Georgia autumn evenings

Delicious autumn.  In the evening, Georgia's humidity goes to sleep and yields to crisp air and luminous sky filled with sparrows and bats.  It is fun to watch them as the landscape becomes peaceful.

I found the most beautiful hand-dyed silk at a vintage market.  Its shades of lavender and grey reminds me of the late evening sky here.

The strand of pale lilac beads was a fun find from this past summer's trip visiting my bestie in Florida.

They have a neat bead store there with the most beautiful pearls.  Of course, we had to hit some vintage, thrift and flea places too.

My friend Kelli is a talented painter and very crafty. She is opening a booth at the new Consignment Antique flea market on Racetrac Rd. in Shalimar.  Stop by and see her if you get the chance!

Some of my northern friends have mentioned they have already had snow.  I am not quite ready for that yet. Not that we get much snow here, haha.

Whether you have had snow or not, I wish you the best autumn evenings.

Hopefully, by bonfire with a mug of cider and under a cozy blanket watching sparrows and bats with a few stars sparkling the sky.

Thank you for visiting ~ xo Heidi

A soft spot for hardware

Patina.

When I am looking for hardware bits, patina is one of the characteristics that captivates me the most.

Even though there are many products on the market which can alter or enhance patina, finding a piece of hardware with decades of authentic patina developed onto it holds its own special magic.

These are some of the interesting bits of hardware I found on a recent antiquing trip here.  The shop had bins, boxes and trays full of hardware treasure.

I went looking with the intent on finding fresh vintage components for jewelry making.  However, some might eventually be used in other repurposing projects.

Check out the oxidation and style of this keyhole plate.

Isn't it grand?  I don't think I will change the patina a bit.

The one to right definitely needs some cleaning so it might be a fun piece to experiment with painting and altering.

I love the bits of paint on some of the pieces.  

For the pieces which have peeling paint, I like to give them a gentle cleaning and use Krylon matte sealer to protect as much of the original patina as I can.

A quick share of the simple vignette I made using the cabinet card found in the above referenced post.

I am still tinkering with it so I am not sure this is how it will stay for now.

That is the fun of it, isn't it? :-)

Thank you for visiting!

xo ~ Heidi

Glam goods, a new repurposed life

 

Always hunting for pieces to be used in new projects, I was strolling through a local antique store and spotted some interesting finds.

 

A simple band medal with the iconic state of Georgia shape caught my eye.

I would love to know the history/people behind this piece. What instrument did they play? What school did they go to? What memories did this medal hold for them?

What would they think if it was repurposed on a charm bracelet or on a necklace, a life outside a box or drawer?

 

 

The gold compact still has a mirror and makeup cake pan attached.

Once used for everyday glam, it now holds potential for a new life.

I have special plans for this one - with the makeup cake pan removed. ;)

 

 

One of the most interesting items was this small case. (approx 2" in length)

 

 

A little push of a spring revealed a teeny lipstick case.

On the reverse of the case is a beveled mirror.

Lipstick is no longer manufactured to fit such tiny cases.

However, with the help of a Dremel, I have created a hole in the top to begin it's new life as a jewelry component.

I love that the woman who wears it will have something both charming and functional.

 

Of course, I could not pass up a wonderfully priced jewelry box.

More economical than some of the plastic art bins, it will live a repurposed life as bit and bauble storage in my studio.

 

 

What fun finds have you come across lately?

Thank you for visiting! xo ~ Heidi

Sparrows and ice cream

Many humid and hazy Georgia evenings, you can witness the dance of sparrows swooping and diving to catch a quick meal before night time falls.  With stunning accuracy and acrobatic moves, they pluck mosquitos in a graceful dance.

While working on a necklace, I was inspired by the sparrows swooping in to get a quick treat.

Dangling from a layer of cafe colored pearls, a little sparrow has a white bloom with a polished czech bead.

Below the sparrow is draped another strand of AB polished glass, creamy czech crystals, freshwater pearls and a repurposed rhinestone pin. 

I love the creamy iridescent czech beads!

Digging through more pins, I found a sweet rhinestone wreath pin adorned with a simple bow.

This one reminds me of neopolitan ice cream!

Vanilla czech glass, strawberry colored glass beads, roze quartz, milk chocolate pearls, freshwater pearls and vintage beads mix for a sweet confection.

