Fall Fairy Earrings

Sorry I haven't blogged in a week!  But if you follow Duct Tape and Denim on Facebook you'll see what I've been up to lately.  I've actually been spending more time on Facebook than my blog.  One of the things I've been doing is making jewelry for the September opening of Room With a Past.  And the Fall Fairy made her appearance this week, in spite of the 98 degree weather!  If you're new to the blog you may wonder who the Fall Fairy is...  It's just a fun tradition that I started with my daughter a few years ago.  Since I have Tuesdays off (I know, a strange day to have off...), when I was ready to decorate for fall I  would send her off to school and then spend the day home by myself and change all my summer decor for fall all in one day.  I never tell anyone before or after I do it.  I just sit back and wait for their response.  I love decorating for fall but I think the family only cares about the candy corn!  lol...

I didn't add any new decor this year (at least yet) so I didn't take any photos.  But you can see last year's photos here, photos from 2009 are here, and 2008 are here.  If you have any new decorating ideas for fall please let me know.  Send me links!

In honor of the Fall Fairy's appearance I created the pumpkin earrings you see above.  I will be giving them away to one of my Facebook followers (Duct Tape And Denim, not my personal FB acct).  If you don't already "like" me you can visit my page here.

My Dirty Little Secret...

"fOuNd nO. oNe"

 Hoarders is one of my favorite TV shows.  Jordy & I love watching it together.  We have to watch it when Glenn's not home.  He can't even stand to be within hearing range while we're watching it!  It is disgusting at times but somehow we got hooked on watching it.  

I think I must have a little "hoarder" in me, too.  I love collecting things and am always thinking about how I can reuse them.

"fOuNd nO. tHrEe"

I have challenged myself with this latest collection of jewelry.  I call it "fOuNd".  I am trying to use up all the little things I've collected or had leftover from other projects.

"fOuNd nO. tWo"

 I have trouble deciding which is my favorite.  Usually I pick this one.  I love this old clock face and I love the  style of this key.

I was going to save this one for Halloween but thought someone might want it now so I listed it, too.

There are a couple of other things that I enjoy about watching Hoarders.  1) Spending time with my daughter and 2) it makes us both want to clean house!

Vintage Key Necklaces & an Update on Margie

I just listed these in my Etsy shop... except for the one I decided to keep for myself.  Then I couldn't figure out why I just listed them since I'm going to take them out this weekend to set up my space in the Room.  So they'll be in my Etsy shop for just a few days, then they'll go to Room with a Past for the next sale.

I haven't written an update on Margie lately.  Physically she seems to be doing very well.  And as I've told some of you before, her illness (vascular dementia) isn't a steady downward trip.  It's more like stairsteps.  I think she went down another step while we were in Texas.  She was doing well before we left.  Usually she could remember that we were going, just not when.  She would ask us up to 5 times in one visit when we were leaving.  We were gone on a Sunday and Glenn called her that Sunday morning.  She thought I was going to come pick her up for church.  Glenn told her we were still in Texas and she was surprised to hear that we were there.

Since then she has been very confused.  Every time I've seen her she tells me that she's very tired because they had to go somewhere to take showers the night before.  One day when Glenn & Jordy were with her she insisted that she takes showers in the building next door.  Glenn took her down to the bathroom and asked her if that was the place.  "No."  She took him by the hand and told him that she would show him.  She went outside, around the wall, and into the parking lot next door.  Nothing there.  She was confused but still refused to believe that she showers in the same building.

When I was visiting with her she asked me how far away from this place she lives.  I had to tell her that she lives in that room down the hall.  She's worried that Glenn and I won't be able to find her one day.  So every time we talk to her we remind her that we always know where she is and that we talk to Hazel  and know what's going on with her all the time.

She still remembers her son's names (although sometimes Glenn is George) and her brother's name.  But sometimes she doesn't call their wives or children by their names, just "his wife" or "their daughter."  She also asked Glenn how long it has been since George died and how he and her mother died.

