Something different

So a few days ago I came across these beads with one idea in my mind, which then turned into something totally different.  I just kind of started stringing, and playing around and I found myself braiding??  Whaaa???  Something in me said to keep doing it and I'm so glad I did because I am loving the easy, fun feel of these necklaces!

Of course I started out with my fave red and turquoise!

But I'm actually more in love with this black and silver version!  I can see myself wearing this one with alot of my wardrobe this fall and winter.

Definitely something a little different for me, but that's the fun of the creative process, right?

Plate Wall Collection Update

The plate wall is in full force!  While antiquing this weekend I found a few new plates at $2 a piece!  Score! 

I'm loving the eclectic mix so far!  Of course I have more stashed away, and hope to find a few more before I get started, but these have been my most recent lucky finds. 

I'll keep you posted on my plate wall progress!

Lampshade How-To

As promised, like forever ago, I am going to share with you my lampshade how-to!  I've actually had it done for a while now but just haven't gotten around to posting about it!  Terrible, I know ;)

Anyway, let's get started!  This project is super easy and you need minimal supplies to get it done. 

First step is to remove the tape off the top and bottom of your lamp shade.  This eliminates the bulk when you add the new fabric.

(tape removed)

You will need spray adhesive, scissors, and your fabric for the next step.

Next step is to lay your fabric out flat and trim it to a managable size to wrap around your shade.

Spray the glue in small portions to wrap your fabric around the shade.  Make sure to do this outside as the fumes will really get to you if you try and do this indoors!  Pull tight and smooth with your hands each time you add more glue and wrap.

Once you have wrapped the fabric around the entire shade, cut enough off at the end to overlap and fold over your seam.  Use a glue gun to finish the back off nicely.  You will then trim the excess fabric off the top and bottom leaving enough to fold over and have a finished look on the inside of the shade.

Last step is to use your trusty glue gun to fold over the top and bottom loose edges to create a clean, finished look.  Super easy, right?!

There you have it!!  Finally, the finished lamp shade!  If you remember, I asked for opinions on the fabric choice, and in the end I stuck with the polka dot.  I'm happy with the outcome. 

Calling All Moms!

After the response I got with Ella's birthday necklace, I decided to start a line of children's jewelry!  I'm really excited about this because it's something I have been toying with for a long, long time but have yet to commit to the idea.  My aunt(Ella's grandma) has given me the push I needed to get going with it! 


So, I now present to you Silver Lining's Children's jewelry for the very first time!!  I am only offering a limited amount to see how it goes at first.  If it's a hit, I'll definitely expand. 

I would definitely love your feedback, moms!  Do you think there is a good selection for children's jewelry out there already?  Is this something you would be interested in for your little girl?  Or maybe a niece, cousin, friend's daughter, etc.?  I would love your input!!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Funky and Fun Summer

Two posts in one day?  Oh yeah!  I know I have been m.i.a. here in blog world alot lately so I thought I'd share a little of what I've been up to.  Lots of small projects going on around here and of course, tons of new jewelry has been in the works.

More to come on some of the other projects at a later date, but for now let's dive into the new shop goodies!

I've gone a little crazy with enamel flowers, but what can I say?  They're just so bright, charming, and fun!

Weekend Birthday

Yesterday I went to my cousin's house for her daughter's 4th birthday party.  Ella is the funniest 4 year old I know!  For being so young, she is incredibly smart, witty, and just stinkin' cute!  This girl knows what she likes and it consists of all things girly and horsey!  She had a unicorn themed birthday party at her request and it turned out to be a great day! 

I snapped a couple of photos in the midst of the chaos that is a 4 years party.

First was Ella's gift from me.  Her grandma asked me to make a necklace for Ella since she was getting her very first pony jewelry box from her mom and she loves her jewelry!

It just happened to match what she was wearing but she was not in the mood to pose for pictures so I didn't get the greatest shot of her wearing it.

