Boho Style?

Unfamiliar?
Most people are not familiar with what boho style is. That's not unusual, since the style is not usually considered popular, nor fashionable. The boho style was originally worn as a way to defy traditional fashion norms.  It stems from the Czech Bohemians, a nomadic group of people who rejected traditional values in their art,  music, thinking and dress. 

Tiered boho skirt pattern by LuckyCarolDesigns

Unconventional?
Although the style is not traditional nor the first choice of fashionistas, it is becoming more accepted in normal life.  People are dropping restraints and norms to wear what they personally deem is appropriate--applying personal taste to be expression-ally beautiful!

short Shimmer skirt by AllThingsPretty

 More acceptable now, than when I was growing up, I remember hem lengths being very rigid if you were to be considered "cool".  I've seen that change until these days any length skirt (except maybe micro mini) is usually accepted by the general public. More casual, comfortable and creative styles have emerged as "boho" or the "boho-chic" style.

Tattered Gypsy swirl skirt by linusmanus

   

Boho Wrap bracelet by EmmaRuthJewelry 

Why?
Why am I talking about a fashion style; I don't usually discuss style in this blog. Well, I feel a little bit "boho" when I work with my fabrics in creating wrist cuffs and other art pieces for my Abigail Jayne shop .

Close-up of a new cuff by abigailJayneArt

When working with the fabrics, beads, and embellishments, I strive to be creative not worrying about breaking all the conventional rules in coming up with a final art piece.  I make comfortable choices and use what I have.

Wispy buttoned Cuff by abigailJayneArt

 In my wearable pieces, the goal is:  beautiful and individual.

Teal Trinity Pendant by abigailJayneArt

I want my pieces to comfortably fit, whether on the body or in the environs of your space (my wall art not pictured here).  So, I think that I am currently defining my style as boho, and entering a new phase of creativity!

Anyone else have changing tastes emerging in your art?

Shop Closing

Over the last few years, I have made jewelry.  It's been a fun experience, but I now see the need to

 "narrow my repertoire".  Fabric has taken over my passion, so I will be closing my Design shop for good! Everything left in my shop is drastically reduced!  Use Coupon Code in the shop announcement for current discount. 

Here's a reminiscent look a a few of my favorite pieces. 

Please take a look, there is more than just jewelry in my shop -- it all has to go by Jan 31st!  

Thanks for looking!

Let's make a deal!

Jewelry . . . . so much of it on Etsy . . . . really nice pieces . . . . everywhere you look!

These facts have forced me to make a decision. I will be closing my jewelry shop on Etsy as of January 15th. It's been fun making jewelry, but I have many other interests too! If anyone wants to make an offer on anything in my shop, maybe for Christmas shopping or just for a special gift for yourself, I will be happy to make a deal! Send me a convo/email and we will see what we can do to close out my shop.  Also, I have supplies, i.e. beads, findings, bead wire, etc.  If you are interested in any of them, I will be listing them, at great discounts from original  prices, in my supply shop, PruittSupply. 

ID Badge Holders

Some time ago, I made some beautiful ID badge holders. I don't think that I ever shared them with you wonderful blog readers. I had purchased some larger beads from an Etsy seller, and decided to make something different, than what I had normally been making. I settled on long beaded badge holders for those who must wear them everyday at work. They can double as jewelry, since they are not the traditional webbing type holder. You can see them in my shop in this section http://www.etsy.com/shop/PruittDesign?section_id=6990174 If you have a special request for a color, I would happily make a custom order. Also, right now, during my summer sale, I will refund 20% of the purchase price thru Paypal. This is a great deal for you working gals!!!

New Jewelry!

I've been adding a few pieces to my jewelry line (also making sure I have enough product for my upcoming shows). Here are a few of my new pieces:

Visit my design shop to see the rest of the line!

Can't wait to do the first bazaar this Saturday! Hoping I've thought of everything and planned well! We'll see.

Only a few days left!

Don't forget!

I'm running a Breast Cancer Awareness special in October. There are only 5 days left in the promotion! Buy anything from my design shop and receive a free pair of Breast Cancer Awareness earrings. Also, I donate 10% of the sale to my Breast Cancer Charity.

Check it out! Maybe you will find something that you can save for Christmas giving!

Beads . . . Beads . . . Beads

I have boxes and boxes of various beads.

It all started as something to do, while my husband studied. We worked long hours together, then in the evenings he studied for his degree. I got tired of staring at the back of his head, so I started beading! The result: boxes and boxes of beads, boxes and boxes of earrings (started doing simple earrings) and two Etsy shops.

The first shop, Pruitt Handcrafts, opened nearly one year ago and is nearing it's first anniversary in November. Also, I've sewn for years, so at first the little shop had my Breast Cancer quilts and my jewelry together. But I love to be creative and it is the way I pass the time now, so eventually, I had so many fabric items along with my jewelry, that I decided to split my shop into two.

I love beads, I love looking thru the racks of beads in the local bead shop. As a result, I have made many necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and beaded items. The natural progression was to open a second shop. It opened in late June 2009 and is exclusively jewelry and beaded items. I call it my Design shop. Sales in the design shop are not what I had hoped, with a plethora of jewelry sellers out there, but I still create with beads, since I have boxes and boxes of beads! Maybe I should open a third shop and sell all my beads!


P.S. Coming soon--the last installment of the Afternoon Stroll Series--Watch for it!

Bracelets Galore!

I read that bracelets are not as popular a jewelry item as earrings (1st) and necklaces (2nd). I like bracelets! I have a larger wrist size than most people; I'm not a cute little thing anymore so most average bracelets don't fit comfortably. Therefore . . . . I make bracelets that are at least 8 inches, sometimes 8 1/2 inches in length. (I can shorten them for those of you who are a little more slight of frame! :))

Anyway, I will be listing quite a few more bracelets in the days to come, since I enjoy making them. That's not to say that I won't be listing necklaces and earrings, since I make those too! but my current passion seems to be bracelets! Check 'um out!

New Shop!

Today I opened a new shop to exclusively sell jewelry! I love making jewelry! My designs are simple but fun! Don't you just love having lots of options in your jewelry box! I do! Every outfit needs that special something to properly accessorize it! Fashion demands it!

I'll be moving some of my jewelry from my pruitthandcrafts shop to my new shop, leaving my handcrafted fabric items in one shop and the jewelry in another.

Come check out my new offerings, which are growing everyday!

www.PruittDesign.etsy.com

Make your own!

How do you store all those earrings? How do you know what you have? Those cute little store bought holders that look like a flower or a little animal and only hang 8 or 10 pair of earrings just won't cut it when you love earrings! Or when you make earrings! I have dozens! So I made my own holder and you can too! Here's how:

You will need some thin balsa wood strips (mine were about 1/2 inch square by 36" long) from the hobby store; some quilting batting; and some glue or tacks.

1) I just made a frame that is about 7 inches by 36 inches tall. You can make it any size you need. Just cut the wood to size with a sharp knife or saw. (I made it this size because I had a wall space that was between the patio door and the closet door. It's all the space I had! I've moved since then , but still use it!)

2) Then use the glue and tacks to put together a frame and don't forget the cross supports. Plan the size you need with the supports. Supports can be at the corners (making a triangle) if you have a larger span than I did.

3) Then cover the whole frame with the batting. You can glue it down or just use the tacks to hold it stretched over the frame. The finished product will be extremely light. You can hang the frame over push pins in the wall.