Pretty Broach Giveaway

There’s a lovely giveaway going on at Grandmother's Pearls.  Elsa is hosting the competition ~ she has a darling vintage blog is a great source of inspiration and pretty vintage modelling/pin-up pictures.  She’s teamed up with Sarah of Snövits äpple {which the ever~handy Goggle is telling me means “Snow White’s Apple”}. 

Sarah makes stunning jewellery pieces that are very vintage inspired, and are simply beautiful for adding that special touch to any outfit of choice.  I adore her photograph broaches ~ they remind me very much of an antique glass locket, or an Edwardian keepsake. Thankfully, everyone who enters the giveaway has the chance to win a custom broach for themselves!

This is the picture of Joey and myself that I would love to have in my broach if I won:

That or this one:

~ * Actually, I think this second one is my favourite! * ~

Now most of you may not really know this, but horses are such a big part of my life and I wouldn’t part with my boys for anything!  Joey and Copper play a big role in teaching me about myself ~ my mental attitudes, my physical talents and limitations, and the strength of my character.

Honestly, I can’t really describe the kind of bond that is formed between a horse and his rider ~ it’s not like a human friendship, but something else; a mental connection…  Sharing that with my boy Joey is a very important part of who I am. 

My vintage world and my horse world don’t often mix, but with a customized piece of jewellery, I would have a small memento of how much the horses in my life mean to me, and I would love to be able to wear that wherever I go!  So here’s me hoping, and if you want the chance to have your own customized jewellery piece, you can meander over to the giveaway post here:

Blog competition - Win a custom made brooch!

Good luck everyone!

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ Identifying Bakelite

This is an incredibly useful post from Brittany of Va-Voom Vintage.  She details quite a few different tests you can use to determine authenticity when buying Bakelite or figuring out whether the random bits of plastic at the thrift shop may be Bakelite, Lucite or just plain old plastic.  Read on for all the great tips she has for identifying Bakelite.

How to Identify Bakelite

After my past few posts, I've had some requests for how to spot Bakelite. It's usually pretty easy to tell, especially because there are so many testing methods. Some of these testing methods have exceptions so it's always best to use multiple tests for the most accurate results.

Bakelite is an early plastic, created in 1907. It contains phenol, formaldehyde and a wood flour filler. When the phenol and formaldehyde are mixed together, the reaction of the the chemicals under the correct pressure and temperature creates this amazing, hard plastic. In the case of jewelry, the Bakelite was extruded, sliced, molded or carved to create the shape of the piece…

xox,

bonita

How to ~ A Ric Rac Rose Jewellery Tutorial

You’ve probably noticed that ric rac features heavily as a favourite trimming in the 1950s ~ a lot of dresses and skirts had ric rac detailing on them, like these lovely examples:

There are also a million different things you can do with ric rac, like this rose applique & ric rac trimmed collar :

Or these pretty cards decorated with ric rac:

However, when I found this tutorial by Janet of Vintage Vogue’s Nostalgic NeedleART I thought it was a great way to top off any outfit with a lovely vintage touch, even if you don’t have a ric rac trimmed 1950s piece, because you could easily add it in the form of jewellery! 

Materials you will need:

• Thin ric rac if you want to make earrings, thick ric rac to make a broach/ring
• Jewellry findings ~ I use post earring back and a broach pin {I would have made a ring, but I didn’t have one to glue the rose to}
• Thread to sew the roses together/to your jewellery findings
• Hot glue

So here’s what you do to make a ric~rac rose:

Step 1:  Cut a length of ric~rac, fold it in half and twist the two pieces around each other.

Step 2:  Roll the rose up and secure it with glue or thread so it doesn’t come unravelled. You can use pins to get the placement of the end right, or just hold it tight. 

Step 3:  Peel the petals back if you like, or use it as a rose bud.  : )

Now to make it into jewellery!

To make ric rac rose bud earrings:

Step 1:  Cut two 15cm pieces of 1/2cm wide ric rac and roll them into a rose bud.

Step 2:  Glue your bud to the earring finding.

Note:  I used bead cup/clasp/thingy with the post earring threaded through the hole in the middle because the disc at the end of the post was too small to glue the bud onto.  You can just use a plain post earring however.

Step 3:  Lather, rinse, repeat ~ and voilà!  You have two cute ric rac rose earrings to wear. 

To make a ric rac rose broach:

Step 1:  Cut a 82cm piece of 1cm wide ric rac and roll into a rose.  Glue the end down.

Step 2:  Peel the outer layers of the ric rac back to ‘unfurl’ the bud.  You may have to glue the bottom of the rose to keep it from falling apart. 

