String Letters DIY

Just last week I revealed the new studio, and I already have a ton of requests for the "how to" on these awesome string letters, so here goes! I think this would be an awesome way to put up a name or monogram in a nursery or kid's room.

SUPPLIES:

Heavy duty paper

Hammer
Small brad nails (about 1 1/2" - 2" length)

Level

String

Painter's tape or masking tape

This crochet thread was just about $2.00 for each color. I HAVE ENOUGH TO LAST A LIFETIME NOW! 

Step 1. PRINT. Using the heavy weight paper, print out what you want to type in a font you like. Remember, the more curves the font has the more work you'll have, so try and choose a fairly simple, "squared off" font. As you can tell, my letters were about 8" tall.

Step 2.  TAPE UP GUIDE. Using the level to align it all, tape up the paper letters where you want them on the wall. Tape all the sides, top and bottoms (this will be important later)



Step 3. HAMMER THE NAILS IN. Hammer in along the edge of the letters. Make sure to hammer all the corners, and about 3-4 around any curves to ensure that it has an easy curve rather than a sharp corner. The stronger the curve, the more nails you'll need. (I highly suggest you hammer one letter at a time, move to step 4 and 5, then come back to step 3 for the next letter)

Step 4. PEEL THE PAPER. Pull the paper off leaving the nails in the wall.

Step 5. WRAP THE STRING. Start by tying a not around one of the nails. It doesn't really matter which nail you start on. Wrap around all the perimeter of the letters approximately 5 times to make the base. Then "fill in" the letter by randomly wrapping and criss-crossing in the middle of the letter. Once you fill it in to your satisfaction, wrap 20-30 more times around the perimeter. This will make the string about 3/4" - 1" tall. Once you're done keep the the string taught while tying another knot around a nail. Then just cut the extra string at each of the ends. 

Step 6. HAMMER THEM FLUSH. Although I wrapped 3/4"-1" tall on each letter, I had more nail hanging out. So I went back and hammered mine so they were all about the same height. Make sure to hammer them so that the nails angle out a little. This will help keep the string tight.

INTRODUCING COPPER RIVETED HOOPS

Ever since I made the copper riveted bangles I've been wearing them. I NEVER take them off I love them so much! They are the perfect mix of organic shapes and sparkle that they go with everything.

Recently, I've wanted something more to match with them, so I came up with these amazing hoop earings. They are slightly egg shaped, and intentionally slightly different in size and shape from each other. They largest one measures 2 1/4" x 2 1/2" They are super light weight, and make a statement without being too bold.

Get yours here!

Summer Fun

For most of you that follow me, you know that I've been working hard to build the jewelry business. One of the things I've been most looking forward too, and one of the biggest benefits that working at your own business from home is flexibility.  With the business booming, I've had the opportunity to quit my day job, and keep this little boy home during this summer.

I'm happy to report that Kaleb is having the summer of his life! We spend our days together having fun, doing or going wherever we feel like, having play dates, swimming like fish and just enjoying each other. I have never felt more bonded to him than I do right now.

You might ask how I've been able to keep up with him and work? Luckily enough, the summer jewelry season tends to be a little slower anyways, but mostly it's taken a LOT of strict planning. We both have a mutual understanding of when I'm working and when I'm not. By scheduling my work time with him (very Super Nanny of me!) there is no confusion, and therefore little frustration between the two of us. We focus on each other during our play times, and then I can focus on work when it's time because I know I'm not ignoring him. 

Here's what our days look like:

*I get up early around 5:30, coffee and emails. I get quiet work time until about 9:30.

*Kaleb gets up around 7:30 these days, watches a few cartoons, makes himself breakfast, and busies himself till 9:30.

*At 9:30 we both stop what we are doing and work on our chores. Kaleb has a HUGE chore list this summer. I'm pretty proud of the work he's accomplishing these days. (Remember he's only 5!) His list includes things like making his bed, cleaning his room, cleaning his toy area, getting the mail, dusting, throwing the ball for the dogs, and unloading the dishwasher

*After we're done we head to 10:30 swim lessons

*When we get home, he's usually a little worn out, gets himself a snack and rests for a little while. This gives me time to finish any chores, emails, or work I have from the morning

*Then around noon, we eat lunch together.

*After lunch is our together time. We do whatever we want. Go to the park, visit grandma, have friends over, but mostly we swim.

*I give us till about 3:30 to play together. Then we're both beat! We need resting, quiet time, and I usually sneak back into the studio for a little more work.

Shortly after, Dad comes home or it's dinner time and we do the family thing till the evening.

I usually work in the evening when he's busy with Dad or after bedtime.

I also have planned some "catch-up" times for myself. For example, this week he has Lego Camp in the afternoons. Which gives me a little break, and time to catch up on stuff (like BLOGGING!)

All in all, the summer is going much better than I expected (I was quite nervous about how I would get any work done going into it). I know a lot of you out there are trying to work from home with kids in the mix too or you are a SAHM, and have tasks  you need to fit in as well. Hopefully my summer schedule helps you find your perfect balance too! No matter what, when spending time at home, remember there will always be more work. There will never again be this time to spend with your children. Keep what is most important with you at all times. If I fail at anything, I'd much rather it be not getting enough work done, than not spending enough time with him.

New Items

I've  been working on a large batch for an amazing little consignment shop that I carry at in L.A., co-op 28. So I thought I'd share a little of the new custom pieces here!

Turquoise with hand formed copper leaf on sterling rolo chain

Stunning agate set in hand forged sterling silver bezel setting linked on rolo chain and hand stamped quote on back  

Etched eagle head with turquoise and crystal charms on rope chain

Enjoy! And remember you can always contact me for custom items! carin@jonesingforjewelry.com

NEW PACKAGING

IT'S HERE!! The new Jonesing for Jewelry packaging is finally in hand and ready to use!

I have never really been all that happy with my logo. the issue is that I run three shops under the name Jonesing for Jewelry. The first, Jonesing for Jewelry, which carries simple everyday sterling silver jewelry mixed with stunning precious stones. The second shop is where I carry my most popular charms with children's handwriting, silhouettes, and footprints, J4JCharms.  Last but not least, I run a shop called J4JVintage which focuses on charm necklaces with vintage botanical prints, bronze findings, and brass lockets. I have never really felt that all three shops where well represented in the Jonesing for Jewelry logo. I thought it was too confusing for customers to translate the J4J portion of the charm and vintage shop into Jonesing for Jewelry.

Anyways, a few months back I had the brilliant idea of placing the J4J in the logo itself. This tarted a huge chain of events. A new logo means all new branding and packaging. I loved the old packaging when I first started with it, but to be honest, my design skills have grown so much since then.  The old packaging had a lot of flaws including design issues and it was missing elements like smaller tags for when I send necklaces to stores.

Needless to say, I started all over. I wanted it to be perfect this time. I definitely don't want to find myself making new packaging in a year. So I took the time to really look at my options. I made a Pinterest board for stuff I liked and what direction I saw the branding going in. I started to realize that I was really drawn to simple elements and black in on manila tags or kraft paper.

I wanted to bring the banner idea from my website (see links to the right) into the main sticker design. This proved to be one of the hardest elements to figure out how they would be printed and cut without going way over budget.

None-the-less, months later it's all here (literally the last items arrived less than an hour ago!)  I couldn't be happier. I hope that the consolidation of the J4J and Jonesing for Jewelry logo will help promote my items better, make my brand more recognizable, and help customers stay in contact. Plus the packaging will surely bring a smile to your face when you open a little gift for yourself!