Minibooks 329-345

This week I wrapped up my 365 book challenge.  I spent the last few days of 2013 frantically finishing books!  Instead of dumping a bunch of blog posts all at once, I decided to take my time, get some good photos of the final books, and get everything posted before January 5th (the day I introduced my challenge in 2013.)

To help round out my 365 books, I made another 17 minibooks.  Five sets of necklaces and earrings, and an additional pair of earrings.  Now that my winter craft shows are done, I plan to list more items on Etsy.  I tried to pick a wide range of colors so there would be a better selection available on Etsy.  Stay tuned for the last few blog posts about my book challenge, and keep an eye on Etsy for new listings!

Minibooks 311-322

I'm still working away on my 365 books for the year.  Yesterday I finished up two more minibook necklace and earring sets, and three pairs of minibook earrings.  The yellow and blue paper is a new one I bought this fall.  I think the necklace turned out really well.  I've got a journal in the works using the same paper for a cover.  I'm sure you will be seeing that here soon!

Minibooks 262-283

I made this batch of minibook jewelry in preparation for my first holiday show.  The earrings have been selling very well during shows, and by special request.  That's why my last several posts have been all earrings!

I made the books for the necklace sets months ago, but never got around to stringing the necklaces.  Since my challenge only counts items finished in 2013, I had to finish the necklace before I could count the book.  The pink pair of earrings is part of a jewelry set too.  At one of my summer shows I sold the earrings without the necklace and never got around to making another pair of matching earrings.

Recycled Minibooks 242-261

One of the shows I am participating in this year is the Collective Upcycle Holiday Pop-Up Shop.  Everything being sold in the pop-up shop is handmade using at mostly recycled or repurposed materials.

For the show I made a special batch of minibook earrings with recycled papers for the book pages.  I think this is a nice variation on the blank book earrings I usually make.

The other books I have for sale at Collective Upcycle are the recycled box books seen here and here.  This batch of earrings brings me up to 261 out of my 365 books for the year (although there are still several books I have made but not blogged about yet.)

Minibook Earrings 224-241

Recently I had a couple special orders for minibook earrings.  One person was looking for browns and neutrals, and the other person was looking for blues and greens.  In a situation like this I typically pull out lots of different papers in the requested colors and make multiple pairs so the customer can choose.  This way the customer can pick out exactly what they are looking for, and I have some extra pairs to sell at shows.

If you enjoy my book jewelry and live in the Cleveland area, I am teaching a Minibook Jewelry Workshop at Small Studio in Westlake on Saturday, November 9th.  Check out their website or call the store to sign-up, 440-808-8599

Minibook Earrings 172-181

A friend of mine from high school had been watching all my posts on facebook and the blog, and requested a pair of my minibook earrings.  She asked for something "green, turquoise, or brown" so I looked through my paper stash and put together a few options.  I made earrings from four different papers in that color family (and a second pair of the teal and lime green paper because I like it) and let her choose.  She picked the green and gold pair.

All the rest will either be listed on Etsy or taken over to the Urban Orchid for sale there.  This brings me up to 181 books out of 365, nearly halfway there!  Now that my summer shows are done, I took a couple weeks off from making books (also from blogging) to relax and do other things.  I signed up for a monthly yarn club from Paradise Fibers that starts soon.  I'm very excited about that!  And I'm sure you will see updates about the yarn that arrives and the projects.

Minibook Earrings- Books 129-144

As most of my friends (and readers) probably know, I have handmade books and jewelry on consignment at a local floral shop called the Urban Orchid.  The owner of the shop lives one street over from me, and the store is a couple blocks away.  It is really convenient for me to stop by and deliver new items to the store, and my things have been selling well.

One night last week I sat down and made a bunch of minibook earrings and beaded bracelets to bring over to the store.  I don't get to make jewelry that often anymore, so it was fun to play with all my different beads.  These little minibook earrings make books 129-144 of my 365 in 2013 Challenge.  I'm over 1/3 of the way through my goal for the year!  Check out all my 365 in 2013 posts here.

Minibook Jewelry: Books 98-115

This week I made MORE minibooks!  My first batch of minibook jewelry was very popular, so I decided to make a bunch more.  The books on the necklaces measure 1 1/5 inches tall and 1 inch wide.  The books on the earrings measure 3/4 inch tall and 1/2 inch wide (about the size of a dime.)

All the decorative paper used for this project are scrap pieces, too small for most of my other book projects.  You might recognize the papers from here, here, here, and here.

You can find my minibooks on Etsy, or in person at the Urban Orchid in Ohio City.