What's What (Vol. 5 - June 12-28)

Alas, it seems I couldn't "stay on the ball" with these posts as I had hoped. But that's okay...it just means that there's more for me to share with you. 

What's Finished

My last post gave you a sneaky peek at June's Inspiration Trove project inspired by the prompts: slides, treasures, and clock. The link above will take you to the video of the whole, long process.

What's in Progress

Day 18 of ICAD

Index-Card-A-Day (ICAD) is in FULL SWING. As always, I'm enjoying the results of the challenge. But I almost feel like it's taking me more time to get the cards done than usual. I'm definitely overthinking it but also enjoying the fruits of this labor and the experimental nature of creating every single day.

Day 26

As well, I've been working some on Halloween pieces - though nothing is actually finished. I'm hoping to start on Christmas soon, so I'd better put a fire under my butt!

What's up next

Besides Christmas makes (ornaments & cards), I'm planning to finish up my Keep It Spicy Art Journal video today so that it should be available tomorrow. 

As well, we're prepping to have friends over for swimming on the 4th of July.

What's caught my eye

Is it any surprise that I spotted a little bag of buttons at a local antique mall? And, for only ONE DOLLAR!! I was pleasantly surprised to find so many mother-of-pearl buttons in it. 

What's had my attention

We've had a lot of rain and heat recently, so I've had my eye trained on the weather app more than usual.

But, as far as fun stuff - I finished reading The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. IT.WAS.SO.DARN.GOOD!!!

- The hubs and I just finished rewatching the second season of House of the Dragon as the third one just started. If you're unfamiliar, it's a Game of Thrones spin-off on HBO.

What's filled my cup

After it rained for something like four days straight, I came off the back porch to find that the husk of a dead bamboo tree was covered in clusters of these little mushrooms. I can't tell you how tickled I was. 

What's new

Just a few days after my last post, I took some time to re-organize and freshen my space at Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope. I encourage you to go check out the whole shop if you're ever in the area! It's so bright and cheery. And, there are so many amazing artists displaying their beautiful works.

If you're interested in watching a week-in-my-life and seeing my face, there's a fairly new June VLOG available on YouTube.

That's it for now, I need to get to everything else on my long list.

What's new with you?

What's What (volume 2 - April 27-May 3, 2026)

 Look at me sliding in with another week's roundup!! 

What's finished

Honestly, the biggest tasks I accomplished this past week were getting the last blog post up, updating my space at Hello Gallery, and cleaning the house.

I did get these two photos altered as part of my StitchABit100 for the 100 Day Project.

What's in progress

Here's where so much time has been spent. I've got other photos still in the process of being altered. (I'm really just trying to decide if they're done for now.)

Other stitching has been done on this scrap of fabric, to which I'm adding white buttons and additional stitches. 

I've also been keeping my hands busy with some neurographic doodling. It's been a while since I dabbled with these. But, I was absolutely pulled back in.

What's up next?

We're doing a staycation this week and started strong yesterday with grilling by the pool. Though the water is still pretty chilly. We're hoping to take the bikes out, go for a paddle on the kayaks, and maybe even spend a day on the beach. However, we may be overambitious with our time. 

What's caught my eye?

After a ton of rain this past week, I looked out my office window and spotted this beauty of a mushroom. It's as tall as my hand!

What's had my attention

Pat had several band practices and a gig this week, so I was left to my own devices (hence the doodling). I watched Practical Magic for the first time ever and rewatched Dead Poets Society (for probably the hundredth time. It's a longtime favorite that I've avoided since Robin passed away.) As well, I picked up watching Outlander from where I left off several years ago (the end of season 2).

Also, the Mastering Mixed Media Expo 2026 has started, and I've been picking my way through those videos. (Today, the Making Zen Online Retreat also starts. I'm hoping to be able to watch some of those too!!

What's Been the Best Part(s) of My Week

~We did go see Cake, though we didn't take any pictures or video (as requested by the band). It was an awesome show!

~I thrifted some buttons.

~A couple of assemblages sold at the gallery

~We celebrated Pat's birthday with a few friends while exploring Pensacola on Saturday. (It was also Kentucky Derby Day, and a mint julep was in order. And, more celebrating was done poolside on Sunday.

What's new

Can you call thrifted bits "new"? If so, I picked up a few new items that will be in an upcoming Thrifty Thursday (though, not the one  I've got scheduled for this week.)

My pressed flowers came out beautifully! I was just off to pick more yesterday when I realized that I had plenty to do before our guests arrived. Hopefully, I can make it happen this week. 

New videos on YouTube -

~Art Journal Page (Keeping it Spicy challenge)

~Create with me Handmade Bracelets

So, what's new with you?

Sweet Button Bangle DIY

I received a beautiful selection of beads and buttons this month from Jesse James Beads as a Jesse James Beads Design Ambassador. Admittedly, they are colors I probably wouldn't have chosen myself, but it gave me even a hint more of a challenge. And, you know know how I like a good challenge. I should have a full reveal of everything I made from what they sent next week, but when I saw those beautiful Mermaid Mix in Coral buttons from Dress it Up, I knew I needed to make a button bangle with them. 

Yes, this design isn't new to me, but I took some time to update the tutorial. You can watch and learn to make your own button bangle on YouTube. 

It's a simple process that uses a thrifted bracelet as a base, wire, and those lovely buttons. 

Of course, if you have ANY questions I'm always available to answer them. Ask away!

Peek at My Week (Jan 31-Feb 6)

Let me go ahead and admit that the majority of this post is just pictures of my desk and what I've been working on for #The100DayProject. 