Step 3:  Cut out some green felt in the shape of leaves and a small circle that is the width of your broach pin.

Step 4:  Glue down the leaves, then the broach pin, then the felt circle.  You want the circle to sit in the middle of the back of the rose and cover all the untidy glue. 

Now you can début your lovely set of ric rac rose jewellery.   ^ ω ^   You could also make a ring, or glue a rose to a headband and wear it in you hair ~ really the possibilities are limitless.  Ric rac can add a lovely vintage touch to just about anything; so have fun with it!   ᵔᴗᵔ  

xox,

bonita

Cherished Collections Blog Tour ~ My Mother’s Pearls

Hi everyone! Welcome to Depict This! if you are visiting.  ^ ω ^   I am so pleased to be part of Casey’s Cherished Collections Blog Tour; I am a big fan of Casey’s and I think her tour is a really neat idea.  I have so many collections {no really ~ stamps, teapots, teacups, TEA, vintage doilies, books, plush horses & of course, shoes!} that it’s been pretty hard to decide which one to show you all! 

There have been some really special collections put up already, and I finally made up my mind as to what I would share.  I am happy to present one of my cherished collections featuring all of the pearl accessories & jewellery I have gathered together over the last few years.

~ * ♥ * ~ L to R:  My mother’s bracelet gifted to me when I was quite young; eleven or twelve I think?  A necklace I bought at an antique store.  My mother’s costume pearl necklace.  I can’t remember when she gave it to me, but I think it was the first piece of jewellery she passed onto me. ~ * ♥ * ~

My Mom’s pearl necklace is definitely the first piece in my collection and I have had it for years.  I never wore it when I was younger, so it’s been tucked away in a box gathering dust for the better part of my ownership. Thanks to my recent interest in vintage I dug it out and now I wear it a lot because I love pearls.

In my mind, pearls are timeless and classic pieces of jewellery and I love how they make me feel when I put them on.  I always feel elegant and feminine when I wear my pearls ~ like I can take on the world, and then some! There is nothing like feeling pretty and confident at the same time. ^ u ^ ~ ♥

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Fresh water pearls ~ I bought the necklace in Florence, Italy and the earrings at the Parklea Markets in Sydney.  Picture 2:  Fresh water pearls ~ this tri~strand set necklace, bracelet and earring set was a 2007 Christmas present from my family. ~ * ♥ * ~

Plus, pearls have such an interesting story.  Did you know that saltwater pearls take between 6 to 18 months to develop whereas freshwater pearls can up to 4 to 6 years to grow?  However, saltwater pearls are more expensive than freshwater pearls is that saltwater pearls are grown in oysters and can only grow 1 to 3 pearls at once, but freshwater molluscs can grow up to 20 to 30 pearls in one go. 

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Freshwater pearl set in a marquise flower; a Valentine's Day present from my darling Husband.  Freshwater pearl set in a fan; bought in Hong Kong. Picture 2:  Some of my favourite costume pearl earrings ~ * ♥ * ~

Saltwater and freshwater pearls also differ in the type of lustre. In appearance freshwater pearls are noted for a softer lustre, a glow that comes from deep within the pearl; whereas saltwater pearls have a more brilliant superficial lustre.

Freshwater pearls tend to be more durable due to thicker nacre{the material pearls are made out of}, which is a good thing as far as I am concerned, because I wear them a lot, but I really would love to be able pass them onto my daughter{if I ever have one!}.  

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Vintage hair comb bought from Etsy and hair clips from Equip.  Pearl and chain sweater clip made by me.  Picture 2: Glass pearl bracelet made by me and a costume pearl bracelet. 
~ * ♥ * ~

Pearls vary in colour from white to those with a hint of colour, often pink, to brown or black. Each coloration will depend on the type of mollusc and the water where the mollusc lived. Because the nacre is organic, pearls are very sensitive to extreme heat, acids, dryness, humidity and scents.  I don’t put any perfume on my neck when I am wearing my pearls because apparently they can pick that scent up and it isn’t good for them.

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Pearl and seed bead necklace made by me.  Picture 2: Pearl headbands.  ~ * ♥ * ~

Also, did you know that pearls used to be really popular as an engagement ring jewel until the diamond companies decided to do a huge campaign promoting diamonds as the symbol of forever? 

There is a lot of interesting symbolism and history for pearls.  Pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience, and to cement engagements and love relationships.

Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought while some ancient legends say that pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods.  The Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying{which would be a great reason to put them into an engagement ring!}.

