We have a local pediatrician that does di-chro jewelry. He wears pins and stuff everyday at work and has given lots of it to his nurses and receptionists, who also wear it frequently. He gets lots of questions about the jewelry, and people always want to know where he gets it (most of what he wears is very whimsical). Several years ago he began to have an open house at his own home in early December to sell his jewelry (he and his daughter make it all). They invited their co-workers and friends and just served cookies, crackers, cheese, and punch. They told everyone to bring friends. Every year it has grown and last year they probably had a few hundred people go through their doors. I love his stuff and do lots of gift buying there every year, buying about 20 pieces per year. They now have picture frames, serving utensils, sculptures, and lots of jewelry priced mostly from $10-100, but some a little more. People get there early, waiting outside, to get first pick of everything. Most everyone there purchases at least $100 or more. I get compliments on his jewelry all year long and tell people where it comes from and they ask how they can get invited to this "exclusive" party. I just tell them to call his clinic and they will give them the date and time.

honestly, all my jewelry crafting toolboxes are packed away- there's a dish of beads out on my sewing table from a dreamcatcher I made back in april- but jewelry is very much a winter time thing for me- there's no way I'm spending a hot summer night beading, or worse, working with a torch and a hammer! I'll admit to not having a scanner or a digital camera, either (and we just finished up a roll of film- the first picture was date-stamped june of 2003, which gives you an idea of how often we take pictures ;) but maybe we can get something going anyway, if you girls really want to start a discussion? because Jewelry really encompasses ALL those other areas- they can be painted, worked in any number of materials... my boss just got into a new project- making pins with scraps of old toiles on shank button forms. we're going to edge some of them with grosgrain ribbon, some of them with lace- I think they're going to look pretty dashing, and am thinking about doing the same with some of her tiny little florals (she's working with figurative toiles at the moment) I'm not happy with the pin backs- but I never do pins because I LOATHE every single commercially available pin back. they're ugly, and clunky looking.

Hi klb9596.. yes, you can cover wooden knobs...the only thing you need to do is to bake the knob before adding the clay to remove moistue from the wood. Put your knobs on a cookie sheet, tent the cookie sheet with aluminum foil (to keep knobs from scorching) and bake at 250 degrees for about 30 to 45 minutes or so (timing is not crucial here)so, the bigger the knob, the longer you bake. Let the knob cool completely. After the knob cooled, I added a coating of Sobo glue and let it dry completely. This gives the clay something to bond to. Add your clay to your knob, I did not cover the bottom of the knob, and used a tissue blade or exacto knife to trim off any extra that hung over the bottom edge. (by doing this, I was able to use the original screws that came with the knob (adding clay to the bottom means you may have to use a longer screw) and I also felt the wood of the knob would be gentler to the finish on my cabinet, and I was also worried about the clay cracking if I exerted too much force on the knob when putting the screws in. After you bake your clay, and let it cool, finish with a couple of coats of sealer (I used Future floor wax..let it dry then rebake for 10 minutes at temp your clay calls for. this sets the finish and makes it more durable)Bake after each coat of this finish. Or use a finish specified by your clay manufacture and follow their directions. The knobs in the link were gorgeous!! Good luck! Woodsy

I have a walk in closet that has one long blank wall, no shelving or anything. I bought the strips of wood with hooks on them and hang my necklaces on it. I hang them by color and can get several on one hook. I have a lot costume jewelry. I have some better pieces stored in the hanger with pockets shown in the picture of another reply. I put a t shirt over it and then a long sleeved man's shirt over the t shirt to hide it. I have earrings on a stand that sits on my bathroom vanity and rings in a drawer in the bedroom.