Thank you to everyone who asks about how she's doing.  There are some things you can pray for too:

• that the VA will approve her for funds that will help pay her living expenses there
• that she won't be worried about us not being able to find her
• her health (which seems to be very good at this time)
• her other sons who aren't able to visit with her now because of their own health problems
• for Hazel and her other caregivers (we are VERY thankful for them!)

A New Bracelet

We did ALL our back-to-school shopping in one day today.  I'm ready for bed now.  But I did want to share one photo of a bracelet that I listed in  my Etsy shop.  I have more to list but it will probably take me a while to get to them all.  Maybe I can do one a day?

Custom Orders for Measuring Tape Jewelry

 On top of all our other activities this week, I've had two custom orders that I've been working on.  The first was a measuring tape choker for another cosigner at Room With a Past.  She has bought a bracelet and necklace from me before.  One day in the shop we were just messing around and she said, "Hey, I could almost wear this around my neck."  Then she decided it really was a good idea and asked me to make one for her.  It's not something I could wear myself.  I tried it on and having things that close to my neck would bother me.  But it's gonna look cute on her!  I'll see if she'll share a photo of her wearing it.  The long chains are a necklace I made & like to wear myself.  I forgot about it being in the photo.

The next custom order was for a batch of bracelets from the owner of Red Barn Boutique in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  They have semi-annual sales.  You can follow them on Facebook and if you're nearby you can go see my bracelets in person! 

BTW, don't forget you can follow me on Facebook, too!

Most of these & others will be going to Stillwater, OK!  If you'd like something special, please let me know.
I love doing custom orders!

I'm Almost Back...

I hate summer colds!  All week I've felt like I need to be tucked under a blanket, eating soup, and sipping hot tea -- even though it's been hot & sunny outside.

I'm feeling a little better now but still having trouble breathing.

I've got to get better this week!  A week from tomorrow we leave for Texas and I have to be completely set up at Room With a Past before we go since the sale will be the week I'm gone.

And Tuesday Jordy & I will be going up to Summer Cottage Antiques in Petaluma for their booksigning.  Fifi O'neill will be there to sign her new book, Romantic Prairie Style.

I have listed a couple of new things in my Etsy shop, including these vintage button earrings.

Key Rings & Charms... And a Coupon!

 These were my new item in the shop this month.  I've bought several large lots of keys to make my skeleton key necklaces.  The lots always seem to have some of these flat keys in them so I was playing around with a way to use them.

These charms can be clipped onto your purse, key chain, zipper, necklace, etc.

 Everything is old & vintage except the clip iteself.

These with the TINY cameos were my very favorite!  Thanks to Bumbershoot Supplies for these!

This tiny floral cabochon also came from Bumbershoot.  Sorry for the blurry photos.  I forgot to take pictures of these before I took them to the Room so I had to use my iphone & the lighting wasn't so great inside.

And, just for Jordy, I'm trying to add more color!

I have these and alot more to add to my Etsy shop but I'd like to clean out some of what I still have there.  I finally figured out how to create a coupon code so now I can offer 30% off to all my blogger friends when you use this coupon code at checkout:  BLOGGER30.  You can see what's left in the shop here.

Ready for the Sale!

 I made these earrings last night and snuck them into the shop today.  I've had more comments on my measuring tape & button jewelry than anything else.  Mostly women who like to sew or quilt.  Glad someone else out there likes it.

 My daughters inspired me to make these... lovely guinea feather earrings. (Not from my sister's guineas.  Although we're trying to figure out how to sanitize their feathers so we can use them instead of buying them.)

My daughters like longer feathers.  I'll have to post photos of the ones I made for them later.

 My neighbor has LOTS of bling this month.  Very glamorous!  I'm still working on a custom necklace for her.  Can't wait to show you that!

I think this is one of the new consignors.  I love that wire globe.  I almost bought it to add to Glenn's globe/map collection.

This made me think of my sister.  This is Mandi's space.  She's selling the kits.  I didn't look to see how much she is selling them for.  I'll find out this weekend.  Mandi -- if you're reading this, wanna make a trade?  :-)

 Thought I'd show you this space, too, so you could see a little of the variety in the shop this month.  I bet this little dresser goes quick!  Some little princess will get it.

