Have you ever gone through a relative’s s jewelry stash to discover old pearls? Not necklaces, but individual pearls that once made up a necklace or bracelet, but now are rattling individually in a box? One of the tests of quality in any bead necklace is to see if they are individually strung and knotted after each pearl or bead. Antique jewelry oftentimes ended up in a drawer or box because the string broke. Wouldn’t it be nice to recycle these precious beads by reading a book, either recreating a vintage piece of jewelry or creating your own design?

The Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist is a great site to learn step-by-step the art of restringing pearls and more using the Tri-Cord Knotter™ . For jewelry artisans and hobbyists and for all of us with jewelry in disrepair, this site has loads of information.

Don’t Get Strung Out Or Be Strung Along!

Slipcovers are a great boon to interior design.  They not only serve to protect your furniture and thus save on costly upholstery bills, but are a quick inexpensive way to change your home decor.  However, they can be very expensive to buy, a wingback chair slipcover can run you at least $100 and a slipcover for a sectional into the $1,000’s.  Just putting a throw over your furniture ends up with it slipping and sliding and not staying put, even with ready-made they have a tendency to not stay put that makes for constant readjustment.

Markdown Mom has an inexpensive way to make a better fitting slipcover, no sewing, and with little time involved.  First of all, consider the fabric that you want for your slipcover and it’s purpose.  If you have pets and want to protect against scratching in addition to being able to remove fur from the fabric easily, consider canvas or another very tight weave durable material. 

1.  To make any slipcover or piece of cloth conform to your chair, loveseat, sofa, or sectional visit your local home improvement center.  Long pieces of drywall edge beading are easily cut to fit your needs and are very pliable. 

2.  Cut pieces to fit between the back and seat cushions of your furniture, and along a padded arm and the seat cushion.  This will tuck the material into the seat, back, and side and will keep the slipcover in place regardless of who sits on the furniture piece.   Use a snippers for cutting vinyl and metal for the best results.  This V-shaped, beaded plastic strip costs under $3 a strip and will be sufficient for one sofa depending upon the size. 

3.  Cut the back piece first, and then the side arm pieces–which can be smaller than the actual side length.  Put the cloth on your furniture and tuck the “V” shape into the couch.

4.  To make an easy fit for the side and back, buy some self-sticking velcro®–again, at the home improvement center and finger miter the corners of your sofa or chair back and sides, tucking in the fabric.  Pin and do the same to the other side of the sofa until you have the back sufficiently tight.  Do the same process for the sides.  Industrial strength velcro comes in black or white, and you can get other colors to match your fabric in the sewing notions center of a fabric or craft store.

5.  Remove the pins and replace with velcro by creating a strip to be attached to the inside part of the fold and adding it’s corresponding loop strip to the back of the sofa in the same location.  Do the same for the sides creating a hospital bed corner.    

Easy, quick, and cost-effective.  Want to make it spill resistant?  Spray it with silicone.  For fabric amounts refer to upholstery yardage for your furniture item and add a few yards to it, just in case–plus you can make pillows out of any leftover material. 

Only those of us Marthaphiles can get excited over a new super pastry bag. But how can you not get excited over any new hot kitchen gadget that makes it easier to be a fantastic chef or baker? JB Prince caters to professionals, but MDM found that this is a great site for those of us who dabble and try to bring a more global variety to the family dinner table. And for those of us who are more adventurous in planning and executing receptions for special occasions, this is a must!

Among these goodies, two pastry bags caught MDM’s eye since although the initial investment is higher than other pastry bags, they can be used over and over again, and are more versatile with ease of use.

One of their new items from their 2008 Summer Catalog, is a rubber pastry bag that makes it strong, flexible and soft. The Super-flex Pastry Bag is very tactile friendly, the smooth rubber interior makes it easy to pipe products, while the textured outside assures a great grip $21.30.

Another pastry bag is made from silicone which is great for piping both hot and cold items. The Sac A’Flex Silicone Pastry Bag has a temperature range of 76°F-446°F. Dishwasher safe and fast drying, at $15.10.

And how about these Mini Mason Jars for those special spices, crafts, workshop, or what have you! Measuring 3¼” x 1½” d. it holds 2oz., $2.00 each. How cool is that?

Visit this site especially if you are planning a graduation, wedding, or anniversary party!

