Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! 

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It is time for me to dust off the cobwebs from my nice 2 weeks of the Christmas holiday and start out fresh for the New Year.  Hopefully December was a hectic month for all of you that own your own shop with sales, sales and more sales! Inventory has turned and it is time to start out with some fresh ideas for 2012.  I don’t know what your new years resolutions are, but I am going to try to come up with at least 3 new jewelry designs each week!

 

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Designing Impressions Giveaway

Congratulations to Erin, the winner of the Designing Impressions Giveaway.  You will be contacted shortly.

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Little Girls Boutique Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Robin Quick the winner of the

 Little Girls Boutique Giveaway.  You will be contacted shortly.

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A Beautiful Collection of Handmade Items

Enjoy this beautifully curated collection of items from Etsy.

'Ice' by zoemacara

50% off sale Winter pho... sunshineartdes... $5.00	Snowdrop Crystal Keycha... GiftsandStars $27.00	Dread bead: four handma... wiseforseven $28.00	Light blue ring with la... ZsBcreations $21.00
Ice Blue Heart Necklace... LeelaBijou $40.00	2012 diary, notebook co... greengrass2 $20.00	Modern Home Decor, Natu... DailyReflectio... $24.00	Blue Buttons, Hand Pain... TuckooandMooCo... $32.00
Winter Tree Earrings Wi... OstaraMoonJewe... $22.95	Modern throw pillow, sn... EarthLab $36.00	Macho Bunting Banner, F... BHBKidstyle $20.00	Plush - Mother, aunt, f... TIMOHANDMADE $37.00
Ben hiver labokoff $30.00	CLOUD YELLOW - tie dyed... DearJuneShop $75.00	LOVE Languages Tote Bag... BucktoothedBun... $14.00	Blue Ice Earrings - vin... lazygiraffe $23.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

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The Many Uses of Burlap

I LOVE burlap! Burlap is a very versatile fabric that can add dimension, texture and interest to your space. This fabric has gained popularity since the days when it was only used as grain and coffee sacks (even though we love those too). It can now be seen as furniture upholstery, table linens, accent bedding, and drapery fabrics. The great thing about burlap is that is can be added to any space no matter what the style or decor. It goes well with fun and funky fabrics as well as traditional silks. The best thing about burlap is that it is cheap, cheap, cheap! It can be found for as low as $1.50 a yard!!! At that price, it's a trend you can easily incorporate into any space.As an interior designer I love to use burlap in my designs.  It is inexpensive and it adds such a nice texture to your design.  It is also so, French!  Below are some of my favorite uses of burlap.

Using it on a bulletin board is such an easy way to incorporate it into your interiors.  These bulletin boards are from ballard designs but you can easily make these yourself.  Buy and inexpensive bulletin board from your local craft store and just staple gun the fabric around it.  I always put fabric around my bulletin boards.  This one has an extra element of some upholstery tacks.

These drapes are also from Ballard Designs.  I have used these in many of my clients homes.  They again add an unexpected element to your design.

You can upholster funiture with burlap as well.  This chair would be so cute if you stenciled the initial of your last name right in the center of the back.  OOOOOH so Chic!


The one thing you do need to remember about burlap is that it is a natural fiber.  Before you make a commitment to anything, I would recommend you going to your local fabric store and buying a yard of it and making sure you don't mind the texture of it.

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Color Inspiration

They say that opposites attract.  I definitely think these colors that are opposite on the color wheel attract some beautiful attention.

image source: bedroom, sewing maching, chair and knob, antique door

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Handmade Chistmas Gifts

Consider giving a simple handmade gift to a friend or loved one this year.  Nothing shows how much you care more that something that was made from the heart.

Personalize a store-bought candle for an inexpensive Christmas gift. Simply wrap cardstock around the candle, and embellish it with a die-cut accent and letter. No die-cutting tool? No problem -- use stickers instead.  These candles can be picked up at any dollar store.  What a great girlfriend gift!

 Glass paperweights decorated for the holidays make practical and gender-neutral gifts -- ideal for coworkers and teachers. The simple project starts with a glass paperweight kit, available at crafts and hobby stores or online. Decorate the paperweight with scrapbook paper, gift wrap, or an old Christmas Card.  

This pretty-as-a-package pincushion is the perfect gift for a crafty friend. Cover a foam square with fabric (wrap it like a gift) and secure along the edges with fabrics glue. Glue on beads and tie on a ribbon bow.

 It takes only a few minutes and some embroidery floss to make these cute napkins!

Make a candle in a vintage teacup. Scour garage sales for cheap but interesting tea cups. Start with a wick, melted old candle ends, and a little scented oil, such as lemongrass or grapefruit. Find out how to make these candles HERE

Image source: candle, paperweight, cube, napkins, teacups

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