The FamiLee Jewels

Oh No! Did you forget Mom?

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:13:00 +0000

Greening My Life #onesmallact at a Time

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sun, 06 May 2012 17:21:00 +0000

Fred's "new" hand pump

This weeks #onesmallact is one of my favorites. Shopping at flea markets, garage sales and antique stores.
It is a preferred activity for many reasons first being: The Thrill of the Hunt.
Yesterday morning Fred and I headed out (in the unreasonably cold for Cinco de Mayo weather) to a local Flea Market/Antique Show event to search for spoils. My goal was to find materials to use in my jewelry designs and Fred was looking for tools. We both scored. I came away with a small bag of shiny rhinestones, pins, whistles, a tiny perfume bottle, 2 old brown baseballs and some old medals. They are all destined to become Salvaged Style.
Fred came away with an old water pump. It was once painted red and now has a fantastic worn patina. he also found an old bow saw, a hammer, a wooden barn pulley, and a wooden mallet.
Second reason: Hunters and Gatherers are great people. We ran into some old friends and met some interesting vendors with fabulous stories and a wealth of knowledge about their treasures. My favorite interaction of the day was with a very elderly woman selling items as Vintage as herself. She was not a casual person but very well dressed with perfect makeup, beautiful skin and her soft silver hair was pinned into a french twist. Even sitting on a bench covered with a blanket and fur lap robe she looked regal. I didn't want her to have to leave her warm nest to assist me so took the items I was interested in to her. As I knelt beside her on the grass she inspected each one carefully, commented on it's provenance, and after a bit of discussion we came to a mutually agreeable price. She was delightful.

Treasures destined to become Salvaged Style.

Third reason: Why buy new when you can own something with History? Do mother earth a favor and recycle a little. Old is charming, previously owned has a story to tell and if you have enough imagination nothing is wasted. I talked to my Mom this morning and she told me how my brother and Sister-in-law found all new (to them) lawn furniture while garage sale shopping yesterday Way to go Tamie and Dave!

Bow Saw

It was a great morning. We were entertained by a well run event and interesting people, almost stuck to the budget ( the pump put us $20 over) and we didn't get carried away with purchases that while great bargains, we had no need for in our home. Giant win.

Spring Training Baseball

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:13:00 +0000

Yesterday we had the pleasure of seeing a Grapefruit League Spring training baseball game. The New York Yankees at the Washington Nationals in Melbourne, Florida. It was a beautiful sunny day, we saw Pineda pitch, and the Yankees won. Perfect afternoon! I was hoping that Fred would catch a baseball for my newest jewelry project (that is our game agreement I duck, he dives) but the ones that were hit in our direction didn't come close enough for him to get. I did locate some other old baseballs and have been working hard. The new jewelry will be available on our Etsy site in time for opening day.

- Bonnie, from my iPad

Purple is the Color of Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:54:00 +0000

Spotlight on: Evon Cassier Bags

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:51:00 +0000

Today I received a lovely gift in the mail from Evon Cassier an Etsy artist and fellow member of Team EcoEtsy. Our team had a Green Valentine Gift Exchange and I was the lucky recipient of one of Evon's Power Suit totes.

Power Suit Tote by Evon Cassier

I have been aware of Evon's work for some time. She makes amazingly detailed bags out of recycled men's suits and sport coats. I was originally drawn to the overnight bags that she makes out of discarded Firefighter turnout coats and quickly came to appreciate the detail in her designs.

My beautiful bag is made of a wool tweed suit coat (size 42 regular according to the tag inside the pocket). It is a convenient 11 1/2 inches wide 12 inches tall and 5 inches deep. There are 2 pockets on the outside. They are the suits original outside pockets. There are also 2 pockets on the inside. They are the suit jackets original lining. There is a leather insert on the bottom for added strength. I am amazed at the artistry and detail in this bag. Even the buttons on the jacket sleeves have found a home.