Crafts are not only fun, but economical, too.  Wearable art has breathed new life into old garments by incorporating embellishments or redesigning apparel items in answer to changing styles. MDM found several tools that make adding embellishments as easy as 1–2–3!

Yo-yo’s

are circular embellishments first used in quilting and now showing up on jeans, jackets, and other pieces of apparel to update and give a 3D look to these garments.  Coming in sizes small, medium, and large in clover, flower, and heart shapes from

$5.25- today combo at $8.98…

Another handy tool long used in felting is now used to integrate design into garments without sewing or gluing.  This Clover Felting Needle Combo can be used to add designs to hats, jeans, sweaters and other garments.  Reg.$33.98, sale today $27.98  Both at Nancy Notions®

Whether you inherit vintage linens or they are your personal sale "finds," they not only represent the workmanship of a bygone era, but can be incorporated beautifully within any design concept.  Even those pieces that are not in pristine condition can be rehabilitated and used for unique looks. 

For example, damaged chenille bedspreads are great sources of fabric for slipcovers, lampshades, bedroom and decorative pillows, and more.  Crochet edges can be taken from old, damaged pillow cases and sheets and reused as embellishments on today’s sheets, pillowcases, sheets, and apparel.  The options are boundless for recycling.  Plus, many linens only require treating stains from age.  There are several items you can use for removing yellow age spots on linens. 

A new one found by MDM is from JunkMarket, an online American junk club, is the Star Spangled Sampler & Company  Vintage Textile Soak, for $19.95 sold in set of 2.  This product  helps remove yellow and brown age spots from vintage quilts and textiles of all kinds.

Another one that MDM has used is the delicate OxiClean ®  Baby Stain Soaker, 3.5 lb. tub msrp $9.99,  and new Baby Stain Remover, 22 oz. bottle, msrp $4.99.

As with any products, MDM recommends you first test fabric in an inconspicuous area for color fastness.

In this era of wearable art consider barkcloth.  Bordering somewhere between vintage and collectible, barkcloth is very utilitarian with its’ tactile design and, because of wearable art in apparel and its’ many applications, is experiencing a design renaissance.  The added bonus is that it can fit into most decors since barkcloth was made during several design periods in the 20th century.

Starting in the 1920’s, the cloth with origins attached to the tribal design movement in France, had a nubby texture with noticeable slubs since it was made of densely woven cotton fibers.   Most of the barkcloth of this era are floral designs. 

In the 1930’s, barkcloth began to be made in the United States. Early motifs centered around tropical designs and were indicative of the growing interest in hawaiian and japanese designs. Barkcloth  became a staple in home design and was used for drapes and curtains, upholstery, and slipcovers.

In the 1940’s,  sailors saw these brightly colored barkcloth curtains and other home furnishings and shirts and brought or sent them home.

In the following decades — the late 1940’s through the 1960’s, barkcloth became a popular fabric in the home interior textiles market. Usually the process from 1930’s-1950’s involved  vat dyeing. 

The most collectible of these barkcloths are the atomic "Eames era" prints popular in the 1950’s and early 1960’s due to interest in science and the race to the moon. 

In the 1960’s barkcloth reflected a hawaiian floral motif, and in the 1970’s took on a more modernist optical look–almost psychedelic.

Barkcloth comes in many fibers, predominantly cotton, but also in linen, to rayon, polyester and fiberglass, depending on the age of the fabric.  Vintage large pieces can be found in drapes and prices will vary according to condition, quantity, and popularity.

Where to look for barkcloth? Retro outlets and shops, and Ebay™ are your best sources for variety and selection; however, you may get lucky from time to time at an estate or garage sale.

The many uses of barkcloth include draperies and curtains, furniture upholstery, slipcovers, pillows, headboards, lamp shades, accessories and apparel. 

 One great pattern for an apparel application and utilization of smaller pieces of barkcloth Markdown Mom found is the Pacific Rim Vest & Coat  at Nancy’s Notions®.  Beautiful and durable, a coat made from barkcloth material could easily go from day wear to evening wear!

Rust-0leum® has been around for a long time sprucing up our lawn furniture and other metal objects.  However, like paint itself with its’ new century textures and faux paints, Rust-Oleum has developed a new set of utilitarian specialty paints that not only meet the needs of our home offices, but blend into our home decors as well plus has even more applications.

