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.

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.

Minibooks 82-93

I've been thinking about book necklaces for a while now, and considering what would be the best way to make them.  A conversation with a friend about making and selling jewelry, and another conversation about a mini book sparked me to get started on some minibook jewelry.  I made 4 sets of matching book necklaces and earrings over the weekend.  The books are pamphlet stitch with leftover Mohawk superfine for the pages, and scraps of decorative paper for the covers.

I had a lot of fun making them, and I plan to make many more.  After posting these photos on my Minimeg facebook page yesterday, someone bought the pink/blue set.  The black/green, black/purple, and green/tan sets are still available.  If you would like a pair of minibook earrings or a minibook necklace, leave a comment here or on my facebook page.

Mary's Necklace

Recently I was given another batch of old jewelry from a friend.  Naturally I immediately got to work reinventing some of these pieces.  This is a necklace I made using a clip-on earring that was missing its mate.  The earring had a plastic cabachon with a floral pattern.  I started by attaching a bezel on a copper disc, stamping a design around the edges, and putting loops on the top and bottom.  The final step was setting the cab in the bezel and attaching three swarovski crystal beads to the bottom in coordinating colors.

Before I could properly photograph the piece, my friend Mary bought it.  So here she is modelling her new necklace.  Work it, Mary, work it!

Dutch Necklace

One of my recent jewelry projects was a pair of Dutch Boy and Girl necklaces.  The necklaces were created by repurposing a pair of sterling silver clip on earrings.  The kissing Dutch boy and girl earrings were a little weird to wear as earrings, but are adorable when worn in moderation!  The earrings were old jewelry given to me by a relative, so these necklaces are two of a kind.  Get one while you still can!