Made by Me May - Day 29

 

You got a brief look at my jewellery boxes in yesterday's post, but this one is my favourite.  Made for me by my Dad it also has a matching smaller box that I use for rings.

I love the inside of the lid when it's open.  He now sells these along with many other items here at oz timber treasures.

And here is a quick refashion

 Aren't these just the cutest, I saw a version online somewhere and had to make some,  I used the tank top below to make the shorts and ribbon and lace from my collection.  I've nearly finished another pair and am sure I will be making many more.

Jen

Made by Me May - Day 20

I got some exciting mail today.  When I first started this blog I also made my first comment on one of my favourite blogs.  That comment won me an amazing pendant from Agy at Green Issues.

I chose the one on the left.  And it arrived today,  I love it, thank you so much Agy.  If you want to check out her tutorial you can find it here.

Inside the parcel also came a lovely note

I have mentioned before the Earthquakes that have destroyed parts of the city I love.  But I haven't gone into how they have affected me.  Today we had a strong reminder that the earth still has the upperhand, a 5.3 10km deep quake.  Here in Christchurch we are up on the lingo but basically it was a really good shake, enough to get you running for the doorframe in ordinary circumstances but here, we just pause in mid conversation for a few seconds and when it doesn't develop into anything carry on as if it never happened.  It hardly even warrants a mention on facebook.

Before Sept 2010, the last quake I remember feeling was in 1992, in the middle of a high school art history class. Comparatively small now, it was terrifying at the time. So, 4.35am Sept 4th was a huge shock, I was at a friends and after a long night we were about to head to bed.  I sat shocked on her couch while she ran for the doorway screaming.  I can remember clearly the sight of her being flung across the room. We spent the next few hours under her dining table, ringing and texting everyone we knew.  The power was out and we had no water and no way of knowing what was happening in the rest of Christchurch except rumours.  Rumours of people fighting over water, bridges collapsing, buildings falling down. Never before would I have believed them to be true, now I know better.

 Her family soon came over as they had a new baby and no way of heating their house and she had a fire.  I got a ride back to my place, at the time we were staying with my Mum, and was shocked to see our chimney, guttering and fence in the neighbours driveway.  The Mr had not mentioned this on the phone.  Luckily our power had been restored, and I spent the next two days on the computer and watching TV shocked at what I was seeing.  I couldn't sleep for days and even then I had to have the light on for weeks.  We were so lucky, noone was killed and few hurt.  There was a lot of talk about what it would have been like if it happened in the middle of the day, and we felt relieved, everyone had a story and we heard them all, it was the main topic of conversation for months.  I think we were in shock and we all turned to each other, I know I have never valued my friends and family as much as I do since that day.  7.1 on the richter scale they told us and it was just the beginning.  Part 2 Tomorrow.

For more information look  here

Here are some more of my button jewellery items.

Brooches

Multi Coloured Button Necklace

Necklace made from Shell Buttons

Jen

Made by Me May - Day 17

I'm over half way now. When I started I wasn't sure I would have enough to share, but I'm amazing myself with how easy I'm finding each new day.  I had heard about blogging of course, but it took one lady to get me hooked. That's Marisa of  newdressaday.com, if you haven't seen her stuff you have to go check her out. Go on do it now, I can wait..............Ok, isn't she so inspiring.  I suddenly had a name for what I had been doing for years and a whole community of like minded people.  Before I knew it I was obsessed with blogs. That first day was over a year ago now and I can't believe how far I have come since then.

Today I have for you a copycat of a Marisa copycat.

Here is the original Anthropologie necklace.

Here is Marisa's Version.

 If you want to see how she did it you can find her tutorial here

And My Version

I used a thinner wire and blue cotton.  Next time I'll use a thicker wire, but I'm pretty happy with it.

Jen

Made by Me May - Day 14

You have probably noticed by now that my photos are not the best, I have a very basic camera and I don't know how to use it.  I need to take some lessons from the guy who took these photos.

These were taken by my brother who had never really taken photos before a few years ago and has no formal training.  I encouraged him to do his first wedding for a friend of ours a couple of years ago, and he just stuns me with his talent.  Check him out on facebook, just search for PhilBailey photography.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

Over time I'm sure I will share lots of his photos in the meantime you'll just have to put up with my pics.

Below is a selection of my button jewellery, each piece is totally unique and I loved making them.  The first two of these were made from buttons that were in my Gran's collection.  I made pendant necklaces for my cousins as a keepsake. The button charm bracelets are my favourite and I have kept a few for myself.

Pendant Button Neckalce

String Button Necklace

Button Charm Bracelet

Jen

Made By Me May - Day 13

It's mothers day and I know lots of deserving mothers.  But I want to give a shout out to mine.  My Mum is awesome, she is the most caring, giving person I know.  She doesn't have much but if you need it it's yours. She raised us on her own, giving up everything for us so we could have everything we needed, giving us a happy stable home and I have to say I think she did a pretty good job.  I hope to one day be just as great a mum as she is.  I also have a fantastic stepmother, my father remarried when I was young and the most lovely lady was introduced into our lives.  She has always been there for us and I hope she knows just how much we appreciate her. I love my Mums, Happy Mother's Day.

I love jewellery, especially brooches, and when I saw these on a blog (wish I could remember which one) I had to make some.
I used a few different ties I had collected and rolled them into roses using my glue gun to secure.

Jen