Keepsaking, Part Four

Finally, we come to the last in a series on recreating new pieces from old stashes.  Time has been an issue in my  intent to share these things in person with the dear lady who requested this of me.  In fact, she's had to view everything online, just like you.  Hopefully we can connect soon.

A portion of M.'s jewelry contained some very classy-though-costume statement pieces, if I do say so, myself.  Ambers, blacks, and cameos coursed throughout her collection. 

The pocketwatch-looking locket on the left hung from time-worn chains, which made it appear tired and lifeless.  I spotted a loose cameo face in the bag of baubles, and adhered it to the center of the amber "gem" on the locket.  I also recreated a beaded chain from among the newer chains and loose glass beads from a broken string.

The medallion on the right looks practically brand new, after a good scrub and a shine.  It, too, hung from multiple strands of drab looking chains.  The double stranded chains that now belong to this piece look as though they were made to go together. 

This set was once connected together as one necklace.  It was pretty as it was, but I envisioned chandelier earrings and an updated focal necklace, with the chunkier chain applied.  The little gold dangles on the earrings are actually links from one of the older-looking chains, and the chunky chain on the necklace is repurposed from another of M.'s formerly longer necklaces. 

Last, we have three totally updated creations.  The larger cameo was once a pin/pendant combination.  In today's world, it simply needs to be a necklace!  First, I removed the pinback.  Then, I deconstructed and reassembled the already-linked beaded chains in a different pattern to play off of the black, white, and silver in the cameo. 

The middle necklace is one of my favorites (though most all of these pieces are now favorites of mine).  It, too, was once a pin.  While I couldn't imagine a young lady wearing such a pin in its original state, I could definitely envision her wearing it from a velvet ribbon. 

Finally, the simple little cameo was a lone earring who had lost its mate.  Too beautiful to be left behind, it now takes center stage on a gorgeous newer chain from the stash.

Quite a holiday break adventure these remakes have offered me.  While I'm finished for the moment, I definitely have at least one or two more ideas floating around in my head.  M.'s stash is definitely not gone yet!  Meanwhile, her momemtos are ready to be shared.

Keepsaking, Part Three

This piece goes straight to my own heart.  The filigree heart, in its original form, hung on a very aged chain.  I loved the chain (not pictured, here), but realized that you have to be a true vintage lover to appreciate such things.

Knowing that the task at hand was to update, I decided to give the heart new life in an altered collage remake, and to prop it onto a newer chain in the stash.  Alone, this chain was ho-hum, but doubled and adorned with a pendant, it now looks alive.  The now asymmetrical style takes it to a very current place.

I sooo tried to find more pieces to which I could apply a collage sort of look, but this heart stands alone.  I was happy just to find this, as well as the little angel and stone.  Oh, and if you click on the photo for a closer peek, you'll notice the tiny bit of the old chain affixed to to the stone, for memory's sake.

Keepsaking, Part Two

Ah, what to do with rings?  I discovered several in this stash of jewelry, but had no idea what I would do to turn these into pieces that anyone might wear.  And then it dawned on me.  Why not create pendants!  They would definitely be unique items.  With these, I found that the simpler the ring, the better I liked the results.  Though the simulated saphhire ring had more embellishment that I could appreciate for a pendant design, I am satisfied with the best end result that I could obtain. 

The other two pieces are well disguised, I think.  No one would really guess that they were once rings, at first glance.

 My favorite is the plum colored piece in the center.  Once a Sarah Conventry (remember those parties?) ring, it's actually set in sterling silver. 

The ring on the right is tiger's eye.


I have one more ring with which to do something. It requires some thinking, as it's already such a unique piece with two cultured pearls in the setting.  You can bet that I'll eventually share it with you.  No doubt.