Thursday, May 27, 2010

I Can Make That!



Rummaging through my stuff the other day...



I came across a few of the old change purses I collect...
It made me start to think about going to Silver Bella in November and how I read somewhere that this is the place to wear all your fun, funky and fabulous jewelry...
...a place to share your favorite pieces or even your own creations with those that will appreciate them best...kindred spirits!



...and then I thought...I know I have seen these little leather purses altered and made into necklaces. (If only the chain on this one was a bit longer)

Why can't I do that?
(Even though I failed the jump ring portion of my bracelet making class at Tinsel Trading)

Never the less....
I tried.



First...(this sounds like I'm doing an actual tutorial...hehehe)
....First, I attached a jump ring through the little hole that was already on each side of the metal rim of the change purse....
...Hmmm....the change purse won't snap closed now. Oh well, I'll just have something fun sticking out of the top...not to worry!

...Next, I attached the chain to the jump ring on each side.
(Terri would be proud of me!)



Ta da!
She's looking good!
I'm a jewelry artist....yes, THAT'S what I must be!

I can attach an old key...
...perhaps a significant number or some other doo dad...
This is going to be good!

I asked Mildred Grace to kindly model my new creation to better envision the final product.



It won't stay upright!
Darn that little change purse...she keeps flipping upside down!

...and we already know that the clasp won't close...
so everything inside will...
fall.

As Mr. Flea likes to remind me...
Gravity!

Feeling a tad discouraged.
Think I will browse Etsy to see if someone else has a similar altered necklace for sale.

A crafter, artist wannabe.
That's me.

:)

38 comments:

Beach House Living said...

Oh my goodness my DB dearly beloved was correcting me on my flatware bending. Great design but it won't stand on it's own as you forget to leave enough surface area. Oooops.

I was really enjoying your little tutorial is it possible to add that metal tape and solder a jump ring on like you may have seen done on the edges of glass charm pendants?

Jane said...

I am loving what you were creating. Could the jump rings be soldered to the metal top of the coin purse to help it stay upright? If you don't solder I would be more than happy to give it a try for you.
Have a great weekend.
Jane

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Yep, I was thinking the same thing about the top of the purse...or could you weight it inside somehow...heavier on the bottom??

Rustique Gal said...

Yeah, Solder them on! I was thinking how cute that would be with a vintage hankie peeking out the top, but you might need to add change to make it stay upright! I think you are on to something here...
Sherry

Gail said...

I so feel your pain! I tried this too and decided (mostly because I had seen others do this) that just by putting your jump rings through the leather at the top of the coin purse, it will stay upright, and it looks just fine. No worry of it ripping really because there won't be anything heavy in it anyway...good luck and if I'm successful I'll make sure to blog about it!

DustyLu said...

It fantastic! I love that you use 52 on things is so special! Have a great memorial day weekend! ~lulu

Andy's Attic said...

I can't help you because as I read your post I am thinking "that is exactly what would happen to me" if I tried to get all artsy, crafty. It will be cute when you figure it out!
Annette

Margaret said...

I was going to suggest putting a weight in the purse too, perhaps sew it to the lining. Would be easier than trying to do a neat soldering job.

Floss said...

But it's so cute! The weight idea occured to me, as too, as I'm an 'easy-fix, don't-do-anything-complicated-with-metal' kind of person. Best of luck, Laura. I really enjoyed the way you told this story!

Nank said...

Glue some heavy fringe to the bottom of the purse! LOVE your idea!

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Laura,
It was looking so good as well. Hasn't Mr. Flea got any ideas ? I'm sure that you will resolve it. I'm absolutely hopeless at the physics side of things. I can do the 'prettying up' bits !!
I bet that, someone will know and, tomorrow you will show us this brilliant necklace !!
You will figure it out over the weekend Laura, I'm sure. XXXX

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Laura
Well I think it looks cute.. more personality this way.. I think that is the thing with being creative .. finding new solutions and variations....I bet you come up with some new idea in the coming days... I really like the little one pinned to Mildred Grace's waist.. it would look quite snazzy on a belt!!!

PS.. a big thank you to you dear Laura in my post today!!! xxx Julie

manon 21 said...

Toujours des trésors chez toi!!

Bonne journée Laura,

Manon

It's me said...

Always nice your post !!! happy weekend darling............hugs from me...........

leslie janson said...

laura, i am also amassing tiny purses, bottles and other ephemera in my stash hoping to make necklaces this summer. so i appreciate your blog lesson! keep going! leslie

Anonymous said...

