Seed Bead Braided Necklace.

This particular update on my creativity took me a little while to get to so let’s dive right into it. When I created the braided wristbands, at the back of mind it was a trial run for one of my most ambitious project and undertaking to date.

Finished product

I knew I wanted to make a braided necklace out of some of the remaining seed beads I had in my possession. The thought itself was challenging and took me longer than anticipated but the outcome superseded my imagination. Seeing it come to life and better than I’d imagined brought on a feeling of gratitude and pride – pride that It was I who had come up with something so pretty and gratitude for the skills however unprofessional.

Seed Beads braid

The comments I received from friends and family after posting to instagram  filled me up with joy. No one knows this but after creating the necklace and actually being overwhelmed with the outcome, I prayed. There are times when you just have to thank God for the littlest things and this was one of them. To have the gift for creativity, talent and imagination are things few people have and when you’re able to use them and come up with something better than you’d dreamed it, you appreciate.

First layout and color coordinating.

Stretchy Braided Wrist Bands.

Every clean up session brings the need to de-clutter and throw away most unused/outgrown stuff. In a bid to do so; I had second thoughts when it came to these little seed beads I’d collected over the years. As per usual, I felt I could use them in some way which made throwing them away moot.
I have been toying with the idea of making a braided bracelet and necklace for the longest time and suddenly, there it was, the thought to try it out first as a wristband then take it from there if I loved the result. I had a daily/weekly documentation of the creations on twitter (which you would remember if you’re a twitter follower) where I would post a picture for the different wristbands.
 

Before

I made four in total – green, orange & red, black & colourless and my favourite of all the seashell coloured one littered with black. The process as seen in the before picture: three stretchy strings, enter beads, then make a braid, knot the ends together and voila… a stretchy wrist band.

After

 Ps: The stretchiness varies with wrist size and string used.

A March Retrospective.

Sad to see March go. It was filled with so much inspiration that I have nothing to do but appreciate. For those of you who are in any way or form artistically inclined, you’d know how rare this is.
As I was going through my sketchbook a few days ago, I noticed majority of my drawings were done in March this year. This is due to the fact that I successfully date marked most of them this year unlike the previous ones. There were a few moments where I had to scratch my head trying to figure out when I did a particular drawing.
Aside from the drawing, I made quite a few accessories this past March. I found a new home for my little heart, made my first pair of earrings amongst others. March has been really good inspiration-wise. I am glad my muse is still with me.

On to April now. April made me a few promises that it is yet to keep.  I keep on thinking and wondering if at all it will deliver? Only God knows this. But until then…
Happy month of the Fool everyone.

First EVER Pair Of Earrings!

Ever since I tapped into the little accessories designer in me, I had all consuming thoughts of making a pair of earrings especially after making this necklace. I thought it would look good with a pair of earrings but my creative adviser suggested a bracelet. So, that is on the back burner but not the earrings making bit. No.
A couple of days ago; inspiration struck, all the creative thoughts and ideas came together and I finally got round to making a pair of earrings. Earlier, I had edited a pair of peacock danglers that were too long and kept the little red connectors, found the double chains laying around and hooks to pull it together. With accessories especially jewellery, it is imperative to keep the pieces you think you might need at a later date after editing a piece.

In my opinion it all came together perfectly. I doubled the chain on each pair to make it a little thicker and shorter instead of one slender long chain (I don’t like long chain danglers), connected to the red pieces and added the hooks. The only kink in this entire picture is the silver hooks unlike the rest of the pieces which are kind of bronze. Aside from those of you who read this, few would know.

How they would look like long

Whenever I do something creative-wise, I seek the opinion of four people. My mother (sometimes), Creative Advisers's Em or Ama (invaluable girls), and my brother. Since this is entirely of a feminine nature and because I haven't touched base with the creative advisers, I sought mum's. Told her I made a pair of earrings aka danglers and proceeded to show her. She does like them, said they look not hand made. I took that as a compliment.

The Muse.

