DIY Jewelry Recycle Series : Part 2 - Mini Brooches

Bringing you Part 2 of Jewelry Recycle series (Did I mention I hate throwing away stuff?) 

I have been eyeing teeny-tiny brooches and pins appearing everywhere for a long time now. Somehow, when I get around to buying the ones I like, they're (long) gone! So a couple of days ago, when I found myself with leftover jewelry gems and tiny brooch pins, it was a godsend opportunity (<drama/>).

Here's what you'll need to make your quick and unique versions:

• Jewelry gems or rhinestones
• Brooch pins, 10mm
• Instant Super Glue (available here)

Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Put a drop of glue on the backside of the gem. With a toothpick, spread the glue

Step 2: Attach the brooch blank to the gem and leave to dry

Step 3: Pin your mini brooches to anything and everything and enjoy the upgrade :)

- Cheers!



Manish Malhotra Autumn Winter 2013

Some of my favorites from the collection:

3/4 blouses, embellished sleeves, long flow-y skirts - definitely on my list!

DIY Jewelry Recycle Series : Part 1

Always a lover of beautiful jewelry, I can't resist when i come across great deals for it. Just as I can't throw it away, when I inadvertently lose or break stuff (:()

These earrings, for example, were shiny, new, beautiful and most importantly, two, when I got them! Enter traveling and sale season and an ongoing day job, the lords of fate eventually played their cards and miraculously, one if the earrings disappeared without a trace! (I never could figure out how that happens.)

Finally, Courtney Cox and Jennifer Mayer came to my rescue! Check out her look in Cougar Town in collaboration with the designer here.

Now here's what you need to convert your forsaken chandelier earrings to jewels à la Monica!:

• Old earring
• jump rings 4mm
• Any chain of choice (can be taken off other unused jewelry)
• Lobster clasp

Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Take apart your earring (or whatever is left of it) for its findings

Step 2: Attach 2 jump rings through both holes of the discs. Attach about 5 cm of chain of either side of the disc

Step 3: Continue extending your necklace up till you get the desired length.

Step 4: Attach a lobster clasp and 5-7 consecutive jump rings on the ends of the chain

Ta-da!! Guess you don't need $3200 after all!! (For now :))

- Cheers!

Inspiration: Pearl Love

"A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls" - Coco Chanel. 

'Nuff Said!!

Oppressed Majority

The topic of this post should rather be "I came across this video recently and it blew my mind."

The idea of feminism is always a touchy topic for many people. When a girl chooses to dress as she feels, do what she wants, go where she wants and in general, is assertive about her needs and career, she is usually branded with the famous F-word (the other one) - Feminist!

But its hard to understand why the word Feminist is so bad after all. In a world where were fight for the rights of minorities' and we have laws banning the use of certain language on grounds of racism, we still use 'feminist' with thinly disguised contempt in our minds for women who are viewed as too "aggressive" or "modern", whether we choose of acknowledge this to ourselves or not. It doesn't have to be about who is greater, rather equality in every sense. 

Now I'm not pointing fingers at any gender or culture - I've come across nice guys who (truly) respect women and their choices, just as I've met women who are perfectly happy placing the trust of their decisions on their other halves. It is after all, a personal choice. It is the right to make that very personal choice that is taken away in certain situations - and the sufferers usually end up being women.

This hitting short film, created by French director Éléonore Pourriat is all about that - to bring a point across what it feels to be a woman who is subjected to sexism and violence. 

To give you a heads-up, it can get disturbing (not recommended for all ages)

Watch it here:

Or check it out here : http://www.buzzfeed.com/marietelling/this-powerful-video-shows-men-what-it-feels-like-to-be-subje

It changed me a little bit.

Giveaway: Braided Beaded Friendship Bracelet

Enter February, the season of love (at least for the romantics out there!) 

It has been about 2 months since I started this blog and I feel that I'm at the starting line of one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. Honestly, I didn't think I'd be disciplined enough to sustain a blog for more than a few entries! But the response I received from you guys was overwhelming. 

I am so grateful for your taking out time to support my baby-blog and I love you all for that :) I would love to hear your suggestions, if you have any, through emails.

In line with this, I'm giving away this colorful ethnic friendship bracelet (because they're here to stay!) which is one of the first few jewelry pieces I made during my early days of DIY-ing. Perhaps as a reminder to myself that there is more to look forward to in the future - now that we've crossed 2012 safely - PHEW!! (Sorry, could'nt resist ;) )

A few things you should know before entering:

• You don't have to buy anything to enter this
• You don't have to pay any postage to get this bracelet
• The contest is open Internationally to all ages and shipping is sponsored by me :)
• Odds of winning are based on number of entries
• You don't have to share your email or personal details
• Once the winner is randomly selected, I will contact you for your shipping details

All you have to do is like Jade Eclectic on Facebook through the widget below so I can contact you on winning! If you already like me on Facebook, you can just enter the giveaway through the widget so that your entry is considered by it.

Enter away here:

This giveaway has ended and I have a surprise for you - another winner!

The winners are: Nikki and Rach. 

Thank you Nikki and Rach ! I'll be getting in touch with you over email to send your bracelets over to you :)

-Cheers