Fall into Winter!

Tis the season to hurry hurry hurry and yet, it seems a bit overdone. Why go through another holiday season of rushing and buying.... why not try reclaiming?! Everyone has that drawer of broken items, that closet of unworn clothing, old vases, dusty picture frames. CHANGE IT UP. You will be amazed with a little bottle of paint, some super duty glue, a a tiny bit of time will get you. And Walla- you have Christmas handmade and ready for the relatives!

* Take an old picture frame and put a mesh screen or chicken wire  in the opening, and you now have a jewelry holder.

* That wool sweater that you shrunk last year that can now fit your 2 year old... sew the bottom shut and add an old tie or the felted sleeves for the handles and you have a new handbag. To make it fancy, add a brooch or two.

* Speaking of brooches and broken jewelry, take a styrofoam ball and create a brooch bouquet to use as a centerpiece for your holiday parties. Stick the jewelry pieces with the pins or a glue gun, and your sparkly creation will win many compliments.

Other great ideas for gifts- shop LOCAL. Forget Walmart and Big Lots this year, there are so many talented artists in your area who blow glass, create pottery, bead, refashion junk, paint, etc, and your family will love such a unique gift- that noone else can get!!! =)

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Nov. 15: Steampunk Jewelry Class. Town of Farragut 6:30-8:30pm
Nov. 19: Market Square Farmer's Market

Dec. 3: Market Square Holiday Market
Dec. 4: Eco Make and Take it. Ijams Nature Center 1-7pm (great way to finish your holiday present making!)
Dec.10: Market Square Holiday Market
Dec.17: Market Square Holiday Market

If you would like a special order for your loved ones, please let me know and I will get it done in plenty of time for the holidays. Jewelry and painted hubcaps!!!

Busy Season Ahead!!!

Well, today the weather was finally in the 80's all day. And even though that doesn't seem too cool, the weather is transitioning into fall.... slowly but surely, and that means that I will be kicking it into high gear with farmer's markets, first fridays, workshops, classes, and shows. Tennessee is blessed with great weekend adventures, and I hope to be there with my jewelry and more.

Upcoming Events:

Sept. 2: First Friday at Earth to the Old City
Sept. 3: Farmer's Market- Market Square
Sept. 4: Eco Make and Take it Workshop- Pilot Light
Sept. 10: Farmer's Market- Market Square
Sept. 17: Farmer's Market- Market Square
Sept. 24: Farmer's Market- Market Square
Oct. 1: Farmer's Market- Market Square
Oct. 2: Fall Plant Sale- Ijams Nature Center

And there is always room for jewelry parties for you and your friends if you would like to schedule an all inclusive jewelry making shindig. I come to your house with all the supplies needed to make gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, earrings, steampunk pendants and more.

Fall is upon us- start thinking about the holidays early and get all that shopping done so you can have a stress-free holidays!!!

Just a few examples!

Inner workings from a battery watch

Watch Band Bracelets

Victorian Steampunk Necklace

Watch Movement Earrings

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!

With the temperatures soaring most days in the 90's around here.... Christmas in July might be a nice treat. And what is better treat than a nice discount on jewelry and hubcaps. Everyone loves a bargain. So....for the month of July, I wanted to treat you all, as a huge thank you for supporting me, to 20% off any item on my website.

The coupon code for check out is: SUNNY-DAYS-11

Use it wisely and treat yourself!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

July 1: Mast General Store- First Friday 5:30-9:00pm

July 2: Market Square Farmer's Market 9am-2pm

July 8-10: Handmade Summer Trunk Show- Gay St. next to Yee Haw

July 9: Market Square Farmer's Market 9am-2pm

July 10: Eco Make and Take it Workshop- Pilot Light 1-7pm

July 15-17: Handmade Summer Trunk Show- Gay St. next to Yee Haw

July 16: Market Square Farmer's Market 9am-2pm

Come out and enjoy the summer and buy yourself something great!!!

TRUNK SHOW THIS SATURDAY!!!

Come one, come all- This Saturday- June 25th, I will have a wonderful set up at Tea and Treasures in South Knoxville. They have everything artsy and vintage: old brooches, handmade treasures, painted glass, jewelry, tea, and so much more.

I will be out there with my jewelry (and the other half will be at the Farmer's Market on Market Square) and I will be doing demos of upcycling jewelry pieces using old watches, junk jewelry, chains, etc. and I would love for you to come out. It is just going to be a fun day and if there is anything you ever wanted to know about upcycling and transforming old into new... then Saturday is your day!

Visit the Tea and Treasures page on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tea-Treasures/114922891268

In the Paper!!!!

It's official- We've made it into the News Sentinel!!! Upcycling is the way to go. If you would like to read more about our Eco Make and Take it workshops, then here is the link for it:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/may/30/upcyclers-artists-teach-workshop-goers-how-recreat/

Tis the Season of Summer... Almost!!!

Tis the season for cookouts, farmer's markets, and music festivals. Swimming pools, canoe trips, and tanks tops become a norm. And the busy season of crafting never ends. Some of my upcoming events include:

• Come out to the Market Square Farmer's Market every Saturday to enjoy local organic foods, delicious bakery goods, and of course handmade crafts.