Inside of the Power Suit bag

Evon is a talented seamstress as well as an imaginative recycler.This talented Etsy artist will also make a custom bag out of a coat or suit jacket that you provide. What a beautiful way to utilize a treasured article of clothing. Imagine a bag made from the suit jacket your husband wore on the day you were married, or your fathers old uniform.

Background: The FamiLee Jewels is an ecofriendly business. We reuse old and unwanted materials in our jewelry designs and use packaging made of recycled materials in our presentation and shipping. Those practices have allowed me to join Team EcoEtsy. We are a diverse group of and artisans and craftspeople drawn together by our desire to live a green lifestyle and to incorporate green practices into our businesses.

Happy Valentines Day

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:27:00 +0000

The Big Waste: A Big Eye Opener

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:15:00 +0000

The Food Network offered up a special last weekend called The Big Waste.
In it celebrity chefs Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, Anne Burrell and Alex Guarnaschelli were charged with the task of creating a multicourse gourmet meal for 100 discerning guests using only food that was going to be sent to the trash.

The waste that they showcased was enormous and must be multiplied by most grocery stores, fish mongers, butchers, bakers, farms and food producers in the country.
Every Day Grocery stores discard many bags of less than perfect produce along with meat, deli and dairy products that are approaching their "use-by" date.

Some examples from the show:
Meat ends (we are talking about $24/pound prosciutto) that had to much fat in them...became discards.
Oysters returned by a customer that ordered too many...couldn't be resold.
Cheese that had reached it's use by date...out the door.
Bruised tomatoes, peaches with a blemish and lumpy pumpkins all in the compost heap.
One produce farmer that was interviewed stated that 40% of his crop was "waste".
I was appalled by the waste that was brought to light. One of the most enlightening statements from the show was something to the effect of: Americans through advertising have been taught to expect only perfection. We choose each piece individually for it's lack of blemishes.
It was easy to be angry, to rage that "There are people starving in this country!" and "Somebody needs to do something?"
The Food Network is a lot of somebody's drawn together by their collective love for food and food preparation. The network used their platform to showcase a problem that many of us realized on some level but had not personally seen.

I applaud the Food Network's decision.
They have been slapped by many critics for using a "competition" format and for serving the dinner to "foodies" and not the hungry. I say to them: This wasn't meant to be an obscure documentary and who better to present a problem to, than those who have the power and connections to do something about it.

Bottom line: A lot of waste was identified. Waste not because of wanton disregard of our resources but because of the way we think about our resources.
We as responsible consumers need to learn to use and appreciate food that we may previously identified as less than desirable. To rise to the challenge of finding a way to turn those foods into delicious meals.

We need to learn to cook what is locally available to us instead of planning a menu and then going shopping.
During the broadcast Chef Bobby Flay suggested to a restaurant supply butcher that he have occasional classes to discuss the use of less commonly used cuts and organ meats in order to elevate them to gourmet status.
A good suggestion and one that we can all benefit from. There are many food blogs and recipe web sites that are available online. One of my favorites is AllRecipes.com. It is a user added and user rated recipes that are searchable by ingredient. As an example my refrigerator has leftover chicken and zucchini that needs to be used. AllRecipes gives me a choice of 82 recipes. I have the ingredients in the house to make 5 of them.
I can turn leftover mixed vegetables into soup, curry or pot pie.
Cheese ends into enchiladas, risotto or breaded Parmesan chicken.
Stale Oreo's into cookie bark.

You get the idea, now use your imagination.......Hmmmm.....I wonder what I can do with that leftover Cabernet? :)

It Isn't Easy Being Green

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:06:00 +0000

2012 will find me looking for more ways to lesson The FamiLee environmental impact. These lovely items by members of TeamEcoEtsy all support that goal.

Treasury Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:05:00 +0000

Word for Wednesday: Karma

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Events of the past week have had me thinking about karma. I try to live a purposeful life and to treat people with honesty and respect. It annoys me when colleagues are more careless with the feelings and attitudes of those they interact with, especially when those others are people that I care for.

