Repurpose your jewelry and save

Austin is a very eco-conscious city and what better way to protect the environment than to recycle? Repurposing your old or broken jewelry can be a great way to reuse existing materials and gemstones to create new styles that you’ll want to wear right now.

One way to recreate designs that are in stores right now is to combine older elements like lace or crystal with newer trends like ribbon or feathers. The necklace pictured is a new piece that is on display at the Austin boutique Blue Elephant located in the North Lamar Central Market shopping center.

Another idea is to use old beads and findings from a single piece and rearrange them on a new chain to give the piece a fresh look. The best thing about reusing old elements is all that money you’ll be saving!

If you are not sure of your ability to design something new, don’t fret, you have options. There are lots of local Austin jewelers that love to take on custom work. If you’re not sure what your options are, you can contact Austin based companies like Creative Chick Designs to find out what your options are. With a free consultation, you’ve got nothing to lose. Some companies will even offer to buy the materials that are unused from your new designs.

Whatever you decide to do with your pieces, you can’t lose by repurposing pieces that are just collecting dust in the bottom of your jewelry box!

Spring Has Sprung - Time to Accessorize!

It’s getting warm in Austin and that means it time to break out the warm weather clothes and accessories that have been hidden away for the winter! Although it’s great to have some tried and true pieces that you return to season after season (after all, who doesn’t love flip flops?!), there’s nothing wrong with trying some new trends and adding to your collection!

Austin is definitely not lacking when it comes to places to shop - and locally owned places to boot! When heading out to shop, keep your eyes peeled for some new trends like headbands with large bows on them as well as some everlasting ones like multi-layered necklaces. One place to make sure you hit up on your warm weather shopping spree is the local shop, Strut. With four locations, there’s likely to be one close to you. Strut is known for it’s unbelievably reasonable prices and it’s chic, up to the minute fashion styles. From handbags to stilettos, you can find it here!

Another local gem that is not only locally owned, but exclusively carries pieces from local designers is Parts and Labour. Located on South Congress, it has been voted one of Austin’s best stores in 2009 by shopacrosstexas.com. If you’d like to let me know about other cool Austin shops that carry unique accessories, please let me know!

Thursday Thoughts - Jewelry Display Ideas

After YEARS of selling at craft fairs and festivals, I think I have finally come up with a display that I not only am proud to say is mine....but is also fairly simple to setup and take down.  For those of you who vend at shows, you know that the beginning and the end of shows are the hardest and most physically taxing. 

My mom always said, try...and if it doesn't work, try again.  So after lots of trying, I'd like to share what I have come up with along with some notions on why I made that particular decision.  My next post will have some tips, tricks, and a checklist for vending at indoor AND outdoor shows.

Here are some photos from my most recent show (sorry about the bad photography).

This display is actually a display case that I purchased from Ikea and then modified.  This case is supposed to be mounted on a wall so there are no feet...which makes it easy to lay on a table.  I bought a few old shoe risers so the case sits at an angle on the table.  I took some regular velvet display pads and cut them to 12" high.  They now fit PERFECTLY inside the little frame in front of the glass.  You can see more pictures of this display here.  My necklaces are pinned to the velvet pads.

I also bought some trays and stands from the new West Elm that just opened here in Austin.  These make great display pieces because they can fit in a tight space AND you can fill them with whatever you desire and then cover them with saran wrap and they are easy to move!

I filled mine with black turtle beans and then set my display on top of those. I used silver and white display pieces and the contrast was gorgeous.  Just remember to saran wrap the handle openings when you are moving them or the beans will spill everywhere!  There are lots more pictures on what I did with the beans and trays here.  I used the beans on several other display tables as well in different ways.  I filled white plastic plates, cups, etc. Use your imagination!

Tis the Season...for Holiday Potlucks

Tis the season for Holiday parties and potluck dinners.  Have you ever gone to sign up to bring something to a potluck and realized EVERYTHING easy or even good has been snatched up already?  It's inevitable.  You want to bring the paper plates, the only left is the Honey Ham.

Well, as long as there is still a slot in the "Sides" cateogry, I've got you covered.  I have a recipe that tastes great, is healthy, and even looks festive!   Keep in mind, "Chef" is not something I would ever call myself, and I rarely cook...but I love this dish.  Here is my recipe for Harvest Pasta Salad.