This was Day 1. I kept it simple with some tin pieces I had already prepped for earrings. 

As I mentioned before, my project is #100DaysofMakingJewelry, and I'm not pushing myself to get anything DONE each day, I just want to work on making each day. 

On Monday, I was all about planning and executing. I was focused on getting things done. Above are the fun beads I used to work on my project and make a cute pair of earrings.

Most of Tuesday was spent working on stocking my Bead Box. Those are just some of the treasures I was considering for it. 

The week wouldn't be complete without a new picture of Artemis. Here, she was making herself comfortable in my laundry basket just as I needed it. 

I also altered some key charms with Vintaj Patinas for the Bead Box. I counted that as my project for the day.

I needed to be at my mom's most of Wednesday to take my niece to the dentist, but before I left the house, I stacked a few pretty beads together on a headpin for some earrings.

While taking the recycling to the boxes (I have to drive into town since there's no pickup in our area), I ran into the library to check out their free shelves really quick for a bit of a Thrifty Thursday.

I had to stop to admire this little tree of blooms in my front yard. It took me a bit of asking around online, but I found out that it's a Taiwan Cherry Tree. 

For that day's project, I started a necklace.

Just as we were heading to bed, our older cat, Rosalina, began sneezing blood. It was awful. It was everywhere. I didn't know what to do. We cleaned up what we could and isolated her in our bathroom to contain the mess until I could get her to the vet in the morning. Neither of us slept well because of the worry, and the bathroom was quite the scene. But, I cleaned it up and got her to the vet for treatment. Later in the day, I was finally able to focus on making.

I turned to some fun tin, but the project just didn't work out. 

In the evening, I had a video call with my Bead Soup Swap partner (Robin Reed) to open our packages to one another. Here's a peek at what she sent me.

I'm planning on getting some pictures in the next day or two to give you a better look at her amazing generosity along with what I sent to her.

We were able to release Rosalina from her confinement on Saturday morning as I didn't see any additional blood in the bathroom. She was relieved for the release and settled into one of her favorite spots in front of my dresser. 

She slept most of the day (not surprising since she hollered and rattled the doorknob all night long.)

I played around with some scraps of tin (including the pink ones that didn't work out the day before) and mother-of-pearl buttons before I needed to leave the house.

I spent the rest of the day at my mom's house. We enjoyed some King Cake. Though Mardi Gras is "canceled" this year, we can still enjoy some of the joy of it.

That was my week for the most part. 

Now, here's some inspiration for you.

• While the 100 Day Project has already started, you could still join in. Julie of Balzer Designs offers up some 100 Day Project ideas. 
• At the Beading Gem, she's shared 6 Beaded Heart Jewelry Tutorials. 
• I'm always looking for some doodle suggestions, so here are some Flower Doodles to learn. 
• Roben-Marie has a few ideas for how to successfully participate in the 100 day project. 
• I like this lovely heart and pom-pom garland for Valentine's Day. 
• This tutorial for a seashell heart sign is one I saved last year to share just in time for Valentine's Day. 
• I really want to hone my brush lettering skills, and this tutorial might be just the thing. 
• These slouching figure sculptures and their details are captivating. 

I'm hoping the week ahead is better than this past one, but I'll take it as it comes either way. Here's hoping your week is full of smiles!

How to Use Buttons in Jewelry

I am, admittedly, bonkers about buttons. I work them into many of my jewelry designs and even into some of the art I create. I've had to stop buying them as I have nowhere else to store them. But, there's no reason you can't start collecting them too. You may just need some inspiration as to how best to use them. As such, I've created this tutorial on using buttons in jewelry design.

 In particular, I'm sharing my method for wire wrapping a button.

The materials are basic.

You'll only need a button, wire, pliers, and wire cutters.

To actually see my process in action, please watch the Using Buttons in Jewelry video. But, I also have complete instructions and examples of other ways to use buttons in jewelry below.

To get started, you'll insert the end of the wire about an inch into one of the buttonholes and bend it along the rest of the wire.

From there, cross the short wire across the long tail.

Before proceeding, you may want to make sure the long tail end is angled up from the button to make it easier to wrap the short end.

Then, begin wrapping the short end of the wire around the long end. Remember that the more times you wrap, the longer the wrap will be.

Trim away any excess wire on the short end and secure it using your chain-nose pliers.

After that, you'll go through the regular steps to make a wrapped loop. Begin by bending the wire at a right angle directly above the wraps.

Use your round-nose pliers to form a loop with the wire. 

Wrap your wire around and over the original wraps.

Once you have wrapped the wire around to your satisfaction, trim away the excess wire and secure the end.

You've now created a button charm. However, if you would like to make it a connector, repeat the process on the other side of the button.

Of course, this is only one of the many ways you can incorporate buttons into your designs. Here are a few other examples of ways I've used buttons in my jewelry pieces.

Simply slip jump rings into the holes of the buttons. This works best if the buttonholes are near the edges of the button.

Use waxed linen cord to tie the buttons to one another like in these Button Bracelets. (link goes to my tutorial)

Here, you see how I used the same method as above to make a chain of buttons.

Use buttons as they were intended and sew them onto fabric incorporated in your design.

Heavy gauge wire was used for the buttons in this piece in which simple loops were formed above and below each of the buttons. 

And, here's another example of button connectors used in a chain with beads to make up a necklace. 

There are still plenty more ways to use buttons in your designs. I hope I've helped you learn something and get those ideas flowing. 

So, how's your button stash looking now?