I added a smaller pin for some extra sparkle - you can never go wrong with extra sparkle, haha.

Dangling from the clasp is a vintage drop pearl.

For the cherry on top, I added a dangle to the wreath made of crystal AB bead, white glass flower and a shimmering faceted czech bead.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

xo ~ Heidi

Caged Hollywood Beauty

The talented Molly Jacobs of Fleur De Bee  both designed and assisted in the production of a 2012 Emmy VIP Awards party.  In this role, she seeks out unique finds and talented artists to sponsor goody bags for the event. 

She also has hosted numerous give aways to share her finds and sponsors with all of us!

Rochelle Gaukel of What Lola Wants Lola Gets is one such artist whose jewels was showcased in this Hollywood event.  If you get the chance, you must stop by her blog to see her incredible work!

When I saw Rochelle's gorgeous birdcage and nest necklace on Molly's blog, I quickly tossed my name in the hat, fingers crossed.

I am beyond excited to say I was selected as one of the winners for her stunning jewelry!!

Her work is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

Beautiful details - I adore the sparrow charms and freshwater pearls.

The detail on the chain is amazing too - twisted, antiqued brass beads.

Check out her soldering work on the birdcage pendant - incredible!

Thank you Molly and Rochelle!!

I am completely smitten with this beauty and can't wait to wear it!!

Molly regularly hosts giveaways for various events and shares her beautiful art on her blog, Fleur De Bee.

Please stop by to say "Hi" and tell her I sent you!!

xo's sweet sugahs ~ Heidi

Dig, sometimes archaeological, sometimes not

Organizing my craft space always produces old finds which can seem new, depending on how long it has been since I opened that box or drawer, ha.

While fluffing my crafty nest, I rediscovered some baubles and beads.

After some wire bending, thinking, bead mixing and thinking some more, I repurposed some old charms and treasured beads into a new sparkly.

I love the green peacock czech beads and freshwater pearls.

Digging more, I came across a strand of icy pale green jade I had been saving for a special project.

Yes, just like swatches of paper or fabric, I have beads that I like to pet and put back in the drawer.

Not today.

Today, I was bent (pun intended) to actually use what I love.

A repurposed cross, mother of pearl, czech glass, swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls later ~

Voila!  A new treasure to enjoy.

I have these pretties listed in my etsy shoppette.



Are you up for a challenge?

Today, tomorrow, this week - YOU decide

Take one favorite thing out of your stash - USE it, LOVE it, CELEBRATE it!

 

Leave a comment to let me know what you are pulling out of your bag of tricks and treasures.

I love to see what other people are making/doing/treasuring.

There is so much beauty out there - everyone has something special to share.

Thanks for stopping by sugahs!

xo ~ Heidi

The little things

Sometimes it is the little things that bring so much joy.

I save bits and bobs of little things that I might use to tie on a package, mix in a collage or use in another crafty project.

A few sparkly bits which have been tucked away have found a new home in some new jewels.

A broken rosary, a random earring and some vintage glass beads are a few a my favorite things.

{tell me if Julie Andrews is singing that song from the Sound of Music in your head - haha, me too!}

My daughter went to an estate sale with my honey and brought me a surprise rhinestone necklace.

{I love my family, they get my love of quirky, vintage things}

I took apart the necklace and used it as part of the centerpiece along with a Mary medal for the repurposed necklace.

A little scatter pin was added to the longer necklace.

A little bird charm and sparkle magic.

Using found magpie objects and repurposing them into something new brings me joy.

Ever since I dicovered jewelry artist, Amy Hanna and her book "Rejuvenated Jewels", I have been smitten with repurposed jewelry.

I adore the wonderful objects she finds and the way she weaves them into something breathtaking.

Thanks for stopping by dear friends - have a beautiful day!

xo's ~ Heidi

ADD and a creative soul

How many of us crafty people have craft ADD?

You know what I mean . . .  a kabillion ongoing projects and different types of crafts you like to do, sometimes simultaneously.

It's ok, we are all friends here - raising my hand, lol.

Recently, I have been on such a jewelry making kick.

I dunno what has gotten into me.  If it doesn't move, I bet I could make jewelry out of it.

This is a pic of necklace I made for my Mom for Christmas.  She doesn't not surf the internet much so I am taking a chance this will still be a surprise.

