Monthly Archives: July 2014

Logo Redesign: Help! Your Opinion Needed!

Hey readers, friends, passers-by! I hope you’re having a great week. Mine so far has consisted of creating, grocery shopping, visiting my brother-in-law in the hospital, eating fresh tomatoes, fighting the urge to eat sweets (not always successfully) and bike riding, with a little bit of tv watching and reading thrown in. My creative time has been spent mostly on graphic design, which I adore! Along with design for a client or two, I have been working on a new logo for myself. I have it narrowed to 3 variations and I would really like your help!

Here they are, in no particular order:

logo_crown_cross_oval_frame300noneb logo_crown_cross_oval_frame300nochainb logo_crown_cross_oval_frame300b

There are reasons why I like each of them, but I think I’m leaning toward one in particular. Do you like one better than the other two? Why? Give me your opinion (pretty please)!

While we’re on the topic of logo design, I’ll be giving one away! Read this post to find out when/where/why!

signature

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Announcing Swap & Tell: Shop Owners Trading Products and Posting Reviews

Swap & Tell Link Up
Starts in 2 weeks!
swap&tell

I am seriously excited to get this party started! If you are a shop owner (i.e. someone with goods or services), my three co-hosts and I would like to invite you to Swap & Tell, where you can trade products with other shop owners and review / get reviewed in a blog post or on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Why a product swap?
As shop owners and creative people, we value our product and want others to value it too. This means advertising and reaching people by word of mouth. The best advertising comes when someone talks about your product to those they know. When you send one of your products in a swap, think of it as an advertising investment.

How Does It Work?
Participants will link their product to swap from their blog, facebook, pinterest or instagram account. After completing a swap with another shop owner each participant will blog, facebook, instagram or pinterest about what they got and link back to the shop it came from in a new post the following week. Specifics about the rules of exchange will be posted with the link up.

Who Can Participate?
Anyone in the U.S. with
A) a product or service ~ Etsy shop owners, Website owners, brick and mortar shop owners, consultants, designers, etc.
and
B) a blog, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram account

What Kind of Product or Service Can I Link Up?
Whatever you sell that you would like to swap, whether it’s goods or services. Handmade items, vintage wares, beauty products, clothing, jewelry, books, linens etc. are all acceptable goods. One of the services I will be swapping is a custom graphic design element, such as a button design, a blog banner or logo.

By participating in Swap & Tell, you can expect:
* Exposure for your shop: Your products/shop will be introduced to new audiences

* Opportunities to help fellow shop owners: Great and unexpected things happen when you extend kindness to others

* New connections with other shop owners: Networking opens up new collaboration possibilities and new friendships

When you participate in the link up, your link will be visible on all 4 blogs simultaneously. Be sure to check out my co-hosts as they will be sure to post updates on the swap! Heather at Woods of Bell Trees, Donna at Distressed Donna Down Home and Tina at What We Keep.

Swap & Tell
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 13th!
I hope you’ll join in the fun!

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Girls Want Pearls #51: Eyeglass Lanyard

Welcome to Girls Want Pearls #51, where every Monday for 52 weeks we take a look at pearls, their role in history and fashion and how we can repurpose them in our wardrobe and home. Only 1 more week left in the series after today! But I have many more fun things in store for the creative soul on my blog in the next year. Today we’ll be making an eyeglass lanyard for your reading glasses or sunglasses.

eyeglass_lanyard_2
I don’t know about you, but I like to have my reading glasses and my sunglasses right at my fingertips. I’ve been wanting something to wear around my neck to keep them handy for some time, and finally decided to make myself an eyeglass lanyard. It’s a quick project, and no jewelry making skills required!

