SOMETHiNG MONUMENTAL

Traveling on Route 66

2013-05-21T05:30:00.000-04:00

Started traveling Route 66 today! Couldn't wait to wear my necklace!! :) - Anastasia

A customer recently sent me this note, and it made me so very happy. I love that this necklace is making its way along Route 66. Hope that I get to do this myself one day!

-Mandy

Glam Arm Candy

2013-05-20T05:30:00.000-04:00

Here are a couple of new bracelet styles that are available in the shop. The added sparkle make these perfect for evenings spent out and about. The nautical colored bracelet is the same style as my Mint Sparkle Bracelet.

Are you a fan of sparkly accessories?

-Mandy

Stutz Artist Opening

2013-05-16T05:30:00.000-04:00

*taken by Miranda

Miranda and I attended the annual artist opening at the Stutz building. I was actually more curious about the cars and the building more than the art. I will admit that I'd give anything to have one of those studio spaces, though.

Stutz Business Center
212 West 10th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-488-7373

Cupcakes and Silliness

2013-05-15T05:30:00.000-04:00

Had to get a replacement camera for my deceased G11.

My nieces came to visit, and I took them for their first ever Flying Cupcake.

Goofing around with my plushies. Max Sammich just joined the bunch.

Posting childhood memories on Instagram.

Got some awesome gifts from a dear friend. The hand is holding a poop covered dime... because one time a maintenance guy thought I really needed one.

Hanging out with co-workers. Yes, I have another job besides my business.

Ordered some Roadside America/Route 66 fabric that I'm obsessing over.

Find me on Instagram: @mandycrandell

-Mandy

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Streudel

2013-05-14T05:30:00.000-04:00

You can probably guess the ingredients in this dish based on the title. This is another what-can-I-do-with-these-crescents recipe. :)

1. You'll need a tube of crescent rolls, peanut butter, a banana, chocolate chips, egg whites, and cinnamon.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll your crescents and press them together to create one large piece of dough.
3. Spread on peanut butter.
4. Sprinkle chocolate chips and add slices of banana.
5. Roll up your dough.
6. Brush the top of the roll with egg whites and sprinkle with cinnamon.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Remove the roll from the oven and wrap in tin foil.
9. Place in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. Cut and serve.

This makes for a tasty breakfast or snack.

-Mandy

Feeling Beachy

2013-05-13T05:30:00.000-04:00

I've always been a huge fan of the beach. Unfortunately, I don't get to visit very often. Since visiting Mexico, the beach is pretty much all I can think about.

This bracelet has a hint of gold weaved into the brown leather and features a seahorse, a sand dollar, a seashell, and a starfish. Get one for yourself in my shop! If you'd prefer one of these charms on a ring, just let me know. :)

-Mandy

Monon Food Company

2013-05-09T05:30:00.000-04:00

So, I pretty much just eat nachos all the time (1 and 2). I seriously can't help it. The nachos at Monon Food Company are totally different, though. These had grilled veggies hiding under all of that glorious cheese.

This is a great place to eat and just hang around talking for hours. :)

Monon Food Company
6420 Cornell Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-722-0176

-Mandy

P.S. The winner of the Happy Cosmos Giveaway is Maegan Morin! Congrats!

Empty

2013-05-08T05:30:00.000-04:00

"Sometimes you have to let people go because they are toxic to you. Let them go because they take and take and leave you empty. Let them go because in the ocean of life when all you're trying to do is stay afloat, they are the anchor that's drowning you." -unknown

-Mandy

DIY Rockabilly Headband

2013-05-07T05:30:00.000-04:00

Do you have trouble finding headbands that stay on your head? When I do find them, they usually dig into my head causing a headache later. So, what's the solution? A wire headband.

1. You'll need a yard of fabric, scissors, measuring tape, craft wire, wire cutters (scissors work too), a needle, thread, and Fray Check (optional).
2. Measure your head. Mine was 21". I added an extra 8" for twisting.
3. Measure and cut out the length of your fabric.
4. Now cut that piece to 6" wide. This made my piece of fabric 29" x 6".
5. Fold your fabric in half (3" wide) and make sure that the 'bad' side is facing out. Cut a pointed tip at each end of the fabric.
6. Sew your piece inside out either by hand or with a machine. I chose to do a whip stitch. Be sure not to sew the piece shut.
7. Push your fabric through the open end to turn the fabric right side out.
8. Measure a piece of wire that is 1" longer than the length of your head measurement + the added 8". Bend the wire at each end to make a loop. This will prevent the wire from breaking through the material.
9. Insert the wire into the fabric.
10. Finish sewing the open end of the piece.
11. Wrap your headband around your head and twist!

