Bling On The Holidays...

I thought I'd share some more images from my recent jaunt into jewelry making before I go ahead and retire my flat and round-nosed pliers for awhile! This found object necklace is chock full of buttons, baubles, sewing notions and even a vintage jingle bell. I chose an off-white monochromatic color scheme because it complimented the silver patina perfectly. If it doesn't go to a good home during my December showcase at the Oceanic Library... I may just keep this one!

This wedding bracelet is a fun and whimsical statement for that bride-to-be! With silver and pearly-white charms, embellishments and more, this themed piece has an extra-special set of charms made with beads that spell out "YES" and "I DO". It would make a perfect gift from your Prince Charm-ing!

These two golden pieces were made for each other... and gathered from flea markets years apart. A gorgeous opal bracelet-turned-choker, with a deconstructed pin, hung with vintage gold chain makes this piece a simple but elegant necklace. I'd wear it with a throwback party dress or even a tee shirt and jeans.

Keys, keys and more vintage skeleton keys! I have a whole bunch of them, but run out of ideas for what to do with them. So when a vintage metal pin matches the steely grey-blue patina of an old key, it's a great opportunity to combine the two for added interest. Pair them with some vintage costume beads and the door is now open!

And this time I did something a little different... creating necklaces out of squished pennies. I love squished pennies! I've made bracelets with them before, adding tons of beads and charms that went the themes of these awesome 51¢ souvenirs... but they take quite a while to create. I wanted to make something for my jewelry show that would be a great gift at a better price point... and these embellished copper keepsakes were just the thing.

So now it's time to retire my jewelry tools, put away my beads, baubles, charms, and head out into new territory! I've done some really hard thinking this year and I'm going in a different creative direction for 2014. Stay tuned...

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

Check It Out...

Whew! In the past 8 days, I've been to three different venues to sell my work. That's a lotta places! And they were all different.... the Art Vendor Fair in Ocean Grove had a nice, roomy 8 foot table, while Made In Monmouth (above) had a shorter 6 foot table, and then there's the Rumson, NJ Oceanic Library, where my jewelry will be featured for the month of April... I get a whole case to myself there! But I have to say it's been challenging and fun to figure out how to merchandise all of the different art, dolls, jewelry (and more!) that I make. And, it's weird but... I think I'm getting the hang of it!

Although, I must say... the space at the Oceanic Library is a dream!! I get an entire round case all for myself! Having sold my work mostly at art & craft shows, it was a bit strange having lots of time to set things up right, merchandising with fun props, and making everything look pretty and inviting! Usually I'm just throwing everything on a set of tables in a two hour span before a show begins. This was a relaxing alternative.

So much space and so many ways to display my work. And having an interesting way of accessing the space, led to some unusual, but kinda cool solutions... like with this earring tree...

The lovely ladies that run the library were very helpful and encouraging, and were fawning over my upcycled vintage jewelry creations. They think I'll do really well... and added that most of the jewelry artists do in this location. And 20% of all sales go toward this non-profit library... so that's a bonus!

Oh, and I even got my name on the marquis! How cool is that? Double bonus!!

If you'd like to stop by and take a look at my jewelry, I'll be at the Oceanic Library in Rumson, NJ for the entire month of April. So go ahead... check it out!