I am returning to work soon and I must admit, I’m absolutely looking forward to it because the month or so leave has been hella long. I love keeping my own company but not too much of it. No. Anyway, the time off has been greatly appreciated – creative wise. I have managed to make a believer out of myself with these words, ‘The muse visits during the act of creation, not before. Don’t wait for her. Start alone,’ by Roger Ebert ringing through my head.
Instead of writing about individual pieces, I have decided to share all of them at once even if they all were created on separate days, weeks with different moods. The proverbial ‘muse’ paid me a visit during this period and I went to work on nurturing my other skills – jewelry making.

From L-R: Button Bracelet, Rings, Necklace and Chain Bracelet.

Let’s start with the button bracelet. Most of you won’t believe that it is out of buttons because it looks really good and rich. I got the buttons off my sister’s sweater and I couldn’t wait to use them. With all my excitement, you’d imagine I’d get to it right away, no? Well, it took me awhile. The mood was never right. I don’t create just to create, I create when I feel it is time.
Then there was the little rings. To be honest, I just pimped up two plain adjustable silver rings. I added on this column of jewel stones and little flowers on both and they turned out amazing. It is the second time I do this with rings. First time was so long ago in that the ring even got stolen.
My first necklace! I’ve had the black squares sitting in my stuff for quite the longest time. They were a form of embellishment on a dress that I thought looked better without them. Besides, some of them had broken off so I proceeded to remove them entirely. Making this necklace was killer on my neck and nails. The process was painstakingly slow to say the least.
The little bracelet. I enjoyed making it. I got the little flowers and leaves to hang onto the chain from a pair of old earrings as I am in the process of getting rid of really old stuff. So, these little charms were quite the coup I needed to tweak up the chain.
I have enjoyed making all these pieces especially the necklace. I had never made one and to have it look really well done is unbelievable, so is the button bracelet. You know what really is exciting, knowing that most of my friends like everything and thinking I am a creative GENIUS!

A Few Edits.

The thing about artistic inspiration is; you never know when it is going to take a break nor return, it just does. All of a sudden, you find yourself thinking about these ideas for a design and how to make something work or you fail to come up with an idea when you want to.
By now, y’all know I am BIG on making something work for You, so this shouldn't come as a surprise. I've had these colored square beads for quite a long time. Whenever I would think of making something out of them, it wouldn't work. You won’t believe how many times I've made them into something then taken it apart because it doesn't gel until I resorted to leaving them be.

Well, artistic inspiration decided to return and on one fine weekend, I got everything I needed to work on together and accomplished it all…some of it anyway. I am so lazy. I took apart these beads and reworked them into arm candy. A bracelet, to be honest and I think (at the moment) it works. I like the crisscross shape it does when wound on the arm.

Another thing I had to do on my edit list was this chunky necklace I got last year…I think. It was so long and heavy what with the chunky balls. The first time I wore it, people kept asking me whether my neck hurt. LOL! If it could look that heavy to onlookers, how about me the wearer? I made the decision to reduce it to a collar necklace, not a chocker but those that hang to above or on the chest first chance I got.The thing about ideas is you can think it, keep it at the back of your mind until you get round to working on it.

When I was done with re-working the beads into a bracelet, I reduced the necklace too. I made sure to keep the original ball arrangement so as not to spoil the colour combination. On editing, I got more beads to make arm candy to go with the necklace. They were so many, I made two beaded bracelets out of it.
I also had a necklace my sister had given me that needed editing. Some of the stones had fallen out but the pearls were intact. I took out the empty stone shells, remained with the pearls and made two bracelets. One chunky one with the large pearls and a smaller one. These are faux pearls, by the way.

Guess where all this is, in my little basket of arm candy. Yeah, I keep my jewellery in these little baskets for easy access and storage. I have enough to run a small boutique apparently, people keep telling me this but I refute it.

J’Adore: My ‘HISS’ Collection.

