Janet of All Trades

This is a creative challenge and is just the challenge I need. This event originated in Philadelphia and is celebrating it's14th Anniversary this January. (http://www.artclash.com ) It's a challenge to create something everyday in January. But here in Buffalo, the same events is being held but it will runs thru February, since it is the down month for festivals, until March begins and festival season begins. I am rising to this challenge and will either make something each day or make one thing and work on it everyday in February.  It might be something made from books or book pages, or with my bead stash, Our my yarn stash... I think I see a trend on what I might be focusing on. Be sure to check back for updates. February is just over a little week away! Enjoy, Janet

It's that time again to start planning and making resolutions for the new year. To help keep me on track and organize all of my ideas, I have purchased a planner... There are many planners available at this time of year, but I selected the Commit30 goal setting notebook since it fits with how I want to achieve a few goals. Now I am not being paid to write this about the Commit30 ( http://commit30.com ) and I have just started to use it (see above).I do already feel like I might just be able to keep on track for 30 days. This is the Boss Blue color, size 7" x 10". It arrived with the handy bookmark and a sheet of stickers.Now the fun can begin... I pulled out all my old stickers,paper,pens and glue dots from my scrapbook days and started to decorate the pages of the planner. There are hundreds of stickers styles available at most craft stores for all types off activities. I bought a few at 60% off in the organizing and quote categories. I have several p...

A few months back we purchased a dresser from Ikea. And as you know it came unassembled in large box with many pieces. Upon putting the dresser together my lovely husband notice two outstanding pieces of cardboard(not to heavy or light) that were used between the pieces. Now to this girl who loves to recycle, this looked like a piece of gold and knew I would have some use for it. And I finally did. First I cut out a mannequin or bust shape from the cardboard and a second pair of legs. I free hand drew the pattern but it took me a few ties to get it just right. I covered the mannequin with an old book page and sealed with two coats of Mod Podge and then wrapped the edges around the back. I probably could have cut a piece to cover edges of the back,note for the next one. For it to stand I then had to cut a slit in the mannequin base from the bottom to just below the paper. On the other base, I cut a slit about 1 inch long from the top and slid them together. The make...

I love Modern Art and I love recycling so it seems perfectly natural that I should want to create something with a little influence of each. I decided the best way to combine them both would be to create a few pendants. I started with some Vintage Dominoes,bright colored paper, large jump rings and some pendant bails. I cut the paper to size and affixed and sealed with Mod Podge. Then I used my jump rings to create designs and then cover it all with Dimensional Magic. Super easy and my pendants were complete. Geometric and purple  Stripes and Green Pink and Lime Green  So easy and uses leftover scraps and beads. Just a little Modern Art for your neck! Enjoy!

It's been so unseasonably warm this weekend that it is difficult not to start gardening or cleaning up outside, but it is only March. I decided to use this warm sunny day to take numerous photos of the jewelry I have working on and hopefully can sell some day. For a few I used these antique papers that were intended to be used in card making long ago. Pretty Spring flowers that would be interesting as pendants. Here is my first attempt.  I love the flower and paper combination. Perfect for Spring.. Or for Summer.  I felt I need to make a few more and one I will show at a later date since it was not photo ready. But this one made from discarded maps came out lovely. Too bad it is past St Patrick's day since this would have been perfect! Just a litte Paper,Bead and Chain! Enjoy!