Ingredients:
1 Bag - Multicolored rotini pasta (any brand)
1 Bottle - Ken's Northern Italian Salad Dressing
1 package - pre-cooked and cut roasted chicken breast
2 Cups - Chopped red, yellow and orange bell peppers (mixed)
1 Cup - Chopped celery
2 Cups - Halved or quartered grape or cherry tomatoes
1/2 Cup - Fresh grated parmesean OR romano cheese
Dash of Salt and Pepper

Directions:
I'm assuming you all know how to boil pasta...so I won't give detailed instructions on that.  Also, I get the prechopped veggies, but you can buy the whole ones and chop 'em up yourself if you'd like.

1.  Cook entire box of pasta in boiling water until done (follow directions on box)
2.  Measure the bell peppers and put in a medium sized bowl
3.  Add the chopped celery to the medium sized bowl
4.  Add the tomatoes to the medium sized bowl
5.  Mix the contents of the medium sized bowl until well mixed
6.  Strain the pasta when finished
7.  Put the pasta in a large bowl and add in about half the bottle of salad dressing (add more to suit your taste)
8.  Stir the pasta and salad dressing together
9.  Add the vegetables to the pasta and mix
10. Add the cheese to the pasta and vegetable and mix
11. Add the cooked chicken to the entire thing and mix one more time.
12. Cover and place the bowl in the refrigerator to cool
13. Once the pasta salad is chilled, feel free to add salt and pepper to taste.

Other veggies that go well in this mixture could be olives, cucumbers, onions...you name it!

New Retail Store #2!

Just in time for holiday shopping!  The Austin Museum of Art Shop is now carrying our bezel set collection.  I'm very excited to have a large selection of my work for sale in such an established institution.

Make sure to stop by to see not only Creative Chick Designs products, but also all the other cool products they have there as well.  They carry several other Austin area artists so you will definitely find something unique to buy for the holidays.  They have some cool unique gift wrap in sheets that might be showing up in some of my pieces soon!

Shop787 - Do All Your Holiday Shopping with LOCAL Shops!

Shop787 is the ultimate holiday shopping experience in Austin. On Sunday, November 8, 2009 from Noon to 6:00 pm, join Creative Chick Designs and over 50 local boutiques, designers, artists, salons and more to help you get your holiday season kicked off right!

Support local Austin businesses and get some great, unique gifts for friends and family.

BUY YOUR TICKETS EARLY and be entered into a drawing to win a $150 gift certificate from us!

And, this event isn’t in a hotel ballroom. This is a fun shopping experience in a unique location. Mosaic at Mueller is one of the premier apartment communities in the Austin area, and we plan to fill their stunning courtyards with gifts you can’t resist.

Your ticket gets you admission into the event, access to the food court, free beverages (including the adult kind!) and a feel-good moment knowing you’re helping the kiddos over at Dell Children’s Hospital (please bring a book to donate!).

Austin City Limits (a.k.a Mud Pit)

This year's Austin City Limits Festival (ACL) had all the makings to go down in history as one of the best so far.  Lower temperatures, Pearl Jam as the headlining band, plus a ton more that had people running from stage to stage so as not to miss a single number.

Friday was perfect weather...80's and slightly overcast, fresh green grass to lay in, and lots of happy people.


Saturday had a great lineup of bands, but I woke up to rain, waited for the rain to stop before heading down to the park....and ended up waiting all day.  That's right, it poured all day and night.  I saw on the news that the park had turned into a mud bath, but I had no idea what I was in for on Sunday.

I bought a pair of tall rainboots anticipating the mud (probably the last pair in all of Austin).  The entire park was a mud pit...seriously, inches deep.  People were splashing, walking around barefoot, rolling in the mud, loosing their shoes and more.  It was pretty comical since I was protected by my wellies, but it was pretty gross nonetheless.  They covered the mud in hay to try to minimize the effect and that just made it smell like a barn.  All in all, the day turned out to be a blast partially due to the company I was with, partially due to the amazing music, and partially due to the endless people watching.

For you crafters out there, the people who had retail booths did an AMAZING job.  I can't imagine vending at that show, but there were some great products out there!