Happy New Years

So it's that time of the year again where we all make our lists of resolutions for the new year. If any of you are like me... you hardly ever follow through with your newly set goals. My goals generally consist of the regulars: lose weight, be more productive, sell lots of things online, be happier and on and on. Maybe I have set my hopes far too high. I am only human after all, there's only so much I can do in a short year!

This year I am going to set a simple easily attainable goal! While browsing some newly found blogs I came across Emma's post on her blog Hello Beautiful! She set a goal to create one useful item of clothing for her self each and every month! I absolutely love this idea! I am going to put my own spin on the project and attempt this feat myself.

My guidelines will be outlined below, to keep myself on track and maybe even inspire some of you to start a project of your own.


I want to create one new sewn project every month of the year. Wether it be for personal use or to be used for a new "product" for my Etsy shop. I want to take it in a new direction and this resolution goal will help me achieve that.

I want to create my own patterns for these projects or piece together other projects to create something one of a kind. There will be posts to follow along with each item posted here on my blog. Showing the finished products and some of the steps I took to accomplish them!

So stay tuned and be sure to follow along to check up on my progress! ❤

Lots of awesome new stuff to come!

Hello there everyone!

Again, long time no see. I think that this time I will be here for quite some time. I miss having a creative outlet from my day to day life. So expect lots of new Etsy listings, DIY's and other fun posts from me!

But in the mean time, I hope everyone has an AWESOME weekend! ❤

Where have you been?

Okay okay, so I have been gone for quite some time now!
I will admit I have been neglecting my creativity. With starting my job at the party store I was busy for quite some time learning all the cool fun things I could make in the card studio! Shortly after I started there was an opening for a team lead position, in which I stepped up for. So not only was I learning studio duties, but also manager duties as well! And now with my faaaaaavorite holiday just around the corner, work is extra crazy and fun! Lot's of things to get ready for the retail Halloween season!

But later this week I expect to sit down and take some me time! I want to go through the boxes and boxes of awesome finds I bought during the summer and get some pictures taken for Etsy! And maybe even do some crafty things jewelry wise and holiday related!

So be on the look out early next week for some fun new stuffs! And if you dont see anything, PLEASE feel free to harass me about it. Sometimes I get side tracked and need a lil extra boost!

Hope everyone has had an awesome past couple of months! Has anything exciting happened?

You are all FAN-TAS-TIC!

Look even my blog pictures think you're fantastic!

    But really I just wanted to say Thanks to each and every one of you for following, liking, commenting, messaging and just being there! It really means the world to me to have so many people be interested in what I'm trying to accomplish. Whatever that may be haha! Antique, junkin' ,  jewelry making, crafting in general, and blogging! 


ON THE FLIPSIDE:
    Things should hopefully fall into a more rhythmic manor shortly. "Real life" is starting to get better! I got the assistant invitation designer position I mentioned in my last post. I actually start on Monday! Woohoo! And in regards to the Beloved Bygones side of things... I have lots of reallllly awesome things to make into jewelry. Well...I think they are awesome, hopefully you will as well!
    Met a couple awesome people this past week, which has made things seem so much better as well! The kind gentleman down the road had an open barn sale and I got some really awesome old glass trinkets. I was going to go visit again today but kinda slept in! Hey it's saturday...I can be extra lazy!

THANK YOU AND HAVE A FAN-TAS-TIC WEEKEND! 

Times they are a changin'

     Today faired to be much better than the past couple of weeks. I had an interview for an assistant custom invitation designer position at Party City. I'm super excited about it because I really do enjoy doing design work. I'll admit it's been a while (4 years) since I've had to design anything for print. But I think that getting to do something that involves both retail AND graphic design would be fantastic. Seeing some of the cool things Diane our local specialist has done really got me feeling creative this evening. So I think I am going to force myself to finally sit down and get some things accomplished this evening. Not to mention I shared on facebook that I will be having a giveaway soon! So I have to come up with something super duper exciting that will catch peoples eyes and make them want to enter to win it! Aiming to have the contest up and posted before this weekend! 

    Ohhhh speaking of this weekend! I'll be going to the Vintage Marketplace at the Springfield Flea Market on friday! I was lucky enough to win a ticket from the lovely Theresa at TimeWorn Interiors, so not only do I get to meet lots of awesome people but I get to get in fo free! Heck yeah! I'm going to take my camera. So be prepared to see lots of pointless pictures! I'm sure I will take pictures of lots of cool things I cant afford and awesome ideas that everyone has come up with! Ahhh...I'm getting more exciting while writing this! Should be a uplifting fun filled weekend! 

