One of a kind Bracelets

I've found another great use for my "up-cycled" leather flowers.....Bracelets! I purchased these skinny black leather snap bracelets at Tandy Leather & didn't like the natural color, so I purchased a water based black leather paint & distressed each bracelet!

I have officially run out of vintage rhinestone buckles after completing this collection of seamstress bracelets! I would love to find a vintage green seamstress measuring tape & a jar full of small rhinestone buckles!

"Auction Hunters"

Check out this little "gem" of a jewelry box! Purchased at an auction this past weekend in Park Rapids! My fantastic husband got in a small bidding war for this jewelry box & only went over budget by $2.50!! Everything has been cleaned up & ready for me to start recreating one of a kind Let Your Spirit Soar jewelry & accessories!

Stories from the past

One of my most precious finds of all time will be this small leather box which I bought this weekend from a woman in Moorhead for a $1.00! Yes....a $1.00! I figured I would create a collage in the empty frame, but I didn't even realize it's true story until I came home & opened it! The frame came out of the box & that's when this young man fell out to tell his story of loneliness & lost love.
These dainty quotes where placed inside:
"Ah, no my dearest, never can I leave you. Or do the slightest, simples thing to grieve you."
"Good night, dearest, good night."

Cowboy Boots or Flip Flops for the Summer?

Although I don't like country music, I do have to admit I'm a little "cowgirl" at heart! I have a pretty rockin' collection of boots that I wear all winter and summer of course, because I have to wear my cowboy boots to the rodeo in Park Rapids on July 4th! I'm sure by I'll be wearing flip flops by July, but yesterday the boots were perfect for the weather!

Today is perfect for my jean skirt! Maybe flip flops tomorrow?

bE fRee. bE hAppY. bE yOu

I do have to admit that I prefer the sugary milk chocolate, but was happy to find this inspirational message in my wrapper of a dark chocolate treat!

Beautiful Sunny Monday!

The sun is finally shining in Fargo and it's truly beautiful! Although I still turned the heat on high when I drove to the gym to Train this morning @ 5:00 am! When I pulled back into the driveway, a few of the older girls were sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the early bus, so I left some chalk for the late bus school kids, hoping they will create some flowers.

I've only noticed a few green perennials poking up through the dirt, but the flowers are blooming in my studio!

I found an amazing basket of fabric this winter at the thrift store down the street from our home. The color and texture of these fabrics at the time (10 degrees below zero) were so summery & tropical. They were all remnants donated from a woman that used to work at Ben Franklin in the 60's. These remants still had the paper tags stapled to the fabric...Truly vintage with a little history...Exactly what I love!

These flowers are beautiful and always in bloom. I rip the fabric into strips and tie a knot in one end and start twisting & gluing around the knot.

T-Shirt Bracelet :: Zipper Flowers

T-shirt bracelet:
This funky bracelet used to be one of my favorite t-shirts! I finally need to recycle it & started to cut it into rags. The edges started to curl & I knew that I wanted to try something a little different. I cut many small strips & layered them together. I tied the ends off with hemp cord, attached a toggle clasp & added charms!

Zipper Flowers:

I have a large collection of vintage zippers in many different colors & sizes. I knew I wanted to create "flowers" but wasn't sure how to make them "curl". I pulled out my sewing kit & started with a "running stitch" to gather the edges. This worked to make the flower & I simply layered the zipper into a circle. The longer the zipper, the bigger the flower!

JUNKMARKET Style

Find inspiration by checking out the "member junk" section of this fantastic website! You'll be surprised by how creatively members "reduce, recycle & reuse" their treasures of "junk"! I love this site! Check it out!

Funky & Junky bracelets & adjustable rings - JUNKMARKET Style

Daily Devotion....What Inspiration!

With a heart of love, O Lord, I start this day. With a heart of love, I give thanks for life. I am alive! I love the life and I want to live. Hallelujah! Amen

New designs created & listed in my Artfire Store!

An oversized vintage black metal button is the base pendant. I layered a vintage watch face & gold angel wings that surround a dainty black button to finish the pendant. I love the frayed black fabric (I cut it in strips, wet it down, put it in the dyer & iron it flat)!

Listed in my Artfire Store below:

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2867261

I love the combination of junk & bling with this necklace! A vintage green "flip out" ruler repurposed with a vintage glass chandelier crystal. Junky & Funky indeed! Purchase this in my Artfire Store below:

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2867020

Special Christmas Project

The following two photos show 19 Vintage Key & Seam Binding Ribbon Necklaces. This project was so much fun because I was able to share a little Hangsleben history with my family. Grandma Bea has been so surprised with all the "junk drawer" junk I use when creating jewelry, so I told her to throw nothing away until she gives it to me. Each time we visit, she passes along another treasure. These keys came from her collection that accumulated from the farm & shop. I knew that I needed to keep these in the family and these necklaces were the result.

Customized Mommy Necklace!

This necklace is an example of how you can customize a necklace for yourself.

The three small glass circles are each of the children's names.

Coordinating charms represent the family tree & family values.

Vintage Seam Binding Ribbon

WOW! Am I ever a happy gal! A beautiful box of vintage ribbon & lace arrived on my front porch this afternoon. I am completely in love with ribbon...vintage ribbon of course! I won an ebay auction of 168 pieces of rick rack trim/bias tape/etc & am busy sorting & color coordinating everything!

Grand opening of "The Coop"!

I visited Traci at her "Coop" outside of Kindred yesterday! You'll be amazed at how beautifully organized & displayed her eclectic collection of vintage finds is! You'll be walking into a vintage boutique & are sure to find something that decorate your home! I met Traci this spring & purchased a few antiques that I've used to organize my studio.

I will have my entire collection of vintage inspired jewelry & accessories available! Take a drive into the beautiful countryside to shop at "The Coop".

"The Coop" will be opening on:

• Friday, August 13th: 4:00-8:00 pm
• Saturday, August 14th: 9:00-5:00 pm
• Sunday, August 15th: 11:00-5:00 pm

Directions: 16345 53rd Street SE, Kindred ND. "The Coop" is located 1.5 miles west of Little Buckaroos Daycare. Follow "The Coop" signs for final directions

Here's a sneak peek into "The Coop"!

Estate Sale Bling!

I only went to a few sales & found an unbelievable amount of beautiful bling......Pictured below. I also purchased a vintage chandelier, poker chips, ribbon & beads. WOW...When the boys are away @ the lake....I will play!


Christian displaying my estate sale finds while watching Greece play soccer. He was so sleepy & clueless as to what I was doing!