Featured on Crescendoh

This week I have the honor of being featured on Jenny Doh's amazing blog here:
http://blog.crescendoh.com/art_saves/2012/01/balancing-boxes-by-denise-hahn.html

I thank Jenny for all she does for artists and this wonderful community we are all a part of-
Denise

Jewelry Kits on Sale!

I have a few of my jewelry kits available and have reduce the price to clear some space for more! My goal this year will be to offer a kit or class each month. So look out for my next kit in March.This kit comes totally complete, everything you need to make it is inside....beads, headpins, clasps etc. And the best thing, is that it is TWO pieces in one. Wear it as a charm bracelet or attach the extension and wear it as a necklace. Fun and easy to make, you just need to know how to wire wrap. There is even room to add some of your own jewels if you really want to bling it out! Here are some samples and they are only $17 each! 

PInk Convertible  click to acces the listing!

Teal Convertible  click to access the listing!

Quick and Easy Bracelets!

In my haste at the local jewelry supply I grabbed some wire. When I went home to start using it I was so irritated. This wire would just not bend! When I clamped down on it to force it, it finally did, but I was never able to get it just straight! What kind of piece of crap wire is this??? I picked up the package and realized it was some funky "magic" wire. Well the magic wasn't working on me! I tossed it aside and moved on. As I was doing my lengthy craft room cleaning I ran across that demonic wire and figured, maybe I can do something with it...... how do you keep the beads on? On the package it had some little round balls that required special "magic" glue. I'm thinking- forget it!!!! That is until I was at Athena jewelry downtown. That's where I pick up my bulk supplies. I asked the employee where I could find those little balls and glue for that weird magic wire stuff. She replied, oh you dont need that, just take your round nose and loop it off. You can even add a little charm on the end. She then showed me this elaborate bracelet made of turquoise beads. It was impressive. Thanks I said, and dropped off the obligatory 100 bucks. When I got home I whipped these up with just left overs....I have to say I'm likin' the magic wire! Quick, easy, cute and a great way to mush together all those little leftover beads and buttons..... try some for yourself!

{Okay already, I love skulls! Especially juxtaposed with these lovely vintage creams and whites.}

{I used little tiny beads in between the buttons to make them spaced properly-see the drop pearl on the left and the glass flower button on the right}

{I loved how the buttons worked, just need to figure out how to use the ones without the back stem}

{I even sqeezed a few charms in there, like this little bike!}

{here is the second and more straight forward one, using a mix of grey pearls and smoky crystals}

{Just used a vintage focal button in the middle}

-These were just too much fun! You must try the magic wire you can find it at Michaels!!!

-Denise

Class Sample

Made one if these yesterday for a private class for Valentines day. I am finally going to put some stuff in my etsy shop. It's seems so easy but it can be a lot of work!

Girls day out for Christmas!

{Kim Caldwell and me}

Okay so we have to admit, Christmas is pretty much all down hill from the point you turn 13 until you spawn kids of your own. Tyler and I have pretty much decided Christmas to us means cuddling on the couch watching our favorite shows,  sipping coffee and making a nice dinner for two with a nice bottle of wine. We don't buy gifts really...other than to make an excuse to buy ourselves a big ticket unnecessary item (this year Me= 2012 Subaru Outback,  He=a core drill of some sort). I know some of you might say, what about the new Macbook Pro he bought you....but to call that unnecessary? Never! But I digress, a little old fashioned fun and anticipation does exist for the over 13 crowd and it comes in the form of Kim Caldwells annual Christmas soiree. Girlfriends, crafting, food, desserts, swaps, gifts, are you kidding!? I truly look forward to being giddy each year, so thanks you Kim for hosting this wonderful day for all of us. Now onto the pictures! I will blog about the swaps and gifts in another post, because I have like 50 pictures!

{Kim made these table setting from salt shakers filled with little bottle brush trees and angel wings, so cute!}

{table gifts and supplies}

{feathered center pieces}

{Kims sweet decor}

{and this little sweety too!}

{Holly, Jenny and me, table mates}

{Kims always beautifully attired dress form}

{me Terry and Holly}

{Andrea; LIKE seriously, how do I unwrap this??}

{my sweet little decoupaged birdie}

Class was taught by Karla Nathan, she was so generous with her tips and ideas, thanks Karla! Please click on her name and check out her blog and shop- A-mazing!

{more of Kims decor}

{one of Kims trees! Oh how I wish I could have a big tree! No room and Juno and Pippi would destroy it when they play fight!}

{one of my dearest friends Andrea}

{and this was a little extra gift from her, I saw when she blogged about these cuffs she made and not-so-secretly wanted one!} BTW it came and an engraved box-hugs Andrea- I love it!

{Me and Cheryl}

{and the desserts! To die for especially to the lemon bundt cake in the front, took half of that home with me and refuse to share!}

One last look at Kims beautiful sugary sweet Christmas decor. Being in your home was like being in a Christmas Fairytale Kim, Thanks so much!

Can't wait until next year

-Denise

Victorian Stocking Swap-hosted by Sherry Bamsey

Okay So I am totally cheating, we were all supposed to open our swaps tomorrow, but I am driving to Colorado and juts HAD to open mine a day early so I could ooogle over my goodies and hang my stocking by the chimney with flair! I was sooo lucky to get my friend Julie Gordon Weller as my secret stocking maker. Actually I would not have minded ANY of the fellow swappers stockings, but I know Julies style so was excited to get a box from her! So without further adieu and before we hit the road, here is the precious stocking that Julie made me... a stocking I am sure to treasure for years to come:

{sweet anticipation!}

{love the vintage card inside...so cute!}

{what a great detail, a vintage lady skiier, nice job Julie! Swaps are always so special when there are those little personal touches}

(a bigger pic}

{loves these little vintage lovelies peeking out!}

{a box full of vintage cupcake pics, now Julie is the cupcake queen and I love she added a little of herself into this!}

{I just love these little guys had to do a close up!}

{she added lots of fun vintage embellishments, loved these unique cards}

{more fun embellishments and beads}

{more vintage treats to create with, I loved the spool you cant really appreciate the shiny thread on the spool, can't wait to create some fun ornaments with all of this!}

{here is my stockings honored home, below my memorial to my sweet Temper that passed away last year}

Julie I love my stocking and everything you filled it with, a big virtual hug to you and I hope you and everyone else has an wonderful peaceful Holiday!

And thanks Sherry for hostessing this great swap!

-Denise

New Workshop? Bracelet made with Vintage Finds..

If you will remember a few posts back I went on a weekend girls trip to Cayucos in the central coast. Andrea took us to this amazing store filled with vintage buttons and trims called Lena G's. I bought this bag of goodies (above) and I FINALLY made the piece to go with it. Thinking about doing this one as a class....only have enough for 5 kits though.....thats how it goes with Vintage you just can't run down to Target and buy 10 more!

Pale pink vintage trim, a great vintage pink pearl button, antiqued gold finish metals and hand-wired rosary chain. This looks so good on too, but for some reason the pics of it on my hand looks all weird. *Note to self, look at fashion magazines and learn how to shoot a bracelet on a wrist!

Let me know if you might be interested in a workshop the make one!

Denise