Today's Question

Have you had anything happen lately that just made everything seem like its going great?

Insert random dissatisfied face here...

   I am getting super frustrated. I'm trying to come up with new ideas, things I would like to have or things I think others would like. But I start working on new projects only to find that someone else has already beat me to it. It's really starting to get to me. I'm starting to wonder if I should just stick to making things I love, fill them full of passion and hope for the best. Back in early 09 when I first learned about Etsy I wanted to open a store that sold nature inspired jewelry and native items (dream catchers mostly, beadwork jewelry and leather goods). I guess I should have jumped on the bandwagon then, but I was somewhat fresh out of high school and I didn't know what I wanted to do in life.

   I guess I just need some sort of sign to guide me in the right direction. Do I continue brainstorming ideas or do I stick with the stuff I know? The problem with selling the stuff I love is...lots of other GREAT people sell similar items. I wouldn't want to step on anyones toes or waste my time.

I just...don't know.

Inspirational Sunday

    So I've been doing a lot of Pinterest'ing (here) these last couple of days! Seen lots and lots of awesome ideas and themes for homes! Just wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures and ideas I have come across while surfing the net. These are also pictures of things that I want to be an inspiration to my future projects and whatnots. Sort of  bohemian, industrial, woodland and native all wrapped into one!

Hope you enjoy!

click each image to view larger

It's Friday right?

    Most people are excited on Fridays. For some reason today felt like Monday to me! I didn't get anything done and just was sort of bleh all day! I may be starting a temporary job on monday. I'm only doing it so I can get some extra cash to hopefully get most of my credit card payed off and spend a little on supplies to make some stuff for Etsy.

   I really need to get myself pulled together and focus on getting some things accomplished! Hoping that writing it down will help some! So bare with me while I post this... Any revision help or motivational posts are more than welcome! Haha


Daily(ish) Schedule
(To be used after the job thing or whatever is over, if it happens)
8:00am 
    - Wake up no later than 8am
    - General morning to do's
    - Random Internet surfing
10:00am
    - Gather ideas and to do's
    - Get all of the supplies I need for the days activities
    - Online "research" type of whatnots. Etsy searches to make sure
             the ideas of the day aren't abundantly already for sale online.
12:00pm
    -Lunch...mmmmm fatness
1:00pm
    - Start actually doing something physically productive
    - Work on crafty things
6:00pm
    - Take pictures, measurements and write descriptions
    - List things on Etsy
12:00am
    - No staying up past midnight!

Wooohoo for trying to get organized! Go me! 

Today's question(s):

How do you handle your daily to do's?

Any sort of routine  you use to make sure you get things done?

And a little song for the day while I'm here

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy

Oh, Hello Friend Fan Appreciation Week

    In my many nights of sleepless wander, I stumbled upon the lovely blog Oh, Hello Friend! There are so many cool ideas and just plan ol' fun filling this blog!

     All this week Danni will be giving away all sorts of fun things for her fan appreciation week!

    It just so happens that the first giveaway is for a $100 credit to be used at her store
 The Wanderlust

    Head over to her blog NOW to sign up for this amazing chance to win some awesome goodies! Also check back daily for new giveaways and other fun-tastic stuff!
          
 $100 Wanderlust Giveaway

 

UPDATE! 

Here is a compilation of all of her amazingly fantastic giveaways! ❤

1- $100 giftcard to her shop The Wanderlust
2 - Pair of Clogs from Lotta from Stockholm
3 - $100 gift card giveaway to Madewell
4 - Instax Camera Package Giveaway
5 - $100 gift card giveaway to Jetblue

Love is in the air...

    I sure do feel like things are starting to look a tad bit better! I've had hundreds of ideas running through my mind on some homemade items I could make to incorporate into my Etsy shop. With the release of Etsy's new wedding section, these ideas have only intensified!

    Spring always gets people twitterpated and excited about all things lovey dovey. I may look into making up a few themed wedding items for my shop. Im a big fan of beach and outdoor weddings. Maybe something like boho meets country chic? Is that even possible? Haha I will figure it out. I just know what it looks like in my mind...can't exactly explain it. So be sure to look out for those monstrosities.

