This month I am 'stashbusting' in sympathy with the cool blog T-Shirt Diaries, so for the rest of September I have pinky-sworn not to buy any jewelry-making supplies, and instead try to use up what I have. But, um, er, I was at the Farmer's Market yesterday, and er, ahem, decided I really needed to buy some tomatoes...
And if I bought them just for the container, no one but us needs to know, right?
I was enchanted by the cathedral-window shapes in the plastic mesh; they remind me of one of my favorite places, Milan's glorious Duomo.
And so the jewels evolved.
Aren't those gargoyle charms cute? Since I had the cathedral on my mind, they seemed the perfect ornament here.
This plastic mesh is thin, but super tough for its weight. I found it easy to poke tiny holes with a push pin; you could also melt holes into the plastic by heating a straight pin or bead reamer.
My little brother gets to go to Milan next week - oh, man, I wish I were going too! But no, staying home to work. Ah, well. To compensate, I shall wear some of these funny gothic jewels!
(While stirring homemade tomato sauce.)
You just knock me out woman! I would NEVER have thought of anything close to this from a tomato basket. And tomatoes are TOTALLY necessary and not a Stashbusting cheat. Health first!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and thrifty. I love your unique sense of style.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you would be inspired by those italian arches (they are amazing) and by your tomato basket (it is so pretty and i love the ocean colour of the plastic). your jewels make such clever use of those beautiful basket lines! :)
ReplyDeleteoh my heck-i neve would have guessed it was plastic veggie holders on your jewerly!
ReplyDeleteLovely as usual! I especially love the last necklace. The plastic reminds me of a little pagoda. Oh, and tomatoes are very necessary! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove these! Love the colour, and the source of the material!
ReplyDeleteGAH!!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Gorgeous Gorgeous. You know, when I first looked at them I saw them as Art Deco or Art Noveau style...now I see the cathedral reference and it's all brand new again. To think it all started with a tomato basket!
Such awesome pieces! :) I love jewelry made from recycled materials. I'm especially loving the earrings.
ReplyDeletep.s. I linked you on my blog! Glad you liked the bracelet.
THAT is too flippin' funny, and I LOVE the little gargoyles- I have a thing for them!
ReplyDeleteI like the gargoyles!! I am a big fan of gargoyles. I buy things for the container too. :)
ReplyDeleteI was trying to guess what the green material was....never would have imagined. This is a great DIY/upcycle to try.
ReplyDelete~L~
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U could WIN a MONTH LONG sidebar feature!
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You are so creative! I love coming here so much. I'll be linking.
ReplyDeleteI love the brilliant use of tomatoes. I mean really how can buying tomatoes be considered buying crafting supplies? Really?
ReplyDeleteYour work is amazing, I'm a new follower. I love making treasures out of what other people would consider junk....great job.
ReplyDeleteLove all of these! I'm an envelope of doom receipient, and I promise, I'm using my stuff, just don't have time to blog right now. Corporate America is killing me!
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, do you sell this fabu jewelry? You must share with the rest of us! Please!
its great...as usual i will say again..."you are always awesome"
ReplyDeletea unique way to use a tomato box! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's!
ReplyDelete