Tag Archives: In The Studio

Necklaces in the Studio: Junk Jubilee Jingles Part 3

The show is almost here! I’m scurrying around like crazy, trying to get as many of my designs finished as possible so I will have a nice selection for my customers at Junk Jubilee Jingles. The event will be held at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 14, 15 and 16, 2014. Last week and the week before that I showed you a small sample of the 200 bracelets and earrings I will have for sale.

This week’s preview features necklaces.

What can you do with a bunch of smashed bottle caps and a box of trinkets that was thrown into a purchased box of junk?
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Pop out the corks and turn them into necklace pendants!
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Here’s a peek at a few more of the almost 100 necklace designs I’ve been busy creating.
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It’s such a joy to use old castaway items and upcycle them into something useful and pretty.

If I can squeeze it in, I will try to show you some ring designs before I’m all packed up and on the road next week. If you live anywhere near Des Moines, I hope you make plans to attend the show. It’s worth a few hours drive for sure, and you can get a bunch of Christmas shopping done early!

If you can come, be sure to stop by my booth and say hello! Thanks for dropping by!

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Earrings in the Studio: Junk Jubilee Jingles Preview Part 2

As the countdown continues, I am wrapping up all the earring designs I will have with me to sell at Junk Jubilee Jingles. The event will be held at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 14, 15 and 16, 2014. Last week I showed you some bracelets, just a small sampling of the over 100 bracelet designs I will have for sale.

This week’s preview features earrings.

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These designs are all brand new and will be making their debut at the show, along with close to 100 other earring designs.

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For this patriotic pair, I cut out and embellished vintage military stars.

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I love to come up with new ways to use old lace.

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I’ve made several of these hand cut leather crosses, in lots of colors and styles.

I have close to 100 pairs of earrings that I will be bringing to sell, each with its own one-of-a-kind design. If you live anywhere near Des Moines, I hope you make plans to attend the show. It’s worth a few hours drive for sure, and you can get a bunch of Christmas shopping done early!

Next up: Brand new necklace designs. Thanks for dropping by!

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Bracelets In The Studio: Junk Jubilee Jingles Preview

Hey, hey! Here in the Midwest we are having the most beautiful fall weather. Temps in the 70s and the trees are turning gorgeous shades of gold, orange and red. I am most inspired creatively in the fall and it’s a good thing because I have lots of creating to get done. As I have mentioned before, I am preparing to sell my jewelry at a great market coming up in November. Junk Jubilee Jingles is held at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 14, 15 and 16, 2014. So every week between now and then (only 3 weeks left!) I want to show you sneak peeks of some of the designs I will have for sale.

This week’s preview features bracelets.
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These are brand new designs using my favorite thing to design with ~ antique and vintage hardware. I recently began incorporating leather into many of my designs and I really like the richness it adds.
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I also love to use vintage buckles and buttons in my jewelry, like this deco buckle and glass button. Mixing them with the chunky silver chain gives them an updated and more modern look.

I have more than 100 bracelets that I will be bringing to sell, each with it’s own one-of-a-kind design. If you live anywhere near Des Moines, I hope you make plans to attend the show. It’s worth a few hours drive for sure, and you can get a bunch of Christmas shopping done early!

Next time I’ll show you some of my newest earring designs. Thanks for dropping by!

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In The Studio: Turn It On

A few posts ago I mentioned that I will be selling my jewelry at Junk Jubilee Jingles in Des Moines, Iowa in November. I’ve been spending a lot of time in my studio and one of the materials I have been using in my designs for the show is industrial faucet handles. Today I want to show you a couple of necklaces I created.

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I like the chunk factor that they add, as well as the industrial feel they have. Balancing the crustiness is a vintage button. Though you can’t see it in the photos, the button has an inset mirror to add just enough sparkle.

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I gave this one a patina, which I like with the coral and wood beads. The words “open” and “close” add a bit of whimsy.

Click to read more about Junk Jubilee Jingles
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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.
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Now I’ll add three different necklaces to breathe new life into the cute but plain (snooze) look.
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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.
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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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In The Studio: Jewelry ~ Simple or Ornate?

Hey Fashionable Friends! Just popping in with a quick post today to share what’s been happening in my jewelry design studio. I’m busy making and stocking up lots of jewelry to take to a big show in November, more about that in a later post!

I’ve been concentrating on necklaces and earrings, and will soon move my attention to bracelets. Oh how I love to wear bracelets! Well, I love wearing necklaces too, and almost always wear earrings, but there’s something about bracelets that make me feel super feminine and stylish. So as soon as I get some new ones made, you can bet I’ll show them to you right here! In the meantime, here are some necklaces, with a question to ponder…

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Do you prefer to wear necklaces that are simple…

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Or do you prefer to make a statement with something more ornate…
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Of course, different kinds of outfits are suited to different looks, but in general, do you lean towards understated or elaborate in your jewelry choices? Or somewhere in between?

You can shop for both necklaces here Big Red Button Necklace and here 3 Tier Hardware Necklace.

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July, and be sure to flaunt your red, white and blue!

Talk soon,
 Ann

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