    Too much going on in my mind, not enough resources or hours in the day to get everything started and finished!

www.facebook.com/belovedbygones

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Slacker Sunday

    I'm slacking on keeping up with my daily posts! I've been rather busy this week/weekend though. Thursday was mom's birthday so I didn't get to do a whole lot online then. And friday I woke up feeling horrible so I slept most the day. Saturday I spent the day with my mom, because for her birthday I bought her 2 tickets to go see "The Lucky One" in theater. Of course we went out thrift store shopping before we went to watch it, picked up a new lamp which I loooooove and a glass jar with an eagle imprinted in it. Last night I hung out with a good friend of mine while he was working at a local corral. Met lots of new...interesting... people there! Haha! And last but not least, today was dedicated to watching and bidding on some items on an online estate auction! It's like junk pickin for lazy people! I love it! Got 9 lots of items for only $30 bucks! Lots of little goodies and a few bigger pieces! An old rusty metal fan, a 6 drawer workbench and a paint covered 6ft wooden ladder! The workbench I may be repurposing into a dresser for my own room. Gotta see if I can cram all my clothes into it first though or if it will even fit into the area I want it to! 

    I'm forcing myself to shutdown the laptop and take photos right now though! I have been putting off taking product shots for the past week! I really gotta get to it now though! So catch ya'll on the flip side! 

Today's question:

Have you ever purchased any cool items for repurposing from an online auction or site? 

dont forget to click the comment button to answer todays question ;)

DIY: Birthday Card

    Okay let me apologize in advance, I started this card around 3:30 or 4:00am early Wednesday morning! There are a few pictures missing but I will hopefully provide enough detail that you can figure it out on your own. It's just a diy birthday card nothing needs to be absolutely perfect anyways. And this is just a little post to give you ideas for making your own cards! This lovely is a card for my mommy's 41st ...ehem...I mean 29th Birthday! I know she's sleeping so I can post this without her seeing it before tomorrow morning!


 For this project you will need:

• 2 or more colors of paper 
• I used brown craft paper for both of mine. But I printed a pattern on my second sheet of paper for contrast
• Ruler
• Double sided tape or glue
• Xacto Knife or any cutting tool
• Needle and thread of matching color
• Small seed bead for flower middle
• Pens, Markers, Pencils or Stamps and Ind pad

Start out by cutting your first color of paper into the size card you would like. From there you will need your ruler and a pencil to draw lines for your weaving slots.

    Pictured on the left, you can see that my slots are 2cm wide. You can make your slots how ever thick you feel fit. A smaller width would produce more columns going across your card, which could create some really intricate weaving. So just play with it and see what works best for you. 

     Make sure you dont cut clear to the top of your paper, so your weaved pieces will have a nice border to hold them in place.

    Then you are going to want to get out your second  color of paper. Cut a section that is about the same size of your slotted section on the front of your card.

    After you have cut a piece of paper from your second color you will then next cut this into strips to be used as your weave. These can be varied sizes depending on the look you want. You could also use
multiple pieces of paper for this part as well. I just kept mine a simple 2cm wide to make sure everything was consistant and I ended up with a nice clean square looking weave for the front of my card.

    Next you will use your double sided tape or glue to make sure the edges are secure while you're "weaving" your paper.

    After weaving all of your paper strips and you have secured them to your card. You are ready to decorate! The skies the limit with this simple card. I added a paper flower, twine and a simple tag to the front of my card. Kept the feel natural and cozy.

     I hand drew a couple of various sized flowers and cut them out with an xacto knife. I then bent each flower petal together as if to fold them in half to give the flowers dimension. Using my needle and thread I sewed the the flowers together using a seed bead to form the middle of my flower. And then I just attached it to the front of my card by a couple simple stitches.

    The above pictures are of a handcut tag I used for the front of my card. The stamp set and ink pad I picked for only $1 each. The alphabet stamps were a find at my local Walmart in the craft section and the ink pad, which is a rather good sized pad, was purchased at a Dollar Tree. I dont have the best hand writing so I opted to go for a stamped front, instead of hand labeling. 

As you see, theres so many possibilities with this basic card style. Depending on your paper color choice, personal preference and unique style, this could be used for any occasion. Get crafty and make a loved one something special whether it be for a birthday, thanks or even just to tell them how much they mean!


Everyone loves a homemade gift! 