I recently realized that I own quite a few snakeskin print shoes. Yes! Coincidence, right? Well, the python print Mizrahi pumps were the first ever shoes I owned in snakeskin print so they have quite a few mileage on them although shoes with a leather outer sole last quite long. They still look good as new and I rarely clean them. Whenever I wear these, someone always asks if they really are python skin and whether I feel bad for the snake that got killed just for me to wear it on shoes. Hmmm… aren’t I lucky that PETA is no where near in Africa?
The gladiator sandals were the next addition to the collection. I’ve had these for four years I think. I remember how me and my sister were the first to own gladiator sandals amongst everyone we knew and when the trend caught on, we are still the ones to own them in snakeskin. Aside from the scuffed up laces, these look as good as new too which makes me think they’re going to last longer than expected.

The Aldo pumps joined the fray last year and they are my go to pumps when I am filled with indecision over what shoes to wear with an outfit. I guess it has to do with the black and white print of the skin. There’s a friend of my mother’s who was over excited to share with me the news that she had gotten a snakeskin print purse exactly like my Aldo pumps for Christmas. I was naturally amused and happy for her. Her telling me this made me think I should look getting a matching purse for my shoes. Ha!….that is SO like old fashioned and for older women!

Then my latest are the the ones with ribbons on top which I got from my aunt last week after her recent trip abroad. My mother didn’t think it wise to own two pairs of the same print (the Mizrahi python print ones) but I was unconcerned. These are lighter and the design is quite different. They have a ribbon and a square toe unlike the round toed ones.

The snakeskin print is currently on trend and it is a neutral, that is it goes on anything and everything. The thing with animal print is not to over do it with a head to toe look.

J’Adore: My Floral Cuffs.

I came across these cuffs amongst the stuff a family friend had asked my mother to pass around to her friends and when I laid eyes on them, it could have been sacrilege to let them go to someone else! You should’ve seen the grin that split my face and the excitement I expressed over seeing them.
Funny enough, my mother thought no one would like them but after seeing how they looked on my wrist during a trial fitting, she thought twice! As a connoisseur of jewellery, I looked at her aghast. How can someone appreciative of jewellery not take these on sight? Accessories make me happy and these little babies are too gorgeous for words.

I love the colour and the design. The roses motif is so intricately detailed you have to marvel and appreciate the time and thought the creator put behind the work.

A Case Of Chains.

Believe it or not but the chains in the above picture came on a pair of shoes. I loved the shoes before and after they were mine-my sister gave them to me a couple of months ago. Before they were mine, I kept looking at them wondering why someone would waste chains and beads on shoes and yet that is what made them appealing.
Once in my possession, I got to wear them and uh…they were a little uncomfortable and made my already chubby feet look like stuffed sausages in them not forgetting how one of my gurls laughed and told me in no uncertain terms that they were so last season. These are the last things you want to happen when you wear shoes you like. With all that happened, is there any wonder as to why the chains turned into arm candy?
Obviously, I could have given the shoes to someone else which I didn’t. I wanted the chains on them that badly. They were the closest I could get silver chains without having to scour the boutiques and break the bank. As you might know, chains are really on trend and being so, it makes them that much expensive.
As an accessories whore, I have a lot of bangles, cuffs and necklaces with a handful of bracelets. There are times when you don’t want to wear neither bangles nor cuffs. It was that kind of day when I failed to find a different bracelet to go with a pair of hoops. After coming up with zilch, I made the decision to invest in a few silver and gold bracelets in the form of chains.
Since this particular pair of shoes was in the dog house for said reasons, I asked myself why not? After all I was never going to wear nor give them away. So, yes, I took off the chains and was really happy when they fit my dainty wrist-fortunately. They look super cool, don’t they?

Still bonkers over my white watch

By writing this; I am admitting to a crime I wouldn’t otherwise like anyone to know about but creativity comes in the least expected places. Or maybe it is just me who looks at things and immediately know what they would look best on?
You might call me a spoiler whereas I prefer re-user or recycler because before I throw something away, I take off what I loved most about it and use it for something else.

Make It Work For You!

My mum got me these teardrop stud danglers and I’d never worn them (by choice) until awhile back. When I first got them, it was with a lot of misgivings. I liked the design but not the length. They were too long for my taste and I couldn’t turn them down. You know it is rude to turn down a gift, right? I decided to keep them with the knowledge that I’ll never wear them. I never wear stuff I don’t like. I either give re-gift (give) or leave it at the bottom of my stuff.

