Mason Jar Makeover

I have a problem.  I love jars.  In fact, I can't help but buy jars every time I seem them in the thrift store, antique mall or garage sale.  I don't do a ton of canning or anything - although that's one of my aspirations in life, to become a self-sufficient gardener who cans everything.  And I think I officially have too many.

So I decided I needed to come up with a project for all these jars, and maybe even give some away as gifts (sniff.)  This is what I came up with.

Wouldn't you like to get a fancy jar full of flowers like this one?  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't mind.

I bet they'd also be cute table centerpieces for a garden tea party...

It's super easy.  Here's what you do:

Mason Jar Makeover

You will need:

Pint size mason jar

Glossy Mod Podge

Foam paint brush

Vintage Newsprint, sheet music, book pages, etc.

Ribbon or twine

Directions:

Make sure the mason jar is clean and dry.  Tear the vintage paper into shreds - the size and shapes are entirely up to you.  If they're too big, there will be wrinkles when you adhere them, but that can be charming...

Dip your paint brush into the Mod Podge and paint a little on the jar.  Stick your first shred of paper in place and smooth over the top with your paint brush and more Mod Podge, to get out all the bubbles and wrinkles.  Wipe any excess away with a paper towel, but it should be saturated enough to stick well to the jar.

Continue adhering strips to the jar to cover the main body.  Place strips right up below the lip of the jar.  This part will eventually be covered with ribbon, so don't worry too much about being perfectly even.  Cover the bottom if you like, but I prefer to leave it uncovered.  It won't stick to the table as much that way when all is said and done.

Make sure the paper is stuck well to the jar - use a second coat of Mod Podge if needed.  Let dry.  Tie ribbon, twine, lace, etc. right under the lip of the jar.  Add a tag if you'd like.  Fill with pretty flowers and let somebody know how special they are.

The New Wedding Line

Posy - Romantic Flower Fascinator by Deeds & Petunia

Here I am.  I think back to where I was a year ago and have to smile.  I bought a sewing machine having no clue really what I was going to do with it, only knowing it was time to build a business around using my creativity.

Rose - Soft Romantic Pink Flower Fascinator by Deeds & Petunia

Bloom - White Peony Floral Fascinator by Deeds & Petunia

Last Sunday was the photo shoot with Rosemary Photography for the new Deeds & Petunia bridal hair accessory line.  It was pure magic.  Lots and lots of hard work, but lots and lots of magic.  And fun!  Here are some action shots.  :)

Amanda working hard and looking amazing!

Teresa getting ready

Teresa added the spice...

We shot from 11:30 or so until just after 5.  Thank goodness for coffee, bagels and muffins (carb fueled!)  We shot all of the new signature pieces in the bridal line (some of which are now up for sale on Etsy, the rest will be up soon.)  It was awesome.

Comfort before beauty on a day like this.  My socks made a good focal point too.

I feel so fortunate to have had the abundant generosity of friends at the shoot.  My good friend Teresa Salzman who is also a talented hair stylist agreed to do hair and to model, and she helped me find another friend/stylist named Anna Ott to help out as well, along with another beauty, Amanda Davis, who I've known since we were little little kids.  The girls were amazing!  They created the most incredible hair and makeup, and made the pieces come to life.  Thank you girls for all your time and all the hard work and ENERGY you gave!

Rosemary Wagner is a dear friend and an incredibly talented photographer from Seattle.  She is also the person who suggested I try my hand at veil/fascinator making in the first place!  And thank goodness.  :)

She is one of the most hardworking, thoughtful and patient people I've ever met.  Rose came in and set up, and immediately started making the magic happen.  She's such a pro.  These photos are above and beyond amazing.  I'm so grateful for her expertise and artist's eye.

Joli et Simple - Feather Headband Fascinator by Deeds & Petunia

Bleu - Hand Beaded Floral Fascinator by Deeds & Petunia

Joli 2 - All White Feather Headband Fascinator by Deeds & Petunia

Joli - Feather Headband Fascinator by Deeds & Petunia

I can't recommend Rose enough.  You have to visit her website to see her portfolio.  It'll knock your socks off.

A big thank you to two local shops as well - Orange on 6th and Vanity.  Laurel and Melanie were very generous in lending us the FABULOUS vintage fashions the models wore!  My two favorite shops in Tacoma (also on Etsy!), where I can never leave without spending money.

A few of the items are now up for sale in my Etsy shop.  I'm now trying to focus on made to order and custom pieces of heirloom quality.  I just love doing custom work so much.  A wedding is one of the rare occasions anymore that truly justifies the creation of a unique, one of a kind, handmade treasure.

