Studly

Earlier this year I discovered that my favorite kind of jewelry to make is these little gemstone stud earrings.  Whether they're my favorite because of the tiny size, the one-of-a-kind nature, the fact that they give me an excuse to do more stone shopping, or something else I've yet to discover, I really do enjoy the process and the finished product of these more than other pieces.








My favorite will always be the herkimer diamond studs, but after adding pink tourmaline, apatite, and garnet to the earring family, there's definitely some competition.  I have a couple pairs currently available for sale, and if I can ever get caught up on screen printing and packaging orders, I might finally get the rest of these added to my shop!

What have you been working on lately?  Have you been busy getting ready for Christmas or Hanukkah?

Shirts and Models

I've got new pictures, WITH PEOPLE, so I kind of feel official now.  But guys, do you know how difficult it is to get people to 1. agree to model your products, and 2. actually do it?  You would think I'd asked for help manually emptying my septic tank or something. Unfortunately I had to step in after two would-be models cancelled, but I thank my lucky stars Chatham, Ryan, and Calvin came through and modeled these tanks like champs as I needed new pictures ASAP since this Bonjour Y'all merch is going live on a super large e-commerce site very soon!








The next time I need models, I'm going straight to these guys.  And, in between working on quarterly taxes and packaging orders, I've been working on some new shirt designs since I know who is willing to model for me!  And lastly, I got a new (to me) 50mm lens the week before last, so I kind of like having an excuse to take lots of new pictures.

*Until the shirts are up on that site (I feel like I don't want to say the name, jinx myself, and have it not work out, then I look like a dummy because I went on the internet and said it was going to happen), you can find them in my shop.

Purple

As you may have guessed from seeing corn in the background of my pictures, I live on a farm.  I was feeling kind of frustrated and a little overwhelmed the other day, and being that fresh air does the soul good, I figured I'd take a little walk around my yard and up my road to help clear my head.  I felt so much better when I got back in.







1.  I picked myself a few flowers and weeds to put in a tiny antique vase on my kitchen counter.
2.  My farty, annoying, and always loving dog, Kona.
3.  Chris' grandma let me take her picture.  "Good," she said, when I told her I wouldn't get her face. / One of the many butterflies enjoying nectar on my butterfly bush.
4.  Flojo can't come out on walks, so she watches patiently at the window (and this always makes me kind of sad since we do everything else together).
5.  Where the kind of gravel road turns to complete gravel road.
6.  More of my weed bouquet.
7.  Another butterfly, and Kona's favorite position on the front porch.

When you're feeling overwhelmed or bummed out, what helps you clear your head?

My Simple Boot Strap DIY

Because I'm not courageous enough to have an asymmetrical haircut, get a sleeve of tattoos, or have unusual piercings, I have to get a little punk rock in in more subtle ways.  I figured studded boot straps were a good accessory to add just a teeny bit of rock & roll to my outfit.





These were so simple to make, and luckily I had all the supplies already.  I was originally going to stud the entire way around, but once I got three in, I kind of liked that look.  Who knows, I may end up adding more later.

Here's what I used to make them:
- black leather (or vinyl as a budget option, and JoAnn has some pretty believable faux leather)
- silver and gold tone double cap rivets/studs, size small (I got mine from Michael's)
- a leather punch (also from Michael's)
- a rivet setter & anvil (but you could just use a hammer and a hard surface)
- large brass rings

Here's how I made them:
- I measured how long I needed each section of leather to be, and added some length so it could be doubled under the the studded/riveted area
- Cut my leather strips with an exacto knife.
- Folded the leather around the brass ring.
- Punched my holes in the leather where I want the studs to go.  It's probably best to measure, but I just tend to eyeball everything.
- Hammered in my rivets/studs.
- Moved onto the next side and repeated all the steps to get the leather around the second ring.
- Did the same thing all over again for the second strap!

It's super simple, and these slide off, that way I can wear them on other boots!

What I've Been Working On

This summer has kept me much busier than usual as far as orders go, and I love it!  In between making hoops I never thought would be so popular, and screen printing my favorite tank by the box full, I've had a few breaks here and there to work on some new items...






Find the items here (from the top):  Triangle Studs, Saint Rings, Set of 3 Stacking Rings, Bonjour Y'all Tank, Circular Open Hoops, Etched Cuff Bracelet, Gemstone Stud Earrings

I have so many ideas for new screen designs for totes and tops, and I want to make new gemstone stud earrings, as well as photograph the gemstone stacking rings I've made, but unless days become 30 hours instead of 24, it may be a while yet...

Do you have any projects going on at the moment?