• Eco- Make and Take it workshops presented by yours truly and my partner in crime, Kimberly Womack are every first Sunday of the month (next one to be on June 5, starting at 1pm at the Pilot Light in the Old City). Bring your old stuff and transform it into brand new treasures. It's easy.... I swear!


• IjamsFest is now Meadowlark Music Festival on June 18th starting at 1pm at Ijams Nature Center...come jam out to Donna the Buffalo, Band of Humans, the Hackensaw Boys and more... and of course I will be there with bells on... or jewelry! =)

And not to mention, summer is the season for weddings. If you need your custom made jewelry for your bridal party, order now. Charm bracelets, gemstone necklaces, swarovski crystal earrings- it is whatever your heart desires.

Or if you are looking for a fun get together with friends- book an at home jewelry making party. All supplies are included in the package. Learn how to make your own bracelets, earrings, necklaces... learn wire-wrapping, color scheming, basic techniques. Nothing but fun!!!

To book or order your custom jewelry- send me an email at lilysjb@hotmail.com or call (865) 684-7466.

Here's to a great warm weather season!! Hope to see you out and about on the town!

Eco Workshops become a Norm in Knoxville

Thanks to Jason at Pilot Light and to all that have been participating in our Eco Make & Take it workshops over the last month. Because you make it possible, we are proud to announce that we will be making them a normal thing everyone month. Come out the first Sunday of each month to the Pilot Light in the Old City to enjoy crafting, listening to mystery records, and eating tasty treats. The creative possibilities that arise at these workshops are amazing! Everything from jewelry to handbags to funky sculptures of recycled goodness.

We would love to have you attend one of these workshops. Invite your friends and spread the word.

To learn more, feel free to email me at lilysjb@hotmail.com.

Steampunk Jewelry Class- REGISTER NOW!!!

Steampunk Jewelry Class: Upcycling and Recycling at the Town of Farragut!!!!

Date: Thursday, April 28

Time:6:30 - 8:30 PM.

Cost: $30 (all supplies included). R

Registration & payment deadline: Monday, April 25- Register by calling 966-7057!!!

This class will cover a brief history of steampunk, as well as the joy of upcycling and how new things can be made from old. Participants will use various watch parts, gears, wires, rhinestones, etc. to create a one-of-a-kind pieces (pendants, earrings, necklaces, etc) to take home.

All photos are from previous students work in past classes!!!!

ECO- Make & Take it Workshops

Are you looking to try something new and creative??

Dig through your forgotten treasures and bring your odds & ends with you for this fabulous workshop where you will learn how to restructure your old stuff into new accessories or decorative items.

*Handbags from ties or jackets

*New jewelry made from lost earrings and old watches

*Pillows from your favorite t-shirts

You name it, we can help you create it!

Dates: April 17 and May 1

Time: 1pm-4pm.

Place: Pilot Light (in the Old City)

Price: $10.00 per class

(and bring your usable materials)

To RSVP: Call Sarah Brobst

at (865) 684-7466

Like us On Facebook at:

The Fashion Alchemy Club and Pop-Up Shop

STEAMPUNK LINE IS UP AND RUNNING!!!

Hello all- It is hard to believe that it is February 2011... time is flying by. But that means that we are well underway to festivals, fairs, and big events. Also, I want to let you all know that I have been tweaking my jewelry line to include a wider variety of upcycled pieces- leaning towards the steampunk style.

What is steampunk, you ask? It is wonderful collaboration between a vintage Victorian feel and inspiration from the Industrial movement, and add a little sci-fi ambiance... roll it all together and you have a very brief idea of what steampunk is. But it is fun and inventive and very unique.

So to kick it off, I have a few displays going on- the Visitor's Center will have some of my new jewelry at their booth at the Women's Today Expo, in Knoxville, TN. And then again, my stuff will be on display for the Rhythm and Blooms Festival. Also, if you are interested in making your own pieces or learning more about it, I am going to be teaching a steampunk jewelry class on April 28th, at the Town of Farragut's Town Hall at 6:30pm. More details to follow on that.

If you would like to check out my new pieces, go to www.sarahbrobst.artfire.com and take a look.

Also, if you have old junk in a drawer at your house, I am looking for donations of old watches (they don't have to run), old keys, charms, junk jewelry, etc. that I can use for my classes. If you have anything you would like to donate, please send me an email at lilysjb@hotmail.com.

Thank you ahead of time and I hope to see you around town!

2011- Here we come!!!

As 2010 closes down, and 2011 rises to the top, I want to thank everyone who supported me this last year through shows, classes, First Fridays, and shopping online. I couldn't do it without you. I am hoping that 2011 will be bigger and better than the last.

And for all of your help I want to thank you with a coupon for 20% off any item on my website-
http://www.sarahbrobst.artfire.com/

The coupon code is Smile2011. It is good for the whole month of January on any item.

I hope this year is wonderful for you and keep checking back for upcoming shows, classes, and other updates.