I hope you love the bridal line as much as I do!  Have a great weekend!

Some orange to cheer you

I had fun making these sweet little bridesmaid fascinators.  Working with the bride's ideas and inspiration (and a budget, of course!) we came up with these reconstructed rannunculus clips with orange accent feathers, gray Czech glass bead centers and paper leaves.

I quite like the vibrant orange!  A nice little punch of color and whimsy.

Custom orders are my favorite.  :)

Sneak Preview

I promised, so here is a sneak preview of the bridal collection I'm working on.  There's just a few pieces, but I know a few of you asked to see what I've got so far, so here it is!

It's inspired by old photos of family weddings - faded, hand-painted, worn, yet still elegant.  The pieces have a natural, carefree, casual vintage feel.  My palette includes dusty pastels, white, ivory and champagne as well as a fabulous deep blue that I just couldn't turn away from.  For materials I chose vintage jewelry findings, soft feather pads and big full bloom flowers, coordinating birdcage veils for brides AND their bridesmaids, and petite bridal cocktail hats for something a little different.

I can't wait for the upcoming photo shoot with Rosemary Photography.  Rose is an amazingly talented wedding photographer from Seattle who also crafts amazing vintage portraits.  She is a dear friend and I'm over the moon, just absolutely thrilled, to be working with her on this!  I know she'll make these pieces come to life!

Large white peony fascinator with vintage jewelry finding

Hand beaded pink and ivory fascinator

Hand beaded bobby pins with crystal or pearl glass beads

Work in progress - white bridal fascinator headband with vintage jewelry finding

Some finished bridesmaids fascinator headbands with hand beaded flowers and vintage jewelry findings

Large bridesmaid fascinator and dusty blue beaded flowers (still in progress...)

Large white peony fascinator with pearl stamen and boutique accent flowers

Large pink peony fascinator with vintage jewelry finding and gold/champagne accents

Oodles of veils in many new styles and colors - cut and ready to be sewn!

Fascinators, Bircage Veils and Hair Decor now for sale on Etsy!

This is it people!  I'm very excited to share with you my latest endeavor into the world of "hair decor."  I've made a handful of fascinators, veils, headbands and hair accessories now up for sale on my Etsy site.

These pieces came together very organically.  I picked out the materials I liked, and laid them all out on the table.  Some went well together, and as my beautiful friend (and curly-haired Deeds and Petunia model) Grace so eloquently put it, "This is what happens when birds marry flowers."

All of the pieces are painstakingly handcrafted.  I was inspired by the upcoming changing of the seasons, (which changed VERY dramatically today!  It's definitely not summer anymore!!!) and the beautiful women who dare to wear something a little different to stand out.  I certainly had you all in mind while making these.  Some of the pieces are one of a kind and have vintage findings, like this one

For the bridal pieces, I wanted to offer something very feminine, vintage-inspired and non-traditional.  I especially love the fluffy white maribou feathers on a bride. 

It reminds me of the kind of lady who years ago might've worn a pink chiffon robe with fluffy feathery slippers around the house.  I think she would appreciate where I was coming from.  But really, any of the pieces could be worn by a bride!  All of the pieces are customizable, including the veils.

Because they are customizable, the fascinators and veils are mostly made to order, which means that they can take up to two weeks before they are ready to ship.  Why so long, you ask?  Two weeks is just enough time for me to gather the right materials, hand sew everything (I judiciously use glue when appropriate, but hands down prefer to sew), and make sure it's perfect before handing it off to my wonderful customers.  :)

I hope you love what you see, and would love to see you in one of my creations!  ;)

In other great news, Deeds and Petunia items can now be found in Fly! in downtown Tacoma at 904 Broadway!  The store offers some really amazing handmade goods from local artists and crafters and I am completely honored to have been asked to have my items included.  My upcycled, hand-painted mugs, handmade cards made with the stamps I hand carved, and upcycled ruffle aprons can be found there.  I highly recommend checking the store out - there's something there for everyone and for all budgets (and bring cash, since they are brand spanking new and don't have a credit card system up and running just yet!)

I'll also be at the next Tacoma Is For Lovers craft show on September 19th at King's Books in Tacoma, so come check that out!  I'm super stoked!

Whew!  This summer has been an amazing time of change and development as an artist and crafter.  I feel really lucky that the fruits of my labor are finally starting to show.  Can't wait to see what the fall will bring!