Necklaces Necklaces Necklaces.

My quest to become a master solderer continues. It's surprisingly tricky. I'm not exactly sure how the explosion of soldered glass jewelry has happened, since it seems like it takes a lot of practice! Anyway, here are some new soldered peacock feather pendants. When my skillz get really good, I'm start producing round ones, since round glass costs more. I really like the fabric chains because I have PLENTY of extra fabric from making clothes and I think putting fabric behind the feathers works better then paper.

I don't like to toot my horn too much but this necklace made from a Smuckers jelly lid is simply wonderful. It is. I cut out the cross stitching from one of the handkerchiefs I bought at an estate sale and glued it inside the lid, then hung a little green glass heart that I had soldered earlier. I'm in love with it.

And then there's these bird necklaces.  I'm pretty stoked about them too. Having an etsy store has been so fun because it gives you the opportunity to see where your sensibilities and others meet, or don't, as the case may be. For example, when I made these earrings  I really wasn't crazy about them and didn't think anyone else would like them. They are my most popular item, by far. Conversely, (inversely? reversely?) I thought these earrings would be an instant fashion sensation, but nobody gives them a second glance at all. So, I'll be interested to see what catches on. Either way, it doesn't matter, the Smuckers necklace is bad ass.

Work with what your momma gave you.

My parents just visited from Grand Junction and my mom brought me a whole suitcase of vintage linens!! This is excellent for a number of reasons: 1) you get to rock some killer new Teablossoms skirts in the near future 2) I get to drool whilst making said killer skirts and 3) this shows my mom is slowly overcoming her hoarder's complex. For my mom to relinquish this many old linens, linens that indeed may be old enough to be worth money to someone and to relinquish them knowing her daughter is going to have her way with them using scissors, pins and gold rickrack is a bold, brave step towards a neater linen closet. Thanks Mom! And I'm proud of you.....
This bird tablecloth is pure porno for someone like me. So cute and and bright and delightful! I'm already working on some skirts with these babies.. I have some old fabric I bought in China years ago but never seemed to know what to do with it. It's gonna look fabulous with these birds.

I know. It just doesn't get any more freakin' adorable than this. I got a tea towel for every day of the week with little ladies in different colored calico dresses. These dresses are each hand-appliqued on with separate pieces for the skirt bodice and hat and yet they're totally rugged, and machine washable and iron up beautifully.


I need a cold shower.