Word for Wednesday: Serenity

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:31:00 +0000

Serenity

Boredom is the feeling that everything is a waste of time; serenity, that nothing is.

Thomas Szasz

Treasury Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:28:00 +0000

Saturday Style: Mixing Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:19:00 +0000

Fabric bundle by fabrictofabric on etsy.

Mixing prints and patterns in fashion and home decor is quite a skill. It requires a deliberate plan and a good eye to pull off the look.
Too little and it's a nonstatement.
Too much and you are ready for a turn under the Big Top.
I have been working on incorporating more pattern into my wardrobe and have picked up a few hints from people who possess the look that I am trying to achieve.

The easiest way to get started is to choose a color. Color will be your unifying factor. Choose 2 or more prints that feature your color of choice and see how they complement one another. A great example of this technique is this fun little purse by etsy seller RoseThreads. Amy has used bright orange to marry 2 bold floral prints and achieve mixed pattern success.

Even electric orange can be a unifying color.

The second key to mixed pattern success is varying the print sizes. Do you have a bold stripe? Try paring it with a floral that is more delicate in design. These pillows by ChloeAndOliveDotCom provide an excellent example. Sisters Chloe and Olive use their combined experience in graphic and interior design to create home decor with fashion sense. Bold stripe and graphic print with delicate detail, definite success.

Varied print sizes will make it work.

There are a few more guidelines to make sure that your fashion attempt doesn't fall flat.
Be careful of the amount of fabric in your ensemble. A flowing skirt is great but pair it with a fitted top. Ruffled blouse with big sleeves? Try skinny pants or a pencil skirt.

Your new look is bold. You don't want to look like a theme.
Love animal prints? Great. Stick to one at a time.
Orange, black and bold will resemble Halloween.
Red white and blue? Maybe for Fleet Week.

Accessorize with care. try a scarf, hat or belt within your chosen color or in direct contrast to it. Keep your jewelry subtle. No big chunky necklaces here. Try a few bangle bracelets and a pair of drop earrings in antiqued silver or copper to complement your boho chic look.
TheWhistlingGypsy has it all together in this ensemble that features an upcycled miniskirt of her own design.

TheWhistlingGypsy has achieved mixed pattern success, you can too.

Look through your closet and drawers. Is there a particular color that you have a lot of?
Lay those items next to one another on the bed. (Kick the cat out of your room first) Put away the solids.
Bold pattern? Find one that is less so. Like the combination? Good.
Fabric volume check. Good?
Accessories? Good to go.

One more thing. You are making a statement here. Don't let the clothes wear you. Own the look.
Shoulders back.
Hips forward.
Smile.
You're on.

Word for Wednesday: Bobcat

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:43:00 +0000

I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my Country to help

other people at all times and to obey the law of the pack.

Treasury Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:54:00 +0000

I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full.
Arthur Ashe

Saturday Style: Biker Chique

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:37:00 +0000

2011 fashion trends are combining lovely feminine colors with boldly dramatic motorcycle related accents. The military style influences of the last few years have evolved. Enter Biker Chique.

I am seeing black leather in vests and bags, big chunky boots with fun accents, and belts with studs and rivets. Zippers are making a statement as fashion accents and quilted fabrics are new again.

This is not the grungy motorcycle look of a previous decade but a more sophisticated way to express your fashion. You don’t have to be a Biker Chick to be Biker Chique.

Your motorcycle jacket doesn’t have to be made of black leather. Be adventurous with style in a tan organic cotton twill motorcycle inspired jacket like this one designed by Reifhous.

Forget about the black leather pants. You can rock these handcrafted black leggings with your kitten heels.

The leggings are available at Duende74 . They are made to order so you can choose whether to have the detailing on the back or the side of the ankle.

On a recent visit to New York we saw an incongruous combination of girly dresses and chunky footwear. It worked! Try adding these upcycled boots to an ensemble that includes your favorite flirty skirt. They are available from WithoutBustles.

