What I do when I take a Break from Crafting....

As the designer and owner of Hydrangea Designs I spend a lot of my day creating jewelry, hair accessories, brooches, felt ornaments and many more goodies to sell on Etsy and at the market. When I need a creative break to rejuvinate myself I usually go straight to my knitting. I taught myself to knit about 6 years ago when I was pregnant with my second son. At that point I made several scarves and started a baby blanket that was never finished. Every once in a while I would grab my needles and do a couple inches on a scarf. I just liked the way that the knitting motion calmed me. But my skill never really increased.

I think it was about September of last year (2010) that Nona taught me to knit a basic hat so I could help her catch up a bit on her market hats. From that moment on I was forever lost to knitting.... Since September (5 months) I think I have knit... at least 25 hats (probably more), a few scarves (with a few remakes) and a neck cowl (remade 3 times).

Now I am expanding out to legwarmers... So far... my favorite thing to knit. I have one leg done... only to realize that the top 3 inches are a bit too small to go over my thigh... (these are suppose to be long legwarmers). I'm now starting my second leg... figuring that I will solve the problem this time and then go back and fix the other. It doesn't even matter to me. It's all in the process. Knitting gives me the calm and rejuvenation that I need to find my creativity again.... :)

If Lovin' You is Wrong.... I don't Wanna Be Right....

After a weekend at CU watching Jenn work her magic with her HUGE set of Copic markers... I became very interested in this child-like crafting idea...

I went over to Nona's to check out her collection of Copics and got a quick lesson on "how-to". From that moment on... I was a goner.... (Kind of like when Nona taught me to knit)

A couple days later I went out and bought my first 16 markers... of course that is not nearly enough and has just increased my desire 10fold.

Now my goal is to find many different ways to work these markers into anything and everything that relates to my business so that I can "color" all the time....

I recommend not starting.... it is so addictive.... :)

Amethyst Bling Ring

This week I found a gorgeous pair of vintage Amethyst Rhinestone earrings. I could not resist them. Out of one beautiful pair of earrings I made two stunning Bling Rings. I can't wait to show them to you in person. Come check out our booth this summer at the Edmonds Market. I should have a great selection of Bling Rings for you to peruse.

Beauty Renewed

This is my favorite bling ring so far. My dear friend Kelly is sporting this ring and it looks as if it was made for her.

I have discovered this new passion for vintage jewelry... taking something that once made someone feel special and beautiful and repurposing it to make it current... making a modern day woman feel just as special and beautiful.

When I find that special piece I can feel it right away. It makes me stop and take and second and third look. And you know how when you are in an Antique store... you find something and think.... I will come back for it... only to either forget where it is or forget about it completely. These finds never leave my mind. I am always drawn straight back to their exact location. They are longing to be rejuvenated.

Bling Rings

My new Bling Ring collection has become my latest obsession. I either use Swarovski Crystal elements or vintage buttons or vintage jewelry. Half the fun is in the hunt for just the right centerpiece for each ring. Scouring the Antique Shops and Thrift Stores gives me just as much joy as creating the rings and the final result.

I hope you enjoy what you see. Let me know if you see anything you are interested in. Also, keep your eyes peeled for new creations to be posted.

In the meantime, checkout my etsy site.... www.hydrangeadesigns.etsy.com.

Creative University

What a great experience I had this weekend. Went to CU with Nona... my first time, her 4th. She introduced me to a bunch of her friends that I now consider to be new friends as well. We crafted, and chatted and ate, and crafted some more. One thing we didn't do much of is sleep.... :)

Time away from my family is hard for me because I miss them when I am not with them... but I feel like my family grew this weekend because of all the wonderful craft sisters I have gained. Thank you Tresa for the wonderful event that you created and to all the women at CU for welcoming all of us newbies. :)

One of my new passions is creating hair accessories. I love making headbands, hairclips and almost anything pretty and flowery for your hair.