B.B. Bellezza Handcrafted Jewelry and Tutorials: April 26, 2009

5.07.2009

Fabric Flower Bouquets

Fabric Flower Bouquets, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

I love flowers, but they eventually die. This is the perfect solution! Beautiful fabric and reclaimed buttons.

The bouquets are placed in ball jars and tied with pretty ribbon (or lace.)

These would be the perfect gift for mom!

The black, red and gray bouquet is listed in my Etsy shop. Although I don't trust that the mail would get them to you in time for Mother's Day, the are 2 bouquets at my Building Character booth that you could pick up. (342 N. Queen Street, Rear, Lancaster, PA)

Thursday Green Artist of the Week - A Bit of Color

I am so happy to bring you A Bit of Color as the featured green artist of the week this week. A Bit of Color uses polymer clay to make all sorts of jewelry and accessories. (Also check out her sculptural ceramics and Smoke-fired ceramic jewelry)

What I am most excited about is A Bit of Color’s line of headbands and pins that use recycled jeans. You can find them in her Etsy shop here.

The Interview:

What specifically do you do that is “green” in your business?

I use recycled/upcycled jeans in making flower pins, headbands, and other accessories. I also use recycled packaging wherever possible.

Why have you decided to use these green practices?

My mother always saves old blue jeans to make quilts and potholders out of. Even though I live far away from her now, out of habit, I keep worn-out jeans in a bag in the closet. Usually, I'd just take them to my mom when I visited home. Then one day, I thought, "Blue Jeans and Polymer clay--that's gotta be an awesome combination!" I pulled out my jeans, some remnant fabric, a needle and thread, and of course, my polymer clay.

Do you have one tip for people to incorporate being green into their everyday life?

You don’t necessarily need to be a pack-rat to save materials from the landfill. When throwing something away, I like to ask myself if it’s something I can use in a project. I keep fabric, ribbons, cardboard, boxes and packaging (for shipping my ceramic art ), and anything else that catches my eye. If I can’t use it or don’t know someone who can, then I see if I can recycle it before just throwing it away.

Where do you draw your inspiration?

My 3-year-old daughter is my biggest source of inspiration. When I’m out of ideas, she’s my go-to gal to ask for something crazy to make next. This is where my nesting bird pieces came from (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19641053 and http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20017678 came from. I asked her what I should make and she told me I needed to do some birdies.

All the ways you can connect with A Bit of Color:

Etsy: http://abitofcolor.etsy.com

my other Etsy: http://trpottery.etsy.com/

Artfire: http://abitofcolor.artfire.com/

Blog: http://abitofcolor.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/trpottery

5.06.2009

Booth at Building Character/Craft Show Tip

Booth at Building Character, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

I sort of rearranged my Booth at Building Character again. The same main big elements (i.e. tables, shelves) are the same, but I have rearranged some of the products around and changed displays.

I really like taking photos of it because I can more objectively see how others may perceive it.

Craft Show Tip:

I think this is a good tip for when you are preparing for craft shows as well. If you are new, I suggest trying your set up before you actually get to the show in my Craft Show Tips Zine. This way you can figure out all your displays and such in a much less stressful environment than it will be the day of the show.

I think it's a great idea to take photos when you do this so you can more objectively see what your stand looks like. It's also a great idea to take photos when you are happy with the set up so that you can use the photos as a reference when setting up the first show.

You may have noticed that I take photos of every show I do. It is true that I take A LOT of photos of basically everything I do, but I also check out the photos to see where I can make improvements and changes.

This photo contains notes about the different aspects of my booth. If you click on the photo, you will be taken to the photo in my flickr photostream and you can see my notes.

Also, my booth isn't actually on a hill. :) I guess I took the photo crooked and I missed fixing it. See, I do really look at these photos again!

5.04.2009

A Great Day....also Scrabble Games

games, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

Saturday was our neighborhood yard sale, which I love. I just walk out the door and start shopping! Plus, we can easily get home to regroup. However, all morning I was looking for a Scrabble game and couldn't find one.

In the afternoon I stopped by my booth at Building Character to pick up a few things for the craft show I was (it was cancelled due to rain) doing on Sunday.

My booth neighbor, said, "good, you're here" and disappeared. When he returned, he brought me these games!! YAY! I felt like it was Christmas! (You did notice the Scrabble, right?!!) I love the community feeling at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER. Also, thank you to Kate (Shiny Tings) for thinking of me while helping a friend!!

Peter has antiques at Building Character, and he is right beside me. Make sure you check his booth, Mt. Pleasant Antiques, out! Kate metalcrafts....she has the most amazing mobiles and decor! Her new lamps are amazing!

This reminds me, if you have any Scrabble games that you no longer want, I will take them off your hands! I will make you a pendant, ring or earrings in return. (Or contact me for other options.)

I am also extremely interested in dominoes, Rumikub games, old keys, hardware such as washers and nuts, and interesting old magazines, dictionaries, patterns, hmmmm.... a lot of things. If you are getting rid of something like any of this, contact me before you throw it away!