Busy Crow Studio

Browsing around in a small bead shop the other day, I was surprised that I couldn't find one thing to buy (I went by the criteria of did I need it? did I want it? -- and the answers were just no for both!). However, the shop did have two large baskets of 'junk jewelry' to dig through; the kind of jewelry treasure that you used to be able to find in a thrift shop, a tightly packed plastic bag full of all the costume (and sometimes better than costume!) jewelry both whole and bits, for about $5.00. Those days are no longer; most thrift shops know now to sort and pick through their costume jewelry and try to sell it all individually in case there's a collector out there. I still got a deal on this assortment though, the signs over the baskets invited you to fill a small bag for three dollars.

The other reason I think I couldn't find a thing to interest me other than those baskets was the fact that I've been involved in the hobby of beading and jewelry making for more than 30 years, so it sometimes seems like there's 'nothing new under the sun' as they say. So digging through those junk jewelry baskets was a nice exercise in imagination. I selected some random items, and I'll show you what I'll do with them in upcoming posts. Maybe if you are getting a little 'jewelry jaded' like me, it can help inspire you to rescue some jewelry from the junk pile!

Junkjewelryproject

Recycle a pair of jeans or jeans skirt into a roomy bag with shoulder straps.  The free tutorial is available at:
http://www.meetup.com/altered-art-tea-party/

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String up the rich colors of the southwest, and add a natural stone focal pendant.  The tutorial includes instructions, photographs, and materials listing.  You can find it at:

www.bead-patterns.com (look for designer Busy Crow Studio)

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Kitty Pearl is a 6" wool felt cat doll that is wearing her favorite outfit (a pearl dress!)  The tutorial includes a full size pattern for the doll, and instructions to make her pearl dress.  Look for designer Busy Crow Studio at www.bead-patterns.com to find this tutorial...

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Recycle plastic shopping bags or fabric into a Pokalotti Wreath and embellish it as you please.  The tutorial includes instructions, photographs and suggestions for many wreath styles. 
http://stores.lulu.com/busycrowstudio

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Beady Bella is a bohemian babe who would love to wear anything in your bead and bauble stash.  The tutorial includes full size pattern for the 11" cloth doll, and instructions for her beaded accessories, with photographs.  Find the tutorial at:

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Make a fun and lightweight bracelet that features a fluffy strip of rubber oh-rings.  The tutorial includes instructions and photographs, and can be found at www.bead-patterns.com (search for Rubber Ruffles)

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Feeling the summer heat and looking for light and airy designs?  Try the Copper Heart Earrings tutorial at:
http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/make-copper-heart-earrings/7205486

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Two new tutorials have been added: Star Medallion (a wire wrapped pendant project), and Bead & Button Charm Bracelet (a great way to use buttons in your stash).  They can be found at Etsy, Artfire, or www.bead-patterns.com (search for designer Busy Crow Studio).