Busy busy busy monday!

    Well since yesterday I have updated my "inventory" list, cleaned my tiny cramped room and got lots of laundry done! I know everyone does their spring cleaning around this time, but gezz it sure seems like I've been cleaning non stop for the past several weeks! Moved everything out of my room to paint it all white and still working on fitting everything back in here! I downsized a lot and condensed a lot of stuff into one cabinet! Nothing too exciting! Going to finish separating things into my drawers and then start the cleaning process tonight and tomorrow. Getting everything ready to photograph is quite the hassle. You dont really think of how long of a process it is to just take a few pictures, until the pictures are the main source of your income!

Just wanted to drop a quick update for today! Woohoo!

Ohhhhhh I also got some goodies in the mail! My makeup from Madison Street Beauty showed up today! I freakin love everything! I wish I had more money to stock up while she's having her sale! Shoot, I'll pay full price for it without blinking later down the road. Everything's so cheap already, but with the 60% off sale Bridget has going on now....It's crazy!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/madisonstreetbeauty Check it out and get some good deals for yourself while the stocks on sale!

Cant exactly see it but the eyeshadow in Gold Leaf from Madison Street Beauty is exactly that. It's like using gold leafing paper/powder on your eyelids! The color is so brilliant! I just wanted to put it all over my face and run around in gold clothing yelling "Goooooooooldddd" in the voice of the guy from the old Austin Powers movie. Hehe


Hope you all had a great Monday!

Today's question: 

Do you have any old movies that just make you laugh thinking about them?

Ones you know arent that great but still hold a special place in your movie collection?!

Let's get this thing started....

    I feel that this blog could go one of two ways! I could either post on here non stop (which would be good right?) orrrrrr I could neglect it completely and have maybe one post every two weeks.  I suppose that I should introduce myself and what not here in this first post for those of you who do not know me. So lets gets this thing started! 

    My names Hayley Miranda Pearl Johnson, quite the mouthful but rather fitting for a person who is quite a handful! Hehe. I was born July 21, 1990. So that puts me at the ripe ol age of 21, boy do the years go by fast. I'll be 22 this summer and just thinking about it makes me feel old. I have not started college yet, nor do I know if I ever will. I just cant decide on one good career field that I want to spend the rest of my life doing.

    For as long as I can remember I have wanted to do be an "artist" when I grew up! In my younger years, it was just the generic artist, ya know like Picasso, Van Gogh and Warhol...the guys who sat around and painted all day. But I soon realized that traditional art was a lot harder than it seemed when I was little. So in my teen age I juggled between becoming an Interior Designer and becoming an Archeologist. Two totally different choices but I was dead set on both and even considered doing both. (I liked to set outrageous goals back then haha) Moving on to my high-school years I started becoming infatuated with computers and computer art. My junior year was fast approaching and I was given the opportunity to go to our local vocational school. So I jumped on the chance and studied Digital Design and Interactive Media for half of my normal school day. Every morning I got to draw and design before going on to my general studies classes. It was heaven! I went on to finish first in a regional design competition, moving me on to a state wide competition. But in the end I let the "senioritis" get the best of me! I slacked off and didn't get my portfolio in order to move along into college to start working on a real career. So alas here I am somewhat at a standstill trying to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. 

    With the beginning of this sort of side project/business, I can somewhat fit the three main career choices into one SUPER job! The interior design can be squeezed into my findings and staying up on whats the new and happening trends are so I can bring out the best and most interesting vintage items. The archaeology can somewhat be tied to my shopping trips where I go out to find and bring back to life old lost antiques! Kind of reminds me of the American Pickers tv show. Ya know... minus the creepy part of going door to door asking random strangers if you can go look through their property. ;) And alas the graphic design side of things! I get to take tons of photos for postings and design all my own site artwork! Theres so many endless possibilities with being a vintage item reseller. If ya get lucky I might even throw in a few of my crafty ideas in the mix! I've always got ideas floating around for homemade home decor!

    I should probably quit "talking" your ears off with this post! So...Nice to meet you all and hope to talk with you soon! If you want to know more or just have any questions, feel free to ask. I dont bite ... too hard! ❤

I am going to try to post a relevant question with every post to keep

ideas flowing and hopefully get to talk with some of my followers.

So here goes this weeks question...

What kinds of things would you like to see on this blog?

DIY's, Insider posts, general ramblings, etc?