april giveaway.

Its time again for a my monthly Facebook Fan Giveaway! Head over to my Facebook Fan page and comment below my post today. A winner will be chosen randomly to win these super cute ivory satin earrings. Perfect for wedding season, Easter Sunday or a sunny spring day. The question for the post is "What is your favorite outdoor activity?"

I would have to say taking walks/hikes. I'm not a fan of exercise as many people know (although I should start a routine because I can't stay a size 4 forever with the way I eat haha!) but I do enjoy leisurely strolls on nice days. The beach, woods, my suburban neighborhood...it's just nice to be out and about :)

So please head over to my Facebook to enter my Giveaway! And don't worry if you don't win this time...there will be one next month to look forward to. Have a lovely day!

unpredictable.

One thing I've learned the last year is that life is totally unpredictable. I've never been one to plan out my life (ex. In five years I'll be married/have 10 kids/live in mansion) but I wouldn't have imagined a few years ago that I would still be struggling to find work, happily living with my boyfriend and residing in New England.

And once again it's about to change. Evan got a job back in Pennsylvania so at the end of April, I'll be packing up and moving again. At first I was hesitant, after all I love it here -aside from the hours away from friends and family. The ocean, the history, the adorable towns with great shops and restaurants, Boston, etc. are all so inspiring. But sometimes things that you think won't be great...turn out to be wonderful.

So as the big move approaches, I have decided to have a sale! Through the month of April all the things in my shop will be 20% off with my coupon code MOVE1

Please check it out! Not only will you be saving money on some cute things...but you will also be helping me move by lessening the load! :)

One of my faves:

Miss Elinor Vintage Pearl and Rosette Necklace

quality vs quantity

So I just treated myself to ordering these fabulous boots from Starlet Vintage. I am sooo excited for them to come in the mail! I have been wanting real leather boots for a long time. My Payless ones are on their last leg (haha no pun intended!) and I've been on the hunt. I tend to not spend money on things that I use everyday...which is the exact opposite of what you should do. Why do I refuse to spend money on quality boots/jeans/bras and continue to buy cheap ones I need to replace year after year? Well I finally broke the chain. Plus I got a good tax return so even though I need to save money...I think I can treat myself on something I'll be wearing for a long time. Now to get around to that haircut I've been putting off....

stylish blogger award

So a couple days ago I was contacted by Mary of UneBelleVie because she gave me the Stylish Blogger Award! It's a super cool thing where we find out a little bit about other sellers and pass on the love. I'm so excited to be included...who knew people read this!

Thanks Mary :) If you haven't already checked out Mary's blog or etsy shop- she has very cute vintage finds. Take a look!

*Stylish Blogger Award rules*

Thank the person who awarded it to you

Post 7 facts about yourself

Pass the Award to other bloggers and let them know they were choosen

Seven facts about myself:

I love making lists- even better if I can cross things off the list.

I would choose salty over sweet anyday. Except cupcakes.

I am 5ft tall, wear size 5 shoes, and my ring finger is size 5

I am still close with my friends from high school. We call each other the eleven.

I adore Jane Austen. There is nothing better than a cup of tea and Persuasion.

I am really shy...so it's hard for me to promote my work in person.

I've never been stung by a bee.

Passing the Award to:

Blackbird Crafts

Ms. Veronicas

SeeSpace

Adelaide's Homesewn

Garment House

JeanJean Vintage

Rennes

Have a lovely evening :)

P.S. I am working on a collection of headbands. A preview is on my Facebook fan page. They will all be listed soon!

march giveaway!

So its time for my monthly Facebook Fan Giveaway!

I started last month with my first giveaway and am seeing if it can be something I do monthly. The February one went well with about 9 people entering. Although not a lot...it was a good start for me!

So this month, on my lucillejean Etsy Shop Facebook page, all you have to do is comment under my Monday March 14th status and you will be entered in the giveaway. I will choose a random winner to receive this super cute one-of-a-kind ring...its perfect for spring!

In the mean time, I'm trying to keep my shop updated with new spring items. Take a look!

literary love.

I am in love with Jane Austen. Many people already know this, but I've been trying to work my love of Jane and other literature into my creations. I started a "Jane Austen Collection" in my etsy shop but I've been having some creativity blocks and haven't been working on it. Then I had a great idea! I had made a charm bracelet a while ago with a locket that inside I put a quote from P and P. It was such a cute bracelet and it sold. Maybe I should make more and focus on romantic quotes from Jane and other authors. Ideas:

• Captain Wentworth from Persuasion (J.Austen)
• Mr. Knightly from Emma (J.Austen)
• Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind (M.Mitchell)
• Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights (E.Bronte)
• Rochester from Jane Erye (C.Bronte)
• Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility (A.Austen)

I need to do some research for some more obscure heros. Oh what a bummer more reading ;)

vintage lovelies

Vintage Crystal Drop Earrings

Vintage Peach Cameo Earrings

Vintage Teal and Brass Earrings

60's Pearl Flower Earrings

60's Pearl and Rhinestone Vintage Earrings

Sneak peek of some of my soon-to-be listed vintage jewelry

Pearl and Gold Adjustable Link Ring

Tiny Starburst Pin w/ iridescent and and blue stones

Rhinestone and Gold Adjustable Link Ring -missing rhinestones replaced with golden pearl beads

Check out my shop for these vintage pieces and stay tuned for more to come.