A great way to incorporate biker style into your wardrobe is through the use of accessories.

I fell in love with this rich chocolate brown holster bag. It is called the Peacemaker and is available from the designer, MadCapClothing.

Or warm your hands with biker style on those cool Summer evenings with these lacy fingerless gloves available from ZenandCoffee.

Don’t forget the jewelry. This hammered cuff by Colla could grace the arm of the fiercest biker fashion.

This silver chainmaille bracelet with black and red crystals by Galadryl will add some glam to your black leather.

So what do you think readers? Is Biker Chique in your future?

Word for Wednesday: Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:05:00 +0000

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.

- Louisa May Alcott

Treasury Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

When once you have tasted fight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. Leonardo DaVinci

Saturday Style: 1970's Fashion Influence

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:47:00 +0000

Saturday Style: 1970's Fashion Influence

Do you remember the maxi dress?
Was your closet full of flare leg jeans?
Did you own a jumpsuit?
Or does your only exposure to 70's fashion come from reruns of
Charlie's Angels and Three's Company on Nick at Night?

Yes.
The 1970's are back.
Influencing fashion that is.

2011 fashion trends are feminine and ladylike featuring wider pants and flowing, silky fabrics. Floaty
fluid silhouettes are paired with platform shoes and bold chunky jewelry in a girly style called
boho chic.
This years wonderful color palette that includes honeysuckle pink, coral rose and beeswax
are wonderful in vibrant prints, horizontal stripes and geometric designs.

Let a little retro chic into your life.
Still love your skinny jeans? Add a top with a asymmetric neckline and your big Foster Grants.
Can't let go of your favorite fitted top? Pair it with a pair of wide leg linen pants and some glam
dangling earrings.
Maxi dress? Let it shine with heeled sandals and a long chain necklace.
Embrace fringe on your big purse and layer on those bangle bracelets.

Welcome back 70's.
I don't know if I am ready to wear pajama pants out in public,
but if I have to see people wearing them in the grocery store
I would rather they be satiny and luxe than flannel and covered with cartoon characters.

Treasury Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:27:00 +0000

September Blog Carnival: What's on Your Workmat?

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:32:00 +0000

Prioritized project: Fingerless gloves waiting for embellishment.

It's confession time.
Septembers Starving Jewelry Artist's Blog Carnival topic is What's on your workmat?
Hello my name is Bonnie and I ponder and start and work on many projects at one time.
My brain works faster than my hands can keep up.
A new idea can be inspired by a current project, a picture in a magazine, the color of a sunset, a dream, or a great piece of hardware from a salvage shopping trip. I feel the need to capture the brainstorm in a concrete manner so that it doesn't slip away. That compulsion translates to multiple mats.
A mental health professional might call this flight of ideas.
I call it creativity.

Skary skulls. Off the mat!

Just finished: an entire Halloween collection of Spooky spiders and Skary skulls in every color of the rainbow. Off the Mat!
In progress: a chainmaille bracelet done except for the clasp that is for the Visions of Hope fundraising event to benefit our hospitals Cancer Treatment Center. The bracelet is on the mat because the crystals in it are pink and I am almost sure that they want to be black. I am waiting for them to decide.
Then there is the "stack-o-mats", a pile of nesting plastic boxes that each holds a project.
1. Viking knit. Always on the mat, and a favorite on the go project for long car trips. (Fred insists on doing all the driving anyway.)
2. Special order for a wedding. On the mat until I find the right color blue beads to finish them.

Necklaces: still on the mat.

3. A pearl and rhinestone bracelet waiting for me to have the patience to string all those tiny beads. Still on the mat.
4. A pair of beautiful fingerless gloves (hand knit by my daughter Lissa) that I am embellishing with beads and salvage to wear at shows. On the mat since May when I received the gloves. Now that the weather is cooler these are a priority.
5. A series of necklaces with acrylic donuts as the focal point. On the mat to be finished before our next show on October 8Th.