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Vintage angora collar embellished with pearls; bought off Etsy.  Picture 2:  Vintage gloves embellished with pearls and seed beads; these are my most recent addition to my collection as I thrifted them two weeks ago.  ~ * ♥ * ~

I must say that I can’t really remember when my obsession with pearls started, but I do know that they are my favourite jewel.  Diamonds may be other girls’ best friend, but pearls are mine! 

I hope you enjoyed this guided tour of my collection.  : )

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ DIY Lace Earrings

I found this post on Fashion Hacker by Em, and I love it!  A fantastic and easy DIY that will make something special to add to your jewellery collection.  I cannot wait to try it myself. 

DIY Lace Earrings

Those earrings! So pretty. I had to try to make my own!

…..I have had so much fun wearing these, and I can't wait to make more. Have fun with your own DIY!

xox,

bonita

Made it!!

So I managed to create something every day for the 30 Days of Creativity Challenge.  I am soooo surprised and happy that I did it!   I seriously had my doubts, because as you already know, Theodore arrived on Day 3 of the 30 Days.  

Having a new baby sure made it even more challenging than it already was, but I did do it!  Okay, I will admit I posted a lot of the stuff the day after I made it, and some times I had to do a catch up and do two or three things in one day, but I still did it and that’s what counts in the end. 
^  U  ^    Here are some more of my projects ~

~* ♥ * ~  Resin daisies glued onto disc earring findings  ~* ♥ * ~

~* ♥ * ~  Nail Art using Konad plates m59 & m71  ~* ♥ * ~

~* ♥ * ~  Pearl beads threaded onto jewellery wire, finished with an ivory bow  ~* ♥ * ~

And last but not least ~ the Day 30 project….

I made it!  Yay!

xox,

bonita

P.S.  ~  If you want to see all of my 30 Days of Creativity projects I have pictures up on Pinterest.  You can find them here.

sassyNpunk feature ~ cuteness overload!

Okay, I would like to do a post featuring sassyNpunk.   Yes, I talking about how awesome I find the shop.  No, I haven’t bought anything from there yet, so I can’t give you a full review.   I am however, writing a disclosure so that you know that a}.  While I might receive a gift from sassyNpunk for doing this, I am writing out of my own experiences and opinions.   That being said, I haven’t had the full experience yet, so I can’t tell you if it is good or bad. 

And b}. If I do happen to receive something for my work I will do a review on it and let you know what the products are like in real life, not just internet land.  So I hope you don’t mind the topic, and hey, you might find a new favourite store too. 

The main reason I decided to do this feature post is that I heard rumours that sassyNpunk were doing a special offer where you can blog about their store and they’ll send you a package of freebies…   And who doesn’t love freebies?

For myself, I actually found this one pretty amazing.  I don’t know many shops that will give away items in return for a bit of publicity.   Most of the time you have to be famous in blog land before any company will look your way twice. 

I am glad that sassyNpunk are doing this offer though, because I have been drawn to their website on numerous occasions, and I think I leave a little piece of my heart with them every time I go there… 

I love, love, love their products.  Like this Happy Mushroom Cameo for AUD $10.13 ~

Or this gorgeous Cherries Necklace {which would look great with my new dress btw!}

Or the Cherry Cameo Necklace ~ which I love even more.  Cherry obsessed much?  Why yes!

Then there’s the Hello Kitty stuff {Hello Kitty in a tea pot?  Love it!!}, the hair stuff, the cute stationary stuff ~ all of which could pretty much be on my wish list at any point.

However, let’s not forget the other side of sassyNpunk.  The shop does not just cater to the cute and cuddly ~ there is a wide variety of goth/emo/punk type items for sale too.

I am not so fond of the punk stuff…  Too many zombies and guns and knives.   Not up my ally, but sure to appeal to anyone looking for a lot less cute and a lot more punk.   {Actually, that would be my sister!  >o<} 

In my mind, it’s a good shop for online cute and you can find a range of stuff for almost any girl.   Sorry, guys, but it is pretty gender specified!   sassyNpunk would be great at providing Christmas gifts ~ for you or some else you know. 

Check it out if you like, and let me know what you think.   > ω <

xox,

bonita

 

P.S.  ~  All images are from the sassyNpunk website and are copyright to sassyNpunk.

