Marie Antoinette Beaded Guillotine Choker

I love costumes and dressing up whether for stage, holidays (like Halloween), for costume parties, or just for fun. Like with most things, a lot can be found in the details. A friend of mine had a Marie Antoinette costume, complete with a bloody line drawn on from Marie's visit with the guillotine. The costume was great, but make up and fake blood can be messy, smear, and fade, especially over an evening of wear. There has to be a better (and cleaner) option for the same (or better) effect. This inspired a blood red beaded choker.

I was able to use all things I had on hand to create this choker, including the tiny beads and wire that I have from the rings I made recently mixed with some jewelry making items I had on hand from other projects. This is what I used, but it doesn't mean it's the only way to make a choker like this. (Use your imagination!)


I started with cutting one piece of wire and a small piece of chain. The chain was for the closure to make it more flexible for sizing whether for me or for someone else. (With my collection of costumes and costume pieces that often happens.) I attached the chain to one end of the end, using pliers to secure it and to make sure the pointy end of the wire was tucked in so not to scratch flesh. (No need for jewelry to hurt.) This kept the beads from falling off the opposite end while I worked.

Starting on the other end, I started to bead the thin jewelry wire with the tiny blood red beads a few at a time, pushing them all the way to the end. (It took me longer to sort the red beads out of the mixture than it took to actually bead the choker.)

Making a 'blood drop'

After a few inches, I added a few beaded 'blood drops' I made by taking a small piece of wire with the seed beads and creating a blood drop shape, then securing each 'drop' to the main piece securely twisting with needle nose pliers. I made sure to wrap the end of the wire in and then tucking inside a bead to again keep the sharp edges away from delicate neck flesh. I then added a few beads between the 'blood drops,' making the drops different sizes.

HINT: The beads are tiny, so working on a tray with a small edge to keep the beads from rolling away from you is a great idea in creating your work space. The beads are tiny and I was able to press a number of them into the tip of my finger, then beading them onto the wire from my finger tip.

 I finished beading the length of the wire with the red beads, leaving enough on the end to attach the enclosure. Using the pliers, I secured the closure to the end of the wire, cutting off the access, then again tucking the sharp end safely from scrapping skin.

It's now ready to wear. I think I want to try some tear shaped red beads next time for the blood drops.

For more information, inspiration, and ideas on Marie Antoinette check out Marie Antoinette at Wikipedia or Marie-Antoinette.org. Enjoy, explore, create, and don't be afraid to play dress up!

And remember you are only limited by your imagination.

Mother's Day Envelope Book with Cards

Celebrations, holidays, special events, and just everyday happenings send me to constantly find new inspiration. Mother's Day is no exception. If anything, there is something about Mother's Day that raises that stakes to make it more meaningful. Flowers are overrated sometimes and my mother tends to kill houseplants. Candy is fine for those that like it, but she's not a big candy person either. Plus, candy and flowers don't last. I, of course, wanted something different.

I starter with cards for my mother and grandmother - a multiple folded card spanning four generations of the women in my family; that included a young pictures of me, my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother (entirely maternal lines) with a short poem I wrote. The initial idea from something from Martha Stewart's Family Tree cards. I made one for each my mother and grandmother.

For my mother I wanted to make a non-traditional scrap book type thing. (Last year I made her a mini book full of quotes about mothers and motherhood with a clay rose.) I got inspired when I found a new twist on an envelope scrapbook. Admittedly, I often come across projects that I have already done or taught, but this one gave me a few ideas. (Check out a Flip Flop Envelope Book here.)

I decided to use six envelopes I had on hand left from Christmas cards, figuring one pocket for each one of my mother's five kids and one overall pocket. I looked at using more traditional scrap book paper, but decided against it. I stuffed the pockets with a card inspired from the four generation  card above, but created one for each pocket, each one fitting the theme of the pocket. I embellished each card with various pictures takes over the years with poems and quotes about mothers, Mothers Day, and motherhood.

Attach end to end by flap, making sure not to seal top. Making one long strip.

I made a sturdier and rectangular shaped top flap with a piece of card stock cut to fit over the triangular flap. Then  secured.

Using jewel inspired magazine cut outs I decorated the exterior of the long strip of envelops. I kept this decorative, but rather simple.

I then decorated the inside with more collaged pieces cut from magazines and mixed with a picture and name for each pocket. (I used pictures here form when we were all younger, including a picture with all five us for the top one.)

I then turned to folding and decorating my cards (made from half a sheet of card stock folded accordion style into four equal sections.)  for each pocket with pictures, poems, quotes, and other bits.

I stuffed each pocket, including a printed history of Mothers Day in the top pocket. (With room left for cards or more in each one.)

Folded closed and ready to go. Happy Mothers Day!

Embellished Containers

Need a container? Embellish one.

Re-use those discarded kitchen containers into something new and functional with paint, decoupage, stickers, and/or any other fun embellishments you might have on hand.

We all have those cardboard, plastic, or glass containers from the kitchen that might otherwise be thrown away; but are the perfect size for holding bits, pieces, beads, buttons, or whatevers.

With a little creativity, a selection of paint, stickers, or decoupage you can transform a an ordinary oatmeal container (or any other) into something to store craft bits or something else. (Think about treasure containers for a kid or teen's room or your crafting room/space.) I often keep one on hand to use up leftover paint I have used for another project that would otherwise dry out or be thrown out and add over time. (Such was the case of the pictured container painted with flowers or the white and purple marbled container I use for beads.)

I turned one container into a "conversation starter," decorating the outside with decoupaged pictures of thought/conversation provoking buttons, saying, and inspiring decoration. (Mod Podge rocks!) I filled the inside with pieces of paper with quotes, topics, and all sorts of things that can help inspire conversation or bring new topics to any gathering. (See the picture below.) It's great to inspire new thoughts, new conversations, and new ideas.

My Sewing Machine

My sewing machine is a beautiful asset and friend. For years I was stuck using one of my mom's multiple machine, ravaged from the years of her sewing projects and our 4-H projects. (Five kids doing 1 or more sewing projects every year... three of them being boys who worked the peddles like a race car.) The final straw was one year after I had cut all of the pieces of a Halloween costume and had started to piece it together, I got into an argument with her machine. Now, you might think a sewing machine, being an inanimate object can not argue back, but they can, in their own special way. I conceded and packed away the cut pieces of the costume and soon forgot it. (No worries, I didn't go without a costume that year - I have an entire closet dedicated to costumes.) Having packed away the costume I was content to keep my sewing to handwork (which as a child I preferred over using a machine).

After years of using my parents' (both of my parents can sew) machines, I received my Singer Inspiration  as a Christmas present. Finally, I had MY machine, that my brothers hadn't messed the tension up, with cords I knew where they were, with my machine accessories where I put them. I no longer had to share AND in spirit of me being me, I added a few personal touches.

It travels some with me when I'm doing costumes or helping sew costumes for a show (I do so love theater). At first I carted it around in the original box it came in (it was better than nothing), but now I have a very nice traveling machine case on wheels with a handle (another Christmas present that followed the machine). The Human Rights Campaign Equality sticker was a dead give away that it was mine (0f course the "Trust Women" and the "No Fur" on the sides probably helped too), when sitting in a costume shop among other machines. One of the actors came in the room, pointed, and asked, "Is that one your's?" I am what I am... no apologies.

April is National Poetry Month

In honor of April being National Poetry Month I wanted to share this video. It's just something fun. (Create anyway you can.)