New DIY project: Organic Seed Necklaces

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

FANTASTIC FIND! 

This afternoon I discovered a How-Tuesday on Etsy's Storque outlining how to make Organic Seed Necklaces from the seeds of melons this summer.  What a fabulous and creative idea!  LOVE IT! 

Maya Kuzman is the brilliant mind behind this wonderful tutorial and project :-).  Maya has an etsy shop, Little Treasures, and also goes by Sewella :-).  Her shop is filled with delightful finds :-).  My favorite is still quite possibly these necklaces that she shows us how to make.  Bright, colorful, natural, and organic-- they are a great way to dress up your summer wardrobe and be a little funky! 

You can check out the Etsy Storque How-Tuesday tutorial here.  Below I outline the project. 

Supplies you’ll need:

• Melon or watermelon seeds
• Markers or nail polish
• Wooden beads  
• Fishing line or a cotton thread
• Thin embroidery needle

Directions:

1. For the melon seed necklace, scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Wash the seeds in warm water with mild washing detergent to remove the slimy fibers. Then let them air dry in the sun. I usually place them on a cotton napkin so they won't stick to it when dried. It's helpful if the seeds are big because they are easier to manipulate.

2. When piercing the seeds, it is best if you do it in the middle; if you make a hole near the edge, the seed might split.

3. Once the seeds are dry, I love to add a little color. For my necklaces, I used ordinary markers — you can also use nail polish for a more finished and glittery look. I painted half of the seed because I like the effect they create when strung together. 

4. With a thin embroidery needle, string the seeds on fishing line or cotton thread. You can introduce wooden beads (for a more organic appearance), plastic beads, crocheted flowers, etc.

5. Tie a simple, yet secured, knot and you're done. Choose your favorite colors, string the seeds and make yourself some organic jewelery!

Extra Tips:

• Keep your necklaces in a dry place and do not expose them to moisture. My oldest melon seed necklace is about 15 years old and looks as if I made it yesterday.

• Pumpkin and squash seeds are not appropriate for this type of project since they tend to dry, shrink, chip and break. However, watermelon seeds can be used instead.

• If you have plain wooden beads and want to color them, stick them on a toothpick stuck into a corkboard (or Styrofoam board). This makes it much easier to paint the beads.

ENJOY!!!  And have fun playing with your food this summer :-).

EtsyBloggers' Blog Carnival June #1- Colors of Summer

For the EtsyBloggers' blog carnival we were given the following topics to write on:

1. Summer is right around the corner!!! What are your favorite activities to do with your family during the summer months?
2. What colors remind you of summer? Have you been using these colors in your shop lately? Show us!

I chose #2.  Colors of Summer.

My taste in color changes with the seasons, as I realize many people's do.  When summer is approaching I am ready to leave the darker tones that I drift to in the winter and I move to bright cheery colors, clean crisp white, and very-black blacks.  Check out the selection of some of my favorite finds from the treasuries below to sample some of my favorite summer colors :-). 

New Tree

Good news!!! Alice's Owl has a new tree!

The past few weeks have been very busy packing up EVERYTHING from the last tree and moving to a new tree a few states away! Thankfully I found a most suitable and acceptable place to build a new new nest :-). Even better is that this new tree and nest are completely for me :-).  No angry horned owls or peacocks with opinions here! :-) That is certainly worthy of a "Hoot Hoot" :-).

HOOT HOOT!!!

It's so much fun setting up my tree. It's a little messy inside still as I need to finish painting before I can finish unpacking completely, but it's lovely. It is comfortable and cozy-- just like you want your nest and tree to be. 

One of my favorite parts about moving is that you get to re-create your space! Stay tuned to see how I transform my new space with color, some unique etsy finds, and my own creative touch :-).

In the mean time, feel free to check out my Etsy shop for a summer sale! :-)
  Alice's Owl

Where or where did the owl go? ... Where is she headed?

It's been WAY too long since I posted my last post. So much is happening!

The Susan G. Komen shop for a cure event went off without a hitch and Alice's Owl spread her wings and soared into yet another arena of the art and craft world! I am happy to announce that I did very well and was able to make a very considerate donation to the Coconutter Strutter's, and to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for a Cure!!! :-D. Thank you to everyone who came out to support Alice's Owl at the event and stopped by the booth to say hello! What an amazing group to work with! A special thank you to Just B-cause for putting the event on!!!

And now for more hoot-worthy news... I am moving!!! (Hence the posts have slid of the radar this past month...). To clarify, I, personally, am moving. Alice's Owl will remain at Etsy! The actual workshop/ studio space(s) of Alice's Owl will also be moving however!!! No worries, I move in a week and once I'm moved, posting will resume as per usual!

Moving... I'm not just packing the nest, I'm packing up the whole tree! I've moved a number of times in my life, but never like this! I've decided to move out of the state!!! The opportunity has presented itself on a few occassions and this time nearly everything fell into place. I'm headed to a smaller "land", but one I am excited to go to with fantastic inspiration and blog-worthy/ art-worthy inspiration! :-) (My first "trip" to explore resulted in over 260 pictures of a photo journal for myself if that says anything... and that was me being conservative with my photography!) In addition to moving out of the state for the first time (and doing it alone), I'll also be moving my entire art and craft enterprise/Indieprise with me! Anyone else done this recently??? I had NO IDEA how much inventory etc. I had!!! (Well I did, but packing it is much more real!)

I am excited. I am nervous. More than anything I've been so incredibly busy getting everything in one state settled and everything in another state started! I don't expect that to change anytime soon!

Another thing won't change... me doing what I love! It took me well over a decade to decide to do art professionally, to start Alice's Owl, and to find myself. I am headed out for wider space with just that in mind! The owl is here to stay, it's just time to find her a better home for her tree. This does mean additionally creative adventures in home decor and the like in the near future! (And more painting, but this time on the walls!!!)

In appreciation for everyone who has supported the beginning of my venture- thank you!!! In appreciation for all of those of you who have supported this next step, THANK YOU, you are appreciated and admired! And to all who come in the future... THANK YOU, you are what makes this great! I will see you all on the other side of all of these boxes and writing from a new home and studio!

~"They call me Alice"