Thrifty Thursday - February Thrifty Haul

I've said it many times, I love me a great deal no matter whether it's from a craft store, thrift store, dollar store, yard sale, etc. You never know what you'll find. This month, I found quite a few deals, so let me share some of them before the video that reveals all at the end of the post. 

First, there was the thriftiest of them all: free books and magazines from the library!

There were also several trips to the Dollar Tree this month. Most of them were for needed items, and then I picked up a few other things that caught my eye. 

Possibly my favorite score this month was finding that Hobby Lobby had a bunch of their Tim Holtz products reduced to clearance prices. YES!

I just can't resist those sales. 

To get a better look at everything I picked up thriftily this past month, make sure to watch my February Thrifty Haul video on YouTube. 

So, have you found anything good lately?

Friday Finds #4 | Thrift, Craft, and Antique Stores

I know, I know. These finds were from November, but I'm still trying to catch up. I do hope y'all will forgive me and just enjoy the finds!

Here's my video reveal of all of these scores. It actually includes all of them because it was recorded just after I discovered the goodies.

If you're just not feeling like watching me ramble for five and a half minutes, here's a peek at most of what I unearthed.

From a thrift store in Mobile, AL

From Blue Girl Beading Co in Gulf Shores, AL

From Hobby Lobby

My favorite find in this post! From The Rabbit Hole Marketplace in Summerdale, AL

The jewelry was brought home in a bag and sorted before being placed in a jar. This may not be the right jar. You'll have to watch the video to see what I got. Oh, and I figured out that the tiny jars are food coloring jars. I was excited about that. Anyway, these were from an antique store in  Robertsdale, AL.

So, that's the bulk of my finds lately (even if that was back in November). I've been so busy since then, there hasn't been a whole lot of treasure hunting. Hopefully that will change. However, I've got so many treasures right now that I really just need to spend some time working with them instead of hunting for more! Who can resist the thrill of the hunt though?

Have you found anything good lately?

Lorelei's New Michael's Challenge Reveal

A few weeks ago, Lorelei Eurto offreed up to us beaders a new Michael's challenge. She picked out some beads at Michael's Arts and Crafts Store and encouraged us to get the same or similar beads and see what we could make from them. We could add two other bead types, a focal, and/or a clasp if we wanted.

I really struggled with this challenge for some reason. I liked all the colors and the unique bead shapes, but had a hard time getting the blue to cooperate with the other colors. I actually kept envisioning mossy-covered structures because of the green beads, but couldn't make that vision translate. (Though I did try dying the ceramic beads with some green alcohol inks.) I finally went through my bead cabinet looking for something, anything that would coordinate with all the beads and bring the colors together. I settled on some tiny violet beads and a plan began to form.

Yes, I created a leather wrap bracelet.

The larger, ceramic beads fit on the leather nicely and the other beads hung on head pins from the leather. The owl button was a perfect clasp. The bracelet wraps about two times around the wrist.

However, I discovered that un-wrapped it works well as a choker also.

I want to thank Lorelei for offering up another fun and indeed challenging opportunity. I always enjoy a chance to work with beads that I might not have picked for myself and see what I can design. This was perfect. Don't forget to head over to Lorelei's blog to see what the other participants also created with the ingredients.

Up to My Elbows in Challenges

There's a lot going on over here in the Craft Room lately. I've got a plethora of beads and challenges up my sleeve.

I went ahead and bought the beads for Lorelei's new Michael's Challenge, but the deadline is Tuesday and I still don't know what I'm going to make. Agggghhhhh!!!!

I better get on the ball if that's going to happen.

I was also one of the lucky three randomly selected to participate in Art Jewelry Elements' August Component of the Month. This month's artist is Melissa Meman and the component was one of her Melismatic Molten Morsels. It was a complete surprise which morsel we would each receive and I was so happy to see mine.

The morsel came without holes in it, but you can plainly see that I couldn't wait to take a picture before punching holes just where I wanted them. I can be an inpatient soul at times.

Lastly, ZnetShows is having a challenge for some of their design team. Here's what I received. I'll fill you in more about the challenge a little later on.

