With These Hands

I did these to bulk up my inventory for upcoming craft fairs.
I used this zipper pouch tutorial posted by someone at craftster.org.
The only modifications I did were to add a strap and to use a heavy interfacing for structure and durability.
All materials were purchased on the extreme cheap thanks to Joann’s super-duper fabric clearance. All were 80 cents a yard. The exteriors are black denim. I matched the outside felt and embroidery to the whimsically delicious lining fabrics.

All together:

Action shot:

January 29th, 2006 ★ No Comments »

I used a pattern (Simplicity) for this purse but made a few modifications of my own.
I added a heavier interfacing for extra durability and structure.
I lengthened the strap and added an embroidery detail.

On:

Mike and I hit the Friends of the Library booksale a few months ago and I was lucky enough to pick up some interesting craft books on the cheap. Like this one:

This is the stitch pattern I based mine on, I copied it almost exactly. It was very easy and I love that it looks so much like a dandelion clock.

Close up of my work:

January 24th, 2006 ★ No Comments »

I love these.
The big and bold and they make so much noise.
Seed beads, shell chips, sterling wire/hooks, and some large-ish glass brown drops.
Those drops were free as a Christmas gift to all customers at the bead store I frequent. (Dang that is some poor sentence structure.)

January 20th, 2006 ★ No Comments »

But I do like these bracelets that I made.

Chalk turquoise
Glass beads
Pewter spacers
All on icky mem. wire. It’s just so annoying to work with and it totally f-ed up my wire cutters.

So I had to get rid of the remaining, I did this red one.
It’s heavy and chunky and I dig it.

January 17th, 2006 ★ No Comments »

About a zillion seed beads. I just wanted a long necklace that I could also wear all wrapped up. There are misc. glass beads throughout and sterling findings. All on flexwire.

And more and more seed beads. I love the color of this one, but I think I’m going to end up adding 3 or so more strands, to chunk it up.

I’ve been trying to find these beads that someone posted on craftgrrl. And I’m having the hardest time coming across them. She advised what store in Chicago she got them in, and I’ve sent a number of emails to them, but they really suck at customer service. Annoying!
Anyways, I came across some wood disc beads that kinda look like hers:

Hers:
Mine:

Sigh. I really do like hers better. I like that her bead discs are side loaded and they just have such an elegance to them. I won’t give up! I will find them! No matter what occurs!

I do like my version well enough though.

January 11th, 2006 ★ No Comments »

Glass seed and bugle beads
Sterling hooks
Wood (larger) beads
Nylon beading thread

January 9th, 2006 ★ No Comments »