Guest Post: How to make Matching Jewelry Sets

Welcome to the first of many guest posts on Dear Wallet, Cindy is thrift lover, second-hand picker, and jewelry designer from Sacramento, CA. She is currently in the process of starting her blog, so look for details coming soon on how to contact her! 

-Aria

So you found that perfect necklace to go with that perfect outfit, but alas, no earrings to match.  

Making your own jewelry can be the solution to this particular dilemma.  It’s fun, easy and cost effective.  Beads, findings (the metal parts that hold it all together) and tools can be found in specialty shops, online and at many big box stores like Joann’s, Beverly’s, Michaels’s and Wal-Mart.  The amber crystal beads that I chose for my earrings were purchased at my local specialty shop.  The total cost for the earrings including the crystals, findings and leverbacks came to under $5 .00. (A true win-win!) 

The first step is to select your components.  In this case I chose amber crystals in a medium size teardrops and tiny filler beads. To minimize frustration, play with different patterns and decide on an arrangement before you begin assembling. 

To complete this project I will need; 4 tiny crystals, 2 medium teardrops, 2 leverbacks, 2 headpins and 2 O rings.  

Next, thread the beads onto the headpin and using wire cutters, clip off the excess and curl the remaining wire into a loop. 

  

Some O rings are precut but these are not.  

This is easily remedied by making a small snip and slightly separating the ends just enough to slide the drop earring and leverback on.

 Twist back together and voile la!  You have a great pair of earrings.

Enjoy!

-Cindy

More jewelry design by Cindy:

All photos courtesy of Silver Daisies Studios.

INSPIRATION [candy]

In honor of Halloween right around the corner, and knowing how we don't really need the calories that come with candy, I thought we could get our candy fix through cute jewelry! Enjoy!

Don't forget to hit the subscribe button while you're here! And check out the INSPIRATION tab for more great themes!

inspiration candy by silverdaisies featuring bright jewelry

halloween shopping pt2: how to do it right!

By now you've all seen the newest segment of INSPIRATION [halloween decor]--right?! If you like anything that pertains to Halloween, you'll love it, or at least be inspired from it! So in part two (part 1 here) of Halloween Shopping done right, I want to show you how you can use the same 'formula' to do your Halloween decorating!

Plan. Plan. Plan.

(Ring a bell?) Start at home, research for inspiration, then go shopping.

1. So here are some of the goodies I dug up around my own home:

2. Here is some inspiration I found:

3. Want to know what I came up with? Gotta wait until October 30th to find out!

[Insert witches crackle here!]

QUIZ: What's your pumpkin style?

Got a bunch of perfectly good pumpkins lazily cluttering up your doorstep with no idea what to do with them? Take this quick quiz to find out your pumpkin style this halloween!

1. Do pumpkin 'innards' make you:
a) Squeamish
b) Hungry
c) Inspired
d) Indifferent

2. Which fall decorating style does your home currently reflect?
a) Elegant Fall
b) Homey Harvest
c) Haunted House
d) Magazine Halloween

3. When do you begin 'prepping' for Halloween?
a) When your favorite magazine sends you their Halloween issue.
b) When Starbucks releases their Pumpkin Spice Latte.
c) When last Halloween ended!
d) When you get around to buying a pumpkin.

4. Who will be decorating and seeing the pumpkins?
a) Adults only
b) Just the family
c) Teens to adults
d) All ages

5. Which trait best describes you?
a) Leader
b) Family person
c) Crafter
d) Decorator

Now tally it up! 

Mostly 'A's: Sophisticated Party Pieces
You take the elegant approach to Halloween, glitter and paint may come in handy if that's what you find in the magazines. Your pumpkins reflect your need for an adult atmosphere, a coat of glitter spray paint, or a simply pinned piece of lace will give your pumpkins the classy and sophisticated look you desire: perfect for the centerpieces at your dinner party!

Mostly 'B's: Pumpkin Menu
Your family man (or woman!) and are more concerned about digging out every seed you can find, than worrying if your pumpkin is structurally sound for a face. Pumpkin pie, roasted seeds, and pumpkin soup are on your menu this year-leave the carving for the kids!

Mostly 'C's: PCA: Pumpkin Carver Anonymous 
You may be so inspired by the pumpkins at your local patch, you get anxiety choosing one! A small one could be a cute 'baby' to the 'mommy' and 'daddy' you found, or a distorted one would make a great monster eating a smaller one. Maybe you could paint it, or glue seeds to its face. Or all of the above. Ketchup and spray paint should probably be on your 'to get' list.

Mostly 'D's: Stencil Carver
You enjoy the fall season, even get into the fun of the Halloween spirit. But between running Susie and Johnny from football to ballet to soccer practice...pumpkin carving isn't your top priority. That's ok. Save the carving for the kids, stencils can be found anywhere, or printed off the internet. It will keep them busy for a few hours, giving you a chance to bake the seeds and enjoy a Pumpkin Spice latte!

POLL: What do you bring thrifting?

I went to a yard sale recently and a woman was wandering around with a large flat basket, laying out pieces of jewelry she was looking at on it to compare. The lady holding the sale asked her about the basket to which she responded 'it saves me from having to carry it all in my arms'. No not a profound statement, but an intriguing idea. Does anyone else carry a basket? I found a bag the other day I had to pry myself away from just for the purpose of carrying to sales and thrift stores. What other staples do you always bring with you? 

Magic wand?

Leave a comment defending your choice!

DIY PROJECT: Spray Paint a Dress

When you saw my original Halloween how-to post, I know what you were thinking...where did she get such an awesome gray and black striped dress?!

(Oh, you weren't thinking that? Well you're going to find out anyway.) =)

 I found this dress at the Goodwill for $8 LAST YEAR (At Halloween, so everything was 50% off...make that $4)

 

MATERIALS:

A dress (gray ugly boring one)

Black spray paint (had it on hand)

Masking/painters tape [Thinner the size, the better]

Scissors

Accessories [To dress up the outfit!]

Oh and a wonderful boyfriend [best friends/sisters/and moms work too!]

First wash the dress-you know, with my fancy little cleaning guide!

Simply place the tape vertically down the dress.

Perfection is impossible, so try not to worry about it. I only had thick tape on hand, so I used scissors to cut the tape down the middle to make two strips.

Once it was all attached, take it outside and spray paint away!

I let it dry for an hour or two before removing the tape.

Then I left it a day before washing in HOT water (to set the paint). After it dried I washed it again using dishsoap to make it less crinkly (and smell good!)

I accessorized the dress using a black high waist belt, stockings and fedora.

Instant Gangsta just add spray paint!

Total cost (for me) $4 [For the dress!]

Have a question? Let me know! I'd be happy to answer it!--I guess you know which costume I WONT be this year ;)

EDIT// I got an email asking what my boyfriends costume is. He was Clark Kent with his super hero costume on underneath.

INSPIRATION [glitter]

I know, I know why am I posting an INSPIRATION post today right? Because I couldn't resist the glitter.
Trust me, I know what they say. Glitter is the herpes of the crafting world. But I looooooove me some glitter!
I do try to stay away from it, but I can't help it if it calls to me with its shiny goodness! Plus I know you feel the same. So this INSPIRATION segment is all about glitter accessories.

Questions or comments? Let me know! Interested in how to get the zebra bangle look? Make sure you hit the subscribed button at the bottom of the page because that tutorial is coming up! =)
And make sure you check out the INSPIRATION tab for more great inspiring looks!