3 Necklaces made with a combo of new and vintage findings

Making jewelry with old parts and new parts is pretty much my favorite thing to do. Which is why I savored every page of Vintage Revised Jewelry: 35 step-by-step Projects Inspired by Lost, Found, and Recycled Treasures.

Here are 3 of my latest necklaces.

The one on the left is an old rhinestone necklace that was missing its focal center piece. I scored one of those new "vintage looking" skull cameos that happened to fit in perfectly. I love the combo!

The center is a vintage knot pin that I put the new letter beads on that spell out "nice" get it KNOT NICE ?

And the one on the right is one of those repro Tim Holtz game spinners just on a ball chain.

If you want to get yourself in the running for a copy of Vintage Revised Jewelry pop on over to Craft Gossip Recycling.

More about the Cico book:

Vintage Revised Jewelry:
35 step-by-step Projects Inspired by Lost, Found, and Recycled Treasures
by
Co-Co Nichole Bush

"Transform vintage finds and broken objects into jewellery to treasure with Vintage Revised Jewelry. Nichole Bush has a passion for creating one-of-a-kind jewellery by combining antique and vintage treasures to make distinctive and unique statements, and in these 35 projects, she shares that passion with you. Old keys become quirky earrings or hang on chains as a pretty necklace. Pieces of watches capture a moment in time - combined with other trinkets, they're turned into a lapel pin or wrist cuff. Anything can be a charm for a necklace or bracelet - from beads to brooches and earrings, even door knobs. Metal locker number tags act as intriguing focal points and tintypes (photographs on metal rather than paper, made in the late 19th century) provide an instant echo of the past. Some designs are deeply personal, incorporating things that remind Nichole of family and friends, and she suggests what you might include for your own individual pieces. With clear, step-by-step artworks and instructions, a helpful techniques section, and lots of inspiration throughout, you will soon become skilled in making your own pieces of nostalgic, stunning jewellery."

How to make a St. Patrick's Day custom label and card

As an Industrial Design major in college I think package design was one of my favorite classes. Now as a craft designer I don't design much packaging but making a custom label to celebrate a holiday is doable these days. I found these free downloads for St. Patrick's day graphics and labels and all that was left to do was a little punching with some Marvy Uchida Big punches and some cutting.

I glued the graphics on two more layers of scrapbook paper and then onto the bottle of real maple syrup. The card was made the same way simply layered up the graphic with two more pieces of scrapbook paper.

Tiny crochet carrot Easter decorations

I love to crochet tiny little dimensional projects and that is what Teeny, Tiny Crochet: 35 Adorably Small Projects is all about. So suffice to say I am in heaven!
The first project I had to try was the crochet carrots, after all Rorschach Amineko already has his bunny ears and eggs.

 If you too love making tiny cute crochet things I bet you will love:

Teeny, Tiny Crochet: 35 Adorably Small Projects
by
 Catherine Hirst

More about the Cico book:

 "All good things come in small packages" is the thinking behind this new crochet book from expert crafts teacher, Catherine Hirst.

 Meet Ekaterina, Elena, and Eva three sisters who live in the highest onion dome of a very old building in St Petersburg, Russia although they are only two inches tall. They are best friends with the three bears Mama, Papa, and Baby Bear who love to snuggle up at night under their beautifully crocheted blankets. And although they don t know it, they share their house with the Catnip Mouse, who measures a teeny, tiny one inch from the tips of his whiskers to the end of his tail. Working with fine yarn and using the smallest of crochet hooks, here is an adorable collection of 35 projects, from miniature amigurumi-style animals to tiny accessories. Crafts teacher Catherine Hirst has created a menagerie of small-scale pets, a whole host of families, and beautiful accessories. There are crocheted cakes which really do look good enough to eat, plus pretty flowers which can be worn as brooches or hair decorations and cute decorations for the Christmas tree. You ll also learn how to crochet miniature beads so you can make your own jewelry. As well as 35 easy-to-follow patterns, there is a comprehensive basic techniques section which will help beginners to master the art of crochet. This book really does prove that all good things come in small packages!"

Ribbon and yarn make great curtain embellishments

This has got to be about the easiest decoration/embellishment ever! We can thank the super pretty book Tinkered Treasures: More than 35 easy-to-make projects to bring charm to the everyday for this inspiration.

 This ribbon embroidery hoop mobile was my inspiration to simply go off to the yarn stash and grab up a whole bunch of spring/Easter colored yarn in a variety of textures and simply cut lengths and wrap them around my curtain rod hooks. Then cut. Did I say easy?

Now I know my St. Patrick's Day towel is in the shot but there are only 2 weeks between St. Pattie's Day and Easter and that is just too little of time to have my house in bunny heaven. So we have the combo decorating going on. If you want to get yourself in the running for a copy of Tinkered Treasures pop on over to Craft Gossip Recycling.

More About the Cico book
Tinkered Treasures: More than 35 easy-to-make projects to bring charm to the everyday
 by
Elyse Major

"Tinkered Treasures is a how-to craft book that demonstrates how everyday mundane items can be transformed into charming and unique items. Elyse Major has created over 35 projects, using objects that can easily be found or that you might already have. She refers to these transformations as 'tinkering' as it perfectly describes her style of embellishing, repurposing and altering things without the need for any specialist tools and equipment or techniques. Tinkering is not about constructing - it's about appreciating the flaws but seeing the potential in little details. Each craft project in this book is designed for complete beginners - there are no particular skills involved. Measuring often gives way to estimating and many of the simple techniques are repeated from project to project. The book shows how to tinker all sorts of household and craft items to create a range of gorgeous gifts, treasures and trinkets, from clothespin dolls and tiny picture frames to favour baskets, bunting, fabric garlands, bookmarks and more. If you are new to crafting, have no fear because simple instructions along with a tools and techniques section are provided. All the projects in this book can be adapted to your own tastes - with a simple colour or pattern change you can create items to suit any style or home."

How to give Aminekos recycled glove punk rock mohawks

OK sometimes, well a lot of the time, I get silly with my Aminekos. That is just the way they are, they bring out my silliness.
Today the aminekos got recycled glove punk rock mohawks inspired by the super silly book Return of the Stupid Sock Creature.

 They couldn't be easier to make.

 Simply stuff the fingers of a glove with a bit of batting. Then fold up the cuff to the inside. I just pinned the mohawk onto each of their heads but you could stitch them. I think the aminekos like their new spring "do". I know I do!

More about the Lark Crafts book:

Return of the Stupid Sock Creature
by 
John Murphy 

"They're back! John Murphy is famous for his weird and wacky sock creatures. In this follow-up to Stupid Sock Creatures, John shares the spotlight with guest designers in 20 projects that push the boundaries of stupid with crazy-cute quadrupeds, two-headed beasts, pop-eyed monsters, and more. The wide range of difficulty--from a simple one-sock monster to a four-sock extravaganza--means this book will attract all levels and types of crafter. And thanks to John's clear and humorous instructions, absolutely nothing is intimidating. Well, except for Piethagorus. But don't worry, he only eats pie (we think)! 

John Murphy created the Stupid Creatures on a whim in 2003. Since then, he has enjoyed nearly a decade making plush monsters. He's been featured in ReadyMade magazine and the Washington Post and has taught workshops nationwide. John is the author of Stupid Sock Creatures and Closet Monsters. He currently works as a counselor for at-risk kids and their families, and he hopes to do it forever. Visit stupidcreatures.com to see more of John's plush work. He lives in Bessemer City, NC."