Summer Fun Earring Collection

Ok, I am pretty excited. I have had so many people inquire about purchasing my lace earrings, from a previous post, that I will be setting up an Etsy account very soon. To add to the store's selection I am introducing a fun colorful collection of earrings.

The selection process.

 Here is the preview to the new pieces, that will include earrings and necklaces. 

 

I hope you enjoy the fun color combinations as much as I enjoyed making them.

 

For the Love of Books

For the Love of Book Jewelry

Book lovers unite, I have created a few cute statement pieces for you to wear to declare your love without saying a word. I made these pieces for a dear friend of mine, but after several request I will be making more.
 

 Mini Book Jewelry

The first of two book inspired jewelry pieces is the mini paper books. These are lightweight, so they are great for earrings or necklaces. I printed the book covers at the size of the finished book charms, then cut the manila folders to fit inside the book covers. Glue the manila folder pieces inside the still flat book covers. Fold  and glue the excess paper from the book covers back over the manila folder piece.  Once the book covers are dry use the needle to pierce through the manila folder and book cover for the jump rings. Then cut the drawing paper into pages and glue to the interior spine of the book. When you fold the book around the pages, some of the edges might turn white. Use the fabric marker to age the edges and cover the white spots. Lightly coat the entire exterior of the book in Mod Podge, this hardens and protects the paper cover and the pages. Hang the books by the jump rings and allow them to dry for 1 day to make sure they cure. Sand the books gently and add another light coat of Mod Podge. Allow it to dry overnight. 

 

The mini paper book covers - a few great options can be found @ http://alavenderdilly.blogspot.com.au/search/label/book%20tutorial

  Glass Book Pendant

 

The glass book pendant. Find a great magazine picture of books that you love. Use a circle punch, or if you are better with scissors you can cut out a circle.  I bought my glass disks at the dollar tree. Use the Mod Podge to glue the magazine cutout to the glass disk, make sure you coat the back of the magazine cutout after attached to the glass disk. It will dry clear. Optionally, you can Mod Podge a bit of colored paper to cover the back of the magazine cutout, if back is not very pretty. Once dry use the E600 jewelry glue to attach the bail, and attach the jump ring.

Here is what your need for option 2:

 

I hope you enjoy,

Aleigha

Colorful Lace Earrings Tutorial

A few years ago I had added pictures with only a brief description from my daughter's Bubble Guppies themed party to Pinterest. At the time I could not find any Bubble Guppies themed items at any party stores in our town. For the all the lovely followers on Pinterest who pined and repined the picture and short description of the items construction, I thank you. I was new to Pinterest, and had not built up the courage to blog. Mainly due to the positive response from other moms who used those pictures and brief discription to make their own little one's days special, the courage to put my ideas out in the world slowly grew.

Today I would like to offer my first a full tutorial. It probably isn't the first of its kind, but I change things up in order to find an easy way to get the same result as an inspirational picture. I am loving all things lace these days. I ventured out for a few spools of lace for under $5.00 from the ribbon section of the craft store. I already had tons of acrylic paint left over from the bubble guppies party and from decorating with some awesome friends for my sister's wedding. I tend to add my punch of color in small ways when creating an outfit, I decided to make a few pieces of lace jewelry.

I tried out a few different types of lace, once I picked my favorite designs in the pattern I cut them out.

Since these items won't be laundered, I used acrylic paint, as that is what I had on hand.

After letting the paint dry overnight, I sponged on a bit of fabric stiffener to the painted lace. Although the paint had already stiffened the lace quite a bit.

Once the lace was completely dry, a few hours later. Add the jump rings and ear wires and they are ready to wear, or wrap up and gift.

Supplies you will need:

• Wax Paper
• Scissors
• Lace Ribbon
• Jump Rings
• Ear Wires
• Fabric Stiffener or Mod Podge
• Acrylic Paint
• Sponges or Paint Brushes

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Why Ventured?

I spent way to much time picking the name of this blog. I love the names of the other blogs I follow, they have a main theme depicted by the title, they are clever, and easy to remember. Which is always good for marketing.
I feel like I am into so many different genres at the moment to stick with only one, and knowing me, that will shift again in a few years. Additionally, I am not as clever as some of the bloggers I follow.

Ventured is daring to do something or go somewhere that may be dangerous or unpleasant. My steps may seem insignificantly small, but they are steps in my journey. I plan to continue to make up for not doing the things I once deemed intimidating.

• Educate myself, even if questioning things make me uncomfortable, because if I am uncomfortable I am challenging myself. 
• Try new things, even if it is just to do one thing outside of the normal everyday routine. 
• Be authentically you, no matter what others think, you are the only one you will have to answer to, and you are your own harshest critic.

My first new thing today is to start this blog. I hope you enjoy the journey with me. I will share craft tutorials, refinishing projects and family adventures.