Native Princess Earrings from Vintage Leather

Months ago I had prepped a bunch of vintage leather to be made into some awesome earrings but alas they were lost in the mess of the sewing room.  When they were finally uncovered, I jumped up and excitedly set them aside to be finished as soon as the room came into a state more conducive to creating.  These are perfect for the summer and I love how light they are!  Big earrings are great but big ear lobe holes are not- so these have become my go-to, everyday pair.  As soon as my knee high moccasins get a rubber sole I'm gonna put together a totally awesome outfit.

I made a bunch of pairs but have to wait for a good light day to take more pics- maybe something in the woods.

My sister brings me all sorts of goodies as she travels around the world and I then deface these national treasures by putting holes in them to make Jewelry, hooray!

I also recently found a secret, favorite spot to photograph my items.  The mix of nature and rustic hardware are a perfect compliment for most of my pieces.  I try to be as original as I can in the designs and even when I take the pics and name them- unfortunately not everyone is so cool.  Some people copy to the point where the pieces, the pictures and even the names are too similar to be coincidence then try to make profit from it.  Everyone should be encouraged to develop their own personal sense of style and let that flourish.     ANYWAY,

I totally lost my shark's teeth and missed having these in the shop.  I bought them in a funny little town in the mountains of NC.  The bullet casing is a rescue.

I found a whole key ring with a bunch of these little guys.  Sometimes I wonder what these used to open...

 Mr Husband helped me take all my pictures and even keep me organizing while doing so!  Isn't this a GREAT idea he came up with?

Assisting in Photographing

Modeling

Should have worn a bra

I'm getting pretty annoyed with how often commercials refer to buying the perfect gift as being the path to the true meaning of Christmas.  Even non-Christians can agree that family and thankfulness are far more important than a new Lexus and diamond earrings.   I also don't understand why nativity scenes are so controversial but Santa isn't.  If you aren't a believer, then Jesus is just another fictional character and the rest of the gang should be no more offensive than elves and flying reindeer.  I'm not Jewish and have no problem at all with stars of David and menorahs.   In fact, it'd be nice to see more of them around.  People are just getting so sensitive.

It's also really horrible to see another murder-suicide on the news every day.  Not that anyone dying is wanted, but I'd rather these all be just suicides.  I keep reading that I need to stay away from the news while pregnant but it's hard.

Ok, no more bitching!

My friend Christina owns and operates an amazing place where she has a spa, fitness classes (including pole dancing), and a boutique!  I wish I knew of such a cool place here in NC.  Here's a pic of me from when I'd help her out:

Be Studios

I've been getting bigger so I'm glad I have some pics to look at to remember all this bloat will one day go away.

Ok, enough random babbling- time to clean clean clean!

Productive Fall Day

After a super busy early-fall, I finally stopped procrastinating and went up to the studio to make some pieces (even did some yoga!).  I put together some awesome necklaces using vintage bits and had a GREAT time digging around in my treasures.

Vintage Feminine Charms

 I then spent hours working on the balcony.  My tomato plants (sadly fruit-less) were the first to perish in my fall clean up spree.  I ripped those babies right outta the dirt with disregard to that thick, green, struggling stalk and a few promising blooms.  It's October, guys, give it up.  I cut down the basil and started harvesting seeds, and caught a mold situation early on.  I'm recycling the old dirt with roots and other goodness for composting.  Anyway, I swept, dug, tugged, and spider-checked all afternoon so I'd have a nice backdrop for photo taking as my goal was to post an item on etsy.

Star Wars Day of the Dead

art over the couch

husband wearing a handmade leather cuff

 I'm excited for the fall and to wear my new "cool weather" boots, but I did have a fun time over the summer and celebrated its departure with a trip with friends to an NC island:

Recycled Hardware Crosses

A few weeks ago I finally made a cross that had been in my mind for a while.  It was made using only items from loved ones that have passed away recently.  A hammer handle from our friend Joel, an engraved wrench and tiny tacks from my father-in-law's tools, and wire from my artist friend, Stella.  It came out looking great though I hadn't taken photos yet and it inspired today's craft session:

This is my new fave craft.

A day of procrastination

When I cleaned and organized the studio I took my yoga mats up there to the loft envisioning practices at 6:30 am lit by candles followed by awesome productivity.  It more turned into going a few weeks not exercising, whoops.  I lay in bed from 6:30a til I dosed off again around 7 trying to will myself out of bed but the warm, comfy down comforter won.  So for the last couple of weeks I've been plagued by back and hip pain, a scary week long bout of iritis (inflammation of the iris), and stomach cramps whenever I eat or even take a drink.  Getting back into routines can be so daunting but it only takes one day to turn it all around.  Today is not that day.  Rather, I slept in much later than is forgivable and spent much of the morning googling tattoo designs.

I have a couple behind my neck and the Mexican Coat of Arms is tattooed on my lower back but I know I could do better.  Id love to turn my left arm into a sleeve (after getting my Virgen de Guadalupe shaded) and add some more to my back.

Mexican Coat of Arms

 I spent some of the morning researching what happens to belly tats when pregnant, not because I have any plans, but because millions of people were born despite the pill, an IUD, and condoms and taking these early precautions will ensure not having f'ed up tats that get stretched and run through with stretch marks.  Anyway, I'll be sticking to my arm, sides, and back for now.  Never for the face and I don't know how I feel about leg tattoos for myself yet.

At least I've been keeping up with listing new items on my Etsy!

I am loving my new batch of evil eyes.  Maybe I'll make something today...

Leather Bracelets

I went into my studio to make rings out of old leather scraps when I made these bracelets instead:

This key one is unisex and I had my husband try it on.  Although he said it would be bad for guitar playing, he did like it.  I used leather and a key I found.

Here are the three I ended up making:

I love bracelets with "tails"; danglies make things much more awesome

New Items for Etsy

In one day I changed the whole look of my etsy site.  Spent the morning putting together some pieces then finally scouted out a perfect picture taking nook in the new place.  Thanks to this small vintage toolbox I got just the look I wanted:

All of the pieces I've added lately are recycled and I'm finally getting through my large collection of bullet shells.  

Maybe now I will get working on the huge pile in my "to-sew" basket...