I seriously love these. I've made two so far, and a third is on its way.

-Mandy

Leather Wrapped Arrowhead Necklace

2013-05-06T05:30:00.000-04:00

Another customer-inspired piece. A woman requested an arrowhead necklace for her husband who had lost his years ago. I got a few extra arrowheads (mostly black), and I will be pairing them with some colorful leather. Keep your eyes on the shop to grab one for yourself.

-Mandy

Candy Capsule

2013-05-02T05:30:00.000-04:00

Hello, cuteness! If you need a plush friend to brighten your day, head over to Candy Capsule this very second.

The master maker behind this shop is Bailey. She's the creator of colorful yetis and the rare cat burger. Her work is so wonderful. My yeti guards me as I sleep. :)

Check out Candy Capsule:

Etsy

Facebook

-Mandy

RSD at Luna Music

2013-05-01T05:30:00.000-04:00

This year, some friends and I spent Record Store Day at Luna Music. The day has changed a lot over the years. I went to my first in 2008 (the first year it was held). It was just me an a handful of people checking out vinyl. Now, it's a crazed mob lined up at 8am waiting for the store to open. I also missed out on The Lemonheads/Misfits split 7". So, if anyone finds this... I need it.

Alyssa found this awesome rare Cure album... for $75. I picked up Depeche Mode's new Delta Machine along with other records. A guy celebrated the day with a cardboard hat. As we waited in the extra long checkout line, we found a collection of Björk lullabies.

My new gold vinyl set.

And of course, I dressed for the occasion.

-Mandy

Homemade Chocolate Milk

2013-04-30T05:30:00.000-04:00

Recently, I stumbled upon a recipe for homemade chocolate milk. It's really good and only four ingredients.

I used soy milk for my version. The blogger/baker also gives suggestions for those who need organic, gluten-free, or sugar-free. Let me know if you try this or have your own recipe.

-Mandy

Chain Earrings

2013-04-29T05:30:00.000-04:00

A customer requested a double-pierced chain earring, because she couldn't find one anywhere. She said she like stars and penguins. You can see the result above.

I also made a few that are a cuff/pierced combination. You can find these in my shop.

What do you think of this style? Would you wear it?

-Mandy

Loughmiller's

2013-04-25T05:30:00.000-04:00

This is a great little pub downtown. The menu isn't necessarily vegetarian friendly, but I dove into a giant plate of Southwest Nachos (minus the chicken). I could've drowned in those chips and died happy.

Loughmiller's Pub & Eatery (pronounced Lock-millers)
301 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-638-7380

P.S. I also want to wish a very happy birthday to my Mama Bear!!!

Albert of Adelaide

2013-04-24T05:30:00.001-04:00

Recently, I read Albert of Adelaide. It's the story of a platypus (my favorite animal) who has escaped from a zoo and is on a journey to find himself as well as where he "belongs". Here are a few of my favorite quotes.

"It's not the keeping square that has kept me single... It must be something else... I wonder what else it could be... I can lie pretty well... that can't be it... I know it's bathing... true love demands soap and water... a habit I don't intend to cultivate."

"After his walk from Tennant Creek, he learned that if you didn't know, or didn't care, where you were going, there was no such thing as being lost."

"He hoped there might be some magic in the gesture that would ease Roger's pain. Albert knew that one could never be sure about magic, but a lack of certainty is never a good reason to do nothing."

"Muldoon's purple tights had been patched more times than the tent, and bits of fur showed through the places where older repairs had given way. It seemed to Albert that everything about Muldoon was being held in the present by a few pieces of thread."

"It would be Muldoon's life he was walking into, and one didn't do that sort of thing without an invitation - an understanding that you never walked into someone's life without being changed by the experience."

