Beaded Stilettos

Do you know SkyMall? It's a catalog that's found on airplanes. I remember a comedian once saying the catalogs were full of things you never knew you needed until you saw them there. In some ways Pinterest is like that for me. Take stilettos for instance.. The only stilettos I knew about before Pinterest had to do with shoes. 

Did you know these are stilettos too?

I didn't. I saw them at Pinterest and immediately repinned them onto my Tutorials board. These are the lovelies that I discovered there.

This set was made by the Empress of the Universe over at her blog, (what a cool blog name.. I'm totally jealous!). When I saw them at Pinterest the pretty beads caught my eye so I clicked through and read about them. 

They're handy little tools that can be used in a lot of areas of crafting and sewing. From guiding fabric near the presser foot on the machine, to turning narrow hems up at the iron, and even something to manipulate objects around wet glue or paint. 

I looked for the turkey lacers for awhile after discovering the stilettos at Pinterest, but didn't find them anywhere. Then, a couple of weeks ago I ran into Bed Bath & Beyond and remembered that was where the Empress mentioned finding hers.

I found the same ones she did. They were $.99.. A craft project for a buck! (That's Mr. ShowMe's favorite kind! heheh) 

 I bent the angled ends into loops with my jewelry making tools.

 Then went through my bead stash and pulled out beads with holes big enough for the lacers. 

 What a great way to use up some of those pretty onsies lampwork glass beads! It was so much fun trying the different beads on the lacers and figuring out which ones went together! Once I got that part worked out I decided on which glue to use.  

Then put a bit of glue between the bottom two beads and at the bottom of the last one. 

I took the Empress' tip and clamped the looped ends in clothes pins and set them up like that to dry overnight.

And voila!

I named them from left to right, Her Majesty, Heavy Metal, Circus Circus, He Loves Me, Woody, and She Swims With The Fishes. They were a blast to make and I've already used them countless times. Oh yeah, and I found the perfect place to store them... this little Florida souvenir toothpick holder that I picked up at the flea market for $1.

Has Pinterest helped you discovered something that you never knew you needed and then just couldn't do without?

I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks for stopping by :) 

Purses Galore!

I've always loved old purses. From my earliest trips to antique stores and flea markets, I've always been drawn to them. 

It's so much fun imagining about the person who bought them new. Was it for a special event? Something to complete a special outfit? Was it carried with a tailored suit, or a flowing skirt?

As you can see, I have a eclectic mix in my collection.

  

Here's a close up of my little 1904 St Louis Worlds Fair purse. I wonder if someone made it to carry to the fair, or if they were sold as souvenirs there? Can't you just imagine a lady wearing a long skirt and ruffled blouse, perhaps a fitted jacket, wearing gloves, and this little bag hanging from her wrist as she perused the exhibits at the fair?

Do you see the frog? Yes, it's a taxidermied (is that a word?) frog coin purse I found while in the Philippines last year. I decided since I collected purses, I needed that one!

Not all of the purses in my collection are old, some are sentimental, like the grey poodle purse that was crocheted by my sister. Some aren't purses at all, like the art glass "purse" in the back of this photo.

 Look at the length of this one!

I think I've mentioned that I collect vintage Florida souvenir items too. Here's a couple that cross over into my purse collection. A small mirrored compact from Bok Tower Florida and a small metal photo keeper with a sweet declaration printed inside.

 Acrylic purses from the 50's just make me smile. 

And can a purse collection be complete without a few Enid Collins in the mix?
I display them in my "purse room".. It's also my "sewing room".. You could say it's my Happy Place :o)

Do you have any special collections? I'd love to hear about them, if you do!


Thanks for stopping by and letting me share my collection with you. Have a wonderful week! :)

Proof

Here's proof that being good all year really pays off, and that I have a pretty great hubby.

Here's proof that I have the best mother in law EVER! (For many other reasons too, but she always finds the coolest vintage Florida Souvenir stuff for my collection each Christmas.)

And the goofy golden Christmas elf agrees too!