The best type of pet

I seem to have accumulated a lovely collection of animal jewelry. They're great pets. They don't make noise, or poo. They don't run away either. And they sparkle, that's always a plus.

People who know know that I swear that i started the owl necklace trend. The silver owl in the top left corner is a vintage piece I bought in 2006. The next summer, Billabong had owl necklaces throughout their shops. I did it! I know I did. My other owl necklace is from Turkey. My Mom brought it back for me from her trip last year. Some of those coins are real Romanian coins. You'll see owls like this in stores in Australia, but I doubt they have real Romanian coins.

My little turtle was my first broach ever. He was my Grandma DJ's. And my little Teddy was given to me by my God Mother. That's amber in his belly. He used to have emerald eyes, but they fell out in the jewelry box over time.

My spider and my shrimp are from a little shop in Melbourne, the crocodile was $10 from Colette Accessories (rival to Stylust...whoops), and the little gecko is from my ex-boyfriend and is a copy of a Cartier piece (he bought it in China).

My new things

Here's just a collection of photos of some of the new things I've gotten recently.

Madonna-esque 80s Lace boots from Etsy

I love Etsy! It's better than Ebay.

Awesome Dr. Strangelove Glasses

Grey Alaskan Knitted Fur Hat from Stylust

Rose Rings ($5 each from Colette! Bargain!)

(...shhh....Colette is the rival store to Stylust)

Measurement Worksheet

Does this happen to you? Whenever I take my measurements to either find out what size pattern I need, or to draw up my own, I always loose them after I've finished the project. Well, I've found a solution. On One Pretty Thing I found a printable measurement worksheet by Keyka Lou. It's cute and you can just file it away and it helps you keep track of all of your measurements. I've even used this sheet for the measurements of some of the actors I need to make costumes for. I just thought I'd share, since it's a great tool.

Printable Measurement Worksheet

Just another reason to live in Paris

How great is this? A cafe where you can get a great cuppa and then rent a sewing machine and DIY with other fellow DIYers. There is nothing better than sewing with good company.

Sweat Shop Cafe - OutsaPop

DIY at Stylust

There are some great DIY ideas at Stylust at the moment. Zipper necklaces, felt hair clips, ribbon earrings, zipper bracelets, chain necklaces, fascinators, etc. etc.

Two items that I bought the other day would be so easy to make yourself, but I've been too busy with "The Schelling Point" that I just bought them instead. Also, it means I have more stuff to wear to work that I don't have to take off unwillingly at the end of the day.

First off, a felt beaded hair clip:

Really, this would be incredibly easy to make. All you'd need is some black felt, a pushy hair clip, some beads and some chain. Cut out two identical shapes of felt. Decorate one piece with whatever you like. Then, on the other side, glue part of the hair clip to the felt so that you can still push it open to place in your hair. Then sew the other piece on, and cut a slit where the pushy piece of the hair clip can slide through. Then you can just push open your hair clip, slide it into your hair, and leave it! We have all different types at the store at the moment - big and small. And it's such an interesting idea! If you hate fascinators (like myself) these things are a perfect replacement.

Item number two are some ribbon earrings:

Cut two circles out of felt. Outline the edges with some ribbon. Glue on beads, diamontes, etc. in the centre, and then glue on an earring backing. Voila! A simple pair of earrings.

Thinking about it - I probably just should've made these items. Oh well.

Check out some more DIY Jewelry Projects at OnePrettyThing .

Wiggle Dresses and Turn Dial Phones

Hi All.

I know this is a "no-no" in blog world, but I am SO SORRY that I've been lazy when it comes to posting on Missing James. 

I do have a big reason though. I've started working on my first big show that I get to design. It's called "The Schelling Point" and will open in August at the Old Fitzroy Theatre in Wooloomooloo, Sydney. It's set in the 60's, with JFK and Dr. Strangelove, and a beautiful female Cabaret singer. So I've been busy collecting set pieces, personalizing props and sewing costumes!

Image from: http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/

The costumes for the Cabaret singer are just so much fun! She has a collection of pieces that represent different famous women that the lead characters are married to. These lovely ladies are the wives of JFK, Stanley Kubrick, Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Robert McNamara and Tom Schelling. So we've got Jackie Kennedy in her pillbox hat and jacket, Ruth Sobotka in a tutu, Anne Howe in a big skirt and apron, and Karen (a university student) in a lovely bow bolero.

I've had some help making these costumes. I've found marvelous vintage patterns on ebay that are the bones of all these bits and pieces. If I didn't have these, I'd probably be lost. I can make my own patterns, but nothing as complex as some of these dresses. Plus, it's easier having a pattern - so I know the dress will actually turn out and I don't waste money on fabric being discarded.

 

For the props, I needed 2 red turn dial phones for the "hotline." For some odd reason, though, red turn dial phones are SUPER popular and go for about $200 on ebay (yes, it's ridiculous), so I found two cheap ones on ebay in different colours and I have to paint them. One of them was even a dollar, and the picture below shows why:

Yes...some lady decided to paper mache  a vintage turn dial phone and put rhinestones and glitter glue all over it!!!! I've pulled it apart, and its now soaking in water to loosen the glue and hopefully all of the crap will fall off it so I can get an even surface to paint it red. There is this awesome paint that is specially made to paint plastic, so I need to do a run to the nerdy hobby shop and pick it up. The other phone I bought isn't in such a bad condition, so it will be a lot easier to make-over. But really, there is no wonder this phone was a buck. Who in their right mind would buy such a monstrocity? That was mean...I'm sorry.

Well, I hope that helps y'all realize why I've been absent. I'll do another post later today with some bits and pieces from Stylust. There are some great DIY ideas in store, but I've been too lazy and too busy to DIY myself, so I just bought the stuff.

Until next time :D

Bisous.