Twinkle Studio

Oh Zooey...Girl Crush

How cute is Zooey Deschanel?  I love her sweet and vintage, but zany style...in her clothes, hair, and choices of characters she plays. I especially adore her character, Kat, in Weeds. She's a full-on looney, but entirely likeable and fun. 

Swoon!

Loving her vintage style (and jewelry!) in these pics:

HOW-TO -- Picture Frame Earring Holder Display

Yesterday I made a pretty neat earring holder. I'm going to use it for shows and events, but it would be great for storing your own earrings in addition to these display ideas. 

This project took about 30 minutes start-to-finish...it's quick!

Supplies:

- Picture Frame: really this can be any size depending upon how many earrings you want to house. I looked all over for a vintage frame, but could not find one that met my esthetic requirements and weighed less than 30 pounds. So I opted for a $14 one that is 14"x18" from WalMart. Be sure your frame is at least an inch or so wide so that you have surface area on which to attach the screen. No skinny minnie frames!

- Screen: I had no idea there were so many different kinds of screen, but get the traditional metal screen, not the kind made out of plastic or fiberglass. You need the rigidity of the metal. I was only able to find a huge roll of this, so I have enough for about 10 more of these earring holders (handmade Christmas gifts!). This roll was about $8 at Lowes. 

- Tacks: Plain old metal thumb tacks. I bought the flatest ones I could find so that I could use a hammer. The fat top of the thumb tack is critical (i.e. little nails won't work great). These were about $.99. 

- Bias Tape: This can be found in any fabric store or WalMart. You could also use a thick ribbon. The bias tape worked great because it's thicker than most ribbon. This was about $1. 

- Tools: all you need is a hammer and a utility knift

STEP 1: 

Remove the glass, paper inserts, and the hard back from the frame. I'm not quite sure what to do with the glass yet, but I'm sure it will turn into another project...stay tuned! 

All you will be left with is the frame itself. 

STEP 2: 

Cut the screen so that it overlaps the frame on the backside of the frame. My frame was about 1.5" wide and the screen came to about the middle of the frame. Don't make the screen fit to the edges because you want to cover up the rough edges of the screen and you won't be able to if the screen is too big. 

I used a utility knife to cut the screen and it worked well. You could also try scissors, but the metal will probably dull your scissors. Be careful with the screen...those metal edges and stray metal fibers are sharp and pokey (and caused some minor blood shed on my end). 

STEP 3: 

Unwrap the bias tape and pop the tacks off the cardboard. 

Anchor the screen onto the backside of the frame in each of the four corners with a tack. PULL THE SCREEN TIGHT! I can't emphasize this enough. You don't want the screen to be loose and floppy. You want it to be very taught so that it's easy to put earrings in and out. 

After securing the corners, it's time to start with the permanent attachment. Place the bias tape over the rough edge of the screen and then nail it down with the tack and the hammer. Slick!

Continue to do this around the frame, constantly pulling the screen taught. Place tacks 3-4 inches apart or closer if you have a small frame. At the corners, fold the bias tape and secure the corners with a couple of tacks as shown below. 

When you reach the end, cut the bias tape, fold the end over, and secure with a tack. 

STEP 4:

Arrange your earrings! I opted to put gold-tone on one side and silver-tone on the other and then sorted by colors, but you can arrange them any way your little heart desires. 

 

This is a view of the finished product from the back. 

STEP 5: 

Now where to put your fantastic earring holder? You could get a plate/frame holder like one of these and place it on a dresser or any flat surface. You can buy these pretty much anywhere you can buy photo frames. 

Or mount it on the wall like a regular photo frame. If you do this, I suggest using some little shims on all four corners after it's mounted. This will create a space between the frame and the wall, allowing you to easily put your earrings in the holder. If the screen is flush against the wall, you're going to have problems. The shims can be made out of folded cardboard or really anything that's about 1/2" thick.  

