A Batch of Flower Hair Clips for my Niece

Here are the hair clips and bobby pins I made for my niece for her birthday. She wears a lot of bright colors, so I made a broad range of designs. She also loves butterflies and I recently found the enamel shoe clips but thought they were a bit heavy for shoes, so I incorporated them into the flowers. I enjoy experimenting with different ways to create the petals, and I especially like the two buttons (one shell, the other rhinestone) that make the center of the yellow flower.

 

Schoolbook Tote Bag

This is the tote bag I made for my niece. She wanted one strong enough for her schoolbooks. Her favorite color is purple, so she chose the few pieces of fabric in my collection that had purple in them. I combined them with recycled jeans and lined it on the inside with remnants from a fleece sweatshirt I made myself many years ago. The handles were made from a thrifted belt. The one downside of using fabric samples and remnants is that I can’t make multiples of the items. I really really really liked this tote bag and had a hard time giving it up to her once it was done.

EtsyBlogger of the Month - Devine Designs Jewelry

Congrats to Cindy, a fellow Floridian. Cindy is an incredible jewelry designer. She works in beads and metal craft (copper, silver, twisted wire) to create many unique pieces. Look at these wonderful items in her etsy shop Devine Designs Jewelry. 

And don’t forget to read her blog for her latest shows and events and creativity.

Eco Friendly and Recycled Inspiration

What can I make from items I already have on hand? Can I put something together that doesn’t require me having to go buy anything new? That’s always my first question when I start a new project, be it an item for my shop, a gift for someone special or a project around the house.

This month I created two purses from old fabric pieces and  zippers & buttons I already had on hand. For my upcoming mini-market, I needed some packaging for small items , so I made some origami boxes from magazines I intended to recycle.

My two nieces both have birthdays this month, so I created numerous fabric flower hairclips (all of them from various remnants and vintage buttons) a few of which one niece will receive. My other niece wanted a tote bag for schoolbooks. I had her look through my fabric remnants and the old jeans I recycle and I patched together what she chose into a tote bag I’d love to use myself. I even used an old belt for the handles (post pics later -haven’t had the party yet).

Even my husband got on board last week, he built a new step for our shed from some wood we got off a scrap pile over a year ago. He even painted the step with leftover house paint. I’m always pleased when we can make something new and beautiful from stuff we already own.  

Upcoming Event

On Saturday Dec. 4, 2010 the ReFORMatory will be setting up shop at the Pink Ghost Mini Market, 1888 Polk Street, Hollywood, Fl - Noon to 5 PM. Come shop for pillows, handbags, jewelry, accessories and other handmade recycled / upcycled crafts.

Gorgeous Fall Colors Wristlet Purse

I’ve created a new, OOAK wristlet from sample swatches of designer upholstery fabric. On the bottom, a gorgeous textured striped fabric in lovely fall colors. It is topped with a warm ruby colored worsted wool band & handle. I also added a lovely handmade fabric flower with a vintage button center, made from the wool and another small upholstery sample remnant. I used up almost every inch of my small sample fabrics.  Available now on Etsy & Artfire.