How to Turn a Soda Can into a Spring Flower Brooch - CraftStylish

 I sub to a lot of mailing lists (and I mean a lot!) When I saw this project on Craft Stylish, I had to share it. Who knew you could make such a cool looking brooch with a few beads and an empty can of pop? 

I highly recommend you look through some other projects they have on their website; there's some very clever and innovative people out there.

How to Turn a Soda Can into a Spring Flower Brooch - CraftStylish

Happy creating!

Beading help - stringing chart

I subscribe to many newsletters and visit many websites, making sure I keep up with new trends and techniques. One of the websites I visit is Beading Daily, which has many free projects as well as great information to do with beading and jewellery making.
One of the most useful things that arrived in my inbox was this stringing chart; see at a glance what type or thickness of wire or cord to use for stringing different types of beads. It's so easy to just print this off and keep it with your bead stash, that I wanted to share it with you guys.

Stringing chart download

Happy creating!

Book review - 'The Naughty Secretary Club'

Author: Jennifer Perkins
ISBN: 1600611168 / 978-1600611162
Looking at the title of the post, you may be forgiven into thinking this book involves lewd stories involving working late and office romances. It's not. The full title of the book is The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry' (and, yes, because it's American it's spelt 'jewelry' and not 'jewellery' BAH!)

I received this book for Christmas, and I must admit I've read it from cover to cover a number of times since (which is good, considering I put it on my Amazon wish list).

So, what's the premise? Why is it 'The Naughty Secretary Club'? Simple; all the jewellery projects inside can be made either by stuff you can swipe from work, made at work or have a 'secretary/work' theme. Now, before you continue, you must be warned that all of the projects are of the kitschiest of the kitsch kind - think giant beads, 1950's glasses and cocktails. If you like your jewellery more subdued, then this isn't the book for you.

Some of the projects do enforce a sense of humour to wear, such as the Whistle at Work necklace adorned with gnome cupcake toppers, while others you may be scrabbling around for the actual pieces you need (hmmm, I seem to be all out of vintage typewriter ribbon tins). The great thing is that the author, Jennifer, is aware of this and confesses that you might have problems locating some of the vintage notions she uses. But, anyway, it doesn't matter, as most of these projects act as 'starting points' and let you be free to tweak certain elements. You're encouraged to rummage through thrift shops, discount stores and even your old jewellery box. Don't have a 1950s motel key fob? Who cares! Use whatever you have in your stash instead.

Another bonus is that if you mosey on over to Jen's blog, she has some bonus jewellery projects, using either materials or techniques that are already in the book.

• Ping Pong Ball necklace 
• Wearing your Favourite Collection bracelet
• Recycled Fabric bangle (my fave!)

Favourite project = Secretary's Day Bouquet bracelet
Least favourite project = All-Access Pass badge holder