Finished Brooches

I finally finished these brooches.  I had wanted to play with transfer paper and have been very pleased with the results.

The images are from vintage cards and things that I own that were edited some via Picmonkey, printed off on transfer paper, ironed onto felt pieces, then stitched onto other felt pieces.  The embellishing is the fun part to me.

 The images turned out crisp and full of color.  Hopefully I'll be able to work on some ornaments soon...but you know how time gets away sometimes.  Hope you like these.

Playing with Decoupage

I have wanted to decoupage some things for awhile now.  The idea of it is interesting, and there are so many items out there that are just beautifully done.  I put some things on the counter--two keys and a perfume bottle--to decoupage "when I got around to it".  Well, needless to say, they sat there for quite awhile (there is always something else to do, right?).  Finally, there was a bit of free time, and, seriously?...there were only three things to experiment with!  Seems like the hardest thing for me to do is to just sit and DO it...whatever "it" might be.  It ended up not taking that terribly long to do after all, and it was such fun.

I have some napkins that are just beautiful and decided to place pieces on a blank perfume bottle.  I ripped them up and with Mod Podge placed the pieces on.  How one side is all one color and the other all another is just how it turned out.

I sealed the bottle with a different decoupage sealer and added some wire and complimentary beads. They almost look like two separate bottles--but that just adds to the interest.
Next, I did the keys.

The paper on these is still from the same napkin used on the perfume bottle.  It's amazing the color differences and looks to all three pieces.  I added some wire and beads to these too.

I really wanted to try some vintage jewelry bits on these, but the bling took away from the beauty of the patterns in the napkin.  These are in my Etsy shop and haven't sold yet, but it was great fun to try something different.  If you're interested in playing with decoupage, I'd highly recommend giving it a try.  No doubt you will enjoy doing it as much as I did.

Something Purple...

...for the Embracing Cottage Style Vintage Purple Party.

Here is a pendant collage of lavender/purple vintage jewelry pieces that have been glued onto a setting and put on a chain made of vintage elements.  I thought this would be a pretty, light color for spring. It is in my Etsy shop.  Check out the blog party at Embracing Cottage Style for other pretty vintage purple items.

It's My "Santa's Steal" Day

As you know I have recently joined Shabby Cottage Shops...so I've wanted to just jump right in and participate in as much as possible with them.  There has been a special promotion--Santa's Steal of the Day--the past few weeks where someone sells something at a greatly discounted price (up to 60% off) for one day only.  

This has been promoted well by the owner of SCS--very well, and I've had the link/button on my side bar during the whole promotion.  There have been some amazing deals on some beautiful items. Today is my day to offer a great deal---little mitten earrings for today only for $8.00.  

Hope you can stop by my Etsy shop today...then head over to Shabby Cottage Shops to see other beautiful things and great offers.  

Happy Thanksgiving...and a Special Sale

Happy Thanksgiving!  I so am thankful for the many blessings God has given me--salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ for one, for my fabulous husband and kids, for freedom and this great country, for health--the list could go on and on.  It's nice to have a day set aside just for thinking of all that God has given and to thank Him especially for all and what He has done.

 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalm 26:7

One of the blessings God has given is my little Etsy shop as well as all of the kind people I have met because of it....many of you are a blessing.  In thanks, I'm having a special sale from today through Sunday night--20% off everything in my store with no minimum purchase.  Simply use the coupon code "Blessings" at checkout to receive this discount.

I wish you all a great Thanksgiving...hopefully you are spending it with family and friends are are thinking about all that the Lord has given.

 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  Psalm 100:4

**Thank you to The Graphics Fairy for the sweet image above!

Having a Sale....Again...Any Takers???

You know I had a 40% off sale in my Etsy shop a few weekends back...not one person took me up on the offer!  No one!  Zero!  I Tweeted, Facebooked, blogged, and announced in my shop...40% off everything.  With free shipping on most things to the US...some of the stuff was a real steal.  *sigh* So, I'm trying it again today:  40% off (no minimums even!) everything in my store.  It's a one day sale...to see if anyone is paying attention.  Just wanting to move some goodies along to a good home.  Check out my SHOP if you are interested and enter "summer40" to receive the discount upon checkout.

