That time of year is here again – we’ve got guests visiting from all over just about every weekend until the end of the year. With all the festivities planned over the next few months, I wanted to make some wine glass charms to help keep everyone’s glass identified during all the celebrating.

I first found out about an embossing powder called Amazing Glaze that hardens to a resin from my friend Cathe, she had used it to to make a memory pet tag and decal penny pendant in the past and I really wanted to try it out!  I ordered the powder, some pendant bases and earwires, then came up with several versions of DIY wine glass charms. The first are these blingy sparklers which will work for just about any occasion.

With the right supplies, these are so easy to make!  Find some earwires, pendant bases, and some Amazing Glaze, and you’re in business (my sources below).

The sparkling gem versions were made with simple colorful glitter from my stash that was layered along the bottom of the pendant base, then topped with a small amount of the powder glaze (seen below). 

Using aluminum foil beneath, I simply baked the first layer of powder inside the pendants in a 350 degree oven for two minutes and allowed it to cool for 5 minutes. Then I applied two more thin layers following the same technique, 2 minutes in a 350 degree oven until the powder melts and turns clear.

It hardens into a resin to make these little gems for your wineglass!

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I can’t recall where or when I saw a bottle cutting kit, but I spied it somewhere a few months ago and thought it was completely cool.  Around the same time, I saw a set of tumblers in a local shop made from the bottoms of wine bottles and thought they were a great way to repurpose old bottles into drinking glasses.

DIYer that I am, I determined bottle cutting was definitely on my ‘learn to do this’ list ASAP.  The kit I bought (seen below) ended up on a shelf in my office shortly after it arrived months ago, but last weekend as I was cleaning and sorting I noticed it again, and decided to give it a try. I spent a fall morning experimenting with the kit with mixed results, but in the end arrived at two decent cut glass vases made from a wine bottle and a champagne bottle. 

Take a peek:

Here’s the kit I used to cut my bottles and turn them into vases:

I must caution you, in my limited experience, this kit was a hit and a miss.  The miss may be attributed to my lack of skills in this craft, but I did not end up with perfect edges.  Read on!

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For the longest time, I’ve been wanting to make some thick wood cutting boards for use around the kitchen and to give as gifts.  Cutting boards are just about the most useful tool in the kitchen, but store bought or hand crafted wood ones can get pricey quickly.  

I had this vision in my head of a thick slab of wood with a lot of character that could become a focal point on a table.  Over the weekend I created a few of my own wood cutting boards out of a slab found at a local salvage yard. 

Here’s a look at the trio of wood cutting boards I designed:

This project began last week when I dropped in on my local salvage yard in search of the perfect piece of wood.  I talked to the people who ran the place and told them I was looking for a harder wood like maple or hickory, but wanted to avoid any grainy or porous woods like oak.

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Greetings and happy weekend y’all!  Announcing the winner of the last giveaway with Kelly + Olive.  Congratulations to #67 Larissa who wrote:

“The room that I would love to get some direction and insight on is my bedroom.  The space is great with large windows and great views, but my current decorating is lacking in everything.  I would love the opportunity to get some professional help”  Congrats Larissa, can’t wait to see the full room design! 

Today, because it’s spring, and because Mother’s Day is five weeks away and you best be thinking about Mom!!!  I’m thinking about you too, so I’m bringing you a timely giveaway from my longtime sponsor The Vintage Pearl.  Last year, I bought my own mom the Circle of Love bracelet and she loves it!  It’s the only keepsake she has with her four children’s names on it, what Mom doesn’t want one of those? 

The Vintage Pearl is a great source for the prettiest hand stamped sterling silver jewelry and keepsakes.  In fact, VP has the PW seal of approval, how cool is that?  Take a peek at this small sampling of the pieces available for babies, teachers, grandmothers, sisters, friends, and even dudes. 

The last day to order for Mother’s Day delivery is April 20th, so get shopping!

This time, two winners will receive a $75 store credit to shop The Vintage Pearl.

Eligibility to win one of two $75 dollar store credits:

1)  Hop on over to The Vintage Pearl and pick a favorite among the collection.  Come on back and leave a comment telling which piece(s) you’d choose if you won.

2) For additional chances to win, link to this giveaway on Twitter, and/or link to this giveaway on Facebook, then come back and mention in additional comment(s) where you linked (FB or Twitter).

Giveaway ends Monday April 4th at 8 p.m. PST.  Two winners chosen by Random.org.

Good luck and happy weekend!

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