Happy Birthday

As a surprise my husband and daughters took me to an antiques' mall near our house. What a treasure trove of stuff! We probably would have spent the rest of the day there if we hadn't all been so hungry! It also turned out to be a great place to photograph my bracelets! I'm planning on going back there very soon to do just that. Really hope they don't mind...
Here are some shots of the one bracelet I was wearing. It's my most favorite one, white suede strap with a mix of Swarovski crystals: light green, pink, clear with a/b finish, and opal crystals.

This will be an excellent setting for a bracelet with brown or black leather strap.

This one is a little too busy, but it's just so artsy, I love it! I wish that hand had been for sale. I really wanted to bring it home with me!

This looks best for the white bracelet, I think.

Spicy Chocolate Mint Tea

The Christmas in the air post inspired me to dig out something really special: Republic of Tea's limited edition Spicy Chocolate Mint tea. This is definitely one of my favorite things! I find it at World Market and highly recommend it!

As I was taking the photo for the blog, I think a little elf snuck in and photo-bombed me!! ;)

Christmas in the air!

I love Christmas! I love everything about Christmas! A friend recently sent me some red and green tabs for bracelet-making. When I poured them out onto my work table, Christmas was in the air! I couldn't wait to put them together into a festive bracelet. I thought winter white cord with small, clear AB Swarovski crystals would make the look complete. Today, I made a matching, well, mis-matching actually, pair of earrings to go with it.
Now I'm in the process of collecting blue tabs. I'd like to make a blue and silver creation with white cord and clear AB crystals. Oh, the anticipation!!!

This set can be yours for $35. Separately, $25 for the bracelet, $10 for the earrings.

$6 ships anywhere in the continental US.

Pack-Rattery

I am a pack rat. I have always been a pack rat. I have always held on to things thinking, I know I'll find a way to use this. Nowadays, I think it's a lot more stylish to call it re-purposing! My day has arrived! It has become en vogue to be a pack-rat!
I always save tea tins, I don't think I've ever thrown one away, ever! I use them to store pencils, markers, scissors and other useful tools. Who cares if they're all mis-matched, that kinda tells the story of me. I also save those clear plastic boxes that tomatoes come in. They are fantastic for organizing thread and ribbons. I even re-purposed a New Belgium Fat Tire beer box. It neatly holds all my Capri-Sun pouches waiting to be made into purses. (though, I haven't made any new ones recently)
So, in a way, I guess I've always been into recycling, even before it was popular. I can't stand to waste anything. I'm so thankful that I've found ways to bring my two loves together: crafts and recycling. It was such a logical progression.

My newest love is creating bracelets from soda can tabs. I especially love the bracelets embellished with Swarovski crystals! Yes, they are for sale! I hope you enjoy my creations.
Check back often; I'll be adding lots of pictures of my bracelets!