 Personally, I'm drawn to vignettes with a lack of color.  (Jordy keeps trying to get me to add more color to everything...)  This is Lisa's space again.  She's one of my favorites EVERY month!  She even has a mannequin covered in pattern tissue like me.

 This is the other side of Lisa's space.  See the coffee collage on the shelf that I showed you earlier?

And this is Lisa's neighbor.  Another new consignor.  They've been there a couple of months but I can't remember their names right now.  I need to work on names!

This is just a few of the spaces at Room With a Past this month.  I couldn't get any further down the hall 'cause there were so many people setting up today!

It's gonna be fun.  Come see me Saturday between 10 & 2.

Red, White, & Blue Bracelets

 We got Jordy off to camp yesterday.  Now we're back down to one girl again.  It's been different, but fun, having her back.  She's a little crowded in the craft room but she's already made some things, too.  Maybe I can post some photos of what she's made, too.

The June sale at RWAP is coming up again next week so we'll be setting up Saturday.  I'll have a patriotic theme this month since we're right in the middle of Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day.

 I'll have a couple of big, aged flags for sale, all these red, white, and blue books, and some new jewelry.

I also finished two custom orders last night.  One for a co-worker and one for another Relay for Life raffle!  This one is being raffled off at work.  I may still do another for our work team to raffle at the walk.

Gettin' Ready - for the 4th and big announcement tomorrow!

Remember earlier this week when I said I was going to clean my craft room so Lauren could stay in it next week.  Well...  at least the floor is cleaned off & you can walk through the room.

I thought that maybe before I cleaned everything up that I should get out all my patriotic items and see what I have for the sale next month at Room With a Past.  Here's some of what I came up with.

Here are a few new items -- "key" rings!

I also have three boxes of things to go into the parking lot sale!  I think those are my favorite sale months at the room.  So much fun & so much activity.

Sorry about the photo quality.  It's been a dark & rainy week here in NorCal.  Sure doesn't seem like June when you're sitting in an office with a heater next to you!

And a few more measuring tape bracelets!

I'm also getting ready for a big announcement tomorrow.  Still working on a few details so come back later!

Oh, Lauren... don't worry, it really will be clean by the time you get here.  Or at least clean-er!

Ballard... but Cheaper!

I discovered Ballard Designs last year and really like their decorating ideas.  But NOT their prices.

I saw these antique silverware molds a few months ago.  Of course I like them, 'cause they're grungy.  And Jo says my style isn't "shabby chic", it's "grungy chic."

But I didn't like the $49 price tag.  I found a tutorial online that shows how to make them but it looked like a lot of trouble -- and very messy.

 So I couldn't believe it a few weeks later when I walked into Goodwill and found these.  Not exactly the same thing, but these have little hooks on them, too!  And Jo needed a place to hang all her measuring cups & spoons so they're close by whenever she wants to make cookies for us! 

Guess what I paid for them?....

$3.99!

I didn't copy this from Ballard.  It's just a little reminder that this weekend is the Room With a Past sale!

Thursday, 5/19, 6-9 pm
Friday, 5/20, 9 am - 4 pm
Saturday, 5/21, 9 am - 4 pm
Sunday, 5/22, 10 am - 4 pm

1557 Third Avenue
Walnut Creek, CA

Get Ready...

 Jordy helped me set up at Room With A Past on Saturday.  Glenn dropped us off, picked up his mom, got something to eat, then came back to pick us up.  Margie wanted to come in to see what I'd done.  Here's part of her next to my shelf.  Sorry I didn't get a whole picture!  I was trying to take pictures of my space & didn't even realize she was in it.

After that we took her to Walgreens to get some things.  She seemed to be having a good day, at least mentally.  She was coughing a lot.  We thought it might be allergies but got her some cough drops.  Glenn had also gone by to see her Friday.

We had commented on how well she seemed to be doing.  But.... Sunday afternoon she called me to tell me that "they" had moved everyone again.  She said she'd been gone for a few days and hadn't been able to call because the phone wasn't working.  I told her we were there the day before to see her.  "Really?" -- this is becoming a very common answer to many of our questions.

