend.

These are children from Quito who came to Bible School at my friends' church.

While I know my friend loves to craft, she is a busy mom and pastor's wife.  She and her husband work very hard in the neighborhoods in Quito sharing the love of Jesus with the people there.  I'm so proud to call them my friends.

What do you think of her beautiful jewelry?  Isn't it gorgeous?

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie