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Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Mona Lisa Necklace
It's a beautiful rainy Monday in Philadelphia. And I do mean beautiful because, no matter what the weather brings, it's a beautiful thing to be here creating and enjoying this new path I'm following. The weekend was packed with goodness. I managed to get in lots of yard sales and work on projects that have been stacking up. I've got lots of necklaces waiting to be designed. Here is one of my new favorites that I finished.
I've been smitten with the image of Mona Lisa for as long as I can remember. Something about that mysterious smile that always captivates me. In this piece, I've set her image in half of an old locket and sealed it with resin. The locket is encrusted with rhinestones and a heart and tassel dangle from it. Her face is in half shadow which adds to the mystery. The chain is copper and is adorned with sparkling multi-faceted crystals.
Happy Monday!
I've been smitten with the image of Mona Lisa for as long as I can remember. Something about that mysterious smile that always captivates me. In this piece, I've set her image in half of an old locket and sealed it with resin. The locket is encrusted with rhinestones and a heart and tassel dangle from it. Her face is in half shadow which adds to the mystery. The chain is copper and is adorned with sparkling multi-faceted crystals.
Happy Monday!
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Tie a few on!
It's been such a busy day here. One of those days where I found myself hopping from one project to another with an early morning break for yard sales and an evening break for some yummy Vietnamese food.
One project I worked on today was getting more aprons gathered. I'm continuing to stock my Etsy shop with them. It's true that I'm obsessed with aprons. I can't help myself. Aprons are so versatile; you can wear a frilly one for a dinner party, a casual one to the farmers market and a paint spattered apron for crafting and art adventures. The possibilities are endless. I made an apron in the Japanese style and, once I perfect that pattern, I'll devote an entire section on my Etsy shop for them. But for today, these are the new offerings:
One project I worked on today was getting more aprons gathered. I'm continuing to stock my Etsy shop with them. It's true that I'm obsessed with aprons. I can't help myself. Aprons are so versatile; you can wear a frilly one for a dinner party, a casual one to the farmers market and a paint spattered apron for crafting and art adventures. The possibilities are endless. I made an apron in the Japanese style and, once I perfect that pattern, I'll devote an entire section on my Etsy shop for them. But for today, these are the new offerings:
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Vintage Sugar Sack Aprons
I'm back for a second time today to write about these vintage aprons. A few years ago, I got a box of vintage sugar sacks at an auction. I didn't think about them very much at the time and put them in a box at the back of a closet. I returned to them when I realized they would make great aprons. The sugar sacks were pulled out of the Philadelphia Franklin Sugar Refinery back in the mid 1800's. I've washed them many times and they are still amazingly soft and durable even after 175 years. They''ll last another 175 years, I suspect. Real work horses, I tell you. Today at my Etsy store, I listed a longer half full apron and a full apron. These aprons are truly one of a kind pieces of Americana.
I'm a freak for aprons. I've been known to wear them just about anywhere. Aprons are both stylish and practical at the same time. Go on over to the shop and take another look.
I'm a freak for aprons. I've been known to wear them just about anywhere. Aprons are both stylish and practical at the same time. Go on over to the shop and take another look.
"Mr. Ed Gets a New Life" necklace
In his former life, Mr. Ed was a key chain kicked to the curb by way of a tattered old shoebox lid at a church yard sale. While everyone else saw an old key chain, I envisioned a gorgeous new life for him. Equestrian, I am not. However, I have always loved the image of a horse; strong and majestic. I've also got some big love for tassels and for giving life to old, unwanted items. All these things combined add up to one eye catching necklace and one of a kind piece to boot!
The month of May has been passing by at lightning speed. I've been spending my days creating and working like a busy bee getting Lizzy Oakland up and running. This new life I've carved out for myself is often challenging but it's the best decision I've ever made.
The month of May has been passing by at lightning speed. I've been spending my days creating and working like a busy bee getting Lizzy Oakland up and running. This new life I've carved out for myself is often challenging but it's the best decision I've ever made.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Life's a Beach
I've been a busy girl these past few weeks. Every Saturday morning I've been out picking awesome materials for Lizzy Oakland Design. This is the season for yard sales and I have certainly been stock piling my finds.
