Envelope Case for Sunglasses

This fabric envelope is a total rip-off of a lovely one that Jessica made me, which I use as a wallet. Since it's not meant to be used as a wallet, and it has no billfold, coin purse, or cardholders, I'm constantly fumbling through it, dropping credit cards, tearing dollar bills, and exclaiming to cashiers about all the Sacagawea dollars I just found in there (!). And I still love it, which means it was a great gift.

I sized this up and elongated it so that it fit my old plastic sunglasses, which I've now broken, and it's slightly too small for the new aviators I just got on sale. (Which will soon also break.) So scale accordingly.

Jewelry Pouch

A lady must protect her bling. I think Eleanor Roosevelt said that (I may be wrong). February was exciting because I had two trips to take. One to New York City - it had been too many months, and one to Baltimore - to which I'd never been! It is also an exciting month because I've had more time to make things.

I got one of these when I was younger; one that used to belong to my Aunt. I don't see them around these days, but I think they are great. You get small pockets to place earrings and necklaces so that they do not tangle and a center area for whatever else - I fit quite a lot. I lined the inside with a velvety-ish fabric; I love the contrast with the linen. Full tutorial after the jump.

Turquoise Necklace

My gut tells me this is a necklace only a mother can love but I'm posting it anyway. What can I say? I love a big, chunky necklace. The more ridiculous, the better. Best part about this necklace is it requires so little work. I bought a string of these turquoise teardrop beads from Brimfield for $10 and essentially just re-strung them and added a clasp. More details after the jump.

Go Big or Go Home: A Necklace

I like a big, bold necklace. So does Wilma Flintstone, and there ain't nothing wrong with that. This is so simple to make and beyond style points you'll also strengthen your neck muscles. Step by step instructions after the jump!

diy: Braided Bead Necklace

I couldn't have predicted so many jewelry posts. What can I say? I get on kicks. I saw a necklace like this in a store but it was shorter and the braid contained different kinds of beads. I wanted it longer with one type of bead. Tada, the braided bead necklace.

Crochet: Medallion Cluster Necklace

What to do with all of those crocheted medallions you keep making for no reason but for how satisfying crocheting is? Make a cluster necklace.

Cluster Necklace

I'm very much into long necklaces with a bold yet subtle (huh?) center piece. Why not have one long chain and make multiple centerpieces? Exactly, there's no reason not to. Like I do with earrings, I  create pieces that can be swapped out on a simple chain. I had a vision, inspired by a similar, but smaller, cluster necklace I saw in a magazine. I wanted this to be a little bigger and red. Red, red, red.

Gold Earrings

You don't have to have a lot of tools to make your own jewelry; just a pair of wire snippers (which come in handy for other projects as well) and round-nose pliers. The small investment in these two pieces pays for itself after just a few pieces. And if you have a bead shop in town, making yourself pieces is easy and very affordable. It also can provide for immediate gratification, something I'm very fond of. On this particular morning I woke up, and I wanted some earrings and a necklace, and had both within a few hours.

Cluster Necklace

I'm very much into long necklaces with a bold yet subtle center piece. Why not have one long chain and make multiple centerpieces? Exactly, there's no reason not to. Like I do with earrings, I  create pieces that can be swapped out on a simple chain. I had a vision, inspired by a similar, but smaller, cluster necklace I saw in a magazine. I wanted this to be a little bigger and red. Red, red, red.