sea glass, two of two

I have been thinking a lot of what to do with sea glass. I wish I had a photo to share of my interior designer friend's custom made work. It is stunning! But in the very least, I found some beautiful works from around the web. I am so liking these available on Etsy by Rubbish Revival.

 

image, image, image

Also love this classic from Martha Stewart

Or textile designer Jonathan Fuller's sea glass sculptures

I may try and recreate blogger Creative in Chicago's masterpiece

Even loving this ideas from Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Carla on Pinterest

mini magnetic clips

I am one of those fridge clutter people. I don't put it on the front - well mostly because it will not adhere to the stainless, but the side of my fridge has more stuff on it than a dorm wall. I was in a stationery store yesterday and saw these mini clothes pins so picked up some magnet tape too.

So easy, just a dab of hot glue and they're so handy.

privet clutch

Did you buy anything from the Privet for Target collection? I did - one place mat.

Okay, before you start thinking I'm one buckle short of a straight jacket, I saw this tutorial on Pinterest and have been looking for a suitable mat since. When I saw this in stores I thought it was just right for a summer clutch. So pretty self explanatory from pictures. I used some twill tape, snaps (rather than loud velcro, and remember not to use magnets which can deactivate cards) and some clear poly thread.


I first figured out how I wanted my envelope clutch to fold. Then I tried to ensure my snaps would match, attaching them to the twill tape to be sewed onto the panels of the clutch.

And the finished product. All told it took approximately forty-five minutes. I am really pleased with my jute and rope envelope clutch!

architectural elevations

I've long been a design fan of Charlotte Moss and her corpus of work. I recall she once said something about using architectural elevations as beautiful framed art prints. They do look so nice above this desk of hers.

Source: littleaugury.blogspot.com via Ann on Pinterest

Now, I'm adamantly against desecrating antiquarian books and pillaging for prints. I refuse to buy them from book sellers that ruthlessly murder fine books. I am not without blame. I confess to buying a whole slew of them in college but never again. Very fine copies are just as beautiful - leaving those fine literary gems in tact. And per Jenny Komenda's suggestion (the woman is a genius) I spent a some time surfing the NYPL's digital gallery.

 
By the bye, I am still a card carrying NYPL member. I digress, I found a treasure trove of candidates that are free for printing. Cha-ching. You can even order a nice, professional-quality print from them too. Lovely!

nautilus

A few years ago I bought a pearl nautilus and had no idea what to do with it. I recently decided to adhere it to a base. I was inspired by these nautilus shells, originally oldies from WS Home.

 

And some of these

Source: marthastewart.com via Ann on Pinterest

I brought home a small glass candlestick holder, turned it upside down and hot glued it. Very simple but it worked! Also, it would have been so pretty on a silver base but I loved the angular glass.

Lastly, how amazing is this? Nautilus Shell Centerpiece Lamp, Tiffany Studios, c. 1910. Richard H. Driehaus Museum.

Source: chicagoartcollector.com via Ann on Pinterest

magnolias

 The magnolias are in bloom. image

To preserve the memory of these ephemeral blooms, you could get crafty.

Or you could just go with the perfume.

Blogger deleted my earlier writing. Anyone else having problems?

incense burner

Another unnecessary necessary. I just picked up this little Berkshire Garden trinket dish in the Anthropologie clearance section. It is perfectly re-purposed for burning those little cone incense on a heat resistant surface (so metal heat transfer is not an issue) while the top vents beautifully. I'm so in love with my little ten dollar find!

match strikers

This probably an unnecessary necessary but I lucked out and got a good deal on a striker on ebay. I never win things so this is nothing short of astounding to me.

If you don't have the patience to deal with auctions here are some really pretty strikers. JB Silverware Striker for $185.

The JB Silverware Silver & Glass Match Striker for $155

There are a whole host of Jonathan Adler ones for around $45, the Devil and the pipe are probably my two picks although there's a boom box too.


The best deal, and a favorite was this one from Ruby Lane seller Susan Kiff. If the ebay one had not been such a good deal, this would have been my pick at only $35 plus shipping.

upgrade your glade

In all honesty, I'm not one to buy a pricey candle. Usually, I love the natural smells of a stove top simmer recipe like this one from Morgan Moore on Pinterest.

Source: morganmoore.typepad.com via Ann on Pinterest

Although when candles are required, I go glade. I'm cheap. So inspired by pricey candles I used to buy, I started giving my drugstore buys a quick makeover before burning them. And did I mention I'm not crafty? Inevitably when I "craft" I end up caving and just buying the store version anyways, but only after I've got paint in my hair and I've accidentally glued my fingers together... So this is obviously really easy. Here's one of the pricier ones.

I've been loving these Airwick essential oil ones lately and for around five dollars, they're perfect. Although, I'm not wild about the plain glass votives showing colored wax. Call me crazy but I spray paint them. In matte or satin black. For some reason it makes them look so much more luxe.
I like the light to show through a bit but you could really pile on a second coat of paint to prevent that. To each their own. Some other fun ideas that are not as much my thing, mod banded or colored with a sharpie.

p.s. didn't get any free candles

tea lights

So loving this DIY inspiration from Martha Stewart and Jamali Gardens. Everyone has simple tea lights and any stationer has vellum, so pretty. Considering evening dinner party plans, what kind of party would these suit? A birthday, a shower, a wedding reception?

Source: jamaligarden.com via Ann on Pinterest

recycled cushion inserts

I suppose this doesn't qualify for "DIY" status but I love down inserts for sofa cushions and for sleeping. Unfortunately I find over time allergens accumulate in bed pillows. I blatantly disregard instructions and wash them in bleach and machine dry them. Well this only works so many times before their feathers begin to diminish and they just go flat. Rather than toss the flat sleeping pillows, they make wonderful decorative cushion inserts. And going from a standard size case to a 20" square, they look nice and fluffy in their new lives on the sofa. And for the DIY-ers, buying standard feather pillows from big box retailer is much cheaper than a specialized fabric or home goods store 20" or 18" pillow!

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high - low

The last thing I need is another objet on my desk because you can barely see the surface past the tablecloth of receipts and notes. If however your desk is more orderly, a nice paperweight should polish things off nicely. The classic John Derian for around sixty in a myriad of options.


Or the Z Gallerie for around ten. Plus, they too have quite a few different designs.

And if you want to get really crafty and decoupage your own... ha, this route is not for me.

gifts to craft

As I mentioned, we're not a big spending family for the holidays. I've found that people can usually buy themselves whatever they need, but something made is unique. I've received many a handmade gift that I really cherish. My favorites?

Homemade Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Source: goodlifeeats.com via Ann on Pinterest

Shaped Crayons

Source: littlelifeofmine.com via Ann on Pinterest

Hand-Sewn Apron

Source: morganmoore.typepad.com via Ann on Pinterest

Homemade marinated vegetables or spice blends.

Source: marthastewart.com via Ann on Pinterest

Tissue Envelope, seriously so helpful.

Source: sewmamasew.com via Ann on Pinterest

Decorated Globe - this is not actually a craft but I think it would be fun to attempt for a kid's room with some butterflies, or maybe even superhero stickers? It is originally decoupage if you want to just purchase it.

Source: artonglobes.com via Ann on Pinterest

Also I am a fan of food gifts, such as these cheddar crackers.

Source: myrecipes.com via Ann on Pinterest

Or maybe some snack mix?

Source: somewhatsimple.com via Ann on Pinterest

Or maybe just some old fashioned cookies.

Source: favim.com via Ann on Pinterest