Here’s what you’ll need:
eyeglass_lanyard_step1b

  • Start by threading a needle with approx. 12 inches of doubled thread or beading wire, knotted on the end.
  • Cut 3 pieces of lace into the following lengths: 3 inches; 3 inches; 12 inches. The width can be whatever you want it to be ~ mine are approx. 1/2 inch wide.

eyeglass_lanyard_step2

  • Tie a knot in one end of each small piece of lace, and in both ends of the large piece of lace.
  • Take the needle and thread and stitch through the knot in one of the small pieces, making 3 or 4 stitches, then begin adding beads.

eyeglass_lanyard_step3
The first section, from start of lace to end of beads should be approx. 11 inches.
eyeglass_lanyard_step4

Now it’s time to connect the completed section to the large piece of lace.
eyeglass_lanyard_step5

  • Stitch through the knot in one end of the large piece of lace, making a few stitches and tying off the thread.
  • Rethread the needle with another 12 inches doubled and knotted on the end.
  • Stitch through the knot on the other end of the large piece of lace, making 3 or 4 stitches, then add beads and the final small piece of lace to create another 11 inch section.

You’re almost done now, there’s just one more step.
The final step is to add the piece that will hold your glasses. You have a choice to make here. You can either add a ring, and hang your glasses on like this…
eyeglass_lanyard_1
Or you can add looped eyeglass findings like these…
Eyeglass-Holders-Rubber-Silver---pa1681fnb
…………………………….source

Or if you’re cheap like me, you can create your own hack by wrapping and stitching thread around a clear hair band.
eyeglass_lanyard_3
eyeglass_lanyard_4
I like the loop style better for days where I’ll be taking my glasses on and off frequently (like when shopping), since they allow for a one-handed method. Either way, you’ll never have to dig in your purse for your glasses, or wonder where you put them.
eyeglass_lanyard_5

Next week’s pearl post hint: Calvary

Love pearls and don’t want to miss any pearly posts?
You can get a reminder, just fill in your info below and I’ll email you when a post goes live and send you a monthly newsletter.
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Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with: Savvy Southern Style,The 36th Avenue, No Minimalist Here, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,The Scoop, Mod Vintage Life, Between Naps on the Porch, From My Front Porch to Yours, Cozy Little House, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru LifeIvy and Elephants, Jennifer Rizzo, Style Elixir, Shabby Art Boutique, Cheerios and Lattes, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Classy Clutter, French Country Cottage, C.R.A.F.T. Monday Funday , VMG206, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, That DIY Party

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Thrifted! Vintage Handbags, Finials, Frame & More

Hey Readers! I hope you’re having a fantastic week. Summer is flying by, and I’m trying to soak it in before it’s gone. I love to thrift shop year round, but in summer it takes on a different form. Yard sales! Where the picking is plentiful if you can bear the heat. Here are some things I scored while thrift shopping a few months back.
frame_escutcheons_finials_1
frame_escutcheons_finials_2
I will add the two vintage handbags to my growing collection. I carry them often and it’s fun to change them out for different occasions. I also sell them off occasionally.
frame_escutcheons_finials_3
I never pass up a chance to pick up a great frame.
frame_escutcheons_finials_4
The finials, drawer handles and escutcheons will find their way into a jewelry design at some point.

What are some of your recent thrift finds? Do you ever carry or wear vintage?

Talk soon,
 Ann

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Girls Want Pearls #50: Paisley Lace and Pearl Lampshade

Happy Summer Monday! Thanks for stopping by for another Girls Want Pearls! I can’t believe this is #50 in my series about pearls and that there are only 2 more left after today! I’m excited about today’s project so let’s get to it! What could be prettier than a Paisley Lace and Pearl Lampshade?

lampshade_1
lampshade_3

Isn’t it fun? I love it on my funny little crooked vintage lamp. I’m pretty sure it’s my favorite pearl project to date. Of course it’s not the first time I’ve thought this. When I made the pearl spider and web back in September it was my favorite.

Then in February when we were all so over winter, these ombre vases were my favorite.

And in March I made a pearl nest which took over the #1 spot in my heart for pearl projects.

The lampshade requires a bit more time than some of the simpler projects but it’s definitely do-able in a day, and definitely worth it.

