Jewelry Affaire

I love surprises.

A beautiful little muslin bag tied together tightly.

Covered with vintage bits of lace

and

topped with a steel cut rhinestone button.

Inside you will find a cuff.

Romancing the Cuff

I am so excited to be have this design included 

and be a part of the latest issue of Jewelry Affaire, 

 which actually hit the newsstands on April 1st.

These romantic cuffs have a soft leather base, 

and have been a consuming passion of late.

I taught this technique at an evening class at Adorn Me! 2011.

Remember the photos here?

I sewed a large group of them to sell at Marburger.

This isn't all, just the ones that made it back home =)

I have had inquiries about selling a kit (even before Adorn Me!), 

so one of the things I have worked on this week was making that happen.

I (will) have the tutorials available on my Etsy Shop here.

Several examples are (and will be) posted for you to choose from.

Here is what you will receive:

A detailed tutorial, which I will send in pdf format,

2 cuff templates,

a soft piece of leather (you choose the color)

 vintage lace, tulle, recycled sari silk ribbon, a charm, an elastic closure,

and either a vintage button or rhinestone button.

You get to choose the type of button (either will be vintage), 

which will determine the price.

$32 shipping for a kit with vintage rhinestone button (No.1 and 2)

$30 + shipping for a kit with vintage button (No. 3 and 4)

You can add any additional bits & pieces that you might like & have 

when you receive your kit.

It is up to you....as it is your cuff.

I will be adding some different kits in the future, but for now these are the choices.

They are just samples, as each one WILL be different

but just as close as I can get to what you see.

While in Warrenton, Riki and I shopped at the lace ladies booth in the Rose of Texas Field, which is behind the Legal Tender Saloon (where my daughter and I eat every time we go to the festival).

This lady comes in from Oklahoma.  We stayed in her booth for at least an hour (or more)

looking and digging through her goodies.

Then, Riki took some of the other girls back there later that weekend.

 She had MOUNDS of lace, tulle, tatting, buttons and more.

And, guess what?  

I haven't even tapped into any of what I bought and brought home from her.

If you'd like the tutorial only it will be $12 in my shop on Etsy.

This latest cuff has a great vintage charm AND a rhinestone button. $48

It is one I've made in preparation for the Art Walk, and is the one I made as a demo for my tutorial.

The Art Walk is a juried art show I am once again honored to be a part of 

in Fayetteville, Texas.  It is a great show, and Fayetteville is located in such a beautiful part of Texas, just down (or up) the road from Warrenton and Round Top.  

The show is for two days, Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. 

I have been on such a fast track since Marburger, I haven't gotten all my photos posted 

from that time.

We had such a great week and a half, shopping and visiting with Riki, 

my daughter, AND my husband.

We laughed ~ a lot.  My husband was there helping me the whole time I was set up at Marburger, and for that I was so very thankful.

The days I spent at Marburger were long ... but very good for me.

I learned a lot.

About my set-up (thanks Riki-son), my jewelry....about myself.

 Riki and my feet after the first day of shopping in Warrenton!

My daughter, Melanie and I on the second day in Warrenton and Round Top.

 Mary, Melanie and Riki on what Melanie though

had to be the very first bike cab!  LOL.

We had a BLAST!

project completed

I love it when a plan comes together, and with no real premeditated plan. It always amazes me....and makes me realize just how blessed I really am.
Have a great weekend my friends =)

My Jewelry Affaire

echo:collections

There is absolutely no denying that vintage rhinestones give me a warm & fuzzy feelin'. The thrill of the find is almost as heart pounding as using one of them in that special piece,
AND then having it published.
If you look in my studio, you would say I have an infatuation with vintage rhinestones. I choose to call it my collection thank you =) Every once in a while it all comes together. Know that feeling? It is when you take that certain piece, lay it down on the table, take it apart, and then start adding pieces back to it. Ultimately it becomes a whole. A piece worthy to be worn or sold....or sent to a magazine in hopes it will be published.

I knew Jewlery Affaire was in the works. Jenny Doh and Stampington had talked about it for months. Beth Livesay gave out a call.

But, it wasn't until about two weeks before deadline that I saw it. The box.

Gorgeous creamy velvet on the outside, luscious soft satin in the inside....with a topper that almost made my heart stop.

The satin inside had the most soft buttery glow.
My mind drifted to a day.....
A day I would see my daughter in her wedding dress.

And, that is where it all began.
Often there is so much more behind the piece that's not shared in the magazine. I understand, as there are space restraints.
But, just like Paul Harvey would say..... here is the rest of the story.

"Wedding Necklace"
I sponged the textured box, which held the necklace, with Ranger Distress Ink~Tea Stained. Then I used a favorite swirly design stamp, using more Distress Ink~Walnut Stain, to add additional depth to the box.
I wrapped the necklace in soft creamy tissue before placing it inside. Tied it up with just the right color of vintage seam binding.
Then, laid it in the box.
But, there is still more......

~Tucked inside~

:the poem:

To my Daughter

How can a satin lined box hold all my wishes?

Or velvet coverd one

be filled with years of hugs and kisses?

I have you know,

they are all tucked inside,

Waiting for you to find this little box

and open it wide.

This jewelry was made for your wedding day,

oh, what a surprise!

To see the joy on your face,

and the love in your eyes.

I know of your thoughts,

What if this day would never come?

But I knew all along,

He had patiently been waiting

for just the right one.

So, please wear this necklace on your wedding day,

but, then don't keep it safely tucked away.

Wear it with your t-shirts and jeans,

and little black dresses.

Perhaps with your hair up,

or with your long flowing tresses.

I love you my daughter.

You know it's so very true.

Just remember the day

I gave this wedding necklace to you.

~mom