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.

Keepsaking, Part One

One of the most wonderful gifts that is sometimes handed me is the opportunity to redesign keepsakes for loved ones whose beloved family member has passed away.  Recently, I was granted access to a dear lady's jewelry so that I could create new memories for the surviving ladies in her family.  Because I went wild with this stash of costumery, I've decided to divide this story into several parts.

First, I gave myself an evening just for sorting through and dreaming about each item.  What could I possibly mix together?  Since I know a  bit about each of the prospective recipients, I kept in mind what may and may not work for these ladies.  And I honestly had to keep myself from totally projecting my own preferences into the process. 

New life began to unfold as I cleaned and shined each item.  I am so guilty, myself, of not always keeping my personal jewelry clean and presentable.  Imagine how it is when the jewelry probably hasn't been worn for years.  The unearthing is quite exciting!
Since the lady recipients range in age from early 20's to midlifers to golden gals, I recognized the need to design more simply than I might otherwise do.  From a rather chunky bracelet, for instance, I deconstructed and redesigned six simple pendants on silk cords:

I think that the young and midlifers will enjoy these.  In fact, once I find out if the senior member would care for such a piece, I can easily make one up for her, as well. 








Last of the duplications came in the form of ankle bracelets.  This trio is made from three different necklaces. All I had to add were new clasps:

The following set contains double stranded anklets, again only requiring new clasps from my supply:

I've so much more to share.  Be sure to stay tuned!

Vintage Corsage ~ A How-To

 I'm ready to share!

That little somethin'-somethin'  to which I referred in my previous entry is none other than a vintage corsage brooch, contructed from linen remnants.  My dear Aunt Jane, was a remarkable woman from late Victorian days.  (No, I'm not THAT old; my father married late in life, and his half sister was a grown woman when he was born).

In my collection, I have vintage crocheted pieces and linens that I have cherished for years.  The trouble is, I no longer use them for display in my home, and I have no one to whom I would pass them down.  Instead, I've begun to deconstruct a few of the pieces. 

 My first project entailed sewing crocheted appliques to my most favorite jean jacket.  I'm now wrapped in Aunt Jane, where ever I go.  The other day, I decided to figure out what to do with some of the linen to which crocheted pieces were once attached in the form of lace edgings and insets.  A floral corsage brooch was absolutely what came to mind.

And now I'm ready to share how to create such a piece with you.  I haven't yet decided if I'll start making these for my Etsy shop or not, but the possibility is definitely there.  Meanwhile, I'm all too happy to show you one way that you can preserve your own memory, and attach it near your heart.

What We'll Need

fabric

corn starch

water

needle and thread

scissors

drying rack

hair dryer (optional)

laces, ribbons, buttons, beads, charms, or baubles

pin back, safety pin, hair clip, or magnet

The How-To

• 
  
  Start by cutting circle approximations (no need for perfection, here), in increasingly larger sizes and diameters. 
  
  
  
• 
  
  Rough up the edges so that they appear tattered and torn. 
  
  
  
• 
  
  Dip each piece in liquid starch and lay on drying rack. (Recipe for starch, listed below)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Speed up drying process by using hand held blowdryer. 
  
  
  

• 
  
  When completely dry, crumple up each circle to add to the worn and wrinkled appearance.  Unfold to check on desired effect.
  
  
  
• Layer circles on top of each other, with the largest circle on the bottom, and smallest circle ending up on top.
• With needle and thread, stitch through the center of all circles, so that they are secure.
• 
  
  To the center sew on desired adornments. 
  
  
  
• 
  
  On the back of the corsage, you may either stitch on a pinback or hairclip.  You can also glue down a magnet, or simply use a large safety pin.  The sky's the limit.
  
  
  
  
  

Enjoy  your new creation. 

As for this piece, I'm not finished.  I may add an extra couple of doodads before I'm satisfied.

Liquid corn starch recipe:

Mix together 1 or 2 teaspoons of corn starch  to a tablespoon or two of water. 

Microwave 1/2 cup of water to boiling.

Add hot water to corn starch mixture and stir.

If consistency is somewhat thickened, you are ready to use it.  Adjust with more boiling water, if needed, or add more starch, if necessary.  There is no hard and fast rule to apply.

Let mixture cool to the touch, before using.

The Gift of Inspiration

Oh wow, but I can hardly contain my enthusiasm! Actually, I've been sitting on it for days, now, but am finding that I simply have to share. When something inspires you, it lights a spark which should not be contained.

On the artistic level, the latest edition of Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine has me dreaming on soft vintage clouds of faded fluff. Be watching future entries. I'm hoping that this will be the start of something beautiful!

Hint: I'm in the process of making myself a little somethin'-somethin', and though it wasn't directly in the pages of Belle Armoire, it transpired in my clouds. And I'm possibly going to make a how-to entry about it!

http://www.stampington.com/html/belle_armoire_jewelry.html

Welcome to my blogspot edition of what I typically write in my livejournal entries.
I plan to cross post in both places, much of the time.