Inspiration ~ NOT Barbara Bush

No offense intended! Barbara Bush is the admired matriarch of an admired political family. She radiates "warmth," "charmth," traditional style and common sense, like June Cleaver and Donna Reed and other 50's moms. Several of the vintage beads I have acquired over the years are "plastic" pearls in various sizes, shapes and colors that came from broken vintage pieces. I decided to create a trademark "pearl" necklace with a quirkier design for the modern mom (or non-mom or teen!). The beads aren't graduated or symmetrical...hey, they don't even match! And that's exactly why I like the way it turned out...it's unpredictable, it's casual and it's fun. I decided to use recycled cotton T shirt yarn (a modern material that fits my overall creative mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle and repeat) to anchor the beads instead of vintage metal chain!

For the rest of July, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on the "Not Barbara Bush's Pearl Necklace" and everything else in my etsy shop!

T.G.I.S. Thank God It's SATURDAY!

felted wool bowl with single button flower $15

personalized fuzzy wool bowl $16

knitted snow white soft vase $16

It's that time again...the time to turn to other etsy artisans for inspiration. Sharon, of thefuzzymonkey always provides it. I love that she creates conventional objects in unconventional materials. Her knitted vases and felted wool bowls (some with customized words and other embellishments) always give me a lift! Her work inspires me to search for unconventional materials to use in my jewelry and to be "quirky" and "unpredictable."

Bellflower Textiles ~ ETT Shop of the Week

Megan Zalkan, of Bellflower Textiles, lovingly handcrafts fun fabric goodies for your kids & home. She combines quilting techniques and a love of vibrant color to create modern and quirky children’s tees, crayon and pencil rolls, reusable coffee sleeves, tooth fairy pillows, and hair accessories. She works out of her home in Seattle, Washington, where she also tends to her two year-old daughter (who is one of her continuing artistic inspirations!).

You can also visit her blog.

Special for the Week: Free Shipping!! Mention “Twitter” in your Notes to Seller and she will send an updated invoice with free shipping or refund your shipping price if you’ve already paid!