Ready to make your own Paisley Lace and Pearl Lampshade?
Here’s what you’ll need:
lampshade_step_1
And a printout of this or your own paisley pattern:
Paisley-3
Print the paisley design in a few different sizes (feel free to leave me a comment if you need help with this step).
lampshade_step_2
Cut out the “paisleys.”
lampshade_step_3
Stick them on the lampshade with a glue stick or other glue.
lampshade_step_4
Using a sharp knife, score around the pattern.
lampshade_step_5
Remove the pattern and cut the design into the lampshade. It’s okay if the edges are not smooth ~ the lace will fill in and cover the edges. Cutting tip: It seems to work best if you get the knife in about halfway and keep it there will slowly gliding it around the scored area.
lampshade_step_6
Use the cutouts or the paper pattern to cut your lace. Cut the lace, adding an approx. 1/8 inch border all the way around. Glue the lace to the inside of the shade, making sure to leave some slack in the lace, with the edges of the lace pushed as close to the edge of the cutout as possible so it won’t be visible when the lamp is turned on. Next, move to the outside of the shade and push the excess lace in against the cutout edge, covering the jagged edges.
lampshade_4
Glue pearls on in a few areas, outlining the paisley or dotting the lace with curly cues, mini paisley shapes or circles.
lampshade_2
Let’s light the darkness around us! As always, leave any questions in the comments. Do you have a favorite pearl project from my series? I’d love to hear!

Next week’s pearl post hint: Eye See You

Love pearls and don’t want to miss any pearly posts?
You can get a reminder, just fill in your info below and I’ll email you when a post goes live and send you a monthly newsletter.
.Subscribe Now
First Name Last Name Email

Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with: Savvy Southern Style,The 36th Avenue, No Minimalist Here, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,The Scoop, Mod Vintage Life, Between Naps on the Porch, From My Front Porch to Yours, Cozy Little House, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru LifeIvy and Elephants, Jennifer Rizzo, Style Elixir, Shabby Art Boutique, Cheerios and Lattes, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Classy Clutter, French Country Cottage, C.R.A.F.T. Monday Funday , VMG206, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, That DIY Party

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In The Studio: Necklaces That Stretch Your Fashion Dollar

It was

a dark

and

scary place.

What was beyond the door filled me with anxiety.

I walked toward the closet, terrified of what i would find.
I didn’t want to open the door but I had no choice. I put my hand on the knob, took a deep breath, and pulled (queue scream)…I had nothing to wear!!

Ever feel like this when it’s time to get dressed? Yeah, I have many times. Usually when I feel like I’m in a rut, wearing the same things all the time. The remedy isn’t always to buy more clothes. Sometimes it’s as simple as changing up the accessories and jewelry you wear.

Take this striped top for example.
necklace chunky gold chain buckle 4
Now I’ll add three different necklaces to breathe new life into the cute but plain (snooze) look.
necklace chunky gold chain buckle 1
necklace chunky gold chain buckle 2
necklace modern lipstick 1
necklace modern lipstick 2

Pairing necklaces against stripes and patterns can be tricky, so I either opt to wear a piece against the skin or if wearing something on the fabric I make sure it’s chunky and bold so it will stand out against the pattern.
necklace lace stack 1
necklace lace stack 2
So you can see how adding 3 different pieces of jewelry gave this basic top more style and interest. Investing in some unique necklaces can be one of the best ways to stretch your fashion dollar.

All three of these necklaces can be found in my shop: Chunky Gold Chain necklace;
“Modern” Lipstick Charm necklace; and Stacked Lace Garland and Pearl necklace.

Have you been bitten by the stripes bug? What are some of your favorite prints this season?

Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with:Style Elixir, Rachel The Hat, Lena B. Actually, Not Dead Yet Style, The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So, Simply Lulu Style, Monday Mingle, Casual Friday, Funday Monday, I Feel Pretty, CC McAfee Perspective, Vodka Infused Lemonade, Remix, Rewear, Restyle

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