Frugal Friday: Earring Storage

So I will be putting together my first vendor table to display my handmade accessories next month.  I am so excited.

I absolutely love the preparation process for events, especially when it comes to display tables.  My budget isn't that large so I see quite a few DIY projects and thrifting in my future. The first part of my to do list  is to find the most frugal way to display the earrings.  Earring stands range from as low as $12 to as much as $60 per stand.  I could easily buy one, but why purchase what you can make or re-purpose yourself.  As usual I turned to the internet for inspiration and found some great low cost ideas for display earrings.  Here are some of my favorites-

Tree Branch Jewelry Stand

DIY Jewelry Stand Using IKEA Frame

DIY Jewelry Stand Using Lace Material and Picture Frame

DIY Framed Earring Stand with felt/string

Upcycled CD Rack as Earring Holder

I guess a couple of trips to the crafts store or local thrift store are in order for this weekend. 

For more frugal ideas for updating your home Follow my "Frugal Home Board" On Pintrest.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Check out some of my handmade accessories

DIY and Crafting Page

I have been so inspired lately.  I am creative by nature, but over the past month everything around me has inspired me in some way.  Of course I have to pace myself, and I can only work on one project at a time, but it is an awesome feeling.  Since DIY and Crafting is a new normal in my life I am adding a new page. Check it out  http://iamcurlylocks.blogspot.com/p/diy-and-crafts.html

Here is one of favorites....Upcycled glass jars

After

Before

5 life lesson's I've learning from DIY and crafting

1. Slow and steady will finish the race. We've heard the saying time and time again; and it applies to so many areas in our lives.  When it comes to crafting, I like the end result more than I like putting in the work. Often I find myself rushing to finish a project rather than slowing down, and enjoying the moment of creating.  When I don't take my time the project is usually messy and  ends up in the trash, wasting money and time.  How often do we rush to the finish line before starting the race? Causing us irreversible problems that could have been avoided if we just slowed down. 
2. Enjoy the moment.  This kind of goes along with number one.  You know the saying, "Stop and smell the roses." Well in crafting its more like, "spill a little glitter and color outside the lines from time to time, and laugh about it."  Mistakes will be made, your project may not always turn out like the tutorial, but the fact that you created it makes it special.  You may not be a crafter, but everyone should choose to live in the moment from time to time.  For goodness sake, seize the day and the opportunity to free yourself.  I promise you will feel a lot better.
3. Adapt.  It is inevitable that a few mistakes will be made when doing a DIY project or craft.  You won't always get it right, but when, "Life gives you lemons, make lemonade," or in this case cover it up with a little glitter, smile, and look at the beauty in what you have created.  In life there will be roadblocks, but there is always a detour that may just get you to your destination a little bit faster.
4. Enjoy your creation.  After God created the heaven's and the earth, on the seventh day, " God looked at what he had done. All of it was very good" Genesis 1:31. If we strive to be like Christ shouldn't we enjoy the spoils of our hands.  No, we should not be prideful or arrogant about our hard work, but we should see the beauty in it. 
5. Keep it simple.  My mind moves a mile a minute, and when I get inspired I dive right in. Sometimes my ideas are so elaborate it is hard for me to hone in on what I am trying to accomplish.  Watching Craft Wars, I noticed that some of the best crafters make a mistake of bedazzling after they finish an item, rather than letting the beauty of what they have created stand for itself.  The term "simple elegance" in my opinion should be embraced at all times.  Sometimes that extra piece of something takes your project from fab to drab, and it is hard to recover from it.  If we K.I.S.S.(Keep It Simple Silly) in life everyday we will surely be able to slow down, enjoy the moment, adapt, and enjoy what we have created.

Happy Crafting. Peace and Love,

Najeema, I AM Curly Locks 

Curlitude by I AM Curly Locks

So their not for sale yet, and I have only given away a few, but for the last 3-4 months I have been attempting to let my creative juices flow.   I love accessories, but I can not always find the right one to dress my curls, so I make my own.  For the most part my creations consist of flowers because it is part of my signature style, and I like them.  They come in all shapes and sizes and I use tons of different fabrics, but organza, linen, denim and khaki are a few of my faves.  They are mostly hand beaded and hand sewn, with the occasional glue for attachment.

For the most part I do it for relaxation, but I have been getting tons of feedback from people wanting to purchase my creations.  An Etsy store is definitely in the works after a few things are straightened out and I figure out fair pricing, so stay tuned.

I would love you input. What do you think? Would you buy any of these?

Cream and Turquoise Linen Ruffle Headband

Khaki Flower Headband

Denim Double Tea Cup Rose Headband

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks