Framed Jewelry

I love jewelry, but I hate putting it away and organizing it. After looking at several blogs on Pinterest I saw this cool idea to "frame" your jewelry. Not only does it make artwork out of something you already have, but I actually put all my jewelry away now. I also love it because it displays everything at once, rather than having it in a box where you have to dig to find something. I've noticed I have worn a lot more jewelry this year and I think it's because I can actually see it all whereas before I may forget I had a particular necklace until it would resurface 6 months later. I only spent $5 on this project and it's one of my favorites!

While at a garage sale I found this frame for a dollar. It was gold. I bought red acrylic paint to give it a pop of color. Then I turned the picture frame backwards and used little "U-shaped" nails to secure the wire mesh. I found a huge roll of this wire in my Dad's shop, but I've seen it in stores such as Menards. You can get a smaller or larger screen if you like. Nailing the screen was the hardest part because the hammering caused some areas to start to crack. Then I bought some 98 cent cup hooks and screwed them in along the top to hang my larger and heavier necklaces. I used a few ornament hooks to allow some necklaces and bracelets to hang at various lengths. Most of my earrings just hook in themselves. I love it, but as you can see, I think I need another one :)

Here is the original frame:

LOVE IT!

Classroom Projects

Classroom projects took up the majority of my 2012 summer. With one year of teaching under my belt, I now know what works and what doesn't. I firmly believe that the set up of a classroom drastically affects the overall day-to-day "flow" of the classroom. I found by putting hand in trays in areas where there will be limited traffic is most effective, rather than putting them in a corner where students have to weave through desks to get there, for one example. After realizing the astronomical hours I spend in my classroom prepping and grading, I decided to make my classroom more welcoming. This decision, has not only been positively received by my students, but now I really don't mind spending so much time in my classroom when I have curtains, lamps, etc.

Here are a few pictures of my classroom BEFORE (2011-2012)

Pretty Sterile, huh?
Well here is my new and improved classroom! I love it so much more this year and so do the kids!

Ahh! Isn't that so much better? I'm sure I will constantly change it yearly. For now, though, I think I'll enjoy my afternoon at home. :)