Zipper corsage bracelet

Okay, I want to apologize up front for not being able to give credit to the crafter whose blog had the zipper bracelets on them. They are all over the web but I saw one on StumbleUpon and now I can't find it to refer you to. Basically the blog said to find a zipper, I went to the thrift store and bought 4 for a quarter each. I tried to get ones that were just a little too short for my wrist. Then when I got home I cut as closely to the zipper as I could. I took the blog's advice and used a lighter to singe the edges down so it won't fray. Then I used my mini drill to drill holes into the end of the zipper and into the zipper's pull to add jump rings and links/fasteners.

As I've mentioned before, I have some of my grandmother's old jewelry. I have been looking for ways to reuse it in a more contemporary way and this turned out to be a fun opportunity. I used a pin and clip-on earrings set. I removed the hardware from the back of the earrings but not the pin. Then I attached the earrings to the pin using a large jump ring. The I simply attached the pin to the zipper bracelet. Kind of a funky-vintage corsage bracelet.

I'm in love with this idea!

The other day I was stumbling around the internet on StumbleUpon (if you haven't started using it, you should!) and I came across this great idea. It's a woven bracelet made using a simple chain bracelet and embroidery floss. I loved the look of the ones pictured on SEMI DIY and had to see if I could make one for myself.

I have a huge stash of costume jewelry that belonged to my dad's mom. My mom gave it to me for my girls to play with, but I kept most of it for my own. I wear some of it as is and other pieces have been recycled into new pieces or used in my crafts and scrapbooks. The bracelet I used for the base of my woven bracelet is large textured "gold" links. I decided on the brown/turquoise combination because brown is a neutral and turquoise is my "pop" color. As a bonus, I happened to have one strand of brown suede cord and one strand of light turquoise suede cord, so I added those to the mix. What do you think?

It doesn't lay flat like SEMI DIY's, but I like the overall look. I am not a huge fan of suede cord, it seems to break too easily when you try to pull it tight, but I thought it added a little different texture to the weaving. I want to make a few others now, with different types of weaving. We'll see what I can come up with in tribute to SEMI DIY's great idea!

New sparkles for me!!

Today I was pleasantly surprised to find a turquoise sun dress in my closet that fit beautifully. I hadn't expected it to fit for a few months (I've exercising and watching what I eat,) and I checked the price tag and it turns out I got it on clearance at Wal-Mart for $1.00. But since I wanted to wear it to work I had to find a t-shirt to wear under it. I don't mind cleavage, I just don't want all my customers seeing it at work. I had to go to the mall to get a shirt and I stopped at the thrift store while I was out. I found this necklace for $3.00!!! I cleaned it up using a nail brush and some toothpaste. I LOVE it!! I think it goes well with my hair today, and I had that done before I even bought the necklace!