These Took me Awhile......

but......I finally finished four bezels with resin.

 I enjoyed the creative process of just deciding what elements I wanted to use in the bezels.....part of a rhinestone bracelet.....an old earring....vintage key. 

Now I need to decide how I want to incorporate them in a jewelry design.....so I may just let them stare at me for awhile till an idea comes to me.

In the meantime.....happy creating!

Sandy's Treasures

Recently I sat down with a friend of mine who wanted to share with me some of her mother's treasures.  It was a wonderful couple of hours going through pins, watches and bracelets and listening to her stories.  

These are some of the items that I will have the pleasure of re-creating into other pieces of jewelry.

Thank you, Sandy.

Until then.......think creatively!

This Brooch does Double Duty!!!

 They're both pretty awesome brooches (well at least I think so), but the brooch on the right was more awesome than I thought it was when I purchased it at a local antique shop. When you turn it over you can see that the pin part of the brooch is also a frame for what becomes two shoe clips. Pretty kewl, huh? I've not seen anything like this before but maybe it's more common than I'm aware of.  Not sure what I will do with it but it was an interesting find.

Until then.....keep shopping for the unusual!! 

The Alchemy of Objects

Deryn Mentock is offering an online class called The Alchemy of Objects.  I'm very excited to be taking this class and learning techniques to include my vintage jewelry and objects along with my costume jewelry in future designs.

You may also want to check out her new book The Jewelry Maker's Design Book, An Alchemy of Objects.

Deryn offers a weekly challenge in this online class.  I hope to be able to participate in a couple of these challenges but my main focus is technique.  Hopefully I will have a beautiful piece of jewelry from my found objects to post in the future.

Until then......Keep Focused!!!

How Long do I want to Keep Doing This?

That's the question mon husband keeps asking me about submitting my jewelry to Jewelry Affaire magazine.

I was thrilled, once again, to have some of my jewelry published in the Summer 2012 issue of Jewelry Affaire magazine.

Answer:  As long as it gives me a challenge.  It will always be gratifying....no doubt about it.  If some of my designs to not make it to the pages of Jewelry Affaire, it will become an even greater challenge for me.

Please enjoy all the beautiful designs in the Summer 2012 issue that so many artists have chosen to share with you!

Until then............Happy Beading!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!! It's Jewelry Affaire Magazine

What am I so excited about???? 

The new issue of Jewelry Affaire magazine is out and my submission, Jazzymyn's Secret was selected for publication!  When I received an e-mail from Managing Editor, Beth Livesay that my necklace had been chosen, I wanted to jump up and down but I also had a feeling of accomplishment....that a goal had been attained.  Seeing your work and name in print in a premiere magazine was definitely an exciting event for me.  But don't get me wrong....I still have more goals to accomplish. 

 
For those of us that create jewelry (and there's so many mediums), any goal you set for yourself will help you grow and keep your creative spirit exciting!

Until then..........Happy Beading!

Vintage Costume Jewelry.....Is it Right or Wrong?

You've seen it....vintage costume jewelry and it's in absolutely perfect condition. No stones missing, no scratches in the metal, the clasp is intact....that kind of stuff.

A lot of jewelry artists are incorporating these pieces in their creations, just as I'm attempting to do.

So, my question is......do these vintage pieces have to be in perfect condition in order to sell your jewelry creation if they are only a part of the total design package?  Is part of the beauty of these pieces the fact that maybe they aren't so perfect?  Does it allow us to embellish these pieces in other ways that we might not have done if they were in perfect condition?

Maybe this topic isn't THAT important as not everyone that creates jewelry wants to incorporate vintage costume jewelry as part of their piece.

Picture Courtesy of 
Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

So, what do you think?       



   Until then........Happy Beading!