Lady Spleen - Artist : Pin-Up Girl : Rock n' Roll Vixen

7 day and other jar candles are a great base for creating some mixed media art! I usually find mine at the dollar store, just begging to be decorated!

Supplies:

• a tall jar candle
• various art/craft materials
• your imagination and creativity!

Try a variety of different materials and techniques. If you paint, try painting directly on the glass (with appropriate paint) or paint on heavy paper or canvas and wrap that around the jar. Glue on fabric, brass stampings or photos. Encrust the jar in rhinestones! Try making several of them in coordinating styles and display them together for a great DIY decor. Or take a cue from the spiritual history of candles and create pieces to honor your departed loved ones. Whatever you do, let your creativity rule!

I suggest using these candles as decor only and not lighting them, as the materials or adhesives you used to decorate it may be a hazard near the heat. If you do want to light your finished candle, make sure you don't use anything that is going to be damaged by the heat, catch fire , melt or emit fumes.

How would you decorate your candle?

The ribbon choker is a classic accessory. Nothing highlights the neck and shoulders quite like it, which probably explains why women throughout history have been wearing them (particularly at the turn of the century). With the right supplies it's easy to make your own - then you can have one in every color!

With a tape measure, measure the circumference of your neck where you wish the choker to sit. Take that number and subtract 1 1/2 inches. Cut this length of ribbon. The goal is to leave enough room between the ends of ribbon so you can adjust the fit of the choker when you wear it.

Take one end of your ribbon and apply a very thin line of glue just inside the edge, on the backside. Fold over the end just enough to cover the glue - make sure that the folded portion is not wider than your crimp end or it will peek out once the crimp is closed.
Slide one crimp end onto the newly folded ribbon edge.

Once the crimp end is completely on, take your pliers and pinch the end closed onto your ribbon. Repeat for the other side. If any glue happened to squeeze out when you pinched the ends, carefully wipe it away. Allow the glue to dry, following the manufacturer's directions

Once you have your finished ends, it's time to attach your chain and clasp. I find that using the chain links instead of a jumpring makes for a sturdier necklace. So, take a tiny strand of chain only one or two links long and attach it to one end of the ribbon. Attach your lobster clasp onto this end.
On the other end, attach your remaining  length of chain.

You're ready to wear! Use the length of chain to customize the fit of your choker - you want it to be taught but not actually CHOKE you!

For this year's St. Valentines day, I surprised my husband with a handmade album of vintage style boudoir photos taken by my friend - Pro wedding, portrait and event photographer Ashley Cheatham of Flash With Ash Photography

I've shot lingerie before but always with a fun, flirty, "innocent" approach (or with bad-ass punk attitude!). I was a little apprehensive about being overtly sexy in front the camera. Could I even keep a straight face? Well, Ashley made it VERY easy to feel comfortable. As a model herself and with over 10 years experience in traditional darkroom photography, she knows her stuff! Not only did she give great direction and get great shots, she worked quickly. That, combined with The Killers and She Wants Revenge playing in the studio, made it a piece of cake! mmm...cake....

Here are a few of the more innocuous shots - the rest are for Larry's eyes only!

In this digital age, a handmade photo album as a gift is a refreshing change of pace.

For instructions on how I made mine read on...