The cutest little ruffled pink shorts from her grandma!

My grandma(Ella's great-grandma)

The unicorn pinata was a big hit with the litle ones! 

Little miss sassy in a new outfit showing off her victory!

It gets really silly from here...you've been warned.

And of course the boys had to get in on the fun! 

We had a great time and I know the birthday girl enjoyed it-though she told me she didn't want to grow up, she wanted to be a baby forever!  Hope you all had a great weekend! 

Plate Wall

I have been collecting vintage plates and dishes since I was about 17 years old(9 years...eeek!).  I have quite the collection going on around my house.  A few here, a few there; I pick them up from antique stores and flea markets when I stumble across them at a good price. But for the past year I have been collecting for a purpose.  I have been obsessed with a plate wall.  Well, not really obsessed...but have been keeping the idea in the back of my mind on my antique outtings. 

Wednesday I spent the day at my cousin's house helping her decorate her house for her daughter's upcoming birthday party.  She and I are the same age, only 4 months apart, so we spent alot of time growing up together.  We used alot of what she had in her house already and she has a large collection of plates as well so I put my plate wall to the test!  We were both so thrilled with the way it came out and of course I forgot to bring my camera with me so I don't have any photos to show!  I am going back there on Sunday for the birthday party so hopefully I can get a few shots in there!  It was good practice and now I feel more than ever that I am definitely moving forward with my plate wall.

While I don't have any of my photos to share, I searched google images and came across some gorgeous pics so you can see what the heck I'm talking about!

 

My own wall might take a little longer because I want to make sure I have enough plates to make a real statement before I go forward with it.  I'll keep you posted!

What's New: Black and Gold

I have added some fun new pieces to the shop.  All of them are completely vintage!  Every now and then I come across pieces that are just beautiful as they are and offer them up in my shop alongside the handmade jewelry! 

It just so happens that everything I picked up recently is black and gold.  So here's what's new:

The most amazing filigree ring with a jet black stone center!

A cool multi chain necklace with smaller links of chain making up larger links.

A dramatic black and gold floral and bird motif cuff bracelet.  I could see this being dressed up for special occasions or dressed down for everyday wear.

And last, a sparkling rhinestone necklace full of vintage charm!

On a side note, I will finally be sharing the red and white polka dot lamp shade how-to project next week!  Woohoo!  You're probably not as excited as me, but I'm just glad to check it off my never ending list of things to do!  ;)

Hope you're having a great weekend!

I know it's wrong, but I want it to be right!

I hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend.  We got tons and tons of rain so my husband and I ended up having a very low key night with fast food, a trip to Target, and lots and lots of T.V.  It was good ;) 

Over the long weekend I made it my mission to find new lamps for my bedroom.  I absolutely hate the lamps I currently have, which were my very first pair of lamps 8 years ago when we got our very first apartment.  They were fine then.  Now-not so much.  Anyway, I have been casually keeping my eye open any time I go anywhere with lamps but haven't been able to come up with the right pair. 

I came across a pair this weekend that I fell in love with, but deep down I knew they wouldn't be right.  They are too white, too modern, and too big, but I knew if I didn't take them home and at least try them I wouldn't be able to get them out of my mind.

Please excuse the messy night stand cubby!

The more I live with them, the more I really, really love them and really want them to work!  I just know they don't.  I'm also really starting to want new night stands, but we are restricted on space here and it's hard to find night stands that will fit.  That will eventually be on my to-do list.

I am actually kicking myself about another lamp I found over the weekend that I didn't pick up and when I went back to Home Goods the next day it was gone!  The base was a whitewashed branch/twig and the shade was a natural/creamy color with a white bird appliqued on it.  I think it would have been perfect but I hesitated because there was only 1 anyway.  I take it as a sign I guess that I never would have found the pair anyway.

So what are your thoughts on these lamps?  Love them?  Hate them?  I think I need something more neutral like the branch one I missed out on.