how to make a loopy fork pom pom

I finally got a chance to photograph a little how-to for the loopy fork pom poms I made last week. They are super easy and quick and all you need is yarn, a fork (I used a larger silver serving fork) and scissors. It takes about three minutes to make one once you get the hang of it and are such a fun alternative to traditional pom poms, enjoy!!

Start by cutting about a six inch piece of yarn and laying it in the center prongs, this is the piece you will use to tie it all together so just hold it down with your hand the best you can while weaving back and forth with the skein of yarn until the entire fork is covered. Once you get to the top of the fork trim the yarn from the skein and then carefully pull that first short piece up and around and loosely tie it together before slowly sliding the pom pom off of the fork. Finish by tightly tying the pom pom with a few more knots and then trim the loose longer pieces and you're done! Easy and fun…hope your week is off to a great start! xo

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Anthro inspired black cat block print scarf

Wow first post from me this week - how is it Friday again? Truthfully the past couple of weeks have been a blur around here I am sure you can relate. Starting back to school was a little crazier than I had anticipated and included some unexpected hiccups including a kid with a broken bone and two rounds of the stomach flu (yipes) among other things. But I have been busy behind the scenes working on projects and several writing jobs, I don't know if I have ever mentioned that I have taken on some writing work for a few websites with like real deadlines and such. It is exciting and nice to be bringing in some income for our family as more of a working stay at home mom but I've filled the old plate up pretty full too. As things (fingers crossed) let up a bit I promise I have much more to share here as we enter in to my favorite season (yay fall!) and next week is mine and my hubby's birthday week so I plan to get a date night out of it!!

Today I am over on the eighteen25 blog as part of their Spooktacular September series sharing a tutorial for this easy block print scarf inspired by this popular dress from Anthropologie and indie designer Leah Goren. Go check out the full tutorial here. I hope you have a wonderful fall weekend friends whatever you find yourself doing! Oh and congrats to miss Summer Crosbie on winning the Moccasins from last weeks giveaway I will be in touch! xoxo

his and hers diy with Minnetonka Moccasins plus a giveaway!

I was so incredibly honored to have the opportunity to work with Minnetonka Moccasins recently on a his and hers DIY. I have been a huge fan of their moccasins for a long time, the pairs I have are so super comfortable I really love them. I chose to personalize the Suede Ankle Boots for myself and the Moosehide Double Bottom Softsole moccasins for Chris with a heart and arrow applique to create a sort of best friends pair. I am super excited to be sharing the entire project over on the Minnetonka blog today! Minnetonka is also generously giving away a pair of the Suede Ankle Boots to one lucky reader - perfect for fall! You can enter below until next Thursday the 19th. Check out the full post over on the Minnetonka site here! *giveaway open to US residents only

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washi tape feathers

I made these silly little feathers out of washi tape recently to send to a friend. I thought they would be cute tied into a garland or taped to the wall but decided to simply group them together with string and let her decide when the package arrives. All you need is tape, wire and scissors if you want to make a few too here are some photos of my super simple process.

Nothing to it really...if you like feathers check out this necklace version here!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

vintage button rings

I will be the first to admit that this little project is embarrassingly easy. It's the kind of thing that can be put together in under a half an hour. And for me that makes it just about perfect because it can be whipped up during naps with dishes and laundry time to spare. The skies the limit on colors and combos and it's even more appropriate to sip something hot or nibble on something sweet while making. While your at it you can make a few extra to bless some of your favorite friends!

The supply list is short:

glue (E-600 is a great all purpose glue for jewelry projects!)
ring blanks
your vintage button stash
chocolate (optional but I recommend :))

After selecting a few fun buttons go ahead and snip of any button shanks that are in the way and get to work on gluing your little ring stack together. Alternately you could wire the buttons together if you have wire and want to go that route. Then glue the stack to your ring blank and let it sit overnight to dry.

And that's about it, the perfect little accessory for date night or after school pickup...enjoy!

(I originally shared this post over on Beautifully Rooted a few years ago but thought it would be fun to share it here too!)

honey bear vase

I woke up this morning with a kiiiiiiler sore throat. I think I caught Levi's over the weekend. I opened my eyes and just started pointing to my neck so Chris went and got me some medicine and then called in to work so that I could rest.

Ironically our honey bear ran out of honey yesterday (I like hot lemon and honey when I have a sore throat, you too?). I saw him sitting empty on the counter and couldn't bring myself to throw him out. I decided to give him a few coats of white spray paint and set him with some water and flowers - he really brings a smile in my opinion. He's kind of the perfect sick day bouquet too...

I cut out a little chalkboard contact paper to stick on his tummy but I can't decide if I like him better with or without...what do you think?

Either way I am pretty happy with my silly bear - I am off to find me some more honey for tea. Hope you have a wonderful Monday! xoxo

enamel button necklace diy

I also considered naming this post ten reasons why I will never be a fashion blogger - haha! Getting my photo taken is pretty high on the list of most awkward ways to spend my time...but you guys I really loved how this necklace turned out so I just went for it. Please enjoy my awkwardness :)

Truthfully this post is dedicated to J.Crew and all the brightly colored jewelry that they have been showing this season. I love it all and wanted to emulate it on a smaller more wearable scale for my day to day and this is what I came up with.