I am looking forward to finishing up some of these projects and fessing up has made me prioritize them.
Fabulous photos of completed projects to follow.

Projects in waiting, otherwise known as "Stack-o-mats".

To read what other Starving jewelry Artists have to say about this topic visit:
Bead Sophisticate
Beadsire

Frightful Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:17:00 +0000

Skary Skulls by The FamiLee Jewels on Etsy

Crisp mornings, advertisements featuring cuddly sweaters, and yellow school buses herald the approaching change of seasons. This is a beautiful time of year in the Northeastern United States. Soon our trees will be bright with shades from gold to scarlet, asters will be blooming and the smell of wood fires will once again become part of our environment. All of these things signal to me that Halloween is near. Halloween is one of my favorite Holidays. It brings out the silly child in me. I love the decorations, the costumes and of course the treats!

Dia de los Muertos dress by ChaoticCouture

Consider this romantic Day of the Dead costume.by ChaoticCouture22 on Etsy. It's amazing pearl encrusted bodice gives it a sugar skull appearance that is enhanced by the designers use of burnt edges. You will be the most beautiful ghoul at the party.

It even comes with a burned red rose bouquet and black lace mantilla style veil decorated with more red roses of course.

Handmade leather mask by Ken Osborne

Consider this handcrafted leather mask in fabulous flame colors by Etsy seller kennosborne. Each of their masks is a unique work of wearable art and will make a most mysterious statement.

Kennosborne represents a husband (Ken) and wife (Becky) team of artists whose favorite materials include "anything we can get our hands on."

Skeleton arm warmers by LadyLotus

Wear "dem bones" on the outside with theses funky arm warmers/fingerless gloves by LadyLotus. These arm warmers are made from recycled T shirt fabric, projects that didn't turn out the way the Lady wanted them to. What a great use of material!
Scary or funky, sexy or bold costumes are a delightful way to celebrate the season.

Who are you going to be for Halloween this year?

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:37:00 +0000

The FamiLee Jewels are packing up the store and taking the show on the road. This weekend you can find us in Lake George New York at the Adirondack Nationals car show.
Adirondack Nationals is an annual event held by Albany Rods and Kustoms. Classic cars literally take over the town. There are parades and contests all weekend long.
The FamiLee Jewels will be located in the Women's Oasis in the Fort William Henry Conference Center , the same space we have occupied for the last several years.
We will be there Friday and Saturday 7-5.
Come spend a perfect Fall day in beautiful Lake George NY, be amazed by classic cars and stop in to the Women's Oasis to say hi!

Happy Birthday Freddy

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:48:00 +0000

Happy Birthday Freddy.
Four years ago this afternoon I watched you be born and got to hold you for the very first time. Oh my goodness everyone held you that day. You are so lucky to have so many people that love you.
Freddy I can't believe that you are such a big boy now.
You can ride a scooter.
You can have sleepovers.
You can wear underpants.
You can make a cake.
You can play games with the grown ups.
You can play Mario like a champ.
You can even hike a trail and even climb a mountain.

I love you little man.
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Freddy
Happy Birthday to you.

Cha Cha Cha!

Summertime

noreply@blogger.com (Bonnie) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:40:00 +0000

Beauty is a back yard water garden.

We are deep in the midst of a wonderful Summer. The flowers are blooming, veggies are growing nicely and colorful birds and dragonflies are populating the yard. The tadpoles in the pond have grown legs and now rest on the lily pads as their tails grow shorter daily.
I can't get enough of being outside and enjoying the sun. My day begins with birdsong as I walk around the garden and drink a morning cup of coffee and isn't complete until I have heard the peepers singing me to sleep.
Weekends are spent walking a new trail or on quiet water in the kayaks.
Jewelry made during these months, when I can make myself stay inside and work, is influenced by the dragonflies and birds I admire daily.

Baby frogs grow larger day by day.