Happy March 1st!

spring

As much as I love winter, it's nice to have some warmer weather. But I'll be honest, spring is probably my least favorite season only because it never seems to be "real" spring weather. Rain, wind, cloudy days, grey, damp...this is what I think of when someone mentions that spring is coming. It's not till well into May that the weather looks "springy" and then BAM! 80-degree weather pops up and summer has taken over. I guess if you think about it, spring isn't really a type of weather...more of a state of mind. New growth, shedding of layers (slowly cause it still can be chilly), and a brighter perspective. With that in mind, I have been thinking about doing some new home decor projects for the apartment to brighten it up and add a little life.

1. Refinishing an old lamp in the living room. Found this DIY lamp project here. All I need is some metallic glass paint and a new shade.

2. Using some old skeleton keys I got from my grandmother to make a piece of art...thinking the top right one. Thanks Design*Sponge for all your cool ideas!

3. Want to make a garland to place above the bed, since we haven't found the perfect piece of artwork yet. Plan on using some old sheet music and keeping with the colors of the room- grey, slate blue and a golden tan.

4. Recovering some pillows in the living room in bright and fun patterns. Love this neutral room and the fun accessories!

I'll update with pictures when I get the projects done, but for now it's all in planning stages! Stay tuned for an etsy shop update!

giveaway!

I have some good news! I have been planning to do a giveaway for some time now but didn't know quite how to pull it off. With Valentines Day quickly approaching I decided to show some love to my Facebook Fans by having a giveaway. On Monday Feb. 14th, I'm gonna post a status on my lucillejean Facebook Fanpage and all you have to do is post a comment in response and I'll choose a winner at random to receive this super cute grey knit cuff with pearl beads!

To continue the love..I've decided to do this every month on the 14th. The prize might change but the concept is the same...show my appreciation to my Facebook Fans :) I'm pretty excited about my shop lately because I'm beginning to connect with other sellers and get the word out. Ms. Veronicas was even kind enough to post about my giveaway on her blog- check out her lovely shop here. Her cards are so adorable!

Love Nest- two hearts at home Valentine Card

Well I hope everyone has a great weekend - lots of love :)

i heart winter

So its been a few days since I posted anything, but I have been busy enjoying a lovely white New England winter. I went cross country skiing for the first time this last weekend! I've never been on skis before so it was interesting. I fell down a few times, was sore, but loved being out in the snow. I also took a road trip to Vermont on Sunday with a friend. I had never been to Vermont and have now been to all the New England states. We visited the Ben and Jerry's factory, ate Cabot cheese samples and drank hot cider on the beautiful snowy ride home.

I have to say that I've grown to really love winter over the last few years. There is something fresh and inspiring about it. I think the cold air, bare trees, and the snow really makes you think clearly. I love working on projects in the winter because you basically have to be inside because of the cold, but it's so pretty to look out the window...it makes me want to create pretty things. Plus, I have this weird love of the color grey... which is basically the color scheme of winter!

I finished my project I mentioned earlier, the frame turned necklace holder. However, it didn't turn out as planned. The tacks wouldn't stay in the board, so I use it as a earring holder and it looks great.


Plus I've been updating my Etsy shop with new headbands. I have been thinking about a pretty color scheme of grey (of course), light blush pink, and soft gold for the winter/spring season.



The Sweet Peach Headband


Well thats all for now... I'm planning to enjoy this snowy day and get some projects done!

Felted mittens are good for snowy days

My sister's mittens


I finished the felted mittens! I am very excited to share and especially send them to my sister at college. Heres how they were done:

-find wool sweater
-wash in hot water and put in the dryer on high for extra shrinkage
-trace your hand in "mitten position" but make sure to leave extra room for seam allowance and comfort
-cut out four mitten shapes (if using a sweater that has a clear front and back, remember to flip the mitten pattern over)
-sew them right sides together leaving the bottom open
-sew the bottom edge of the sweater (the stretchy part) on the bottom of the mitten so it can fold up like a cuff
-add button or beads for extra pazazz :)


My mittens


So my next project for the day is revamping my Etsy shop and starting on a necklace hanging board. Right now my long necklaces are sitting in a plastic box under my bedside table. Not a good place. Cute necklace trees are too expensive so I'm making my own. I have a square frame that I'm going to add cardboard, batting, and very cute fabric. Once in the frame, I hope to use these adorable thumb tacs my friend Micheline made for me as the place to hang my necklaces. It will be interesting to see if this all goes as planned. If it doesn't...well more time for reading my book!

Since there is a big snow storm coming, it seems like the perfect time to settle in with some hot tea and put a dent in this list.

1. Revive my etsy shop (www.lucillejean.etsy.com)
2. Start a blog for my etsy shop
3. Experiment more (lace making anyone?!)
4. Explore more (New England has so many interesting places)
5. Dress up
6. Find a job that will pay my bills




I'm still working on the focus of my shop, a work in progress you might say. I love vintage, especially the 30s, 40s and 50s. I have a few vintage jewelry pieces and even some vintage clothing but I'm not sure I want to do that. I love making things. I started with headbands but have had some trouble selling them. Thankfully my friends are so supportive and have bought a few. Jewelry is not my favorite to make but people seem to like it. I guess I'll have to keep working and see what happens. Although I'm up for suggestions and advice from anyone!



Today I am working on a pair of felted mittens for my sister. I discovered felting recently and used a grey Ralph Lauren wool sweater to try it out. Don't worry, the sweater was second hand and was very boxy. My first pair worked well, so I'm excited to make more and add some cute vintage buttons. Will post pictures when finished!