Rust-Oleum® now has available a paint to make your own dry erase board, on the wall, or anywhere.   Can be applied to drywall, masonite, wood, metal, or cement.  Great idea for home offices, message centers in the kitchen or mudroom, or for kids bedrooms or playrooms. 

Another great product from this manufacturer are the chalkboard paints.  At first you could only get them in green or black, however, Rust-Oleum has come out with a Chalkboard Tint Base that allows you to create chalkboard surface in 12 different colors.  The applications for this paint are just too numerous to mention.

And believe it or not, both the Dry Erase Paint and the Chalkboard Paint can be applied over Rust-Oleum’s Magnetic Latex Paint Primer.  Oh, be still my DIYer heart!  You can create your own dry erase/magnet board or your own colored chalkboard/magnet board or area.  The possibilities are endless!

Minnesota is noted for its’ rugged, independent people.  Talented, educated, and industrious are all qualities that personify its’ citizenry.  Despite economic hard times, they press on and for all of us savvy consumers oftentimes you have only to look in your own backyard for some quality products and bargains.  Such is the case of the Duluth Trading Company.  Now one would think by its’ very name that this store is solely for the rugged, outdoor type, while this may be true, you do not have to be Will Steger or Sam Cook to find something terrific that makes you say:  ‘I didn’t know they had something like that–cool!’

MDM found a remarkable quick fix tape that will surpass MDM’s Toolbox must have, Duct Tape.  This X-Treme Tape is heat resistant up to 500° Farenheit due to its silicone base, withstands UV rays, acid, and fuels, and serves as quick fixes for electrical repairs and is air and water tight if your pipes spring a leak!  You can use it on muffler repairs, air ducts, and radiator hoses.  Comes in 6 different colors, and a kit of 6 rolls, each 10 ft. long and 1 Inch thick for $29.50.  Just think what the Red Green Show and our crafty DIYers can do with this product! 

This site is having a sale right now and features some terrific sales, and check-out their Last Chance Countdown where items are reduced every Wednesday until they’re gone, The Scout’s Weekly Special where you will find a great item reduced up to 60% off! 

Great site for our outdoor bargain hunters, travelers, and handymen and women, and it’s in:

 Markdown Mom’s Own Backyard!

It is reported that to some degree, United States citizens, can trace their lineage to a royal person–if you search long and hard.   Along this journey, one may find some savory skeletons in the ancestry closet that can even prove more fun than our proper ancestors and could explain why your favorite aunt has that wonderful wild side.  Maybe it is because as citizens of a rather young nation, finding our past not only is worthwhile, but intriguing as well. How come your sister looks so different than you, or why do you have a bump on your nose and no one in your immediate family does?  Not all questions have to be monumental in nature, but every little piece of the puzzle gives us a better understanding of ourselves and those around us.

Genealogy is not only an enlightening avocation, but has given rise to the recent craft phenomena, scrapbooking.  Now you can add volumes of information to your family tree, by researching online through such sites as Ancestor Hunt©  perhaps the largest, free database with additional aids sponsored by the Church of Latter Day Saints and free marriage records at GeneaLinks© , and through Google Search of U.S. government public records,at usgov.google.com© , plus others. 

New on the scene is   Ancestry.com©, that is a monthly subscription site currently being marketed  by the major home shopping network  QVC ®for $33.26, one month subscription plus a 12" x 12" family  scrapbook kit is included in this price.  Or, you can try this new site by taking advantage of a free two-week trial offer with an initial membership for a month of $19.95, which can be canceled at any time.  This site offers both U.S. and Worldwide searches. 

History tells us that in order to understand the present or the future, first look to the past.  Here is a family history preservation and pastime that can be enjoyed by all for free or for a minimal investment, depending upon your time allocation.

*tintype courtesy of base10, flickr™

For DIYers, the right tool for any project is essential and quilters and sewers alike will agree that the rotary cutter has been a time-saving precision tool.  Now HSN  offers a new spin on this tool with a laser guide.  Even tried and true methods with a ruler on slippery material can cause a blip in any straight line.  As with woodworking and measuring tools, the laser adds another degree of accuracy.  The Digital iDia Laser Cutter comes with laser site (detachable), retractable blade, and batteries.  Clearance price at $11.85, reg.$16.95 +sh. 

