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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

I sighed

Two vintage hair combs were sent to me from 
a new blog friend, Connie, of She Dreams Big!
"Please transform these into two bracelets", she requested.
I had never seen such divine combs as these,
reminiscent of the Miriam Haskell style.
I began with this one.
The one with brilliant green rhinestones
and luscious mint green pearls.
I admit,
I am drawn to the color green like a moth to light.
I didn't even tremble,
as I gingerly cut the slightly yellowed combs away from the
pearl and rhinestone center pieces.
Maybe I should have, as I have never worked on pieces so divine,
that were not mine.
Yes, I've re-strung vintage pearl necklaces that were not mine.
But, usually I have been the one to purchase the vintage rhinestone pieces to alter.
Vintage ear bobs, pins, brooches and chain.
I buy them all the time to use in my designs.
But, this was different, they were not mine.
I didn't blink an eye!
It is now that I blink.
What if I had made a mistake?
If something broke, as it does and will.  It is vintage and sometimes often brittle.
But, it didn't.  I sigh.
Here is how they looked, just before I put them in a box.
A tiny box that will travel all the way to Nebraska.
"The Goddess"
Attached to an etched cuff, layered with a favorite piece of Brass Bouquet filigree.
As requested, the creamy baroque pearl and rhinestone comb
was fashioned after "The Wedding" bracelet shown in my previous post
and is in the Winter issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.
"Baroque Bracelet"
This time I used four 10mm creamy baroque pearls I had bought from an Etsy dealer.
They matched the focal baroque pearl perfectly!
Thanks Connie for trusting me,
and for giving me the opportunity to transform your vintage combs into new pieces.
Just in time for Christmas!
Once again....I sigh.

26 comments:

Lovey said...

Diane, these pieces are gorgeous. You did a wonderful job changing these beauties into wearable works of art. Hugs, and get ready...next week is my week on crescendoh!

Daryl said...

Oh they are gorgeous, but it broke my heart to see the jewels separated from those combs .. I would have loved to own those combs ... oh well .. you did an amazing job finding the perfect chain and making the perfect bale (sp?) for the precious charm my BFF brought back from Paris for me ... every time I wear it I think of you and it gets lots and lots of compliments ... xo

Carmi Cimicata said...

They turned out exactly the way I would have wanted them! Really gorgeous work!

Linda Sadler said...

What treasures! They were both so beautiful-thank you for sharing the before and after.

Alice said...

And I gasped. These turned out lovely--though I am not surprised. She will just love them.

Charlene said...

MAGIC!!!!!!!!!! Once again girl you hit the nail on the head of wonderful!!!!! Connie was right to trust you! And yes, vintage things sometimes break but, I think you had a bit of Santa's magic watching over you this time(or maybe angels in heaven). LOVE your finished work & I KNOW Connie will to. I bet your counting the days to NO ALARM CLOCK! HUGS!
Charlene

Chris said...

Beautiful! Now I know the story behind the green pearl cuff and the white pearl bracelet...wow! You created two heirlooms that will be used by their owner and not lanquish in a drawer. Extraordinary design and you are a brave girl to go through with this! :-)

Jen Crossley said...

Oh Diane everything you touch turns to gold,you always amaze me with your beautiful style.You have really outdone yourself once again,stunningly beautiful work.

Jenny @ Faith + Pearl said...

Wow.....these are absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful job!!

sharon said...

Oh....I sigh too! They are just gorgeous Diane!

jeanette said...

Stunning..everything you create is so beautiful. You have such an eye for design..

Riki Schumacher said...

You did such a great job Diane! She got the right girl for the job. They are beautiful. Hugs, Riki

stregata said...

Exceptional pieces - before and afterwards! You really create magic with those rhinestone baubles.

Dale said...

wow wow wow! This piece is absolutely stunning! I adore the way you put this together, it is a perfect match with the etched cuff, the filegree and the rhinestone and pearls. Perfect work.

steufel said...

Wow - Diane, you are true master of art! LOVE them!

she dreams big! said...

Oh Diane, I'm commenting with tears in my eyes! These are absolutely beyond what I expected! My friend who gave these to me and whose late mother owned them, will be able to wear a reminder of her sweet mom. I'm so grateful to you for taking on this project! Do you think it would be selfish of me to keep one for myself?

Thank you sweetie for transforming beautiful jewelry into gorgeous one-of-a kind pieces!

~~Connie

beautifullybrokenme said...

These are stunning Diane - just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

OH.MY.GOODNESS!!! Those are gorgeous, as I knew they would be! You are just too talented, Diane. Can hardly wait to see you in Houston!!!!
QueenMarcy

Ragamuffin Gal said...

So Lovely Diane! You are so brave to do it! I know she will be awed and thrilled beyond words! What inspiration you give me! Blessings, Katie

Debbie said...

They both turned out GREAT, my how talented you are!!!

connie said...

you brave soul... but who better for the job! I agree the combs were exquisite, but what you created will be worn for generations to come! both pieces are beautiful!
xo
connie

amy~ the gypsy chick said...

Diane, oh i just love both of the pieces! they are so beautiful! I just love hair combs, i can remember that my grandmother had such a fondness for them & would put them in my hair.
i hope that you & your family have a very blessed holiday, & a very merry christmas!
xoxxo
amy

Diana said...

Fabulous, simply fabulous darling! You have created new heirlooms for people to treasure. Happy holidays to you and hubby!
Hugs
Diana

Cindy said...

Diane, I'm sorry I'm late to the party...but want to share that I agree with everyone here: a great big sigh (or gasp, really) is in order! Just seeing how you transformed the combs into two gorgeous bracelets was like magic before my eyes. They are both stunning, one of a kind, and so very special. I can imagine how you felt with that responsibility, but everything turned out perfect (and no surprise!). :-)

The Joy of Nesting said...

Oh Lady Dy,

Both bracelets are incredible!! You have that rear gift of breathing your beautiful heart and soul into the pieces you create!! It is a gift we all wish we had but very few of us do!!

Oh you must be getting so antsy and excited!! Less then 2 weeks and you will be one of us an ORGLHLD (old retired gal living her life dream):)


I'm slowly making the neighborhood rounds now that surgery is over and went very well! Still have my sight and even my close up vision! I'm trying to be a good girl and only use my eyes for short periods of time. But I had to come by to see what you are up to!! I'm so glad that I did!!

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Stephani Gorman said...

Bequtiful Diane ! You have a handle on putting together really lovely pieces. Merry Christmas!