A Little Polish

I found a very thought-provoking pic the other day (forgot to save a link, I’m sorry! if anybody knows where this belongs, please tell me and I’ll give proper credit!)

Shirts in Color

I’m calling this “Shirts in Color” because, well, you see what I mean. And I’m calling this thought-provoking because - what a great example of “it doesn’t matter what your subject matter is” - this is a wonderful graphic, it would look great in a poster-size print on your wall.

You can use anything for Art. You can use anything for color inspiration. The shirts in this pic, wherever they can be found, were meant to catch the eye. They did that. In its own way, that’s “Art”, don’t you think?

If you have three belts in pretty colors, fine, they’re useful accessories. If you have thirty belts in pretty colors, hang them in a “frame” - and call it Art. Why not?

More and more lately, I’m loving the look of jewelry done with antiqued silver. And of course I love a terrific value (not too expensive, great quality, you know the drill!)

I recently discovered this treasure:

Antiqued Silver Dragonfly Necklace from Chinacherie on Etsy

Of course there are lots of jewelry sellers on Etsy - and for that matter, I make jewelry myself, so I don’t often rec other sellers! But Chinacherie’s work is so well constructed (I own some of her work myself!) and her prices so reasonable, I couldn’t resist

The articulation on her findings and charms (sourced from established American companies, thank you!) is just very special. The dragonfly in this necklace, for example, is from a vintage die - and beautifully crafted. And, she was so friendly and nice (with outstanding customer service) - well, this is one shop I just have to recommend

Now this is inspiration, pure and simple.

The pics I’m offering here are meant to be inspiring - not “you must do this”. They are beautiful, and refreshing, and soul-calming.

Beautiful rooms in Filicudi Italy - as seen in style-files.com.

Just looking at the rooms here makes me feel good. It reminds me that I want to clean stuff out of my house. Add light (and white). Use a wonderful splash of color - not six colors, maybe not even three - but one pure shot of gorgeous color.

I found these wonderful pictures, and more you will love, over at style-files.com.

This is completely do it yourself. GET RID OF SOME STUFF. Let the bones of the room show. Add some light. Take away some of the crap.

Do I seem to be stuck on that idea? Well, yeah, I am. Use less - and love what you have, MORE.

PS You may have noticed that I included this post in the category “Going Green”, and I haven’t mentioned recycling once (till now). But I have mentioned “using less” - and that is a very important green idea!

is everything a dress is supposed to be. Seriously.

Vintage Yellow Dress from Duckieboy on Etsy.

I don’t know Duckieboy personally. I only know that I saw this pic and it is everything a dress should be. It’s pretty. It’s not FUSSY. You don’t have to fiddle with it or worry about it and you don’t for crying out loud have to DRY clean it. You just wear it and it looks good and it makes you feel good.

I don’t believe in clothes that make you work. I don’t like to be bothered. I just want to wear stuff that’s good in whatever way it’s supposed to be good. Like this yummy yellow dress.

And it’s only $26! If somebody hasn’t grabbed it by the time you see this. But if it is gone - take a look just because it’s pretty. Then go looking for some more vintage dresses!

I just wanted to share this - it’s a super idea for wall art, and a way to show off your favorite photos - or reuse some terrific (re-used and recycled!) graphics or pics from magazines:

A Heart for your Wall - reuse your photos or pics!

It’s not that this is such a new idea (I mean, reusing graphics or pics) - but it’s a really smart, goodlooking way to highlight photos of your kids, or your pets, or plants you like, or whatever. Makes a strong clean graphic for your wall - and is very personal and individual, too.

I found the idea over at The Style Files and the photo itself is by photographer Warren Heath. Check out his work!

And remember the Heart.

I’m tooting my own horn this time - wearing my Etsy jewelry supplies shop hat You know better than anyone that your budget is limited - but you still want to look great and have, well, a little polish

Make your own necklace to go with your favorite summer outfit!

Use this pretty “rose quartz” vintage glass pendant

or this aqua glass cabochon and vintage patina brass pendant.

