Breast Cancer Awareness Jewelry

October is filled with so many exciting things...leaves changing colors, Halloween, candy, parties, pumpkin-flavored everything, the list goes on and on. In fact, October becomes so chaotic at times that we have to remind ourselves that it is also breast cancer awareness month. Unfortunately, my aunt Debbie needed no reminders that October brings added awareness to the evil that is breast cancer, as she received her diagnosis of an agressive form of Stage 1 breast cancer early on in the month. If I know my sweet aunt, I have no doubt she will fight this battle with determination, class, and quiet strength, just like she handles every obstacle that has ever come her way.

My school recently held a Spaghetti dinner, in which each classroom was asked to donate a raffle basket. For my classroom, our basket theme was a no-brainer. In our "Be Aware" basket, we included a pink journal, shoelaces, scarf, t-shirts, cup, keychain, and tote bag, along with the bracelet and earrings set and necklace shown in the pictures. This one's for you, Deb! We love you and have absolute faith that you will fight and win this battle.

For more information on breast cancer, please visit THIS SITE!

Revamped-Mug stand to jewelry-holder

                

I currently can't get enough of thrift stores and finding items on the cheap to makeover into items that are fun and functional! This past week, I found a mug holder at my local thrift shop in the ugliest color of green I have ever seen! I've been working very hard lately to see past ugly colors and marks on products like this one, so after determining that the item itself was in great shape and was able to be revamped, I paid my $.99 and brought that bad boy home with me, determined to turn it into a bracelet holder using chalkboard paint (which, I absolutely love and encourage any crafter to purchase and have on hand at all times!). I sanded it, sprayed two coats of chalkboard paint on it, let it dry and Voila! I plan to keep this on my nightstand to hold all of my bracelets, but I may also use it in the future for craft shows to display bracelets I've made, along with their prices, which can be easily labeled with chalk! Yaaay for old items made new again (and for very little moolah, no less)!

Before-seriously, how uggo is this color of green?

After

                         

Ta-Dow!!!

Wedding Jewelry

2010 was certainly the year of the wedding in my family, and I had the privelege of being the official wedding "jeweler" of three of those weddings! Here are some pics of the jewelry made for the weddings of my sister, brother, and cousin. If you know anyone looking for their very own "wedding party jeweler," please let me know, although I do require advanced notice, as my upcoming months will be very hectic, haha!



Jewelry (necklaces and earrings) for wedding #1 of the season (my cousin Elizabeth's) modeled by her beautiful bridesmaids Rebecca, Kyra, Sarah, and Jill




A closeup of the jewelry, modeled by two of the beautiful bridesmaids, Kyra and Rebecca

The lovely mother-of-the bride, my Aunt Rene, looking gorge in her necklace and earrings set

Three of my sister-in-law's bridesmaids modeling their necklaces, Katelyn, Leann, and Naomi (matching bracelets were also made but are not shown) for wedding #2

Myself, my mother, and my sister modeling the necklaces made for them (also for wedding #2); mom wore a really cute black, white and turquoise dress as the M-O-B, so her jewelry was made to compliment her look

My beautiful sister, Kyra, modeling the  jewelry (necklace and earrings) made for her for wedding #3

The spectacular Tammie modeling her bridesmaid jewelry (my sister wanted a different set of earrings and necklace for each bridesmaid featuring pearls and silver, so this was a really fun wedding to "bejewel")!

Kyra and three off her bridesmaids, myself, Sarah, and Tammie modeling their jewelry

The lovely Elizabeth modeling her spectacular bling!

 

Simple Turtle Cuff Bracelet

Turtle pendant made for Tam

My best friend Tammie LOVES turtles! As a result, for one of her Christmas gifts, I simply bought a cuff bracelet blank at Hobby Lobby and an adorable turtle pendant I found at Michael’s. Using 9100 epoxy I glued the turtle pendant to the center of the cuff and allowed it to dry overnight. Voila!!! An item that appears store-bought is actually homemade (not to mention personal, far less expensive, and super easy to complete!). This could virtually be done with any type of pendant, bead or found item!!!

Example of a blank bracelet cuff similar to the one used

Leukemia Awareness Bracelet

Here are some pics of my incredible, twelve-year-old cousin, Dustin! Dustin is an avid athlete and all-together well-rounded kid. He is an incredible soccer and football player, soloist in his school’s choir, flute player, and has the most amazing character of any child I have ever encountered! On December 23^rd, 2010, when he was just 11 years old, doctors discovered that the result of the pain Dustin had been feeling in his legs was a result of ALA Leukemia. While the rest of us were wrapping last minute gifts, spending time with family and putting goodies in the oven for Christmas day, this amazing guy was beginning the fight of his life. Throughout Dustin’s treatments and medications, he has exuded positivity and light and, to say he has been an inspiration to all of us, would be an understatement.  He has taken his medications and chemotherapy treatments like a true champion and continues to epitomize what myself, my family, and everyone who knows Dustin, would call a HERO!

As orange is the color of the leukemia awareness ribbon, I made each of my family members a bracelet similar to the one shown (the boys all got more masculine looking ones!). I also made my Aunt Patty (Dustin’s mom) earrings to match, as she has been SUPERMOM through all of this and never ceases to amaze me with her hope, perseverance, and never-ending love for her children. Maybe the next craft project I make will be a cape for Aunt Patty ;0)



Dustin’s siblings have also demonstrated their commitment to their brother’s battle by having  blue t-shirts made in honor of Dustin that display “Team Dustin” on the front and the Leukemia Awareness ribbon, along with the phrase “Stay Strong” on the back. Each member of my family, along with many other friends and family members of Dustin own and proudly wear these t-shirts to cheer on their favorite superstar. In order to expand that support to the K-9 division, I bought a blue doggie t-shirt and ironed on a “Team Dustin” phrase for our pup, Reese to wear, as well! While Reese was NOT the biggest fan of wearing said t-shirt, she LOVES Dustin and is also cheering him on in his battle against Leukemia!



If you are interested in cheering on Dustin, as well, feel free to join his Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dustin-Beaver/184941771518036