Getting My Vintage Craft On

Last month one of my co-workers left for greener pastures. Much greener, Texan pastures. Land of 90-minutes-to-Round-Top pastures.

Sigh. Hoping to shop visit one day.

Although we hadn't been co-workers for very long, and she is about half my age (there, I said it!), we connected on a deep thrifty level. We discovered a shared love of yard sales, vintage treasures, Etsy, warm artichoke cheese dip, and this vintage camper. We even managed to get to this church rummage sale together.

So when she left I felt I had to make her something special -- vintage-y and handmade.

As you know, although I have puh-lenty of supplies, I have yet to make any wearable art except for repurposed vintage earring rings (you can see one here). I thought I might try to make a lace cuff bracelet, one that maybe wouldn't take much time or skill.

I had this vintage crocheted bit that sort of had a bracelet shape. 

I sewed a vintage button to one end to act as a closure base, since the other end had that looped part that could be used as a closure hook.

I also had a crocheted flower piece and a sparkly vintage earring.

This is what it would have looked like after I used some good old industrial-strength glue to adhere them.

Only this wasn't what the final version looked like. E had purchased a vintage earring ring at my last junk party home show, and I had the remaining matching earring. I gave her the option of choosing which bauble she wanted on the lace cuff bracelet, and she did indeed choose the matching earring.

I'm not sure how well you can see it, but the earring was a celluloid flower-shaped piece surrounded with little rhinestones. I also used a vintage piece of brass hardware to separate the two, since they were similar in color and needed something to set them apart.

She's modeling it here. I love the way it turned out!

I had an extra little burst of creative energy and even got out my old (dusty) scrapbooking supplies to make a card to go with the bracelet. 

This was a vintage Easter postcard image that I scanned, printed, and cut out with a scallop punch. It was adhered to a piece of scrapbook paper, then edged with glass glitter. (I {heart} glass glitter!)

Could this be the start of a new Etsy shop? ;)

Comments

[Shabby Vintage Junk]

Dare I encourage you to start another Etsy shop Gina....Then by all means....Unleash your creativity on us all....!!

Cheers,
Tamarah xx

[Kathy]

All of this is so sweet. Seriously! Love them both.

whispering in your ear... New shop. New shop. New shop...

[SamovarKath]

Both are darling. I'm sure she really appreciated the gifts!

[Anne]

cute bracelet...didn't realize the size until she modeled...ah..perspective! by the way, I have a killer artichoke dip recipe, really easy, no spinach...willing to share if you'd like!

[Bliss]

I can see those cuff bracelets as wrist corsages for weddings! It becomes a keepsake after.

~Bliss~

[Leah]

Love the cuff and the card! You are so creative. :)

[Jan - Gracie's Cottage]

It SHOULD be the start of a new shop; I love the bracelet and the card...so pretty!

Jan