JEWELRY – Finding My Muchness

Oreo Charms, Muchness Craft Time!

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Tova

Two days ago Molly told me that on Monday after school she wanted to make charms. “Quick-n-easy” charms she said, as though this was something we’d done before. (we haven’t) and I immediately thought of a great little video I saw on YouTube when I was binge watching polymer clay tutorials a few weeks back.

So we made them! Quick-n-easy… and a whole lotta fun too!

Step 1:

Buy mini oreos. (big one’s’ll work too but those’ll be some mighty large charms- maybe a key chain??)

Step 2:

Find a nice, cleanly molded cookie. A lot of them have crumbles or broken edges. Dust away the crumbs and pull apart your oreo. Eat the cream and not as pretty half. Cover the pretty half in clear nail polish.
(You’ll notice mine is covered in color-changing teal nail polish. I’m really bad at following directions.)

Step 3:

Cover the dried, pretty half of an oreo with glue gun glue. Do this on a piece of parchment paper so it doesn’t stick to the table.

Step 4:

When the glue is warm and solid but before it cools fully, pop the cookie out of the mold. If you wait too long the cookie will stick and if you do it too soon you’ll burn your fingers or distort the mold.

Step 5:

Make oreo colored clay. (mine is a mix of black + red + this weird mustard color that was mixed scraps left over from a different project.)

Step 6:

Make a ball and shove it into all the nooks and crannies (I know, that is a Thomas’ English Muffin reference. It’s like I’m making a carb salad.) Then cut the excess and carefully remove the clay cookie from the mold.

Step 7:

Do that twice.

Step 8:

Look through your random jewelry findings box and select parts that would be appropriate for a charm. If you don’t have such a box, just find a precious piece of heirloom jewelry somewhere in your house and disassemble it for parts. Sandwich jewelry findings between layers.

Step 9:

Roll some white clay to make the stuffing. Flatten your ball. Make a sandwich.

Step 10:

Bake it.

Step 11:

Line them up with a bunch of real oreos and make people guess which are which. ….and GO!

Step 12:

Blog about it.

Inspiration for a Tuesday

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Tova

If there is anything I love more than sparkle, it’s gradient sparkle!! If I had $500 just lying around and I ever wore necklaces besides my little charm necklace for my girls, this would so be mine.

By Dolores Petunia via lucky magazine.

DIY Designer Sunglasses- A Lunch Hour Muchification Project!

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Tova

Last week I found some awesome thousand dollar designer sunglasses online. So Muchy, and So EXPENSIVE! Today I decided to make the most of my lunch hour and an old pair of glasses that have seen better days, but I love a lot about ’em.

First stop: Beads and findings store:

Displayed on my mouse tablet for your viewing pleasure:

Cleverly using stuff I have on hand to balance the glasses:

No pics of the glueing… I only have two hands, after all.

Here’s some more clever balancing acts:

Ta-Da!

Glamour Shots!!

And now, a recap. Pay close attention!!!

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHALLENGER KRISTYN!!!

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Tova

Kristyn has been into The Muchness pretty much since Day One- sending in her reader submissions and commenting on posts… so I am So Excited to Introduce her!!

Everyone, Meet Kristyn!!!

Kristyn writes:

I guess it is time for my introduction: My name is Kristyn, and Tova and I “met” through a baby loss website during our subsequent pregnancies. My first pregnancy was so exciting for me- I told EVERYONE as soon as I found out and everything seemed to be going smoothly until the results of my triple screen came back suggestive of a neural tube defect. During the ultrasound I frantically tried to see my baby’s spinal cord and neglected to notice the lack of amniotic fluid present. After a very long weekend and another specialist, my baby was diagnosed with Potter’s Syndrome- a lack of functional kidneys. Unfortunately, after around 16 weeks gestation the kidneys are responsible for creating the amniotic fluid, without which the lungs do not develop. It is 100% fatal. On December 8, 2006, at 17 weeks 1 day, my beautiful, perfect baby Annabelle was born sleeping. Since that time I have survived and tried to cherish two subsequent pregnancies with healthy baby boys- Ben (3 1/2) and Sam (17months).

My boys are my light and have helped me survive 4 years of very demanding training. My husband is the most supportive man you could ever imagine. During the first year of Ben’s life, he brought him to visit me at work at least once a day and he has been a stay-at-home dad since Ben was born. He put his music career on hold to help me follow my dream to become a physician. I can’t believe I am lucky enough to have such a wonderful family. Still, I find it very hard to take time to do things for myself and I often feel overwhelmed and like I can’t quite do anything well enough. Our income is very limited and any extra tends to go towards fun stuff for the boys. Despite my very sarcastic (and sometimes a little sick) sense of humor I have always been a pretty positive person, and although I cannot understand the reasons for my loss I have tried to allow myself to treasure the time I had with Annabelle and thank her for bringing my husband and I even closer. I am not religious, but I strongly believe she is in a better place and it brings me peace to imagine her playing with all the other babies who left this world too soon.

