Friday, May 11, 2012

Mother's Day Flowers

With mother's day just around the corner many of us find our selves shopping for flowers for that wonderful woman in our life.  I wanted to share a simple arrangement I did for a recent event that could be quickly recreated for your mother.  I understand most of you don't have access to floral wholesalers, so almost all of these flowers can be found at your local grocery store or florist any day.  The great watering can container was found in the "dollar" section at Target for a great cost of $2.50!  In total this arrangement could be as affordable as $20 and your mother would love that YOU made it for her!




Flowers used: Tulips, Carnations, Lisianthus, Trachelium, and Waxflower



I just finished some fun arrangements today for the some special mother's and here they are! 







Flowers used: Stock flower, Dusty Miller, Tulips, Roses, Astrantia

I hope you have found some inspiration and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! 

{Call Me Country}

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Vintage Rhinestone Earrings

Whenever I am thrift shopping for pieces to make my belt buckles I can never resist buying up all the vintage earrings I can find.  Often the earrings come with clip on backs, and I can only wear them like that for so long!  I finally got around to changing the backs and brightening up a pair last week and thought I would share.

First off:  I purchased these earrings at a local thrift store for around $4 a pair.  Most thrift stores have 50% off sales on large holidays, so I try my best to do my shopping then.  

What you will need:  
-Two part epoxy.  This can be purchased at any hardward store.  I love using this product because of its great strength.  I am so hard on my jewelry and don't want to be worried that I might have issues with my glue holding up.  
-Wire cutters
-Pliers
-Stud earring backs found at your local craft store
-Cotton Swabs
-Nail polish.  I have found polish that has a glossy and more transparent coloring tends to work best. 
-Earrings


Lets get started:
As you can see these earrings have clip on backs.  You can remove them simply by cutting with your wire cutters as close as possible to the back of the earring. 


How simple was that?  The backs of both sets are removed. 


If you are wishing to color your earrings simply take a fingernail polish of your choice and carefully paint the stone.  I have gone with a coral pink and aqua colored polish.  


 All finished painting, now let them dry for a few minutes. 


In order to start re-backing the earring cute the ends off of your cotton swaps and mix your two part epoxy according to directions.  Place a small amount of epoxy directly on the back of the earring and apply the stud.  

Allow the glue to dry according to the dry time on the bottle, as they will vary.   


Both pairs are finished.  For the three stone pair of earrings I placed the stud at the opposite side of the earring from where it was originally.  I was unable to remove all of the old back, and felt it would be easier to attach the new stud on the other end's smoother surface.  


Here they are!  I love them and have worn them almost every day since I made them! 


 Painted Vintage Crystal Earrings


I found my backs were slipping slightly due to the weight of the earrings and replaced them with these larger backs.  There is no need to redo the studs just simply purchase these higher quality backs.



Thanks for stopping by and reading! 

{Call Me Country}