-Mandy

Recoloring a Black and White Photograph

2013-04-23T05:30:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wanted to add color to some old black and white or sepia photos? If you know Photoshop and have a steady hand, you can easily do this.

The trick is to change the Blending Mode of each layer to Color. You can select areas with the Magic Wand Tool or just use a soft edged brush (which is what I did). Personally, I think the real trick is finding good skin tones.

-Mandy

P.S. I also want to give a special thanks to the client who gave me permission to share this project. Thank you so much!!!

For the Guys

2013-04-22T05:30:00.000-04:00

I've been trying my hand at more pieces for guys. These engraved necklaces are really for anyone, but I thought adding a ball chain would be a little more "masculine". Both pictured are actually mine. They're engraved with Dinosaur Jr and Pearl Jam lyrics.

You can find these in my shop.

-Mandy

Happy Cosmos + Giveaway

2013-04-18T05:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Cosmos might be the most adorable shop I've ever come across. The owner, Wendy, creates super cute friends out of fleece. You can find bags, hats, keychains, pouches, and plushies in the shop. I'm a big fan of her dinosaur tote bag.

Want a chance to win this handsome penguin pouch for yourself? To enter, leave a comment below (you must be a blog follower) stating your favorite item from Wendy's shop. For bonus entries, you can become a fan on Facebook and follow on Twitter. Remember to leave additional comments for bonus entries. This giveaway is open until April 28th. Enjoy!

-Mandy

Flashbacks + Springtime

2013-04-17T05:30:00.000-04:00

Spending my weekends with records.

Learning to cook for one.

Hanging out with Miss B.

The last spring snow.

More decorating.

Finding treasures in the attic.

The Nest - how I usually wear my hair

Getting saved by the two most beautiful boys on the planet, my nephews.

Opening Day for the Indianapolis Indians.

Hope your spring is off to a great start!

-Mandy

DIY Vinyl Record Jewelry

2013-04-16T05:30:00.000-04:00

Record Store Day is this Saturday, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate it than with a DIY project.

1. You'll need an old vinyl record, scissors, gloves, an oven or toaster oven, an old cookie sheet, and a cylinder (I used a paper towel roll). If you want to decorate your cuff bracelet, be sure to have paints and paintbrushes handy.
2. Pre-heat the oven to 200°. Place your record on the cookie sheet and put in the oven for about 2 minutes.
3. Pull out the cookie sheet. The record should be flexible. Put on your gloves and cut out your bracelet shape. You will have to work quickly, because the vinyl will cool in about half a minute. Reheat your bracelet as often as you need.
4. Once you have the desired shape, reheat the bracelet again. Pull out the sheet again and wrap the bracelet around a cylinder to create its form and let it cool.
5. You can leave your bracelet as is...
6. ... or you can paint it!

I probably reheated my bracelet 5 times to get it the way I wanted it. Another idea is to heat up small pieces and create shapes for pendants. You can see my lightning bolt necklace in the first photo.

Hope you all make it out to support a local record store this weekend!

-Mandy

Polaroid + Warhol

2013-04-15T05:30:00.000-04:00

This charm was a birthday gift for a customer's teenage daughter. Her favorite things are Polaroid cameras and Andy Warhol. I really hope she loves it!

-Mandy

Three Pints Brewpub

2013-04-11T05:30:00.000-04:00

It's not very often that I find a place with more than three vegetarian meal options. Three Pints Brewpub had at least five, and I wanted them all. I ended up choosing the burrito with beans. It was covered with yummy queso and served with lots of extras. Can't wait for my next visit!

Three Pints Brewpub
5020 Cambridge Way
Plainfield, IN 46168
317-839-1000

-Mandy

Wake Up

2013-04-10T05:30:00.000-04:00

When you're waiting for shops to open on a Saturday afternoon, sometimes you discover some magic in the alley. These murals and graffiti are located around Fountain Square. I was very happy to see Bjork and Frank the Bunny (Donnie Darko).

-Mandy

Overgram

2013-04-09T05:30:00.000-04:00

When a photo seems to be "missing something", I say add text. It totally changes the image, and sometimes gives it more meaning.

I use Overgram for adding text. The app allows you to choose from several different fonts and a rainbow of colors. You can also change the justification, font size, and placement of your text. The app is free and currently available for Apple products.

-Mandy