Lovely You

The Natalie necklace

2010-01-11T15:15:00.000-08:00

This necklace has actually been in my Etsy shop for a little while now, but I still wanted to show it off here. It is called the Natalie necklace because I made a necklace very similar to this one for my sister-in-law Natalie a couple months ago, but I was so worried that she wouldn't like it that it sat on top of my dresser for two weeks before I sent it to here. Shortly after that I got an email from her telling me how much she loved the necklace and wondered if I had any more.

I guess I still need to learn how to trust my gut.

Please ignore the electrode peeking out of my shirt.

All tied up with ribbons and bows

2010-01-03T19:10:00.001-08:00

If you've been out shopping lately you might have noticed the new trend in ribbon necklaces. My sister actually got me excited about making one of these long before I ever saw one in a store. Then, once I started seeing them pop up everywhere I was kind of bummed because you know how I feel about following trends. But, I already had my heart set on making one so I decided to go ahead anyway and just put my own twist on it.

Then, I decided I would have to keep this one as my "practice" one and make another for my Etsy shop. And I think my church outfit was really glad I did!

A different kind of repurposing

2009-12-31T11:13:00.000-08:00

There have been several times that I've been tempted to buy new beads from a store, but I really want to stay true to what Lovely You is all about so I resist. And I'm always glad later when I find those perfect beads from my favorite antique store.

Well, a few weeks ago my sister Krista came to me with a request. And although it didn't entail repurposing anything vintage, it was repurposing and so I gladly obliged.

She wanted a pair of earrings made out of some coins she had brought home with her from her mission to Argentina. I thought it was a fantastic idea.

Not bad eh?

Is Christmas over yet!

2009-12-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Normally, I would say that I made this stuff in my spare time this week, but I didn't have any of that. What I did was choose to make jewelry instead of doing other things that I really should have been doing. I was too excited about my new stash of beads though and I couldn't help it.

Now if I could just find some spare time to take decent pictures and post them in my Etsy shop.

Merry Christmas to me

2009-12-05T17:56:00.000-08:00

Have I ever told you about my absolute most favorite antique store ever? It's called Southern Hospitality and it is owned by the sweetest, most genuinely kind lady I have ever met.

Up until about a month ago it was a cute little house on Main street converted into her store. Then, One day my friend Joni and I went to visit her only to discover that Southern Hospitality was no more.

As you might imagine, we were beyond devastated.

Then, Joni called me the other day with the exciting news that she had found our favorite antiques lady. Still on Main street, just a block south of her old location.

Of course I had to go in and visit her.

Not only is her new store bigger, but so is her jewelry selection. And she practically gives her stuff away. Did I mention how much I love her.

I came home with eleven pairs of clip on earrings for eleven dollars! The normal total for all of these earrings would have been $82, but because it's Christmas she was selling them for $1 a pair. I pretty much cleaned her out.

I'm really excited about these turquoise beauties!

Seriously, if you are anywhere in the Tulsa area you have to stop in and see her.

It could be yours

2009-12-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

Like almost everything else in my life, jewelry making has taken a back seat to Christmas. I never realized just how many gifts there were to give until I decided to make them all. We even scaled back quite a bit this year and I am still locked in my bedroom all day sewing.

I took a small break yesterday though to make this beautiful pearl necklace. I've been searching for the perfect chain to hang this pendant (used to be a clip on earring) on but nothing ever seemed quite right. Then, like it always does, the light bulb just suddenly switched on.

This beauty will not be going into my Etsy shop though. Instead, I am sponsoring a giveaway over at Bloom on Dec. 4th and one lucky person will have the chance to win this beautiful necklace just in time for the Holidays.

Good luck!

A simple tweak

2009-11-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

Let me first apologize for the terrible pictures. I planned on taking new ones today but I spent most of the sunshine hours at the grocery store and then raking leaves. So I guess I will just make due with these.

Most of what I do is a complete reconstruction. You would have no idea what it looked like to begin with. My latest necklace though was more of a face lift you could say.

This gold chain was not very exciting when I first picked it up. Honestly, would you give it a second glance?

The chain itself was pretty, but the round knot things had to go.

And since I'm really into pearls right now. That was the face lift it got.

Pretty. No?