Huge Summer Sale!!

Having a short, summer sale the next two days in my Etsy shop.  Enter "SUMMER40" in the coupon code section to receive 40% off your order. 

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Go to http://StoreWoot.com/invite/glassbeadtreasures/

New Stitching Project

I just love embroidery and needlework...it is so relaxing and I love the look.  It is just fun to create, as many of you will agree.  I tried an experiment and designed this pendant this past week.  It is a little "Shabby Chic" and a little "Modern Victorian". 

It is a mixed media pendant with both new and vintage bits on it--new charm and beads, vintage pearls, lace, and buttons.  It has been listed in my Etsy shop, but I thought I'd share it here to see what you think. 

Pretty Button Cards and New Felt Pin

Mom and I went to a large antique mall this past weekend down around the southern boarder of the state.  It was our annual trek down there for a "girl's day".  It was loads of fun...and relaxing too.  I found some pretty button cards.

 

The card itself is pretty on this one not to mention the buttons.  I'm pretty sure the buttons are glass, but sometimes it is so hard to tell.

 

This little girl one is sweet along with the simple pink buttons.

 

This one is gorgeous.  Don't you just love that wedding dress?? 

 

Also, I completed another felt pin.  This is a depiction of a vintage Mason or Ball jar with fireflies in it.  Can you tell summer was on my mind while making this?  The ends and flight paths of the fireflies are in glow in the dark thread for extra fun.  I'll be listing this in my Etsy shop soon. 

More Springtime Stitching

Just a couple more things I've been stitching up lately.  I was inspired by a hat (an actual hat) I saw on Etsy and decided to try out some brooches.  I have not made felt flowers before and saw a tutorial on Pinterest to learn how.  The hard part was making the flowers small enough for the hat.  Felt roses are on my agenda as well...but who can resist some pretty glass bead flowers?  These really are fun to stitch up...and, oh, so springy!  There are other projects rolling around in my mind as well; it's just finding the time to work them up that is the problem.  These little hats were only completed by a few stitches here and a few stitches there. 

 

I thought the yellow, white, and aqua were perfect springtime colors. 

 

This has an actual parakeet feather in it and a wee vintage mother of pearl pin.  Both of these are in my Etsy shop now.  Hope you like them!

Catching Up

It HAS been awhile since posting.  There have been so many things that have gone on in our lives the past few months.  I suppose some catching up is in order.   This cannot be done all in one day or even in one week...that would be too overwhelming for us all, really.  So, I will start in little bites.  First of all, I'll share some crafts that have been completed lately.  I've tried my hand at a few cuffs.  What a lot of work! 

 

This one I loved seeing go together.  I had purchased these pretty vintage metal roses and couldn't wait to use them in a big way.  This cuff/bracelet turned out really well.

 

 

Then, this bridal one took forever to finish--many hours of embellishing.  The white embroidery on it ended up looking almost like lace.  With its pearly accents and glass beads, it shimmers and shines--perfect for a wedding day.  They are both in my Etsy shop.  These took so long to do, however, that I've moved on to some other felt projects.  Those will be in another post though.  Hope you like these.

Vintage Jewelry Embellished Button Card Ornaments

I really love vintage button cards and enjoy looking at them on Pinterest.  Some are just exquisite.  I remember an estate sale that I went to that had many...wish I had purchased more of them.  Anyway, while these button cards aren't over the top exquisite, they ARE pretty.  Of course, you know I like to embellish things with vintage jewelry...so these were a natural combination. 

I bought some pretty paper and worked these up.  I tried to make them look pretty on the front and back. 

They are in my Etsy shop and can be hung around the home as home décor all year round. 

Hope you like them too. 

Independence Day Sale

10% OFF

INDEPENDENCE DAY SALE

Well, I'm thankful for America, and I'm thankful for the freedoms we still do have.  One of those freedoms is to have my little shop.  Despite having to pay taxes (and hopefully not MORE taxes), I love having my Etsy shop.  So, I decided to have a little sale (and I don't have sales very often) now through July 4th to celebrate--simply enter the coupon code "GLASS10" to receive 10% off your order.  You may visit my shop HERE to see if there is anything that strikes your fancy.  Thank you for looking. Also, thank you, GraphicsFairy, for the pretty picture above.

