going dark.. black interiors

 I keep seeing and loving the dark feeling of black walls.  I know it seems extreme but wouldn't it feel like a cocoon, and its just so simple.  

 I know this last one is not black but let's be serious that floor is the best ever!!!!

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Inspiration

I don't know if it's just me, but I'm having a hard time finding inspiration at the moment. Maybe it's just because I have a lot on my mind right now. It's only a few months left until I move to Stockholm. The same week as I'm graduating from my education by the way. So at the moment I'm juggling thoughts about new furniture, applications for jobs and trying to cram in the final theories for the final exam. Anyway, since I currently live in a studio flat, and my boyfriend rents fully furnished, we have to buy a whole lot of new furniture. It's so hard to know where to start, so I think I'll start with the sofa, and dining furniture as these, plus a bed, are the first thing we'll need. The thing is that I love so many different styles. I love black and white minimalism. I love the more Nordic feel, with grey combined with light wood. And sometimes I even like a more luxurious interior, much like a hotel lobby. So what direction should I take... I'm getting mental! And if that weren't enough, I have to choose what to do with the walls. Leave them white or start painting, even if it's newly built and the walls have just been painted? Anyway, I'll give you some examples of the direction in which I'm thinking interior wise at the moment. If you have any good ideas, let me know! I need all the help I can get! =)

Image: Unknown

Image: Artilleriet

Image: Daniella Witte

Image: BMIX design studio

greige in rich texture

Texture rich is an understatement for this space.  The layering of materials makes such an impact in this tone on tone space.  I love every inch and wish I had the discipline to design my own home this way! Gorgeous!

Images via

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Writing A Craft Book: Why It's Important To Share Your Ideas

A few days ago I got an advance shipment of my new book, Boho Chic Jewelry,
and I couldn't be more excited! Yay! It's finally here!

Hot off the press!


Writing the book was tremendous work, but so worth it. To be able to share ideas
and inspire other folks to create is priceless. I know that many of you who follow
this blog are artists of one medium or another, so I think you can understand what I 
mean when I say that you can't rush creativity. Working under writing deadlines
is hard work and can be very stressful, but the rewards of having a finished book in 
your hands are greater than you'd think. It's all about sharing what you know 
with others, so that they can learn and create too!

When my publisher first approached me about writing the book, it was a lot to think
about. A couple of friends and relatives asked me things like, "Do you really want to
give away all of your secrets and techniques?" and, "You worked so hard to build
your business up to what it is today, why would you want to give all of that away to
strangers?" But I didn't have to think about it for very long at all. 

Before & after broken china jewelry


First of all, writing a book is a huge opportunity, and most folks go about it by putting
 together proposals and approaching publishers on their own. Because the publisher 
approached me instead of vice versa, I actually felt completely honored that they thought 
my work, designs, and ideas were good enough to warrant publication. I had been creating
 my china jewelry for many, many years. But I also create other types of jewelry too!

Antique lace jewelry

Probably the one thing that ties all of my work together is that I use unusual
materials in most of my designs. I saw this (publishing a book) as not just an 
opportunity to show others how to create jewelry from broken china, but to 
show others how they can create jewelry from all types of other materials too. Writing 
this book was a chance to help other people explore and use their own creativity! 
What could be better than that?

Pendants made from an antique glass buttons


 For this book, I had to put together twenty five different projects...that isn't just a lot 
of ideas, it's also a lot of different ways to give people to look at things creatively! 
So most importantly, in writing this book, I had the opportunity to inspire others.
 That was reason enough for me.

But little did I know of the rewards that would come once I started writing and putting 
 the projects together. They were greater than I ever could imagine.
(to be continued...) 




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What do you think?

Want to learn how to make your own jewelry out of

broken china? Then you should check out my new book!

Outdoor rooms...

 

While Spring promises it is approaching here at home we are planning on finishing off an additional piece of our backyard.  We have yet to complete our loggia and patio areas.  I have been seeing inspiration everywhere.  I want something cozy and beautiful with ivy covered walls and clean details, but I also have a love for stonework.  All of what I am looking for has to be balanced with the budget and my husbands ideas.. a challenge to say the least.  When I saw this outdoor space it summed up the style I am looking for in the way of furnishings.   Love that dining table and chairs!

 

images via atlanta homes and lifestyles

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Antique Lamps

Over the past few weeks, we've had several of our antique table lamps re-wired. It started with on of our lamps being quite a challenge to turn on. We would have to turn the switch to just the right point in order for the bulb to come on, which would usually take several turns.

I discovered that this means that the switch is bad and can be a fire hazard because the lamp may be on when the bulb isn't illuminated. 

A more obvious sign that it is time for updates is a tattered cloth cord with exposed wiring. 

Another trick to determine if your cord should be replaced is to bend it in half. If you see cracks form in the bend, it's probably time to update.

We've been replacing our old cloth and vinyl cords with new cloth cords. The reproduction cloth versions come in various colors (my local antique light repairman had a selection of brown, gold and white in his shop).

In addition to updating the cords and plugs, we've also updated bad switches with new three-way switches. I honestly had never considered this before, but it was an option that I thought we'd try. Now that most of our table lamps are three-way lights, I absolutely love the versatility it offers in the lighting a room.

The cost of updating a table lamp has run us between $25 and $35 each, depending on how much gets updated. The cost is well worth it for the peace of mind that safety brings, along with the added aesthetic benefit of the lighting versatility.