And just so there isn't any confusion. Most of the necklaces I've made are not meant to be wrapped around your neck, they just photograph better that way. I will specify in the description if it does. This one does not.

Some good finds

2009-10-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

I got to go antiquing on Tuesday with a friend of mine and no kids! Even if I hadn't found anything it would have been just what I needed. Good friends are the best!

As luck would have it though I did find a few treasures. These clip on earrings are made from the prettiest brown beads and are in pristine condition.

These clip on earring were definitely loved and worn a little more, but who wouldn't love them!

I'm always on the lookout for these crystal beads. Usually I just find them on clip on earrings so I was pretty excited to find a whole necklace of them.

This necklace was the absolute best find of the day. Not only was it dirt cheap, but it is already a gorgeous necklace. I debated for a while on whether or not I really should take it apart or keep it to wear for myself, but in the end it just made sense to break it down. Not only can I make several things out of the beads, but the clasp in the back is really cool and I can make a pair of earrings out of it.

The winner is...

2009-10-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Ria (a.k.a. aunt maria) you were the lucky winner generated by random.org. Let me know what pair of earrings you want. Here are a few more that I haven't got around to listing yet that you can choose from as well.

These are another pair I made from my Grandma's vintage buttons. The circle is just over an inch in diameter and the total length is 2 inches.

These earrings are incredibly simple, but super sassy. Three strands of vintage chain hang 3.5 inches long.

The Betty Necklace and a giveaway

2009-10-22T14:48:00.001-07:00

When I first came up with the idea to make recycled vintage jewelry my mother in law Betty immediately brought out a jar full of treasures and said "I don't know if you like any of this but your welcome to have it." Not only did I like it, but one of the necklaces she gave me had belonged to my husband's great Grandmother and is so gorgeous that I kept it as is for myself to wear.

Last week I showed her this button cover that I converted into a pendant and she told me " Oh, that would be great on one of those silver necklaces."

Unfortunately I couldn't find a vintage neckring, but she was right. It does look fabulous!

Now, for the giveaway...

When I create jewelry I don't try and make things that I think other people will want to buy, I just make things that I love. I know that my style is not exactly the same as the next girls, but I also know that if I'm not true to my own style than I won't be happy with what I make.

However, I would like to get an idea about what other people are interested in so if you would like a chance to win a pair of earring of your choice just leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is that I have made so far. Tuesday Morning I will randomly choose a winner. I might even draw the name out of a hat just for the fun of it!

Welcome!!!

2009-10-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to finally have this blog up and running! I'm a little technologically challenged so it took a while longer than I had hoped. Thanks a million to the fabulous EMILY for designing my header and answering all my questions.

Here is where I will be posting all of my great antique jewelry finds, showing off my latest creations, and I will even post pictures of the things that didn't quite turn out like I had envisioned.

Scroll down to see some of my latest stuff, and of course check out my Etsy shop to see it all!

I'll be adding some new items shortly, including some bracelets, and what would be a new blog without a giveaway. Stay tuned!

Bronze eye earrings

2009-10-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

This pair of earrings is my latest creation and I am just bursting with excitement over them. I walked by my tin of vintage buttons the other day, you know the ones I got from my Grandma, and I suddenly dropped what I was doing to dig through them and find some that I could turn into jewelry.

So, here they are, my first vintage buttons turned super fabulous earrings!

Red and Black disco bead flowers

2009-10-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

These earrings are so fun! I made the red ones first and immediately made myself a pair. The black beads are slightly bigger which I actually think makes them even slightly more fun.

Wooden bead necklace

2009-10-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

This is one of the first necklaces that I made. I have a hard time with anything abstract so putting together random combinations of different types of beads was kind of a stretch for me. I love the way it turned out though, and I especially love how light it is since the beads are strung together on a cord instead of a metal chain.

Blue sparkle necklace

2009-10-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

When I first brought the blue necklace that these beads came from I thought it would be a fun color change. Then I put them next to the rest of my beads and thought "what was I thinking. No one is going to want anything made from these beads." They sat in my container for months until one day inspiration struck. Now this is by far my favorite necklace and if I ever find aqua blue beads again I am making one just like it for myself!

And as a side note, the pictures seemed to have altered the color of the beads a little. They appear to be light blue, but they are slightly darker.