Downsizing your wardrobe

We all are feeling the crunch of the economy these days. I only have 1 child left at home to keep in clothes that fit, I don't know how families do it that have several. Are you a professional woman? Do you long for the days that you could shop for the year's newest colors & styles? I will admit, before I married and had kids I used to be there, I had the excess income to do it, and I was young.
Today I hear more and more of my friends talking about wishing they could just get a couple of new things....I have some solutions for you. Now some of you may at first turn up your nose, or simply stop reading, but what I say is true, you can be well dressed on a budget. I am not saying you can look like the Paris runway (I wouldn't want to) but you can be stylish and develop your own look on a shoestring. Think of the fashion icons of years gone by, the basics, the wardrobe staples. Maybe for you this is jeans, or maybe it is more professional than that.
You can even get the basics for a bargain if you are willing to do a little work for it. Thrift Shops, Church Shops, Goodwill, Salvation Army, all of these can offer a variety of clothes options. Now it does take more time and a sharp eye. I have leather jackets, designer clothes, great boots, all sorts of things that have some from these places. Also, if you get the basics, button blouses, great fitting trousers, or skirts.... add the color and flair with jewelry or other accessories! Those thrift shops have great scarfs made of silk and other materials for next to nothing. Bring in the season's latest colors or patterns with these accessories.
I urge you not to go to the chain stores for your accessories, you will end up being a cookie cutter, there isn't enough personality or uniqueness to their items. Get one of a kind items or go to relatives and friends and have an accessory swap. I have scarfs and pearls that were my grandmothers, the pearls I have restrung with a more modern twist on them and the scarfs I often use to hold my hair back (which is curly and thick and always wants to find it's way into my eyes.
Don't be afraid to wear something you love , even if you haven't seen it on someone else, gosh all those trends had to start somewhere!!!
If you like the idea of having some of your vintage jewelry remade with a modern twist, or you would like to take a look at some "one of a kind" jewelry that is very reasonably priced, check out this link http://www.twistedtreasure.etsy.com Twisted Treasures Jewelry & Design.
Thanks for stopping by!

Monica

Inspiration is Everywhere

Welcome back!
People often ask me where I come up with inspiration for the jewelry I make. I upcycle quite a bit of vintage jewelry, which itself can inspire me. I find inspiration in clothing, wall art, the places I have been and the people I have known. I am of Irish decent so I do use a lot of celtic inspired designs. I use a variety of materials other than vintage finds, among my favorites are beach glass, turquoise, polished stones of all sorts, pearls, silver , copper, and for it's ease to bend and because it is so lightweight, aluminum.
I like bold pieces for myself, but I also do some delicate items. The aluminum is really nice for a bold piece because it can weigh next to nothing when done, but really make a statement.
I love pieces that can take a very simple outfit from plain to outstanding.
I try very hard to keep the price of my items low, I am very aware of the economy and I know that for a lot of people just meeting the basic need of their families is a struggle these days.
When it comes to fashion, I will admit.... for good clothes I stick to basic pieces and change them up will accessories and jewelry, I have always been like that, long before I made my first piece of jewelry.
I am going to talk very soon about how jewelry can really expand a basic wardrobe into much more..... stay tuned to that.
Don't forget to bookmark my Etsy shop I put new items out several times a week.
http://www.twistedtreasure.etsy.com

Thanks for dropping by, take a moment to say hello!

on Etsy now!!

Hello All,
Well it has been a while since my last post and for that I am sorry. I have so busy with family and designing that I just have not taken the time.
I also opened a shop on Etsy. com here is the link http://www.twistedtreasure.etsy.com I hope you will check it out soon.
Spring has arrived here in Indiana, and I have also started my garden (with the help of my husband) My oldest son may be moving back here from AZ soon so getting room cleaned out for him has also kept us busy.
I hope to be able to post more soon but at the moment I need to get back to all the things above mentioned.
Thanks for stopping by and take care,

Monica

Hello to All

Hi Everyone ~~ Welcome to my Blog!

I am a self taught Jewelry artist.
I work in several mediums, including beads of all sorts, found objects, wire, beach glass, stones, and anything else that catches my eye.
I try to be as green as I can in my jewelry construction efforts, reuse & recycle all I can. This is not only good for the planet, but it also helps me keep my designs fresh, original and one-of-a-kind.
I have created pieces that are similar, but refuse to make assembly line jewelry.
In the near future I will start posting pics of some of my work, I am having trouble with my lighting set-up. ( I may have to enlist the help of my husband)
Speaking of family, this is a family thing to be sure. I am a wife, mother, and daughter. My husband (Chris) makes some of my components, my youngest son (Sam) helps also my giving advice and doing some beading for me! My mom is always keeping her eyes open for goodies I can incorporate into my designs.
I am a lucky lady.
My jewelry making love afair started by making gifts. Being long on time on my hands, and short on cash I wanted to make personalized gifts, and it has been a roller coaster ever since.
I think that is enough of an introduction for now. Thank You for stopping by, and Have a Great Day, God Bless.