I reassured her that she was in the same place and Glenn knew where she was.  "How does he know that?" was her answer.  I told her that Glenn would probably call or come by the next day.  "Good.  Maybe one of these days he'll come to see me."   lol...  We can only laugh.  He did go by to see her this morning.  She was still confused & doesn't remember anything we did this weekend.

 So... on to a more cheerful note.  I thought I'd share some jewelry photos with you.  I took this one out of my Etsy shop and put it in Room With a Past for this weekend's sale.

This is one of my favorites and is still in my Etsy shop.

May Flowers -- Part 2

These are the fabric flower hair clip/pins that I've been making for the last year.  I've made LOTS of muslin ones.  I thought I'd try some with floral prints for the spring.  What do you think?

The front two in the top photo are a little different, too.  I added some measuring tape to one and that gorgeous tulle fringe that I bought from Ailene to the other.

Yes, I bought buck shot at my last estate sale.  It was in an old cigar box that I wanted so I just kept it, too.  I have no idea what I'll do with it... buck shot jewelry?  Hmmmm.... maybe not.  

I had plans for posting a lot of the jewelry I'll have in the shop next weekend during this week.  I don't know if that'll happen now or not.  I may have to work on my day off this week and I just got an email from the editor of Green Craft Magazine that she wants me to write TWO articles... by FRIDAY!  

I better go start right now.

May Flowers -- Part 1

I shared some new flowers that I was making on Facebook.  But I still haven't finished any pins or headbands with them.  Maybe later, but they won't make it in time for this month's sale.  Very appropriate that the theme this month is flowers.  :-)

Here are a few of my wide headbands.  These are my favorite in looks, but I can't wear the wide ones.

 So I found some EXTREMELY thin headbands and added smaller, more colorful, flowers to them.  I think these would be really cute on a little girl... or Jordy.  She always looks good with flowers in her hair!

 And if you like GIANT flowers, how about this one?

 Here's an option if you don't want it in your hair.  This one is actually attached to the beads but you could take a hairclip or pin and add it to a necklace.

Another place to wear a flower -- your wrist.

I'm taking all these over to Room With a Past today to set up for next week's sale!  Hope to see you there!

And I'll have some more flower photos to share tomorrow.

Thimble Necklaces

 I'm on my own this week.  Glenn took Jordann back to Texas for spring break.  She hadn't got to meet baby Sarah yet and we wanted to make sure she met her while she was still a baby.  lol...  I'm working and planned lots of other things to keep me busy this week.  I walked up the big hill at Newhall Park again with some friends today.  They may start joining me every Tuesday.  But when I get home it sure is quiet!

I cleaned my patio.  It looks nice.  Had to stake my tomato plants!  Then I started on my craft room but whenever I start cleaning it I get distracted, start making things, and end up with a bigger mess than when I started!

I made some new items for the next sale at RWAP - no photos yet.  So I'll show you some new necklaces that I just listed in my Etsy shop instead.

I thought these would make great Mother's Day gifts for moms who love to sew & quilt.  They were popular at RWAP last month.  The one above is the only fancy one I have left.

Antique Alley

 Some of you have asked me what Antique Alley is when I mention it so I thought I'd do a little advertising here.  Antique Alley is a 25 mile long garage sale held every third Friday, Saturday, & Sunday in April & September!  It starts in Cleburne,  Texas, travels across Highway 4 to Grandview then continues on FM 916 to Maypearl.

My dad lives on FM 916 and since my daughter & son-in-law are staying with him they're going to set up shop there.

 So, if you're anywhere near the area go visit them this weekend.  Lauren will be selling my jewelry and  I think my sister and sister-in-law are both bringing stuff over & helping, too.

Hopefully someone will post photos!

If anyone is shopping there look for a pink vintage hat for me!  Or any other spring color.    And skeleton keys, old jewelry, old photographs & cabinet cards... maybe not buttons.  I think I have enough for the next few weeks.

The photos are a few of my non-sewing supplies jewelry that I have at Room With A Past.  So if you're in California you can come shop with me instead of going to Antique Alley!

Unfortunately my manager asked me to start work at 9 so I'll miss coffee this month, maybe next month.