Thursday, September 15, 2016

Lorraine Barba, Custom Crystal and Bead Jewelry


I enjoy making one of a kind crystal and bead jewelry for a hobby. The photos below are examples of some of my work.

I use lead free findings, also sterling silver, gold plated, and pewter findings for all necklaces and earrings. Most of my pieces are made with Swarovski crystals. I will have my own booth to display my work at the Winterfaire, I hope to meet you then.






















Sunday, September 11, 2016

Susan McGuire and Pockets




It all began in 2015 with a worn out pair of jeans in my closet and needing to replace the small cross body purse that I’d been carrying for years.  My first attempt was pretty crude, so I tried again with the other half of the jeans.  That one is the purse I carry, now.   I hooked a carabiner to one the belt loops in order to securely carry my keys on the outside of the bag where they are easy to find.

I had so much fun with this project, I decided to cut up my white denim pants that were too big and made 2 more purses.  I thought they were really cute and that other people might like them, so I kept going with the maroon jeans in my closet that I was never going to fit into again; then a worn out pair of my husband’s jeans before searching for more at local thrift stores.



 The brown denim is the perfect ground for the embellishments of delicate gold trim and ribbon with little yellow roses.

 My husband thought the denim bag was a little overdone, I love it with that hot pink ribbon jumping off the background and the bold gold trim.  I started with the patterned ribbon, just looking for a way to show it off.


I have the good luck to live near a Ben Franklin Craft store where I can find all sorts of embellishments, and whimsy. 

Be sure to stop by my booth at Winterfaire and say hello!