Add this vintage patina brass chain (sturdy enough that it doesn’t tangle!)

and you’ll have a gorgeous pendant! All you need is a clasp - and if you mention this blog when you purchase, I’ll include a clasp for you

Creating doesn’t have to mean sweat and hard work. It can be fun - and inexpensive - and pretty!

I’ve found another super inspirational, easy to do, fun wall art idea to share. This one is just full of possibilities!

Word Puzzle Wall Art from Jonathan Fong

I’ve blogged about Jonathan Fong before - see the post at my Paper Jewels Blog. He’s got bunches of fabulous design ideas and so many of them are ones we can do ourselves - easily and on the cheap.

I’m crazy about this “Word Wall Art” idea. He gives super clear directions on how he did it - and how we can do it. But you know, once you’ve thought of it, there are a zillion ways you could adapt it to your exact situation. Paint the letters yourselves. Use wooden store-bought letters. Cut them out from paper. (Recycled paper!) You get the idea. Get creative and say exactly what you want to say!

You can’t get more polished than this

Take a look at the fabulous workmanship on this handmade garment:

Handmade Corset

It’s available at Mentionables on Artfire. The artist has several different styles available at varying price points. They’re not cheap, but for the work involved? Truly a value.

But - a corset? “Why would I want a corset?” I hear you say.

Why, anytime you want to feel Victorian, or powerful, or feminine, or maybe daring. You could wear it as part of a costume, of course. Or with a tank top. Or in the boudoir. And since I’m sure they are made to order, you could probably have one made that provides *just* enough coverage that you could wear it as a top. With any skirt or jeans. That also makes you look as if you’ve lost weight and gained curves in all the right places.

That’s worth kind of a lot, wouldn’t you say?

Yes, I’ve talked about this before. I don’t like dryer sheets - but if you use them, please, RE-USE them!

So first off I should say that I never use dryer sheets. I don’t think we need them (the only thing that ever gets static-y is the few silk things we’ve got, and I’m totally willing to deal with that). I think it is a deliberate Proctor-and-Grumble-ish advertising invention to make us think we need them. And, we have birds. The fake perfume in the dryer sheets is poison to birds (and to us too, only we are bigger).

But a whole lot of people do use them, and think they need them. So I’m just asking, if you buy them, please do reuse them! Turns out there are a bunch of nifty things to do with them. These ideas aren’t original with me - I’ve gotten this handy list from Daily Green Cheapskate over on Yahoo. (Love that name, by the way.)

A few highlights from the “how to reuse dryer sheets” list:

1. Use them more than once. (Back when I did use them, years ago, this totally worked. They’re good for three-four washes at least.)

2. Anti-static dust wipes (use them to clean your monitor and TV screen - they’re great for that).

3. Pot scrubbers and sink / tub scrubs.

4. Dust-free blinds: Not only do spent dryer sheets make a handy wipe for metal and plastic blinds, but the chemicals in them help to repel dust.

5. Get your shine on: When used as a polishing rag, dryer sheets make mirrors and chrome appliances shine. They’re also great for cleaning windows and other glass.

They’re also recommended as sort-of-sachet. Put one in your glove box or underwear drawer so you can smell that creepy sweet scent for ages. (Can you tell I don’t like the smell? Yeah.)

Check out the full article here.

And for even more super useful info on how to go green easily, go to The Green Cheapskate Blog. There are TONS of good ideas there.

And it’s fun. And you’ll feel good about it

If you’re like me, you love color Whether it’s a new lipstick that you just know looks good, or a rich forest green pair of shoes (why not?) - or some jewelry that has sparkle and feminine pretty color - it adds a lift and tiny extra bit happiness to your day. And if you make the jewelry yourself - and know you’ve saved money! - hey, that’s even better.

So I’m especially happy to be able to offer some lovely vintage jewels in yummy colors in my Artfire jewelry supplies shop and also in my Etsy shop. Like these pretty jewels:

and

And that tiny extra bit of happiness? Now that’s really a special gift!