The Junk Bonanza - Mecca for Jewelry Artist Displays

It is that time of year I really look forward to!

Fall! 

The air is crisp but not so cold you have to wear tights or nylons (GOD FORBID).  

I am thinking about skirts and boots, upcycled necklaces and layers of them, urban architecture, chicken coop wire, barn doors and vintage lace. It is a mecca shopping experience for the decorator, jewelry artist, upcycler, junker or antique dealer.

Its The Junk Bonanza and I Love It!

What I was so impressed with when I first went was the women that go to this thing are REALLY DECKED OUT.  Layers of jewlely, cool haircuts, hip clothing, boots, hats scarves and makeup to perfection.  I know we women are all just dressing for each other and it is eye candy. 

 It is hip and urban and it is really fun to see young shoppers and I mean 20's buying items for their dorm, shop or home.

This is my second year going and it is only 5 miles from my house. It is held in the Cantabury Downs Race Track and it is big! 100s of vendors sell their wares.

I have to say that the 2 pictures below are what really excited me!!!

I love these old bicycle seats made into necklace displays!!!!!  

Soooooo Cooooool!

I just want to hammer away on this sturdy table!!!!!!

Well I definetly can't bring this home.....that would send me to an early grave by my husband. 

Headline News

Husband Murders Jewelry Artist Wife with her Top of The Line Fretz Hammer!

I did find some goodies!!!!!!

I like to buy new things to display my jewelry on every year.  I saw these arcitectural pieces set on stands and saw the jagged top and thought these would be perfect for jewelry displays! I love the chipped paint and I think I can use these to photograph my jewelry also!

There were lots of vendors selling old keys and I was thinking of some Basalt Hearts I have at home.....thought I could incorporate them into my jewelry. 

 Look for my publication in Bead Trends November 2012 issue! You will see my lovely Basalt Hearts in a design there!

I was really giddy about this purchase!!!!!!

I think my jewelry is going to photo graph nicely on these...in fact check out the next few pictures.

I really like the look of these ceiling tiles and may have to go back tommorow and snag a few more!!!!!!

A trip that I will make over and over again and The Junk Bonanza is coming back in the Spring!

I Love It!

An Excercise in Freeform Upcycling

I love to thrift.  For me it is all about the hunt.  It must run in the family because my mother remembered everything she paid for things.  "I got that for only $2.99 ON SALE!!!" "It was on sale for only $9.99!"  I got into thrifting in college, I would scour the Easter Seals in Brookings SD for those button up grandpa sweaters.

The love to thrift has definitely carried into my creativity.  I get major inspiration from other peoples cast offs.  The texture, shape and color play in my mind and I can immediately weave it into something fun, modern and hip.  Like this cuff below.



I actually walked past it and then something clicked in my mind and I made a double take! 

PEOPLE I GOT IT FOR ONLY $2.99!

I picked it up and looked at the shape and THE DRILL HOLES. I thought off all kinds of things to make. Now what I made is just the tip of the iceberg in my head on this but you just have to start. I did this freeform and just let loose no planning.  I think this is a great technique to use when you want out of a creative block.

Not everything in an upcycled necklace has to be from recycled products.  In this necklace I had this flower from an old necklace sitting in my recycled and reuse box FOREVER!  The glass, I bought at Beadniks in the Mall of America but it is recycled glass from Africa.

Remember the Mother of pearl sticks from the bracelet? Those are the only pieces I used from the bracelet in this. 

The leather is cut off ends in my scrap leather cording bag. DON'T THROW THAT AWAY!  It can be reused in so many different ways!

Next time you are looking for inspirations head to your local thrift store or your Grandmas jewelry box that you inherited.  Make someones trash into something fabulous. It makes you feel good and it is really rewarding to see something dated and shabby turned into something modern and fun.

REMEMBER I GOT IT FOR ONLY $2.99 PEOPLE!