Creative Ways to Store Your Jewelry

Good evening my friends. As some of you know, I have begun writing for College Fashion, which is awesome, and I have a new post up today called 4 Creative Ways to Store Your Jewelry at College, which is also awesome. So, in honor of this topic I would like to share one more idea with you--the mother of all my jewelry storing ideas:

So all this is: plain wooden shadow box-ish frame + spray paint + chicken wire netting x some staples = beautiful jewelry display. 

I got the frame at the thrift store and the chicken wire at the hardware store. First I spray painted the frame and the bottles, then I cut the netting to fit each opening and then just stapled it on to the back.

So simple. So great. I use this as one of my traveling displays when I sell my jewelry at Farmer's Markets.

You can fold the sharp edges under if you want to be conscientious, but I like to live dangerously.

Do you remember those awesome limited edition American Idol Coke bottles that were round? I snatched as many of those up as I could carry and several of them got spray painted and found their way into this display, mostly just because they're cute (and I ran out of chicken wire).

peace&love,

Jill

SCHOOL.

I am already starting to think about school. Crazy as it seems, it looks as if school is going to be my downtime from summer. At least I'll have less jobs to juggle...maybe.

This does not stop my from staring at my daily schedule for the fall wondering what I was on when I put this schedule together. Philosophy? Lingistics? PHYSICS? Did not plan on living this long?

Holy my goodness, this year is going to be one heck of a ride! And all I can do right now is wait, worry, and maybe buy my books.

peace&love,
Jill

Vintage Postage Stamp Box

A few years ago I came into ownership of a HUGE quantity of stamps, as well as many foreign stamps and duplicates. The appraiser I had come and look at them said that they weren't really worth anything, so I decided to be creative with them :)

I've explored lots of ways of using these stamps and I've used them to make pendants, decorated ball point pens, and boxes like this one.

This particular box is covered with bright colored stamps from all over the world. I painted the box with a base coat and then mod podged the stamps onto it. I then used foil tape to tidy up the edges of both the lid and the box. Then I covered the whole thing with a clear glaze and added green felt to the bottom of the box. I absolutely love the finished product! Check it out:

Hope you like it!

peace&love,

Jill

A Dream...

...has come true. I, your lovely friend, will be writing for College Fashion as an intern for the next six months. My first post on the 9 things every girl needs in her DIY toolbox is up and I am very happy.

And if you're a College Fashion reader than found their way over here, then welcome! Look around, leave your comments and consider following me!

Can't wait for this semester!

peace&love,
Jill

The Best Part of Summer

 

... is Farmer's Market. 

Where I get to sell my lovelies, talk to people, be outside, and make money.

Really, there's nothing better. 

I started selling jewelry at my home town Farmer's Market six years ago this summer... which makes me feel old. But then I remember I started at 15, and then I don't feel that old.

My business has grown by leaps and bounds over the last six years and I could not be more humbled by my success. I get to do what I love and it just feels like a perk that I get paid for it.

That's what you call a good job.

Here are some pictures of my stock this summer. Drop me a line if you see something you like!

More of my work is available at Jewelry by Jill Online.

 

 

My pinback buttons are available here.

 

 

peace&love,

Jill

Thinking of Dublin

 

Graffiti in the Rathmines section of Dublin

I took these pictures a year ago today. My how time gets away from one. 

I spent last summer in Ireland as part of the University of Iowa's Irish Writer's Workshop.

It was probably the best 49 days of my life.

There were 17 (I believe) of us from all over the United States, as well as about 40 other students in other programs through the same study abroad organization. I lived in the sweetest little house on Percy Lane, walked to school, walked to Temple Bar, walked to the flea markets and thrift stores. 

Dublin felt like home in a way no place ever has. I was never more proud to have Irish blood in my veins. The girls were almost all as pale as I was and wore opaque tights in the summer. 

I want to live there again.

Here's to the memories... They'll never get old.

 

Graffiti on the way to school.

peace&love,

Jill

I Made It: One Shouldered Dress

 

This dress was kind of a nightmare. I'm honestly so glad it's done.

I didn't really use a pattern, or know what I was doing. Not a great recipe for an easy process.

What matters is that it is done, and it is actually wearable.

I'll just try to forget the process.

 

The surprise key ended up being a thin elastic band around the arm/neck hole. It was the only thing I could think of to make it fit snugly all the way around.

 

I made the bodice and skirt out of two different fabrics, but in the same color. 

I like texture a lot, so the skirt is my favorite part.

 

The light and the green makes my hair look very red.

I like it.

Sorry to be so skimpy on the details. I really just don't want to remember.

peace&love,

Jill