All you need is a rhinestone button or brooch, luckily I had this one in my craft stash. Some nail polish and a steady hand. I had to go for a little neon orange I am still in love with the neon trend!

Paint the desired jewels with the nail polish (hint: it helps to use a tiny brush) I did a few coats and then let it sit overnight.

Then I added a simple chain with some jump rings and that's it. I thought about making it a hair clip but didn't have one on hand. I think that would be a really fun and wearable way to do the pop on neon too!

A special thanks to my sister in law, Kristen for enduring my awkward face to take these photos..and my other sister in law Jenny for throwing out the dress I have on (total score)! Hope you guys have a great day today and that you find a little time to play! xo

arrowhead earrings

A few summers ago I shared these simple arrowhead earrings over on the Ruche blog and after finding them over the weekend stashed with my jewelry I realized that I had never shared the full tutorial here. I thought it would be a fun one for the sunny season - these take no time at all and make a big statement!

Materials
two different colors of suede

jump rings

chain

a pair of ear wires

Tools

sharp scissors

jewelry pliers

fabric glue

hammer

small nail

Instructions
1. Cut two triangles and two smaller diamond shapes from the pieces of suede.

2. Glue the diamond shapes onto the triangle by folding it in half on top making them as straight as possible.

3. Use a couple of clothes pins or heavy books and press the pieces together until the glue dries. 

4. Using a hammer and a small nail pierce a small hole into each corner of the triangles.

5. Use the jewelry pliers to add a jump ring and a small length of chain to each corner through the holes you just made. Make sure to count the chain links so that each side is equal.

6. Add a larger jump ring to connect the two lengths of chain and then hang them on the ear wires. 

I love fun and easy - a group of friends bought the supplies and made these at a girls night with different colored suede...lots of appetizers and wine too doesn't that sound like a perfect night? Craving a girls crafting night over here - maybe I need to get something in the works any locals want to join me? Hope you have a bright sunny day today the weather is just perfect here in Seattle!

jewelry box :: wire wrapped briolette earrings

Making jewelry is one of my most favorite guilty pleasures. In days which feel so long ago I use to sell my jewelry line to boutiques and taught advanced wire techniques at a little (OK not so little anymore) bead shop here in Seattle called FusionBeads. I made the jewelry for several high end designers as well and would dream about my own designs - it was one of the most fun times in my life I hope to get back to it too someday!

I love everything about the delicate process of wrapping wire and beautiful gemstones and although for the time being I have hung up my jewelry designer hat from time to time I like to get out my collection of stones and play. 

I put together these really simple wire capped briolette drops this past weekend after coming across an entire box of gorgeous chrysophrase beads and wondered if any of you guys might like to learn a few jewelry making skills too - I thought it would be fun to start sharing them here this summer a "jewelry box" feature if you will. And for my first installment these simple briolette drop earrings...nice and light and a perfect gift for yourself or a friend they take no time at all!

 

A few things before we get started though and first things first your tools. If you are someone looking to really invest and get started in the art of wire jewelry making and plan to use real gemstones and gold filled wire and such I totally suggest investing in a really good set of tools. I love Lindstrom round nose and chain nose pliers and can not live without my Tronex flush cutters. The lower end tools you find at craft stores are fine too but just know that you won't be able to get those tiny little loops you see on work like Dana Kellin's (one of my fav designers!).

Also when working with gold filled or sterling silver wire I suggest using dead soft for wire wrapping - it's a bit softer and has not been work hardened the same as the half hard wire which works best when you want to create a heavier hoop or teardrop. The wire I buy most often is 26 gauge dead soft for wire wrapping and 20 gauge half hard for creating wire frames...but really it's all up to you and what you might even have on hand.

To make the earrings you will need two matching briolette (a fancy term for top drilled) stones and two pieces of fine (26 or 28 gauge) wire about 9" each. I used 26/dead soft gold filled wire.

Slid one of the stones into the center of one of the pieces of wire and bring the "two legs" up and around the bead.

Using your fingers gently pinch down as close to the top of the stone and create a little triangle squeezing those legs of wire together.

Pinch the top of the wire just above the stone with the round nose pliers and bend the wire back the rotate your hand back by releasing your grip slightly and turning the pliers so that they are top to bottom on the wire instead of side to side.

Then push the wire up and around the pliers to create a question mark shape.

Next you will turn the stone over and pinch the question mark upside down continuing the circle through on the pliers.

Then wrap both legs of wire back down towards the top of the stone continuing over top of the stone creating an organic looking bead cap with the wire. Once you get to the desired spot simple trim the excess wire with your flush cutters and use the chain nose pliers to tuck the wire into the back of the bead.

Hang them on a pair of earring wires and repeat on the second bead. 

Let me know if you have any questions - and if there is a specific wire technique you have always wanted to learn let me know too I might be able to help!

Thanks for letting me share today I hope you have a wonderful week friends!!