it's always in the details

When I am hunting for vintage ear bobs, I am always looking at the tiny details.  

Sometimes I will find a set that takes my breath away.  

This was one of them.

It had vintage Miriam Haskell written all over it.

From the brass filigree, to the tiny crystal headpins, then onto the unmistakable patina of the drop pearls and the champagne colored baroque pearls nestled in the back.

I have had this focal made for some time, using it as an example in my Rhinestones & Rosaries class...

as well as in my Etched & Layered classes.

I decided several days ago to go ahead and finish it into a necklace for

Art Unraveled.

I will be teaching this very class, Rhinestones & Rosaries, 

which is the first of two, a week from tomorrow.

 I finished it off with a vintage rosary, that had the most beautiful champagne colored glass pearls, bought from a favorite Etsy dealer.

I had the same reaction to it when it arrived in the mail, 

as I did when I found the ear bobs.

Little did I know that one day the two would come together.

I dug though some bits and pieces left over from necklaces past, 

finding a few strings of filigree covered rosary beads that fit with the two just perfectly.

 Now that will really take your breath away....

New Classes in Austin

 

"Framed"

See more details here.

September 10, 2011

10am-5pm

 

 

"Believe" Soldered Pendant Necklace

See more details here.

September 11, 2011

10am-5pm

Classes will be held in the beautiful studio

of 

Janise Simmons 

7960 Mesa Trails Circle

Austin, Texas 78731

Spaces are limited to 8 students per class.

Please see my side bar to pay via Paypal

or 

contact me to mail in payment to save your space.

"Love Bird" ...new cuff....Words of Inspiration Class... Art Unraveled 2011

"Love Bird...Words of Inspiration"

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amazing friends

I still have a few California stories to share.  

This one is that of a friendship

that has spanned just over three years ~ thru blogland.

I met Chris thru our love for designing jewelry.

Don't remember just how, but it was while blogging that we crossed paths.

So, when I knew I was going to teach in southern California, 

I had to go a little further north to meet her.

And, that I did.

The best part about our visit, besides finally seeing each other face to face, 

was that our husbands had such a great time together.

We started out early the next morning, after we arrived, 

by eating at a favorite restaurant in their town.

Then, onto Sonoma Valley...

where we went winery hopping.

 Which included a little tasting

and a little buying.

 Then off to the quaint town of Sonoma.

Stopping on the square for a little shopping.

 Snacking, of course.

Then off to Bodega Bay for dinner.  

Remember the movie The Birds?

Didn't see THE birds, but did see a pretty funny fisherman.

And quite a few fishing boats.

Chris and Rich took us to a beautiful restaurant on the bay, 

where we ended the day doing what?  

You guessed it.

Eating!

We had a great two days with our California friends.

And, before we left, Chris gifted me with one of her beautiful creations.  

She can stamp the most beautiful charms.  

Mine was a resin filled bezel, tab set onto a stamped heart...

then hung from a ribbon filled chain.

See what I mean?  Look at all her stamping.  It's so perfect.  

Simply beautiful!

And, lookie at the little tag she attached to the felt jewelry holder it was placed in.

Chris had it featured, along with  her beautiful jewelry, in the Spring issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry under the Art of Presentation!

 Thank you Chris & Rich for all you shared with us.

You are truly...two amazing friends!

Sweetness

Vintage lace calls my name more days than not.

Scraps of pages from a miniature book.

Wrap recycled sari silk ribbon tightly around metal oxidized with a small

micro torch.

Letters stamp out words of endearment.

Wire on so called tiny "nestie".

Final attachment:

sisters of the family kind encased in resin,

forever sealed in a vintage watch case.

Viola! 

A class is born.

Happy 4th of July!

 

May we never forget that freedom is not free.

And that all the money in the world can't buy the laughter we share and 

the joy we see in our children's & grand-children's faces.

Wishing you a safe and family-filled day!