Tova and her Muchness Challenge have inspired me to try to take care of myself a little better, and maybe take a little time away from the boys every now and again (without feeling guilty for being a bad mommy). I have never been a sequin sort of person, but the sparkles on this website have been bringing a smile to my face since Tova started her journey and I hope that my journey can do the same for some of you. Since I wear boring green scrubs for work almost every day my muchness tends to be little bits of uniqueness that make me smile during the day- be that fun colors on my nails, crazy socks, or strange accessories. I am sure in the journey you will also see some pictures of my two “pieces of muchness”- my sweet boys!

So to start off my journey, here is a picture of the ring I had made in honor of Annabelle just a few days after I lost her. The only two times I have taken it off were the birth of each of my subsequent babies. It comforts me to have something to hold with me at all times. Engraved inside the ring is her birthday.

TOO MUCH. NOT A QUESTION

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Tova

Speaking of much or too much- TOO MUCH!!!
American idol chic turned around and I’m like “whoa- humungo earrings!! Bracelets!!! Chains!!! Blond hair!!! Brown hair!!! Big hair!!! Halter neck!!! Shiny lipstick!!! Pounds of eye shadow!!! Handkerchief hem!!! Contrast trims!!! Giant flower ring!!!”
Okay!!!! I get it!!! TOO MUCH!!!
(that Lauren Alaina girl can sing though…)

IN TOUCH WITH THE MUCH!

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Tova

Yay!!! A reader submission!

Lynette writes:
I needed a little ‘pick me up’. Your blog inspired me, I needed Muchness! I was browsing the jewelry isle and bam, you came to mind. I found these bracelets that add a little bling to my day, and ohhh, the shoes! Doesn’t every woman feel better in a cute pair of heels 🙂

Thanks “much” Tova! How does it feel to be an inspiration?!

xoxo, Lynette

>>>Lynette, it feels AWESOME!!! Thank you SO much for sharing your Muchness! And I LOVE the boots!

Want to submit YOUR Muchness photo? Contact me! I’d love to post it!!

xox, Tova

Muchness pic of the day

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Tova

Today was mollys princess themed birthday party and there was a LOT of muchness in this house! I’d post a muchy pic of me but I’d rather post one of the birthday girl!

Muchness pic of the day

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Tova

I wish I wore muchy jewelry more. I’ve tried. I have to sneak it out of the house though or Molly is the one who ends up wearing it.

Two weeks ago she stole my barrette and this is where it’s been ever since:

THE ORIGINAL 30 DAYS OF MUCHNESS

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Tova

It all started 30 days ago. Well, not really. It actually started 30 (or so) years ago. When I was born. But no-one is really that interested in the nitty gritty details. So, for all intents and purposes, it started 30 days ago. When I read the line:
I USED TO BE MUCH MUCHIER, BUT THEN LOST MY MUCHNESS.

I thought “Wait- I used to be much muchier, but then I did! I lost my Muchness!” And so started my facebook photo album “30 Days Of Muchness.” My quest to Find My Muchness through Sparkles, Color and Smiles. You can read more about it here.

I’ve assembled this post with all 30 days of my original 30 DAYS OF MUCHNESS.

I wanted to also share the comments- they are half the fun, but it was too hard to figure out how to copy and paste them all. Oh well.

ENJOY!
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“I used to be much mucher, I think I have lost my muchness.” In an attempt to regain my “muchness” I’m introducing my “Muchness pic of the day”… I find my muchness when I wear sequins and happy clothes and ridiculously high heels. How do you tap into your muchness?

MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 1

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 2

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 3

No work today so Im still in my PJs. 17 months ago I put up the first of these mirrored backsplash tiles (actually dollar store coasters). Today, it has finally been completed!! No two colored tiles are the same exact color, and the beveled edges on the mirrors sparkle like the fanciest crystals. It’s a whole lot of Muchness!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 4

A little bit of sparkle, even on the weekends!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 5

Today is Sunday and it is Mollys day of Muchness. She insisted on wearing this dress. Apparently my insanity is hereditary.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 6

If you can’t wear sequin encrusted leggings to work on a dreary, rainy monday, when can you wear them?? I mean, really…

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 7

I’ve had this neon green sequined scarf for two years and never thought to actually wear it. Until now. Daydreaming of ways to tap into my Muchness also sparks creativity and confidence!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 8

Apparently, these are the shoes I (now) concider appropriate for navigating through the concrete jungle.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 9

Giving the sequins a break and going back to the default sparkle of choice, RHINESTONES!!! When Elie asked me to marry him I actually looked at the ring and said “ooh, it’s just like a swarovski crystal only shinier!”

