Now for something entirely different! I mentioned in my intro post to this blog that I dabble in crafts – mainly knitting and some jewellery making. So I was pretty stoked when a new Michaels store opened up in downtown Toronto! I finally had a chance to visit this past weekend and of course, I can never walk out of a Michaels store empty-handed:
In my defense all the beads were 50% off! 😉
Here’s a quick look at what I purchased – I kind of group them into colour families:
Blues / greens
These are my favourites!
Earth-tones
The ones on the right are made of real stones.
What I like to do with these beads is simply string them onto stretch cord and make a bunch of coordinated bracelet stacks. Here’s an example of a bracelet stack I made; I love wearing at least 8 at a time, mixing bead types and styles:
You can go really fancy and use Swarovski crystals or semi-precious stones. They’re so simple but impactful and also make great gifts!
My sister bought a bunch of sock yarns. I didn’t buy any yarn this time but I’ll likely be going back soon to get some yarn for a project that I’m still looking for an appropriate pattern.
I’ll post some DIYs in the near future! Hope you enjoyed a non-makeup post. Do any of you make jewellery or do other crafts? 🙂
❤ ❤ ❤ open a store
i would totally buy your creations
BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
xoxoxoxoxo C
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Oh you. I enjoy making it for other people as gifts. I made a stack for my friend for her wedding! They were Swarovski crystals and she still wears them now. 🙂
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OH you ~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! come on …………. can you open a store ….. so freakin pretty …… i want one ….. x
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When’s your birthday! 😉
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the day after valentines xxxx but NO
start an etsy store xxx
that would so rock ..,,,,,,
❤
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Love the beads that you said were your faves! SO pretty. I love the faceting.
I used to do a bit of beading, too, but was too lazy to trek out to Michaels/etc., so I tended to order from ArtBeads.com (Swarovski, yeaaaaa) or Etsy. Started to get out of hand so I haven’t for a few yrs now.
WIsh I could crochet or knit, though! I tried once, but I don’t have the patience 😀
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I love artbeads! But sometimes it takes FORever to get the orders. Michaels at 50% is around the same price as on artbeads. You’ll be pleased to know that now there’s a Michaels on the subway line! 😀 It’s so handy.
Yeah crocheting and knitting does take patience, AND not being afraid of making mistakes and starting over. You have no idea how many projects I ripped apart completely and started fresh. 😛
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Oh yeah, some Artbeads orders took a month to arrive. I’m OK with waiting for beads…sometimes they’d show up and I’d be like…”Oooh what’s this?!”
I do have to check out Michael’s! It’s like, Yonge/Eg or something, right? I need some organizing stuff like boxes and junk.
I should probably try to pick up crocheting again. It seemed easier than knitting!
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No, this Michaels is at Richmond and John where the old Chapters was! 😀
http://www.blogto.com/design/michaels-toronto
Yes I think crocheting is easier – I learned how to do that when I was about 7 years old, so if 7 yr old me can do it, then you can too! 😉
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Oh shoot, I totally forgot there’s a Michael’s there, now! Okey doke, gotta check it out 😀 Thanks!
And, I’m not so sure I’m as talented as 7-yr old you. LOL!
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Oooh, I’m loving these! The blue/green ones are so pretty.
Michaels is the best. It’s like Sephora but for crafts haha.
I don’t make jewelry, but I started scrapbooking our “adventures” when my boyfriend and I started dating…have spent WAY too much money on scrapbooking supplies at Michaels in the last few years!
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I never got into scrapbooking but I bet I’d spend lots of money on all the fancy papers and punches and whatnot! I did dabble in rubber stamps for card making before.
YES! Michaels IS the Sephora of crafts!!!
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Oh, you know you can never own enough fancy paper, or beads, or yarn…haha, hobbies requiring stuff from Michaels can get expensive!
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Michaels is a black whole for my money. I loveeee their bead department! Do you ever make anything else besides bracelets? That’s a great idea to string them all together though, I’m going to try it 🙂
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I’ve made necklaces too. But no earrings because I’m allergic! For these bracelets, I didn’t string them all on one – I made them separately and then just wore them stacked. 🙂
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Have you tried making earring with gold hooks? My mom is allergic to the nickle that’s in most earrings but if her post is gold she doesn’t have any issues.
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No, I can’t even handle gold because they’re plated and the base is composed of mixed metals. I’ve experimented with a lot but the only ones that work for me is titanium! 😕
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Yay! Making your own jewelry is so awesome. You can make what you want depending on your mood/style at the time!
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Oh yes, and it’s relaxing. And after you make the stuff, you can wear what you made!
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You’re so crafty!
I like your bracelet stack..something I would totally wear 🙂
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Thanks – anyone can string beads! It’s fun to experiment. 🙂
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You just reminded me I have a couple of these somewhere too! Need to dig them out! 😅😅😅xx, Annie | Annie’s Beauty
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Do you know where you put them?! 😛
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Well… They’re already in bracelet form so I think I’ll go a bit wild and stash them on my wrist! Dunno! Just saying! 🙌🏼
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Yes just pile them on! 😀
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I have a *quite possibly* Swarovski crystal bead necklace that I really should re-string as it snapped ages ago and I just recently found the bag of beads again.
I love the bracelet idea though.
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It’s a good rainy day activity! I also like to bead and listen to music or have a movie playing in the background. 🙂 You’ll feel so accomplished after you re-string your necklace!
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I was at Michael’s two weeks ago and bought some knitting yarn and halloween crafts. The bead bracelets look so charming. I want to go back and check out more things there.
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Ohh I love beads! Before you know it, you’ll be getting yourself into a crafting no-buy! 😉 hahah
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I honestly don’t have a huge stash of yarn – I tend to buy for specific projects. Beads and jewellery supplies – eh, a little bit of hoarding but not terrible. I do usually end up using everything I buy. Those blue / green beads for instance, is slated to be made into bracelets for presents.
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I’m like that too, I buy supplies for specific crafts that I’ve planned out, otherwise I end up with a stash of unused things that I “could potentially use at some point in the distant future” ..but then I watch these DIY Youtubers that have everything they could possibly ever need, at home available at ease! If only I could be so disciplined with things like nail polish..buying new ones when old ones run out haha
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Those blue and brown beads are gorgeous! I’m the worst with crafts, I have a terrible habit of buying all the necessary things to start a specific craft but then I get distracted half way through and never finish. It’s a problem.
I would totally buy your bracelet stacks though! That’s really pretty!
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I had a monthly jewellery making subscription box a while back and it got to the point I wouldn’t even open the packages because I was only excited at the prospect of making the items, but not following through. I still have 3 unopened I think lol!
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I think that’s exactly how I would be too. I also can’t really be trusted in craft stores because I love all the pretty things and am wont to buy them and then leave them lying around unused when I get tired of looking at them.
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Oooh Michaels! Beautiful beads. I told you you should be selling these bracelet creations! I’m lucky enough to own one of them. 🙂
How is the downtown Michaels?
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The downtown Michaels is great! They retained the 3 levels that Chapters had so the bottom floor is for fine art and framing, the 2nd level is beads / yarn / crafty, and the 3rd floor for more seasonal / decor stuff. We could have spent hours here!
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Michaels is a dangerous place – I go in there and I want to make all the things! Then I spend a fortune, bring everything home and it all collects dust in the corner. Haha.
I love your bracelets! The beads you picked up look so pretty – can’t wait to see what you create with them! 🙂
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great stuff!
i’m just horrible at crafts but love seeing what other people come up with 🙂
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