When we left off, the base was constructed, and all that remained was the embellishment. Today, I’ll show you some ideas to spark your own creativity.
First, finish the binding on the base. Then, you can add 25 buttons to make an advent calendar so you can hang small ornaments. I placed all white ones on the base, but you can use gold, or red buttons.
I want mine to be a place to use some broken jewelry.
I have one piece that started this whole idea, an unrepairable Hollycraft rhinestone necklace that is gorgeous. I wore it a lot some years ago.
I pulled more broken or single earrings, pearls from a broken necklace, a broken pearl bracelet, some red charms from a tarnished chain, gold oat beads and more stuff. I scattered the elements and took some pictures so I would remember the basic design of the embellishments.
You don’t have to have broken jewelry though, just about anything will do. Maybe you have a spectacular rhinestone bow button for the top.
You might have a collection of Christmas theme buttons you’ve never used. If you like this idea, there are small bags of them at the big box fabric and craft stores.
Maybe you have a bunch of heart shaped charms and buttons? You know, any theme will work. Just pull out what you have and start playing.
As I picked up the bits I plan to use to put into a container for hand sewing, I noticed my sewing chatelaine. This is a ribbon with rings that hold a stiletto and a seam ripper, along with a needle case and scissor pouch at the bottom. But look at all the pins I have collected over the years! It occurred to me that a whole tree could be pins I never wear. You might have some too, from clubs you were a member of, to collections you may have. Or maybe you have a collection of rhinestone pins, or Christmas tree pins, the list just goes on and on.
I began hand sewing the embellishments this past weekend, and it may take until Christmas to get it done, LOL! Although, I’d love to get it done in time for the fair. We’ll see.
What do you think?
From My Carolina Home 
I think we’ve all save broken jewelry or single earrings on the off chance we can either find a match or “do” something with it. You aced it!
Absolutely exquisite and a great pleasure to see.
that is one way to use up a lot of glitter bits!
I remember going to a friend of my Mother’s house for “tea” and she had a picture framed art like this. I tried to recreate it but didn’t have enough (as a teenager I had awful plastic 60’s stuff – but thanks to you I might just be able to pull this together – my tastes have evolved! thanks to a husband who loved to buy jewelry. Thanks for having these ideas out far enough in advance so I can actually get this together before the holiday!!!!!
Wow, so many opportunities to use things for decorating. I love all the jewelry; the tree topper and the big swag with stones!! I wonder if you can enter in your fair as using “recycled” items?? We just went to the DE State Fair last week and that was a category, not quilt related, but anything recreated with recycled items. 🙂
It’s going to be fantastic.
The jeweled tree is so beautiful! I had quite a collection of Christmas pins I used to wear on my suit jacket before I retired. I’ll have to look & see how many I kept. A friend of mine had a garage sale and I gave a lot of pins away, after taking a photo. No longer needed, but I didn’t want them to think they weren’t loved. LOL.