What a splendid idea!!
Have a Wonderful Holiday Weekend!
Marillyn
xxoo

Mosaic Magpie said...

Leave it upside down, since that's the way it wants to be. Call it empty pockets, or all I have left after the sale, or any phrase that means no money!
Debbie

Lululiz said...

Was it really bad of me that I giggled when I read your post? I wasn't being horrid, honestly, it was just so funny the way you described what happened. And it was so me as well, lol, I can so see that happening to myself. I am sure you will give it another go and it will turn out perfectly. And beautifully.

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

You're so funny, Laura. Just a few tweaks and your change purse necklace will be wonderful, I'm sure. I love the idea myself. Alas, I don't have a change purse collection to work with. I'm so jealous you're going to Silver Bella this year - I need get some serious crafting skills under my belt :)

Deb said...

If you don't want to leave it upside down, perhaps a couple quarters in the change purse will add just enough weight to keep it the way you want it!

Diane said...

What a darling idea. My friends and I go yard "sailing", and we have each adopted an over the shoulder/across the chest little purse to carry our money so we can leave the purses in the car. This little antiquey change purse would be very cute, practical and stylish for yard sailing. Once you make the bottom heavier than the top, it shouldn't flip over. Only other solution I can envision is to attach a short chain onto the purse, add a jump ring, and then run the long chain through the jump ring, making a double chain connection.

Kateyed said...

laura,
this is just hilarious! i think the whole silver bella thing especially made me laugh! thanks for making my day!
hugs,
Suz

Artesanías en lanas e hilos said...

wallet beautiful and very good idea to turn it into a necklace!
these purses they remind me of my grandmother.
Good weekend
kiss
Xime

Unknown said...

try, try again :) it's annoying when things don't turn out as planned! hope you enjoy your weekend! susan

Bonjade said...

And if you put some money into the purse.....
Does it want to stay up then.....?
Oh but it is such great idea.....
Fine weekend

Jules said...

How about adding a link of chain from either side -attached to the jump rings and then looped around the clasp that won't close anyway to kind of stabilise it. I can see it in my head anyway but suspect my attempts would have turned out much the same as your. It's the thought that counts though - perhaps you're the thinking part of the creative package rather than the doing part :)

Lady Pamela said...

Your post made me laugh out loud this morning. What a great start to my day. Don't worry, you will figure something out. I am so glad you had the courage to share your not-as-you-planned project.

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Laura, well thanks for brightening my day, you've really made me laugh out loud! I'm cleaning my studio today, ugh, and stopped for a lunch break..I think I can go on now! Have a wonderful weekend.
Susie

Mélanie A. said...

It is so cute, I love you create. Very inspiring

Gert said...

Oh how cute!!! I love it..you are very gifted..

Blessed.......

xoxo Gert

My Grama's Soul said...

Sounds like some of my crafting adventures.......all thumbs!!!!
(O:(O:

Blessings,

Jo

Rosemary said...

I'm sure you will figure it all out Laura.
I think it will be fabulous!!
Have a great weekend,
Rosemary

BonjourRomance said...

What a cute idea Laura! I'm not a great crafter, but how about attaching or soldering the chain on one side/corner only so it will purposely hang on an angle which would look more "jewelry-like". Soldering will allow it to open and close.
I'm sure you will find the best solution, you're so good with creations like this!!
Happy weekend to you,
Mimi

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

You are right about Silver Bella, the jewelry that you see on everyone is so eye catching and pretty! You've got some time to figure out how to thwart gravity. I look forward to seeing what you end up with. See you in November!

savvycityfarmer said...

funny thing ... I JUST bought some cherries, plopped them in my mouth and sat down to blog .... yummy

Julie said...

Hey, don't give up on your cute little purse necklace! I'll bet if you put a few coins in the bottom it will stay upright. Or sew a few weighted embellishments on to the bottom of the purse.....Can this necklace be saved?! I think so! Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Vintage Gran said...

You have just made my day. I couldn't help but laugh. I have had so many things happen just like that. Some were fixable and others I just had to give up on. It's really a marvelous idea and I'm sure you will find a solution but in the meantime, thank you so much for sharing. We have all been there, that's why we all appreciate it so much. Hugs.

maryann said...

wow! i love it! i bet you could make it work!

no matter what, though, i just love that you tried, and i love your AMAZING photos! i think you are, among other things, a great photographer!!