TONI MCCARTHY DESIGNS
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Meet ANNIE, my muse.  I photographed her on a sunny February day on our deck just up from the woods.  She's sporting a tank, a my husband's tooled leather belt , a big silver buckle that my dad used to wear, and lots of new "cowgirl"-style jewelry.  She's looks pretty good, right?

It all started with my "need" for a figure like hers to be the stage for the new western-themed jewelry I had in my head.  Once she arrived, Annie seemed the right name (just enough sass), but she needed some clothing.  Well, lo and behold, I found the perfect garment on Junk Gypsies website:  "Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History"--one of my favorite sayings.  

Well, ever since I partnered up with Annie, my full-size (although headless and legless) jewelry model, I have found a wealth of jewelry ideas that just keep coming.

This is one of my FIRST BLOG POSTS from 2013. Several of my original posts are available below.  Enjoy them.  Things have changed, and I will add and update things soon.

Courting My Beading Muse

I think about beads, metals, and jewelry a lot.  
Maybe not constantly, but almost.  
So when my muse is with me, I must court her so she stays
and provides me with inspiration.  

Project #1:  From Thrift-Store Denim to Finished Dress

3/21/2020

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Originally I planned my first sewing project to be a remodel of a denim jacket already in my wardrobe.  However, after I accumulated a stack of denim pieces from my local thrift stores, that plan changed.  Once I started "cannibalizing" those jackets and skirts, I discovered that one of the remaining carcasses was a perfectly good vest.  OK, so detour.  This post will show you how it came about.


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Here is the vest that "appeared" when the sleeves were removed.  I like the dark wash and the sparkly  embellishments on the yoke, both front and back.

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I trimmed and measured the cut-off sleeves from this original jacket and one other to fit the hem of the vest.  There is some overlap, making kind of a kick-pleat situation.  I tried to match up seams as best I could, just for overall continuity.

There was some difference in denim color, but I like that.  

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The finished piece!  I used zippers from another jacket to overlay the front area where the skirt attaches.  I looks way better with this trim.  I also made bias trim for the armholes from a batik-print men's shirt, using the "wrong" side of the shirt back fabric.  You'll also see a tab on each side of the back at the hips made of the same fabric.  

Of course, I used some new jewelry to accessorize the dress.  And since I love layering, this denim garment will most likely be worn in my favorite look--a long-sleeved swing dress.  Black looks best (to me) with this dress, and I have several in this style to layer with other pieces in my wardrobe.  I get them on Amazon--they are perfect for this purpose.

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The back--couldn't leave well enough alone--had to be embellished.  You have to look good both coming and going.

I cut a pocket out of a star-printed denim skirt which coordinates well with the armhole trim.  

The patch at the neckline is from Secret Lentil--scraps from her original clothing that I purchased at her website.  Then I sewed on two buttons for texture.  Love the contrast in color here.

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Added a flowing oyster-color scarf along with the jewelry--my long necklace featuring a soft-solder pendant on textured, matte copper chain.  The jewelry coordinates well in color with the patch on the back.  I pick up details like that to tease the eye and enhance the interest.  You never know, I might want to twirl while wearing this!

Hope you enjoy seeing the steps I took over several days to create this piece.  Again, my inspiration is Wayward Threads . . . by Lorri Scott.  I've described this book in earlier posts.

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    About Me . . . 
    I am a beader, a designer, and a maker. And . . .

    I love it. . . all parts of it: planning projects; buying beads and metal; accumulating tools; reading everything;  organizing my studio; auditioning designs; researching other artists; collaborating in creative groups; working on my website and social media; and hopefully inspiring myself to continue courting my beading muse. 

    I have been designing and making handmade jewelry since about 1995,  and always my focus has been on What Women Buy for Themselves  (although I have LOTS of customers who are men too!)

    My two "styles" are BOHO (mainly glass/gemstone beads in chunky designs) and MOJO (metal, chains, clays, and more in neutral designs). However, my styles have evolved throughout the years.


    All pieces are designed and made by me in my studio here in Camas, Washington.
    Czech glass in bold colors is one of my main "fabrics."  In addition, metals play a huge part in my designs.  Copper, brass, silver, gemstones, pearls, vintage glass, handmade lamp work beads, and wirework are mixed with metals, gemstones, pearls and found objects in one-of-a-kind designs.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some or all of the links in my blog posts are affiliate links.  This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission and we are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  As always, our heart is to encourage you to use what you already have and, when we suggest products, we only share supplies that we use and endorse.  

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A Toni McCarthy Production

What Women Buy For Themselves . . . since 1995
​
dba Beads & Threads

www.tonimccarthy.com
Camas, Washington USA
  • Home
  • Necklaces
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • My Muses
  • How I Do Things/Events/Contact
    • Events & Galleries
    • Contact
  • BLOG: Courting My Beading Muse
  • Look Book