Two weeks ago, I stopped at a church yard sale and immediately found the table of the best jewelry finds anywhere. As soon as I spotted the beach themed sterling silver charm bracelet, I swooped in on it faster than a seagull on a french fry. Beach lovers, this one's for you.
I've repurposed the bracelet into a neck piece. I added the tiny pearls and iridescent blue-green glass beads that remind me of beach grass and blue skies. The charms are the stuff beach dreams are made of: a pair of sunglasses, an old woody station wagon with a surfboard of top, a bottle of suntan lotion, a beach pail with shovels and a dangling sun, two beach chairs with an umbrella and a drink with an orange slice. The charms are solid and chunky. I can't wait to get this up on my Etsy shop because one lucky person is going to be sparkling this summer!
Two weeks ago, I stopped at a church yard sale and immediately found the table of the best jewelry finds anywhere. As soon as I spotted the beach themed sterling silver charm bracelet, I swooped in on it faster than a seagull on a french fry. Beach lovers, this one's for you.
I've repurposed the bracelet into a neck piece. I added the tiny pearls and iridescent blue-green glass beads that remind me of beach grass and blue skies. The charms are the stuff beach dreams are made of: a pair of sunglasses, an old woody station wagon with a surfboard of top, a bottle of suntan lotion, a beach pail with shovels and a dangling sun, two beach chairs with an umbrella and a drink with an orange slice. The charms are solid and chunky. I can't wait to get this up on my Etsy shop because one lucky person is going to be sparkling this summer!
Monday, May 11, 2015
The Dragonfly Necklace
It only seems fitting that I should start off this new blog with the dragonfly necklace. I've been blogging for 10 years under other blog names. It wasn't until the beginning of this year that I finally decided it was time to make that leap of faith and see where my art and creativity will lead me. I had some business names in mind but none of them seemed to embody all of the creative endeavors that I take on. Lizzy Oakland is a combination of my middle name and the street where I grew up. When I think of Lizzy Oakland, I think of an adventurous and free spirited woman who fears nothing and lives life to the fullest. I think Lizzy is going to take me on some seriously great adventures.
But back to the dragonfly necklace. Have you ever heard the story of the dragonfly? The dragonfly was once a little water bug who lived his life under the water and away from the sun. Sometimes he would see other water bugs venture up a lily pad stalk and go to the other side of the water never to return. One day though, he was curious and gathered the courage to climb up a lily pad stalk just to see what was out there. Once he broke through the water and in to the sun, his body transformed in to a beautiful dragonfly. Suddenly, a whole new world opened up to him. I think I've felt like that little water bug for a long time; always wondering what might be out there for me if I had the courage to explore and find out.
I had a big smile on my face this weekend as I approached a table at a church yard sale to find this gorgeous vintage gold dragonfly pin waiting for me. I reconfigured it with antiqued gold chain. little pearls and iridescent blue crystals. As I begin this new journey, it serves to remind me that rebirth is possible and the sky is the limit.
But back to the dragonfly necklace. Have you ever heard the story of the dragonfly? The dragonfly was once a little water bug who lived his life under the water and away from the sun. Sometimes he would see other water bugs venture up a lily pad stalk and go to the other side of the water never to return. One day though, he was curious and gathered the courage to climb up a lily pad stalk just to see what was out there. Once he broke through the water and in to the sun, his body transformed in to a beautiful dragonfly. Suddenly, a whole new world opened up to him. I think I've felt like that little water bug for a long time; always wondering what might be out there for me if I had the courage to explore and find out.
I had a big smile on my face this weekend as I approached a table at a church yard sale to find this gorgeous vintage gold dragonfly pin waiting for me. I reconfigured it with antiqued gold chain. little pearls and iridescent blue crystals. As I begin this new journey, it serves to remind me that rebirth is possible and the sky is the limit.
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