So, you can see I'm a busy girl. Yet. . .here I sit writing a blog post, hoping that inspiration will strike (and SOON!) What should you be working on instead of reading blogs?

Industrial Chic Goodies

Several weeks or maybe even months ago (I don't even know anymore, time is just slipping by me so quickly) I received a package from the Susan Lenart Kazmer, LLC Industrial Chic line of products. The products are available at Michael's Arts and Crafts stores nationwide. I've purchased from this line before and really love the mixed media, eclectic-ness of it. Here's the awesomeness I received.

A selection of charms, chain, and ribbon/rhinestone chain

Some cool Industrial Chic pendants

I love that this was another challenge to use products I may not have selected for myself initially. Those kind of challenges really get my muse a-working!

I grouped the fun glitter-filled bottles together for this triple-layered necklace. First though, I altered the labels on the bottles with some alcohol inks and sandpaper to give them more of an aged look. There's something very Halloween-y about this necklace. I think it looks like a witch's secret stash of ingredients/potions.

With the gray faceted charms, I used some gray agate beads from ZnetShows to make these simple, neutral earrings.

I was so intrigued by the black rhinestone ribbon that I just knew I had to use it for something. A little embroidery thread and some bright e-beads turned it into this lightweight bracelet.

A necklace was for sure in order with the pendants. I altered the way the flat wires were attached at the top and bottom of the pendant and made a bit of fringe with some of the chain and ribbon from the stash I received. A large, brass ball pin chain completes the necklace.

I actually have another necklace made, but I'm considering submitting it to a magazine. As such, I don't feel comfortable sharing it here at the moment. Let me just say. . .it's awesome!

If you haven't seen the Industrial Chic line at Michael's you are missing out. There are some really great components available. Have you created with this line before? Isn't it great!?

Being Frugal-ish and a Meal Plan

I wouldn't say I'm a 'cheap' jewelry artist. . .more like thrifty. . .or economical.

I grew up without much money and learned to make do with as little as possible. 

Though times have changed, I can't seem to shift my penny pinching habits and the ingrained lesson that if you want something, just make it yourself. 

With frugality constantly in mind, I'm always grateful for sale items and generous friends.

As such, the below items I scored last week really brought a smile to my face.

Hobby Lobby had lots of Vintaj pieces on clearance. I scooped up as much as I felt brave enough to spend!

As well, a sweet friend handed me a baggie of some of her old jewelry to play with. I was able to re-work some pieces that she liked to give back to her. Afterwards, I was still left with these treasures.

Anyway, I just thought I share some of the cool items that can be gained with very little money at all.

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It's time to share my menu! The dinner menu is a little weak because we've got a lot going on a few evenings. . .including going out to dinner for our 9th Anniversary!!

Breakfasts: Bagels, cereal/grits, hashbrown baskets, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, omelets, cinnamon sugar croissants

Lunches: Turkey sandwiches, tuna noodles, chicken salad, pepperoni pizza puffs, chicken fingers w/baked beans, PB&J

Dinners: 

Cheese ravioli w/shrimp and a salad

Crockpot potato soup

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil pasta w/broccoli

Grilled Steak w/sweet potatoes & green beans

Check out more Menu Plan Monday over at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

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Re-listed these today.

Liking the Difference Earrings

I'm off to do some more frugal shopping as I head out to the dollar store to scope out possibilities! How do you save money to make jewelry?

The Heat is ON

When I got into my car yesterday afternoon to head to the craft store, the temperature gauge on my dash read 103 degrees. Let me repeat that in case you are hard of reading. It was ONE HUNDRED AND THREE DEGREES yesterday. It was only the first of June. The first day of summer is not for a few more weeks. . .OH DEAR!!!!

My grass looks like this

And, we've already had the air conditioning company out to check on the A/C

sigh. . .It's going to be a LONG, HOT summer.

At least I have some new craft supplies to keep me company as I hide away in the craft room.

New "Facets" from Tim Holtz at Michael's

Bezels

Colorful Shell Beads

Perhaps I can kick out some more new jewelry pieces.
Until then, here's another re-listed item.

Copper Calla Lily Earrings

If you can believe it, I'm off to make some steaming hot potato SOUP. Yup soup, I think the heat has already gotten to me.