Try mounting it on the wall with a decorative ribbon or fabric. You could even use something pretty to hang the frame from a closet rod or the ceiling. 

Note: You may want to flip-flop steps 4 and 5 (mount first, then add earrings), but I was just too anxious to get the earrings in there! 

We Have Tags...and Commentary on Being an Entrepreneur

My new jewelry tags came in yesterday and I spent pretty much all day and night putting them on my pieces! I have earrings cards, necklace hangers, and small hang tags for everything else. Very exciting!

Ok so it's pretty much dorky that I am excited about packaging, but it's not exactly the packaging itself. It's really the successful process of creation. Making something out of nothing. Taking a glimmer of an idea and making it a reality. So while I'm pumped about the little (and oh so cute) tags, I'm really thrilled about the business creation process. It's that insane little bug called entrepreneurship. 

I've always had entrepreneurial tendencies and never quite knew what to do with it. I worked professionally at "wage-slave jobs" for about 5 years before I created my own company. Interestingly enough, every one of those jobs was helping and supporting business owners to be successful. In 2000, I started my own wireless technology business from a desk in my basement and a Macintosh computer. As of September 2008, that company was at 65 employees, had offices in Minneapolis and San Diego, revenues of multiple million/year, and a high degree of profitability (don't even ask what's happened since then...it would pretty much take an entire bottle of Patron to get into it). 

While I liked the geeky tech stuff, I was really in it for the business creation process. Again, I love making something out of nothing. Whether it's jewelry, a sewing project, home improvements, cooking (not baking...too precise!), or generating business commerce, I love the process of creation. 

Here's a great quote from Nolan Bushnell: 

"The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer."  - Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese's

I have to go get off my butt now and create! 

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

In the immortal words of Queen: 

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle

I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like

This weather needs to warm up (and stop raining!) so I can ride my fun bicycle all the time. I took it for a little trek this weekend, but I want to ride it every day.  

Last year, in one of my California-girl moods, I bought my husband and I beach cruiser bikes. We may be the only people in upstate New York with these kind of bikes. In fact, I had to order them on-line because I could not find any locally. We really need to be on a beach boardwalk with these, but they're just so fun and functional that I can't resist using them even if they're out of place. 

Mine has a basket for Lola. She's hilarious when we ride because her little head bobbles with the bumps and her ears flap in the wind! She seems to like it (although she looks miserable here!). 

While I kind of look like a goon, I insist on wearing my helmet. This year I have a new pink one! I've had several people close to me who have had head injuries as a result of not wearing helmets and it's just not worth the risk and danger. Did you know (stats courtesy of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute):

- There are 67,000 head injuries caused by bicycling every year

- 2/3 of deaths from bicycling are caused by a head injury

- Direct costs of cyclists injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $81 million each year

Helmets are cheap! You can get them at Target or Wal-Mart for between $10 and $20. A small price, in my opinion, for keeping your noggin in one piece!

Bicycle races are coming your way
So forget all your duties oh yeah
Fat bottomed girls they'll be riding today
So look out for those beauties oh yeah
On your marks get set go
Bicycle race bicycle race bicycle race

T Compulsion

I don't think I've quite hit obsession, but I can't get enough of plain t-shirts for the summer! Yellow, blue, purple, gray...and, of course, white. 

My favorites are from H&M (sorry, no on-line shopping) and Gap. Simple, soft, splash-of-color t's! I've looked locally for some that I like, but not much luck at a reasonable price. Let me know if any local fashionistas have some suggetions. 

The ones I love from H&M are v-neck and a bit longer...and the fabric is very light-weight and lush. PLUS they're about $7...sweet!   

This one  from the Gap is near perfection. Plus some of the colors are already on sale! The cut is fantastic...fitted, yet loose and comfy. The length is just perfect and it has cute cuffed sleeves (that launder quite nicely). 

There's nothing better for the summer fashion. T's are perfect for topping short-shorts, bermudas, skirts, jeans, or chinos.  Tips for Wearing T-Shirts: 

- Try a pearl necklace with any color t. This will dress it up instantly. 