She wanted something with a longer length and more neutral colors.  I added some pink in there because that is the kind of girl she is. {hey, I get my girliness honest}

Twisting wire like a bead fiend, I also made this lovely.

Seriously, I think I am addicted to rhinestones.

Even addicted as I am, I don't think I could pull off this pendant as an earring (in its prior life) so the earring was repurposed as a pendant.

Switching gears, (because we are talking ADD, right?)  I was making coffee last week during the flurry of holiday activity and as I poured coffee into my cream, a darling heart revealed itself in the cafe bubbles.

No joke!!

Look!  There it is!!

It was a sweet moment, a gentle reminder . . . Love is good.

I hope everyone had a beautiful Thanksgiving week with lots of love and blessings.

xo's ~ Heidi

New rosettes for strolling on the beach or through the prairie!

Recently, I have been playing with some wonderfully supple linen.

I love how beautifully it gives both body and softness.

Here is a sweet beach cottage rosette I made using an off-white linen.

Pefect clipped in upswept salt-kissed hair or pinned to your favorite sundress!

I have it listed here on etsy.

A two-tone tweedy black linen may be just the thing for a prairie girl.

(beach or prairie - I could spend a lovely day at both!)

The black linen is listed here.

What locale would be your favorite place to spend the day?

Don't forget to scroll down and enter my giveaway!

xo's ~ Heidi

Georgia Chicks in Alabama

Once a year, me and a few of my besties, Ann, Tracy, Karen and Vicki, join a few more ladies and hit the road to escape for a weekend of scrapbooking/crafting, propping our feet up and letting our hair down.

We have been going to a wonderful retreat home, the Grand Oak Retreat, overlooking lake Guntersville in Scottsdale, Alabama for the past few years.  Cindy and Bill, the proprietors, welcome us to their retreat home, entertain us (theatre room, hot tub, beautiful vistas, rocking chairs, chocolate fountains) and cook the most amazing meals to nourish hard working ladies {insert giggle here}.

We are practically sitting on a cliff with beautiful vistas of lake Guntersville wrapping around.

New to the Grand Oak Retreat this year were cutie chickens and their coop!  Tiffany, I couldn't help but think of you and your shabby coop!

I didn't take long for the thought to dawn on me ~ "Will these plucky chicks doodle at 6am?" 

My room was very near their coop but, thankfully, no crowing was made since they were still too young to let their awakening be announced to the rest of us.

I loved waking up early {just don't talk to me until after I have had my first cup of coffee}, not only to see the breathtaking sunrise over the lake but also to experience  . . . . peace . . . . and . . . . .quiet.

I have been going and going like the energizer bunny.  I didn't realize how much I needed a break until I was really able to have one.

Morning inspiration of laces and fabric

I decided not to do any scrapbooking this weekend.

Sewing, making jewelry, sewing and more sewing makes for a happy girl {insert beaming grin here}.

Stocking up for ETSY and store.

Here is a cute pic one of my dearest friends, Ann, sporting one of my stamped fabric ribbons as her diva scarf!

Ann and I love many of the same things but like different color combinations.

Here is a pic of her workspace.

She is inspired by hot pink, lime green, black and bling!

Ann's work space

{love her adorable tickets!}

This is a sweet embellishment she made . . .

Oh gosh! How did she know I loved that dear shade of aqua?

The tag aptly states "You Are So Amazing" . . .

Yes, she is.  She is a beautiful person from the inside out.

One of those treasured friends I know I can call at 4am and she will be there.

No matter what.

This is another embellishment she made.

How appropriate for all of us all weekend!

Tracy, Karen and I would break out into random dance,

song and peals of laughter.

We all truly celebrated a few days away from chores, stress, to-do lists.

My workspace before all out crafting started.

{radio announcer: "Ladies, start your engines!" or in my case, sewing machine}

Later in the weekend . . . .

This pic truly sums of the weekend ~ beautiful views, inspiration and friends, doing the things that bring me joy {creating and fellowshiping with my peeps}.

Early to rise and crafing late into the night.

I know this may not sound like a break but it was for me.  ;-)

I took dozens of pics of the moonlight on the lake.

This was the best one I could get ~ it is so tricky getting this shot at night.

Thank you for staying with me through this long post!

Wishing you a wonderful week my Sugahs!

xo's ~ Heidi