A foray into 'jewellry' making...

A big hello to anyone reading... it feels like its been a while since I've been on here but its only a matter of days! I've been busy sewing items for SpaNGle and time seems to have escaped me this week...

My Big Little Miss M had her kindergarten orientation last Monday, and today was her first full session... she is still ultra excited about it...

Check out the big floppy (and mandatory) kinder hat they have to wear as part of their sun safe policy for outdoor play - it nearly swallows her head (but I still think she looks gorgeous)!

Poor Little Little Miss M was a little lost all morning without her co-conspirator in household shenanigans about... a few times she even forget that Big Little Miss M wasn't there and went off running to get her when I gave her morning tea (it really was so cute)!

Now, onto a tutorial of sorts (it's a little late and this tutorial photographically dwindles off towards the end... I never realise this when I'm taking the photos - only when I start to edit and prep them for the blog draft but it's a pretty easy one so hopefully it'll all still make sense).

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had found a 'chain thingy' at a local thrift/op shop that looked as if it might have originally been part of a bag?? and that I wanted to turn it into a necklace.

Here's the original chain:

MATERIALS USED:

Chain

Long nose pliers

Two tones of thin 10mm satin ribbon

some satin fabric scraps for singed flower

three diamante buttons (saved from my 50c Thrifty Refashion)

Needles & Thread

TOTAL COST: approx $4(chain $3, ribbon from 99c spool and only used about 1m, remaining items already in sewing kit)

HOW TO:

(Click on photo's to enlarge & make reading the comments easier)

In the above photo the chain length that is separated from the four other lengths was the shortest larger chain length - it will become the section that goes around the back of my neck.

I suppose I could have done the above and below step before starting to weave the ribbon but I didn't think to do it till I did!



Okay, this is where my photo taking in this tutorial for reasons a little unknown to me (maybe I was just too absorbed in the whole jewelry making process...) become scarce... so bear with me as I explain, it really is pretty straight forward.

After tying the pink ribbon in a bow, I used a piece of lighter baby pink ribbon to weave through the remaining larger link chain. I simply tied a knot in the ribbon to attach the start and finish of the ribbon to the chain.

I then used some satin fabric scraps (in light and dark pink) and cut about... hang on let me count... about eight rough circle shapes. Four in each colour and in varying sizes. I used a candle to singe the edges and stacked them in alternating colours from largest to smallest, then using a needle and thread attached three small diamante buttons and stitched the flower to the chain on the opposite side to my ribbon bow.

Okay... just in time for a VIctORy DaNCe!!!

Here's the finished necklace...

Now, I'm not much of a jewelry person. I have the pieces I wear EVERYDAY and they rarely come off... my engagement, wedding, eternity ring, some simple gold earrings and a chain my mom gave me for my 21st... If I take jewelry off I have a bad bad habit of losing it so now I rarely will wear any other jewelry... so although I really am a little surprised at how much I like this piece the sad truth is I don't know if I'll ever wear it.... but it sure was a bit of fun and a nice break from sewing.

And speaking of sewing, over the week I hope to get my next refashion started (and completed).

Here's a little peak of what I'm starting with (it is VERY wrinkly cause I was too lazy to iron it tonight - but I promise I will iron it before I start cutting it up):

The photo doesn't do the fabric justice - it is a really nice weight cotton/elastin blend with deep red vertical stripes complemented with navy blue random script and flowers all over... Still kinda ugly in its present state BUT once again I promise you in my head I have a visual image of a very cute little girls outfit that I'm hoping to bring into reality... so please come back again, become a follower if you like and check out what I come up with...

Oh, and feel free to leave some feedback on the necklace - I'd love to hear what you think of it!

Cheers xo

Linking up & Partying with these FaBUloUS hosts (I will progressively add to this list):

Todays Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On
Tip Junkie – Tip me Tuesday
Funky Polka Dot Giraffe – Too Cute Tuesday

Its a hodgepodge life