If scrapbooking is a someday project, but you are, nonetheless, worried about those photos you have in various shoe boxes, gift boxes, and manila envelopes around the house, consider housing your photos in an acid-free decorative box or archival box.  At Get Smart Products and Shopwiki you will find boxes to preserve those treasured photos like the acid free boxes by Pioneer Photo Albums, shown at left, that hold up to 1100 photos for $4.25- $6.50 each. Besides colored boxes, Pioneer has photo boxes in designer patterns at reasonable prices.  If you want to save this project for the next generation, along with those quilt pieces you have cut out, you may want to consider purchasing archival boxes as well.   You will find choices and competitive prices at these sites in a range of sizes and prices.

All of us are acquainted with Government Surplus Stores and discount stores that carry discontinued merchandise or overstocks, but Ax-man Surplus on University Avenue, a couple blocks from Snelling heading west in St. Paul is rather unique among this genre. 

With a "No Admission Fee" sign and antiques in the window among other items, one can ascertain that this store has a sense of humor.  Where would you find bins of everything from electrical components, each labeled with a unique description of the item contained within, to an Iron Lung, and a statuary female head sporting a roman helmet with water coming out of her mouth? Now MDM is not suggesting that this type of store is solely unique to the Twin Cities Metro area because to some extent you can find these stores in most large communities both big and small.  What MDM is suggesting is that bargain hunters should not dismiss quickly these unique stores as "junk stores,"  since oftentimes the merchandise within will assault the senses with variety and value coupled with oddity. 

Ax-man get new shipments in every Wednesday and much of their merchandise are overstocks, discontinued items.   If you are crafty and want to try your hand at  DIY Designing/makeover, you can find enough components to make your own lamp or a lamp redo. 

Other items MDM found were these glass beads at $12.00/lb.  Some retro style, others millefiori, even murano look alike beads and glass seed beads are perfect for jewelry. 

Additionally, this German butter dish with its’ interior ceramic and seal can be used for travel, or containing gourmet salt for cooking, or spices–compact, spillproof, and s/steel makes them perfect for many applications, $1.95/each.  Check out the dental supplies, scientific beakers, dishware, office furniture and supplies, and so much more. 

Weekdays, Ax-man is open from 10 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Although not totally handicap accessible, entrance to the store is at street level and the interior has two levels that are connected by ramps.

MDM, in her role as community education devotee eons ago, took a class to make custom pinch pleated drapes and roman shades.   The draperies were for her children’s room and were lined with insulating thermal lining that also was room darkening in hopes that her children would go take a nap or sleep longer.  Well, that didn’t exactly work out, but the drapes have lasted through the years and are boxed away for the next generation, or her estate sale whichever comes first.   

The roman shade was for the kitchen and that met with an early demise.  Making this popular windowcovering  was no small feat for MDM, but she was grateful that she possessed a buttoneer that attached the rings so that the shade could be raised and lowered.  But, alas, raising and lowering the shade in such a busy room of the house was the reason for its’ fate, and another was never attempted. 

 However, MDM is now reconsidering it because of seeing guest Pam Hastings on America Sews.  Pam joined Sue Hausman on Show #2210 Fast Changing Decor Ideas to change a look in a room in an instant  with minimal sewing using Velcro©.

If you are ready for an instant change, MDM suggests clicking on America Sews  for project details and if you would like more information and other design ideas click on  Pam Hastings to go to her website. 

 And if this wets your appetite to start a Spring Redecorating Project along with Spring Cleaning, then find books by Pam Hastings at Half.com at a bargain prices.  Just click on here and search by her name, all sewers and crafters whatever level are bound to get fired up, MDM did!

Did you get as excited as MDM did at Martha’s Valentine’s gift idea of making your own bath bombs/fizzies?  In the beginning you could actually, after searching,  find a print out of the ingredients and steps to make these expensive bath confections, but alas not so today with Martha’s new format.  However, MDM found  step-by-step recipes with photos on how to make these and to personalized the scent and more.  Go to Teach Soap, you may have a little problem printing the pages and may have to copy and paste it to Notepad to print it out; however, there is still the tried and true method of pencil and paper.  Lots of other great ideas here!

MDM is going to try making these as Easter gifts for her daughters.  She recommends getting those plastic egg cups you see for Easter that split apart to put candy in and using them for molds.  Can you imagine how great a variety of these Easter Egg bath bombs would look in an Easter basket?