- Add a cool belt. Maybe a super skinny one over a long one or a chunky one with a t tucked in. 

- Top it off with a neutral-colored jacket and let some color peep through

- Wear a scarf to add some texture

- Plain t's are an ideal canvas for layering any kind of jewelry...especially sparkly, fun jewelry from Twinkle Studio . 

I love this Lanvin t, but at $1,086 it's quite an investment. I'd love to make a fun t like this for a fashion-forward girl...any takers? 

 

WINNER - Tiny Tea Cup Necklace

Jacque, you won the Tiny Tea Cup Necklace! Please get in touch with me via email (sara@twinkle-studio.com) and send me your address. I'll send out this beauty just as soon as I have that. 

Congrats...what a fun way to start a Tuesday! 

Never Forget - Memorial Day

Saturday Antique and Junking Adventure

I spent another Saturday scoping out vintage jewelry at an antique show around upstate NY including Rhinebeck, NY. What a great little town! There were a few amazing hotels and great-looking restaurants in the area (but we ate in Hudson...more on that later). 

The show we went to at the fairgrounds was filled with HIGH-END antiques. I didn't find much that would be good for Twinkle Studio jewelry, but it was interesting none-the-less. Plus the people were classic...just exactly what you'd imagine at a snooty, high-end antique show. 

This is an old set of Louis Vitton trunks...each going for nearly $1,000. 

These old bathing suits were an interesting display. The amazing thing about them was how heavy and thick the fabric was. They must've weighed 10 pounds when they were wet! 

These guys do a similar thing to me...they remake vintage/antique finds into something else. In their case, they made tables, mirrors, lamps, and other furniture pieces. Very clever artisans. 

Lovely green marble lamps. These were once antique architectural accents, but the dudes I mentioned above converted them into lamps. 

One of the vendors had pages from old books. This print must've been about 12"x20"...it was huge, which must've made for a gigantic book. 

Just a blur...scoping it out! 

This was a huge clock...about 4' in diameter. It's patina finish was lovely, too. 

After the antique show in Rhinebeck, we stopped at a few other antique stores in that area. I got a fantastic mirror for my show booth! I also scored a great ivory and gold jewelry box and a few other small things. 

Ah...the reward for a day of shopping! We stopped in Hudson, NY at Mexican Radio. I really like this restaurant because they have delicious margaritas and their menu is unique and very veggie friendly! I had wonderful chile rellenos...mmmmmm....poblanos and cheese! 

SALE - Buy one, get one 50% off

Wardrobes need a bit of summer inspiration...and jewelry is the perfect way to do that! 

Between now and May 26, buy one, get one 50% off all Twinkle Studio jewelry. This includes everything - even the items I just posted. Yeah, baby! Fine print: Lower-priced item is 50% off. 

Message me via Etsy BEFORE you make your purchase so that I can adjust the price of your 50% off item. Be sure to let me know the names of the items you want.  https://twinklestudio.etsy.com. 

Here are some great options for consideration...cute and posh! 

Blue Birdy Necklace  - $66 or $33 if 50% off

Ms. Noir Earrings  - $29 or $14.50 if 50% off

English Rose Cocktail Ring  - $26 or $13 if 50% off

 

Keira Feather Hair Fascinator - $49 or $24.50 if 50% off

Look at Me...I'm Downtown!

Twinkle Studio is featured on Downtown Susie Brown's Blog! What a sweet and fun write-up! 

She mentions the "few classy ladies of a certain age who share their previous loot with her." It's true...and so fun! I've gotten to know several really sweet older gals who have been collecting vintage jewelry for 20, 30, 40 years. Wow! They have such great stashes! I'm constantly amazed by their energy and enthusiasm. 

Check back on Susie's Blog on May 27 where she'll be doing a give-away for this Twinkle Studio bracelet...cute!