Fun with Influenza

Say it with me ~ “I dot a stubby nos anb its loabs of fun…”  Not.   Enough about how I’ve spent the last three days in bed.  I tell you what is fun ~ this awesome giveaway by Super Cute Kawaii!  DO NOT FORGET TO GO THE SUPER CUTE KAWAII GIVEAWAY POST {Kookizu Giveaway} TO ENTER ~ this is not my competition and commenting here won’t get you the prize.  Sorry.  ^__^

Kookizu Giveaway

Mes amis! I have for you ze new contest and it is most fantastique! Ma chere Sarah of Kookizu gives me ze prize of these 3 super cute acrylic necklaces which are featuring ze characters of Japan - Lucky Cat, Ninja and Kokeshi, all tied up in ze bundle of cuteness! Une winner will receive all of ze necklaces and be making ze friends very envious, non? Especially since these necklaces are not to be available in ze Kookizu shop until ze contest ends!

To entrez, please visitez le Kookizu shop and leave ze comment on this post telling moi about your favorit Kookizu product. I am thinking you will be finding this most difficult!

I close ze contest at 12pm BST on Monday 25th Octobre and pick ze winner with mon ami le Random Nombre Generator. All mes amis worldwide can be entering so I wish you bonne chance mes cheres!

 

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~

Good luck everyone and don’t forget to visit Super Cute Kawaii for your entry.   I hope you win ~ because it is quite unlikely that I will!   >__<

xox,

bonita

Giveaway ~ Melludee's GOODIES Giveaway!

This giveaway is too cute not to enter ~ I have not yet managed to win any giveaways, so I have my fingers crossed for this one.  x (^3^) x

Love that rose bracelet and the Hello Kitty necklace!  >w< 

As normal, please go to the link I have provided below and enter there.  Entry comments to giveaways that are not hosted by me will NOT count if they are posted on Depict This!. 

I am only providing the details of what the giveaway is and where to find it. 

~* ♥ *~* ♥ *~* ♥ *~

I have finally decided to hold my long awaited Giveaway to my wonderful readers for sticking with me through the past few months of this blog! ♥ To celebrate reaching 50 followers and just because I love you all (and also because this is the 100th post on this blog!) here is what you can win!

Included: Plushie Phone holder, Bow Hairclip, Rose Bracelet, Hello Kitty Necklace and Two MIKI Nail polishes! ♥

Although all these items are mainly aimed at the female population, males can still enter and if they win, they will receive a different prize (unless they want this one) which will be a COMPLETE surprise!

How to Enter!
This Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and open to new readers too! :)
Winner will be chosen by random!
Required: You MUST be a public follower of http://melludee.com via Google Friend Connect.
And you MUST comment on this blog post with the following information:
Name:
Email:
Country:
How you found my blog:
Optional: Although doing the above is sufficient enough for you to enter this competition, there are also other methods for you to gain more entries (and hence, a higher probability) to win this giveaway! ♥ And, if you do have more than one entry, I will add extra "surprise" goodies in to the package :) ♥

~* ♥ *~* ♥ *~* ♥ *~

The link to this giveaway:  Melludee’s GOODIES Giveaway!

I will also be putting up a link in my side bar…  Yes, it is slightly pathetic but I do so want to win…  >o<  Good luck to everyone! 

xox,

bonita

Scrummyland Giveaway!

I am featuring my first giveaway ~ it’s not my giveaway so if you want to enter please go to Super Cute Kawaii! and comment there.  Best of luck everyone!  >w<

~*~ ♥ ~*~ ♥ ~*~

Mes amis! I returnez from my travellings and bring for you ze contest most marvelleux! Truly, Le Bun is ze best at finding for you ze kawaii prizes, non? Zis week, I speak to mes amis at Chicki and they give to me ze wonderful jewellery et accessories from ze Scrummyland range. Zut alors, but they look good enough for ze eating. But non, they are for the wearing and tres jolie they are too.

Ze grande prize is above with les cute necklaces, badges, stickers, mirror and hair flower.

Plus, deux runners-up will each be winning une kawaii parfait necklace.

Please to read on for ze full instructions on how to entrez. I wish you bonne chance! Au revoir mes cheres!

* * *

There are two ways to enter:

1. Visit the Scrummyland ranges at Chicki and Shana Logic then come back here and leave a comment telling us about your favourite Scrummyland item.

2. Join the Super Cute Kawaii Facebook page and post your favourite Scrummyland product on the Scrummyland discussion thread.

You’ll also get an extra entry if you post about the contest on Facebook, your blog, or Twitter. Just leave the link/s here or on Facebook.

Contest is open internationally and closes at 12pm BST on Monday 9th August. Winners will be picked randomly. One entry per person per site. Good luck!

~*~ ♥ ~*~ ♥ ~*~

Do not forget this giveaway is on Super Cute Kawaii!  & I hope you enjoy it.   I never win so I thought that I would share it and maybe one of you will be luckier than me!  

xox,

b.