BURIED TREASURE Ideas: Secret Garden Ornaments

When I was little, I always dreamt of a far away place enchanted by nature and my own little secrets. In reality, this surreal place never came true, but I always ventured to my father's house for the next best thing. I had cherished the finer things in life, like my clubhouse and mud pies. All are just memories now and days but I often get reminded by relics I find here and there. Today's Buried Treasure Ideas are an ode to little girls everywhere, especially the ones who dreamt of secret gardens. Here are some lovely ideas you can use to create your very own enchanted adornment.

~ VINTAGE FINDS: Last weekend, I attended the Intergalactic Bead Show that comes around a couple times a year, despite all the lovely things I found, I went way over budget as usual. On a good note, check out this unusual vintage brass key I snagged that folds open. Skeleton keys are so mysterious, where did they come from, what did they unlock? Inspired by spring, I also picked up these beautiful assortment of glass beads, I can't wait to use these for earrings, especially the pink ones.

I D E A S   T O   M A K E   S O M E T H I N G   N E W:

~ FRESH FLOWERS: Finding unique floral ornaments can add a special touch to your Secret Garden creation. The special thing about vintage finds is aged color and lovely craftsmanship, like this Spring Has Sprung vintage brooch from Carmen and Ginger. Finding a unique brooch like this, can easily be transformed into a gorgeous pendant. One of my two favorite tools for turning brooches into pendants are a screw two hole punch and a battery operated manicure set for smoothing out the back and giving newer pieces a shabby chic look.

~ CHARMING: A blooming flower can always use some love and affection, this lovely Oxidized Brass Watering Can Charm from Glamour Girl Beads, would be a perfect match for a vintage flower pendant. Charms can add a touch of whimsy to any creation and even tell a story, for example you could match a vintage clear chandelier tear drop crystal with a petite umbrella charm; how about that for April Showers!

~ INSPIRED: These two pieces look as if they have been taken from the novel The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. These Secret Garden Vintage Butterfly and Coral Earrings from Alfie Jewels, are truly exquisite and timeless. The carved bone has lovely detailing of flowers and a butterfly in a simple ivory color. And this Engraved Fairy Flower Brass Locket looks like it has been brought from the past, right out of Mary Lennox's hands. The unique thing about this locket, is that it has been kissed with an original drawing and then engraved; this is truly original and has an adorable ribbon to swoop your neck. You can find more whimsical engraved lockets from Star Creations.

I hope you've enjoyed these Secret Garden ornaments, use these ideas or if you have any ideas of your own, don't be shy we'd love to hear them! Stay tuned next time for more Buried Treasure Ideas when I talk about Girly Girly Frosted Delights!

BURIED TREASURE: Honey Bee Adornments

Today's Buried Treasure Ideas will have you BUZZING up a storm! Seems as the weather gets warmer, we all look towards nature for inspiration, whether be the tweeting of baby birds, organic shapes of budding flowers and yes the buzzing of bees. Below are some ideas that you can use to create classic honey bee adornments.

~ VINTAGE FINDS: Recently, I visited my local flea market and came home with some pleasant vintage pieces, I found this beautiful vintage brass linked bracelet shaped like honey combs and matched it with a long strand of cream and amber pearls. Taking a timeless bracelet and matching it with a couple of beads near the clasp can add a whimsical feel to any outfit. I also found a great faux pearl pendant brooch and matched it with an adorable enamel bee; this would be perfect to romance any lapel. 

I D E A S   T O   M A K E    S O M E T H I N G   N E W:

~ SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: The beautiful thing about etsy is there is something for everyone, personally I love combining vintage finds with something new. For example, the Queen Bee earrings seen above have stunning vintage honeycomb like texture beads in a delicate crystal from Red Art Productions; I've matched them with newer brass bee gardening charms from Bare Naked Findings topped with a gold bead cap.

I also love these glass apricot beads from beadtopiavintage, not sure yet what I will create with these but a lovely idea would be to create a teardrop necklace and match the beads with a fluttering butterfly pendant, like this aged white Repousse Butterfly from the Patina Queen.

~ GO SIMPLE: If you are into a more simpler look for spring or summer how about this bubbly Meil Honey Ring from Les Precieuses, the use of the warm cluster of jade beads is perfect for that one outfit accessory. I adore the simple elegance of this Bee Blossoms Bracelet from Lara Lewis; choose from three colors to accent this charming oxidized brass bee pendant to adorn you wrist. Just by adding subtle hints of color matched with a larger center piece can have super stylish results.

I hope you've enjoyed these honey bee adornment ideas and create something special of you own. Join us next time for more Buried Treasure Ideas when I talk about using timeless finds in and enchanted secret garden theme.