Considering how long it  had been since I got the danglers, I was pestered into wearing them which I didn't like on principle. The first time I wore them; I received a few stares cause of the design and the look probably. I didn’t dwell on it. I had my own thoughts to entertain where they were concerned; they were long, weighed my ears down and the constant swinging got on my nerves! Ps: this is why some girls have extremely large ear piercings! Isn’t it weird how self conscious you feel when you do or wear something you have a lot of misgivings about? That’s how I felt.
There was a moment when we were caught up in traffic and I got the chance to take a hard long look at the danglers. As I looked at them; I developed the itch to edit/tweak/tone them down. That day was  the first and last time I wore them long.

So bored I took a picture!

I took quite awhile in getting round to shortening them. One of my friends came to visit over the weekend and I sought her opinion which as expected was contrary to mine. She thought they looked better longer whilst I preferred short. Since I had two similar pairs; same design different colours, I decided to edit the ones I would wear most.
Editing jewellery never takes long. A few weak spots is all it needs. Anyway I took them from a length that got on my nerves to something short and sweet! Which I definitely like!
I had the opportunity to wear them and showed mum the newest version. I held my breathe for a bit waiting and let out a huge sigh when she approved of the new look (She’s the one who got them for me after all)!

New Version.

Busy Little Bee.

Lately, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands, enough to turn into one busy little bee. Aside from maintaining a facebook page, making tracks in my French lessons and doing my damnest to follow what’s going on with fashion week in the comfort of my room, sofa and telly. I have had a little time to return to my DIY box of knickknacks.
I did some of it in between all that and bouts of boredom especially when most of the Fashion week shows were on repeat! I usually tweet these pictures of how I  spend my time and I thought, 'why not share them here so you could all see what I get up to when bored?’ I still maintain that in another world or life, I would be a jewellery designer. Jewellery is my poison. Give me something good and I will love you for life! If not, I will at least remember you by it whenever I wear it.

Materials for the chains are from my mum's stuff.

September has come to an end and I am glad for it. I felt a little bit overwhelmed because it is fashion month. I had to be a little more attentive this time round for the other blog. Actually paying attention has made me realise a few things and also learn from it. I’ve realised that if you like what you do be it profitable or not, you try your hardest to be good at it, nurture it and make it into something to be proud of. You learn a few things along the way- things which enable growth especially where creativity is concerned. I also know now that what I did before was just a drop in the well!

I love the braided ones on the left. and the right, big beaded bracelet.

Most of my friends would check on me and ask how I was and I’d tell them I felt overwhelmed. I wouldn’t go into details because some of them would not get it. With the end of September comes the end of Fashion Week and month! I am quite looking forward to returning to my French lessons which I had to put off. I am making progress and surely proud of it. If you could know the dream for these French lessons, you would laugh. LOL! I tell a few people in an offhanded way to make it seem like a joke and something I am playing at – honestly, the French is something I would like to see bear fruit. Yes! InshaAllah.

DIY Phone Accessory!

I made my phone bling or accessory (which ever works for you) after the longest time. I can’t believe it took me a year, give or take a few extra months. I always make my phone accessories cause of the loose/ extra materials I collect from broken necklaces to a single earring left from the loss of a partner. I don’t believe in throwing away broken or used jewellery cause it turns up being good for something else.

My mum gave me a small set of beads in different shapes and sizes from one of her broken necklaces and I had a couple of little pearls and hearts lying around in my stuff. I got both my act and the pieces together, tapped into my creative side, added everything and voila…A large strand of phone accessory!

 After putting it all together and being very much in love with the finished product, I thought to myself; in a perfect world, I’d be a very successful jewellery designer. I love to create/design, it is one of those things that come so naturally to me. This is how I spent school weekends and most holidays; making jewellery among other things for myself which most of my friends invariably took.
It always felt good having my work, effort, creativity appreciated and loved. You never think it’d appeal to anyone other than yourself during the creation process.
Okay…moment of truth, what do y’all think? Do you Love or Not?!