Recycled Gems

This past week was a very tumultuous week in my life and I had a lot of time to think about, well, what I want to do moving forward. You'd be amazed with how people can shape your life and for some reason a couple close friends have really put my feet back in front of me. On top of everything Dan left for China (for two weeks) and I am an emotional mess - but I have released some stress making some craft projects and posting some products on etsy.com (check it out here >>>Stellar Polka Dotted bag). The two bags I have posted are mostly made out of recycled material (I didn't reuse the zippers or lining). But something that I was taught growing up and have been very passionate about in school is reducing our footprint on the planet. The weather, the state of our planet, and the recent natural disasters have really made me think about what a negative change we have made on Earth. I mean ask Alyssa, we won the recycled art contest at school every year they had it! So, my small small small effort to create art through recycled materials is my own personal rebuilding of things I believe in. I know, now I sound like I had a nervous breakdown - but sometimes you just need everything to go wrong to finally make a change for right.

Below I have posted the projects I have been making (and my works in progress):

1. My other bag... Gold Gold Glam

 This glitzy bag definitely borders Miss USA or Florida grandma, but I think with the right outfit could absolutely set. it. off. If any of you want to try out this bag yourself (click here). The tutorial is very simply explained and she posts plenty of pictures so you know exactly what to do. My first bag (the one on etsy) came out much much better than I had expected so for anyone out there who wants to give it a try GO FOR IT! ^^! 

My next little ditties are my driftwood projects:::

2. The red drift wood.

As a back story, I went collecting driftwood this weekend because a friend had mentioned it at a dinner. She was talking about how she wanted to make furniture with drift wood as a home decor. I was immediately drawn to this idea. However, I have no skills in furniture making, or have the room to practice, or any place to put my practice models. So, I have started much much smaller in jewelry. The two examples I have for you are necklaces, but I have ideas for bracelets and earrings.

This first piece is obviously pretty simplistic but that's what I think I want to appreciate with using drift wood to begin with. I cannot wait to wear this and I think it's really gonna be a cool piece - I just need to figure out when to wear it!

3. Painted Necklace >>>

This lil bugger had my hands all cramped and I was crooked over and you know... I'm not that pleased with what it looks like. Like any project though, you are never sure what it is going to look like until the end. Just looking at all the colors mixed together gives me a really natural vibe and maybe it's just too much.

Anyway, this blog is my place for inspiration and just trying more and more, so I am certain I'll hit a few hiccups along the way.

I am really happy that I had a little detox session this weekend and then will head back to work tomorrow. Everyone just needs a little break every once in a while.

And with that... I hope you all have a chance to reinvent yourselves at least once in your lifetime. Because gosh, sometimes it hurts getting stuck.

This one is for your mom and dad!