The Accidental Jeweler...

What happens when you make a plan in November of 2012 to be the Jewelry Artist of the Month at a local library in December of 2013? Well, if you're like me... you totally forget... then you get a phone call 10 days before the month starts, and you scramble like mad to make some jewelry!

So I broke out my stash and pulled pieces that spoke to me. My process is usually... go through silver junk and take out what calls to me... go through gold stuff and take out what appeals to me... go through beads that match... and chains that coordinate. Begin!

I got to pair new goodies with old goodies, which is always fun. I had this two-tone metal bracelet with floral accents for ages... and just recently found this cute little garden party hat to complete this piece!

I was channeling my love of everything Irish when I created this 'Oh, Blarney' charm necklace! I just love using tons and tons of monochromatic and metallic matching mementos. Lucky me!

This was my absolute favorite creation this time around. But it didn't even make it to the show, as it was snatched up after I posted it on Facebook! I do love that it's going to a good home.

I made jewelry every day — and even into the night — for almost two weeks. And even though my little helper is as cute as a button... she didn't get as much done overnight as I had hoped she would. Oh, well.

It was great to take a break from all the painting I did this summer. I got a quick and unexpected reminder as to why I collect these shiny baubles like a magpie... and how I love turning memories of the past into wearable mementos.

My work will be available all month long at the Oceanic Library in Rumson, NJ. And 20% of all my jewelry sales go directly to the library! So if you're local... go check out my vintage upcycled creations this December!

Oceanic Free Library
109 Avenue of the Two Rivers
Rumson, NJ 0776
732-842-2692

Flea Market Fun!

This weekend was Ocean Grove's yearly Giant Flea Market with over 300 vendors! And while there are lots of pretty, pretty things I love... I stick to buying things that I can re-purpose into art, dolls, jewelry, or whatever else I can think of. So let's have fun and take a look at some of my favorite finds...

Right out of the gate, I found these vintage wooden bowling pins. There's a tall set and a shorter set. You'll be seeing these as doll arms and legs in the future. Strike!

I almost passed out when I saw these old celluloid circus-themed candle holders for 50¢. I love it when people think it's total trash and it's something that I absolutely adore. Cha-ching!

Found these gorgeously patina'd wooden rulers and... well, what are those scallop-edged thingys? Are they for pie-making or something? Anyway... LOVE old wood. These will definitely go to good use!

Loved this little set of silver salt shakers from occupied Japan. They will totally be turned into nesty bird-themed jewelry pieces similar to ones I've made in the past!

Reminds me of... the one I love... deep in the heart of Texas! This 4" souvenir compact that I just had a hankerin' to buy... will become a Texas-sized necklace. Yee-haw!

I bought a few more items and was very happy with my purchases overall. Lots of stuff that I don't normally see, and I was really careful about what I spent. But... regardless of what I bought... it's really the thrill of the hunt that gives me the biggest satisfaction... oh yeah!

Getting Back To Nature...

Happy Birthday to me! This past weekend—as an early birthday present—I went on a little excursion with my family. We took a trip down to the South Jersey Pine Barrens and had a fun camping trip. I knew we were renting a cabin, but had no idea that this would be our "front yard"! How awesome is that?

And speaking of front yards... I just love how many of the permanent campground residents decorate theirs! Fun little nick-nacks and doo-dads all over the place.

Mom packed lots of good stuff to eat (and plenty of bad stuff too!) Here she is cutting up strawberries... not only to eat, but also as healthy additions to our wine and champagne for later on!

 The first night we cooked everything over (or in!) the campfire. Yum-yum! First we made hamburgers.... then twice baked potatoes... and topped it off with a snappy Thuman's hot dog. Oh, and let's not forget the bacon!

My brother and his girlfriend joined us as well and we had lots of fun playing bocce ball, hanging at the pool, listening to the awesome country rock band they had at the campground, and just sitting around talking. Although I have to admit... opening birthday presents around the campfire kind of topped it all for me!

We took a jaunt into the quaint little shopping village of Smithville where they have unique stores and pretty stuff to buy. I just loved this garden table and chair set made from trees.

Being on a lake, they also have lots of wildlife to enjoy. Like this very large family of ducks following mommy all in a row. Don't worry... my mommy went into the street to stop traffic so they were safe!

On the way home, mom and I did a little antique shopping (more like browsing), but it's always a pleasure. You never know what you'll run across that you "need" to have!