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 10

Some people have commented that they like this “30 Days of Muchness,” but they don’t really “get it”. Is it really just about what i’m wearing that day that sparkles and shines? Not even close. This journey into Finding My Muchness is about being present in the moment. It’s about remembering to see the fun, optimism, beauty and creativity that we so easily start to overlook as we get older. The sparkle is just a tool that helps me to do that. But somedays it’s harder than others. In the spirit of that I present MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY -DAY 10
My old college friend Robert Johnson. Sadly, he passed away early this week from longstanding health problems. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter. Although I haven’t seen him in a long while, I can’t remember him without a big ol’ smile on his face. Robert was in touch with his Muchness. You will be missed, my friend.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 11

Sometimes what sparkles isn’t what makes you shine.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 12

Pre-Birthday Birthday cake decorated by the birthday girl herself. Edible Sparkle. Because everyone knows that muchness starts inside you.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 13

It’s game day!! Can you guess where on my outfit the sparkle is? First one with the right answer wins a smile!! Yay!! Haha!!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 14

When in doubt, go neutral.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 15

Today at work was so busy I didn’t have the time to post my Muchness! But lots of golden opportunities presented themselves and I dressed for the occassion. 🙂

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 16

I had my Muchness all planned out since last night (planning the Muchness is half the fun!) when my co-worker walked in this morning and ruined my plan!! She gave me earrings! Said they made her think of me. Can’t imagine why… Not only do they sparkle, but they make this shimmy-shimmy noise in my ears that sounds like a Lilliputian Party! Guess the original Muchness will have to wait for another day…

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 17

Today I was on the hunt for Muchness while doing my friday errands. Took a while but I finally found success!! Stopped by my cousin L’via’s to help her with some stuff and her 13 year old daughter was reading the very next book on my reading list!! (hmmmm… does this mean I have to start a reading list?…) Happy Friday!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 18

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 19

If I cannot see my Muchness, does it mean it isn’t there?

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 20

Because I can, thats why. Wait? You mean walk in those? Oh no. No I can’t. Small sacrifice.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 21

Something about these sequins makes me thing of sushi. Tomorrow is a Color Splash filming day! You know I’ve been planning my outfit for the last 20 days!!!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 22

Color Splash Filming! That’s right peeps- bedazzled by hand with swarovski crystals… cuz I got nothing better to do with my time. What? Oh… with these and these ..of course.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 23

Wore these boots to pieces when I bought them many years ago. They’ve sat scuffed up and neglected with a hole in their sole till I recently brought them to the shoemaker to have them revived. The ribbon laces just added a little extra oomph cuz some days you need that.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 24

They arrived!!! I <3 them soooo much!!! You can see the million color hologram reflection the best when they’re in motion. They ROCK!!!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 25

What other three year olds get to glitter coat bags for their friends for Purim? My girl’s got Muchness!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 26

How much? THIS MUCH!!!!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 27

Confession: I wore something today for my muchness, but really, I dont like it. Its brown. Blech. And, by extension, today kinda sucked. I’m congested. Im working on 4 hours sleep. It’s rainy. It’s cold. I’m bloated. Just want to go home, cuddle up and wait for tomorrow. But then, I passed the florist. I pass him every day. Waiting patiently since the beginning of sunflower season for him to display those yellow blooms right next to the white daisies. Anticipating that the day he did that, i’d know it was gonna be a good day. And there they were! It’s only 4 o’clock. We’ll see what the rest of the day brings… My spirits are lifted.

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 28

We got a new front door!!!! Three years with a rickity, sqeeky, energy sucking and most importantly, sunshine blocking oooold door- replaced in just a couple of hours!!! Baby, let the light shine in!!!! What? Yes- that is just clear glass looking right into our home. Mr. David “color splash” Bromstad will be addressing that situation in three short weeks!!! 😀

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 29

Today I sorta feel like a disco dancing, construction working lesbian. And I’m OK with that! Happy Wednesday!

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MUCHNESS PIC OF THE DAY - DAY 30!!!!!

It’s the final day folks and my 30 Days Of Muchness has honest-to-god transformed me.
30 Days of Life
30 Days of Color
30 Days of Sparkle
30 Days of Fun
30 Days of Found Joy
30 Days of Healing
30 Days of Happy
… How can I not continue?? Stay tuned for the next stages of Muchness… Thank You to everyone who “liked” or commented… 😀 I appreciate it!!