Catching Up

It HAS been awhile since I blogged last.  Life has gotten busy.  There is only so much time in a day to get things done.  My little blog has suffered.  I can't possibly go back to when I blogged last and catch up on everything.  But I shall try....

In a nutshell:  We finished school at the end of May.  The kids did well this past year, and I'm very pleased with their work.  They are taking a break from violin for the summer but are still working on their piano lessons.  Our daughter is taking swimming lessons to get a little more confident in the water than she is.  We are still doing those lessons, and I certainly see improvement in just this short time.  They are also taking art lessons this summer. 

We went camping for two nights already.  It was fun to get away, and we hope to do some more in a few weeks.  No big vacation is planned this year--just short camping trips around the state.  We really would like to get up to Door County this summer.  I see the newest issue of Victoria magazine has a nice article on Door County.  They are well deserving of the publicity.  It really is pretty and relaxing up there in the "thumb" of Wisconsin.

There have been plenty of parties we've been going to:  graduation, birthday, etc.  My mother-in-law's 70th is on July 4th, and we are helping with a big celebration for her. 

I've been working on many projects.  Unfortunately sales have been a little low, but that is to be expected this time of year when there is so much going on and people are putting their money toward vacations and family get-togethers.  I've been working on some felt projects (I really do enjoy making felt things) and, of course, my vintage jewelry embellishment projects. 

 

Mom and I are thinking of trying a craft show this fall.  She has been in many; I haven't been in any.  We're waiting approval.  I'm not very good at "production", but if we are approved to be in it, I will need to work on that until November. 

Well, I'll try to be more faithful at writing in the days ahead.  Happy summer day to you.

Having a Memorial Day Sale...

...in my Etsy shop.  Just enter the coupon code "GLASS10" to receive 10% off your order from now through Memorial Day.  You may access my shop HERE. 

It's my birthday today.  The kids and hubby are making breakfast.  Thankfully it is spring break, and we have today off.  Hooray!  Mom and I are going to the huge antique mall not too far from here and will be there looking for things.  I have some new projects that I've been working on that are almost ready.  I'll be revealing those later this week.  Also, as a thank you to those who frequent my shop, I'm giving 10% off all orders today in my Etsy shop.  Just put the coupon code BIRTHDAY into the code section to receive the 10% off. 
P.S.  Thank you, GraphicsFairy, for the sweet image.

A Blizzard is Coming

We really can't complain.  It IS the middle of December, and winter has to arrive sometime...and today and tonight and tomorrow is the time!  We're supposed to get up to 16".  Yikes!  It snowed a little yesterday, and it WAS pretty with big "snow globe" flakes falling coating the trees with a heavy coating of frosting snow. 

I did an Etsy treasury (thanks, Craft Cult for the widget below) to celebrate the snow coming.  Remember snow days?  Those were glorious days when school was cancelled.  There would be a dull sound outside...a muffling of all sound.  My brother and I would peak out behind the curtains to a heavy layer of snow...with perhaps more falling.  We'd listen to the radio and hear that school was cancelled.  Hooray! We got to sleep in...maybe have a hot breakfast...play outside.  No quizzes or tests that day.  What a great thing a snow day was for a kid!

Shabby, Chippy Pink Miniature Furniture

Aren't these adorable? 

I found them at an antique mall and just thought they were the cutest.  They have shabby chic charm.  I just got done reading an article (was it in Romantic Homes?) about a lady who collects vintage miniature furniture and has pieces around her home.  Anyway, they have been listed in my shop if you'd like to see them in more detail.

They have a lot of potential, and I can see them on a wreath or hanging on a door knob or just sitting on a bedside table. 

Wee Black Purse Necklace

Well, this little project is finally done!

It took me a while to finish, and, yes, I needed to pray a couple of times for extra help as there were some frustrating areas...but it is done and has been listed in my Etsy shop.

I embroidered some pink roses and buds on black felt (as well as some black beads for "fringe") and sewed it into a purse shape.

Tucked inside the purse is a little love note.  The purse is actually a pendant, and I thought it looked best on a gunmetal chain.  Enjoy...and happy weekend!