Happy Mother’s Day

A day set aside to show our appreciation for all our mother’s do for us, even after we’ve long ago flown the nest. I know my mother still looks out for all her 5 kids and now their families too, motherhood never ends.

I usually make the 2½ hour trip to my mom’s to visit her on Mother’s Day, but with a 9-6 work schedule today that was impossible. I did find time this week to make her a nice pair of purple (her favorite color) earrings. She wears quite a lot of purple, but it turned out she didn’t own any purple earrings, so I made a wise choice there. I also found a sweet little pocket mirror at Happy Bug Designs on Etsy. She was thrilled with it too. 

A lovely picture of Mom in her youth

Etsy Treasury, Hippie Days are Here Again

I created a new Etsy Treasury today, I've really been slacking off on my Etsy Shop & Blog since starting my part time job in January. But this morning I was inspired to through a treasury together, Hope you like it.

ODD DUCK BAZAAR NEXT WEEKEND

The Fabulous Odd Duck Bazaar is coming up next weekend, Saturday March 31, 2012. Although my new job prevents me from either vending or visiting the craft fair this year, I encourage all who have the time to stop by this incredible bazaar. This year the location has moved to Hollywood, Fl and more space is provided 80+ vendors. Some of South Florida's most talented Indie Artist and Crafters will be selling their wares. The venue provides both indoor and outdoor shopping areas, plus live music. Follow the link to preview the creative vendors you will find.

New Clearance Section at Etsy Shop

I have a new CLEARANCE SALE section in my Etsy shop. Big savings on some cute handmade items. Stop by The ReFORMatory to see the bargains.

Miniature Handbag Earrings

Silk mini handbag earrings silver, a photo by b-a-boop on Flickr.

Dangle earrings in the shape of miniature purses, perfect for holiday or New Year’s Eve parties. In beautiful midnight blue silk or ultra-suede, each handbag is hand sewn and the chain handles are made from upcycled jewelry. Each pair is uniquely embellished with different kinds of beads. Some have silver findings, some gold. I hope to get more varieties made in the near future. Also great for gift giving.

Miniature Rose Flower Ponytail Holders

I make loads of fabric flowers hair accessories but usually for adults. I recently started adding some for small girls, toddlers or babies. These are two rose buds, only about 1" in diameter and made of upcycled fabrics. The ponytail holders are the small elastics also about 1" diameter. Look for them and some tiny hair clips in my hair accessories section on Etsy.

Tribal Earrings

While working on ideas for the hoop earrings a few posts below, I started stringing together various beads from my collection. There was one set which I was quite happy with; in which I used some turquoise beads, red glass beads and various upcycled bali beads and bead caps. I had to put them to good use. I grabbed some silver hoop findings and hung them from the bottom of the hoops. I then had to string together one more dangle for the center of the hoop. So in no time flat, a birthday project also resulted in a new item for my ReFORMAtory Etsy Shop.

Featured Handmade Item

Stained Glass and Filigree Pendant

Found today on Etsy.
It's unique shape and lovely soft tones really impressed me.
Get this lovely handmade stained glass pendant from Color Shoppe Studio

New Summer Bloom Bobby Pin just listed on Etsy

I just listed this lovely summer fabric flower bobby pin on Etsy. It’s made from a vintage 70’s floral print shear voile fabric and a vintage orange button. Brighten your summer wardrobe with this sweet hair accessory.

Some unique shops that were set-up at the Odd Duck

Reinvintage Jewelry









 

made with log

ReClaim2Fame

 







 


BlueberrryShoes

Patchwork Purse for The Odd Duck Bazaar

Patchwork Purse a photo by b-a-boop on Flickr.

A new patchwork purse ready for the upcoming Odd Duck Bazaar. The patchwork fabrics are from the 70's. Back then I started forming small patches from a large box of scraps that were going to be a quilt. Eventually I decided some fabrics weren't sturdy enough for the quilt, so I just had a bunch of 4 piece patches. I added a corduroy lining with a pocket & a corduroy shoulder strap and accented it with old buttons. See it for yourself in 2 weeks at the Bazaar.

