Dia de los Muertos Necklaces

I adore Dia de los Muertos. It happens to be one of my most favorite holidays. Every year I try to come up with a new hand crafted project. This year I found these amazing resin skulls at Mexican Sugar Skull. They are really affordable at only $8 a set.

I sent them to my father who drilled holes in them for me. Power tools and I do not get along well.

I hit them with a coat of white paint.

Then each piece was painted to match the personality of the person who was to receive it. I added a few beads and a chain and voila , the Dia de los Muertos necklace was born.

For the last few years I have been making sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos. This obsession started when Julie (a very dear friend) suggested we have a Dia de los Muertos party. We had so much fun planning and throwing the party that when she moved to Montana I decided to continue on with the tradition of making sugar skulls.

This year I offered to make the sugar skulls for a group of women who like to get together and do different projects. It was so fun seeing what everyone came up with. Most had no previous experience with this traditional holiday. They had no foundation within which to start, so each skull turned out truly unique.

My old mold got broken, so I visited one of my favorite on line shops, Mexican Sugar Skull. They carry a large selection of molds and sugar skull making supplies. They also have a great selection of decorations, jewelry and fabric. 

We used a selection of silk flowers, gems and jewels, and frosting.

Miss Joan's

Miss Karmen's

Miss Karen's

Yep that is a glass of whiskey in the background. Decorating sugar skulls and whiskey DO go together!

 

and mine

The frosting hardens and the skulls can be keep from year to year.

Black and Red Skull Coat

This is the jacket I made for Halloween this year. This jacket was repurposed from 2 dresses and a paints and top set. The shear skull fabric was purchased years ago and has been waiting for just the right project.  

I loosely used a pattern I bought from Katwise. If you are not familiar with her sweater coats they are a must see.

Buddha Pin

Buddha Pin

Button by Dina Fernadez, sead beads and glass

Another piece finished. It is amazing how much work can be done when you only sleep a few hours a night.

Lowly Worm Now Lives Here

My son has fallen in love with Richard Scarry’s Busy Town. For his birthday he asked for a Lowly Worm “lovie”. When I was a kid I remembered that I had Richard Scarry’s Biggest Make-It Book Ever, it was the coolest kids’ activity book ever, but the best thing about it was the Lowly Worm doll pattern. As a kid I spent hours lovingly cutting and sewing my very own worm. I adored him.  Armed with this special childhood memory I went to my computer and spent endless hours searching the Internet for a copy of this highly treasured book.  After much anticipation and excitement I was disappointed when I found out that this book is out-of-print and the most affordable copy I found was $40 over my budget. Not wanting to disappoint Neil on his birthday I put on my creative thinking cap and went to work.

I got out some brown packing paper and drafted out a pattern.

Lowly's felt color palette

Cut out and ready to sew.

Basic Lowly waiting for his personality

A smile for Neil

Details of the hat

The finished product

Finally Some New Work

Several weeks ago my computer took on a super bug . It died a horrible death, but my wonderful brother-in-law came to the rescue and was able to bring it back from the beyond. Now that I am up and running once again I can finally post some new work.

This necklace was created around this Raku skull bead. The skull bead came from a very special friend and I have been waiting to find the perfect way to show it off. Blue crushed velvet, ribbon and mixed glass beads.

Clay face on black velvet, pearls and mixed beads.

Clay button, by Dina Fernandez, flower buttons and mixed beads

It feels great getting back to my beadwork once again.

 I made this for a gift months ago and then forgot to post the images. My friend Deidre is a partner in a theater project in Bakersfield California and I made this jacket for her to wear on opening night.  I constructed this jacket out of 2 black velvet shirts, a pair of black velvet paints and 2 black velvet shirts. From this mix I created this jacket. Deidre is MUCH smaller than me so my dress form is too big, therefore the jacket is a bit stretched.

I started the base of the jacket with this long-sleeved top. I cut up the front seam  and serged the raw seams

I made a paper pattern , With the paints, one top and one skirt I was able to construct a full skirt

I added button details

Old Earrings Made New

You might be surprised to find out that I am still creating... I have been so busy with work lately that I have little time for anything else. This weekend I did make the time to convert a pair of clip on earrings. I found these beauties at an estate sale for $3. Some wire, beads, 14 karat hooks and voilà, new earrings.

OWOH Winnings and New Friends

I enjoy participating in the OWOH event each year. I have meet some of the most interesting, generous and kindhearted people but this year had to top them all.

I was the lucky winner of not one but two heart necklaces. Holly's Folly made this lovely glass heart pendant. The photo cannot do it justice as it is far lovelier in person.

This winged heart pendant is from Ametista LLC. I can hardly wait to wear this with my Steampunk outfit that I am wearing to Abeny Park in April.

Due to a slight mishap I was introduced to someone I may not have meet any other way. Waxela from Spirit Mama sent me this package of goodies as a thank you. Look at these clever fabric coved buttons and this handcrafted goddess.

Winning beautifully handcrafted items is always fun, but more importantly OWOH has introduced me to some wonderful people who have replenished my faith in human kindness, and for that I am truly grateful.

OWOH WINNERS

Thank you to Lisa for hosting the OWOH event and to everyone who left me a comment. To my new followers welcome, I look forward to learning more about each of you. Now for the winners.

#1 Pink Flower Earrings
Linda

 

#2 Green Mismatched Earrings
Becca

#3 Spiral Shells

 Annie

#4 Hand of Fatima
Sarah

 

#5 Fairy Earrings

Caryl

Congratulations Winners!

I will contact each winner by email. Please contact me ASAP. If I do not hear from you by Sunday (2/20) night I will draw another name on Monday (2/21) morning and announce that person the new winner. 

UPDATE
I just found out that I have won the heart/wing pendant from Calkat the Jewelry Junkie
I will post more on this wonderful surprise later. I am so excited!

One World One Heart International Event

THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED

I am pleased to announce that I am participating in the OWOH event this year. Last year was my first year and I was so amazed by how many wonderful and interesting people I met through this international event. I am sad to say that this will be the last year for OWOH but in honor of the 5 year anniversary I will be giving away five pairs of earrings, one pair for each of the 5 lucky winners.


Here is how it works. Just leave me a comment on THIS link. Please leave me only one comment; I will delete all extra comments before I draw names. Remember to leave me a current email address so that I can contact you if you happen to be a lucky winner. This is open to all people worldwide and you do not have to be a follower of my blog. I will contact each winner on February 17th. If I do not hear from you within 3 days I will redraw another name and announce that person the winner.

Now for the good stuff!

#1 Pink Flower Earrings

Glass, Crystal and Pearls with Serling Silver Findings

#2 Green Mismatched Earrings

Wood and Stone with Sterling Silver Findings

#3 Spiral Shells

Shell and Glass and Serling Silver Findings

#4 Hand of Fatima

Mixed Stones and Pearls with Sterling Silver Findings

#5 Fairy Earrings

Pearls, Bone, Crystals and Shell and Sterling Silver

These earrings were handcrafted by me and they are OOAK

Good luck to everyone!