Friday's Peacock Find

I got this vibrant peacock feather printed scarf at TJ Maxx. They have a lot of cute scarves by the way. Now that there is a little nip in the air, it's time to pull out the pretty scarves! I love accessorizing all of my plain comfy shirts with them.

Ruffled

I am so loving ruffles lately! Touches here and there on tops and jackets......... The big ruffle pants from Matilda Jane........ So when I saw these scalloped porcelain components from Round Rabbit, I knew I wanted to do a trio of them for a wild statement necklace. The day of her extra update sale, I hoped that I could snag some that would go well together. These three are glazed with with same two colored pattern, but that's where the similarity/matching ends. The color combo is a bit unusual for me, but I love how it turned out. Sometimes it is hard for me to mix the unexpected together. Since this necklace is so bold, the only accents it needed was some tiny leaf charms and chain.

BTW - More peacocks. Are you surprised?

Bead Table Wednesday and look what we have here. I guess I didn't have to worry about my Michael's getting any peacock goods (see previous post)...... as they now have an entire peacock themed line called Cotillion! I am in heaven! The only thing that would make it better would be if I had time to create something this week (if you are my Facebook friend, you'll know why). Ahhhh, anyway, my faves that I've picked out here are a multi-feathered pendant, chain with peacock connectors, and a pair of feathers. I've gotta get some ideas brewing......

Have a great rest of the week!

Peacock finds from the weekend......

In between all of the events we attended this weekend, Kristen and I did find some time to do some shopping. After leaving Heather's book signing at Barnes & Noble, we hit a few stores in the mall area. We spotted a Michael's right down the road and I was on the hunt for those Industrial Chic hearts I keep talking about. While there, I also found these 2 peacock pendants! Since it was a bigger Michael's store, they had a little bit more variety than my local one. So, I have no idea if my Michael's would get these in so I had to grab them.

Sunday, before the art reception, we met up in a nearby town called Marshall. They were having their annual home tour which also includes a craft and flea market. I found this fused glass peacock pendant at one of the booths and gave in. It is such a vibrant color in person and it is begging to be strung on some equally vibrant beads.

I couldn't resist this little ceramic peacock planter at the flea market, especially when the seller came down in price. Even if I don't plant anything in him, it would make for a cool candle or bead holder!

Upcycled Art Reception

The reception for the Upcycled Art exhibit was held at the Art Center today. About a week ago I realized that since I had given them all of my upcycled jewelry to either display or sell, I had nothing upcycled to wear to the event! So I made up 2 more recent pieces, each featuring the open work hearts from the Industrial Chic line at Michaels. (note: I have bought them all out at the Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and one of the Grand Rapids stores. I hope they continue to restock them.)

In the pieces I had already made, the hearts stood alone as a pendant or were linked together on a necklace - but you still always knew that they were hearts. As some of them laid upon my table, I saw different ways to put them together to create even more possibilities! After 4 of them were filled with different tin patterns, they were riveted together to form a flower and then additional metal flowers were layered atop which made for a very cool brooch!

In the same fashion as my heart tea strainer butterfly, I took 2 tin filled hearts to make wings on a Tim Holtz "muse" charm. I hammered out his wire antennae and in true upcycling fashion the rest of the necklace was made from beads found on a clearance necklace at a chain store. The barrel beads are actually fabric and I thought the pattern on them really reminded me of the pattern of butterfly wings.

I don't give my nails much attention anymore, especially since I am working with metal on and off. But I couldn't resist these floral nail wraps I saw in the store. Their pattern reminded me of one of the tins I had been working with. They were as easy as could be to apply with the added bonus of no dry time. Perfect!

So after having my nails done, and choosing an outfit to coordinate with one of my new pieces (I choose the butterfly necklace, although I was wearing the pin as a test run earlier in the day), I joked with Jon that he should wear the flower pin. Being the good, supportive guy that he is, he actually agreed! Granted, he was wearing a new concert tee he bought from a local band that played at a party he went to the night before (a rockabilly group called The Koffin Kats), a girl has to take what she can get, right?

Here's a shot of part of the gallery. It was great to see a lot of people who I haven't seen in a while - past Board President, Sharon, is holding Richard here. He sure got a lot of attention from everyone! Was wide eyed for a little bit and then wanted to nap. The walls were covered with gorgeous butterflies by artist Steve DeMaagd. He makes them out of crashed car parts - the wings being large sheets of the body work. Insects or animals seem to be a theme with upcycled work. Some of the other sculptures there included things like an old shovel for a "body" with pitchfork "feet" to make an unusual looking bird.

It was a little challenging to get good pictures of my work under the cases, but I managed to get a few. Our director did an excellent job with the displays! I gave her some extra tins I had to include for props. It was so cool to see how it all turned out.

My wonderfully supportive friend Kristen, who is always game for a road trip, craft project, or just haunting thrift stores for fun finds!

I have to show off the cute card she made for me, as a congrats on the exhibit. It's a really cool mixed media piece. I love the cute little bunting banner. I think I might like having wings! And the little heart is cut out of a tin can.

Here's a good shot of one of the butterflies.

These bowls are made of woven telephone wires - so pretty!

It was a great reception and I truly appreciate all of the kind support and encouragement I have received!

Jewelry Designs from Nature - by: Heather Powers

Today, I had the pleasure of going to a book signing for the very talented Heather Powers! Her first book, Jewelry Designs from Nature, has been published and now that she is living in Michigan again the event was held at a Barnes & Noble in a city (Grand Rapids) about an hour from where I live. My friend Kristen and I made the drive up there and had a fun afternoon!

Here's Heather giving a talk about blogging for your business. She shared a lot of good information and tips!

Many of the gorgeous pieces featured in the book were there on display, and she even had a cool make and take project that she is describing here.

Two Heathers!

Proud author, and rightfully so! I can't wait to dive into the book and examine every page, but from what I've looked through already it is so beautiful and inspiring! I love how it is divided up into different groups of inspiration (gardens, sea, etc.) and also that is includes so many artist beads as well as Heather's own beads! Her sketches add such a personal touch as well.

Kristen and I grabbed some lunch, hit a few stores at the mall, and then went on to a nearby bead store, Bead Quest. Heather will be having a trunk show and workshop there in November. Be sure to check out her blog for the latest details and most certainly check out her book! I look forward to seeing her more often now that she lives closer!

Friday's Peacock Find

I know I haven't kept up with Friday's Peacock Find posts, for many reasons that I will not bore you with listing. But I'd like to start it up again, being inspired lately by what else??? Recent peacock finds! Friday makes even more sense now too because the afternoons are Mom's "Me" Time. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but my lovely employer has what is called Summer Hours (from daylight savings to daylight savings). Working an extra hour each day lets you have Friday afternoon off. These extra hours are even more important now with the little one. I use them to run errands mostly and maybe squeeze in some jewelry making. Women are typically nurturers and give a lot of themselves so having a few hours a week to devote to yourself is very important and healthy. Therefore, most of my peacock purchases happen to be on a Friday afternoon anyway.

The above top was purchased at Target (a good place for peacock finds) for $19.99
It is a silky navy material with little feathers.
Blousy top with an elastic band is most flattering and comfy!
Easy to throw on with anything and accessorize with a long necklace (the one pictured happens to be from Target also from a few years ago).

Happy Friday Everyone!