And in our travels we even found this amazing architectural salvage place. A veritable Rusty Heaven, I tell ya!

All-in-all it was a great trip. Very nice to get away from it all and back to nature with the family. And in case you were wondering... today is my actual birthday and it's my 43rd year around the sun.

Recently Listed: Vintage Key and Lock Jewelry

After a recent trip to a vintage hardware store... I was really inspired to raid my collection of antique skeleton keys, door locks and miscellaneous brass bits and bobs I've collected for years! This simple Key To My Heart necklace has minimal elements, but big impact.

Pairing just the right peek-a-boo photo with this brass door lock leads to an interesting story about Mommy's Room.

And of course... sometimes there's a man behind that door who wants to profess his love for you, but might be a little shy. This Secret Admirer necklace was built around such a story.

The necklaces you see here and more have been added to my Etsy Shop this past week. You can check out my entire selection in the Uncommon Jewelry section of my store. Happy browsing!

Mixing It Up With Mixed Media Jewelry...

Lately I've been nesting amidst an inspiring selection of flea market jewelry finds, vintage chains, blingy costume bits and interesting metallic antique objects. Having collected them for years and years, it was time to make something out of all my goodies. But as a mixed media artist, I couldn't very well just use actual jewelry items in my jewelry... now could I? Well here's a little peek at how I've incorporated my love of... well, everything and more... into my jewelry...

Speaking of nesting... one of my favorite additions to any necklace is a highlighted book page. Here I sandwiched a page between two pieces of mica and added eyelets for strength. Near the top of this photo, you can see a peek of the necklace which is actually strung on an embroidered fabric tieback from a vintage blouse.

For this piece, I repurposed a vintage metal pill box and an old butterfly pin. inside the pillbox, I affixed a vintage photograph of a cute little baby. I added vellum wings by cutting slits at the edge of the baby's sweater, inserting the wings and taping before I glued the photo inside. The words were chosen at random but still in keeping with the "flying" theme. I also added Spanish moss to make it look like the baby is in her own little nest. A string of tiny pearls completes the look.

The butterfly pin actually had white pearl accents, but I painted over them with a glaze of gold acrylic... to tone them down and make them match the necklace better.

Living near the beach, I am constantly inspired by anything from the sea! When I came across a treasure of unique, hand-carved mermaid pendants, I wanted to build some interesting necklaces around them. For this one, I inverted a pair of stone flower beads and hung a selection of coordinating fibers from them... instant jellyfish!

Staying on the shore topic, this fantastic oyster shell hinged "box" was one of my favorite flea market finds. I paired it with a photo bead that features two vintage swimmers and surrounded it with tiny grey pearls. I mimicked that with a trio of larger pearls and dictionary words I put together to read, "the world is my spiritual oyster".

This seamstress-inspired necklace was fashioned around a reproduction tapemeasure fabric. Originally, it was pure white... so I tea-dyed it for an aged appearance. The antique tin was plain... so I spruced that up with a vintage fashion ad, which I aged with Distress Inks.

These are just a few ways I mix age-old papers, photos, fabrics, as well as found and everyday objects into my jewelry. I have so many more ideas swirling around in my head. Now all I have to find... is time!

You can see even more photos of the pieces shown here (and more!) on my YesterdaysTrashArt Etsy shop.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK... A Valentine Giveaway!

Harvesting Fun Fashions...

This weekend I went to my hometown's Harvest Festival and an Antiques & Collectibles Show with friends Jackie and Patti. I found lots of great vintage beads for my jewelry stuff... an old Disney circus story magazine from 1944... two agate geode necklaces and an ice cream cone necklace. But my favorite purchase was this nifty crocheted hat. I stopped by The Mod Hatter booth and had seen this really cool hat, but it was in a child's size. I asked the crotchet-er—Lisa Bloch—if she could make me an adult-sized one. She just happened to have the yarn, so she made it for me while we walked around! How's that for instant fashionication? Thanks Lisa!

Weekend Finds...

Okay, like I really need anything else?!? But the call of a good Antiques and Collectibles Show—right in my hometown—is like the call from the Sirens on the rocky cliffs to the unsuspecting sailors at sea. But hey... I found some great photos, vintage pen nibs, sewing notions, a porcelain doll, 1933 calendar... and even got 5 Golden children's books for 20 cents apiece at a yard sale on the way to the Show. Bonus!