Now on Etsy too.

Pruitt Hand Crafts

This month's Featured EtsyBlogger - congratulations to Linda of pruitthandcrafts.

She has been so productive she had 3 Etsy shops, but she’s closing one, so hurry and visit http://PruittDesign.etsy.com for her 50% off sale till Jan. 15^th. You will get some great looking jewelry at a fantastic price.

(I have trouble keeping up one shop, don’t know how she managed three.)

But her other 2 will remain open with lots of goodies there too. 

Quilting, crochet, purses and paper arts at http://pruitthandcrafts.etsy.com

And supplies for your crafts at http://PruittSupply.etsy.com

So lets support a lovely teammate and don’t forget to visit her blog at http://pruitthandcrafts.blogspot.com

Earring Tree

Well no wonder I’m behind on Christmas shopping, I’m still making birthday gifts. Here’s an earring tree I made for my big sis. I used odds and ends from my stash to embellish a picture frame and then added a piece of plastic needlepoint canvas covered with some lace to the center. It can either be hung on the wall or stood in an easel.

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.

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.

Jetson’s Halloween Costumes

I’ve been making Halloween costumes my whole life. Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, probably cause I loved playing dress-ups as a kid. My mom made our costumes when we were little (wish I still had some of those vintage patterns). So having a handmade costume is always preferable to me.

It wasn’t easy trying to decide a best or favorite costume for this blog carnival. I just went though my Halloween photo album and picked one that I enjoyed creating.  It was 1989, so the old scanned photo here isn’t the best. I decided my hubby and I would be George & Jane Jetson. Their clothing wasn’t so hard to design, I even got the rings around the wrists and ankles, and used wire to make the skirt hem flare out. The hair was the hard part.  Since the photo was taken at night it’s very difficult to see, but I ended up getting some cheap wigs and trying to style Georges in that flat swirl across the top and Janes with those winged curls along the sides. I wasn’t perfectly successful with those, but it was better than our real hair.

Latest Upcycled Handbag at the ReFORMatory

My newest handbag was made by upcycling a placemat I recently bought. I loved the colors in the print. I found a nice cotton quilt remnant from my mother-in-law’s stash that coordinated nicely. I incorporated it into the sides, handles & inside pockets. I also used a corduroy remnant for trim. Look for it on Etsy.

Splendid Little Stars - Etsy Blogger of the Month

I love visiting this blog, Splendid Little Stars, it is such a comfortable place to hang out. Margaret is a great photographer and her beautiful peaceful nature photos are usually accompanied by nice poetry or stories. She also features adorable photos and narratives from her kitty cats. A great place to hang out when you need to distress online.

 

In addition she is a busy member of our team, always checking out what the other members are up to, lending support and encouraging commentary. 
And don’t forget to visit her two wonderful Etsy Shops, 
Splendid Little Stars for fabric and clothing, 
Sparkly Park for jewelry.

Our Handmade Wedding

Our wedding was a small family affair in our own back yard. With the help of friends and family, we made most everything for our wedding. We wrote our own vows and we created & printed our own invitations. I restored my grandmothers 1920’s wedding dress (it had major damage to the silk fabric) and my mother helped me sew the rest of the clothes for the wedding party. My sisters & sisters-in-law helped make the bouquets and decorations for the house. Most of our friends pitched in making the food for the reception. It was a lovely intimate wedding, and it sure doesn’t seem like that long ago for us to have celebrated our 20^th Wedding Anniversary just a few weeks ago.

Sykin - Etsy Blogger of the Month

 
Missie of Sykin is a great all around Etsy supporter, you can go to her blog daily & find a newly featured etsy item. And she has 2 shops on Etsy herself. One features item from the Pacific NorthWest and the other has Twilight inspired items. Lets give her back our support.