New Jewelry

Latest finds displayed on a vintage crocheted bag from Mom C:



Below are my new blue monster earrings. They look heavy, but are actually plastic and light. I wore them all day today. $2.00 at an estate sale in the 'hood.



I picked up this dangling pair. Same sale, same price. They are actually kind of heavy. The beads must be glass.




Next to a terrific pair of orange earrings that used to belong to D's grandmother, check out this shell pendant! It's huge. About as big as a Chips Ahoy cookie.
Pricey at $6.00, but it was at the shop I volunteer at and all the $ goes to help kitties so I feel okay about it!

Cozy-ing up by the computer

I have been working on some quilted cushions to put on the rocking chair I refinished this summer. I decided to use a clam shell pattern. Here's an example pic from www.quiltersmuse.com:



The pattern originated in the 1830s, if I remember correctly, and can be difficult because it's all curves. I decided to piece to tops by hand and it's going well so far.

I love to sew and watch a good movie or something. Add a great cup of tea and it's pure bliss. I just watched Craft In America, which I give no less that a billion stars to. It's a PBS series that explains the history of crafts in this country with interviews from furniture makers, blacksmiths, quilters and jewelry makers. It's so fantastic! And you can see the whole series for free right here.

All of the artists were great. My favorite was Jan Yager. She's a jewelry maker (imagine that) working in Philadelphia. She uses objects she finds in her neighborhood for inspiration. She had a bone necklace similar to this picture, which I found here:


Except hers had several strands and was ancient. She was looking at it, as she explains in her interview in Craft in America, and thought that the maker of the necklace had collected bones, perhaps the bones of his dinner, and made them into a necklace for no real practical purpose. Just a desire to adorn ourselves that human beings apparently always had. She started looking around her immediate environment for things to make jewelry out of and made this:



At first glance, it looks like it could be a bone necklace or at least a tribal necklace of some sort. It's made from vials crack/cocaine in bought in that Yager found around her block. I think it's just fascinating.

Also, I have been watching Jim Henson's The Storyteller, an old series from 1987 where folktales are acted out using fantastic muppets or "creatures from the creature shop" as the credits say.






I'm so happy Netflix has these streaming online!

The Cheapside Hoard

In 1912, workmen in a tenement in London hacked through floor boards and uncovered the largest selection on 16th century jewelry ever found. Experts speculate it was the property of a jeweler or goldsmith to the middle classes. Most pieces were inexpensive and made for the merchant class, but the stones and metals were of high quality.








Why the hoard was hidden and who exactly owned it remains a mystery.

You can read more about it here.

All photos and more great pieces to drool over can be found at the Museum of London website

The collection is scattered through several London museums which makes me want to plan a field trip to England to try and see the whole hoard.

Anyone game?

Swap!

Hooray! When I got home I had a HUGE package waiting for me from my swap buddy!!

I was so excited. The "I love pink and aqua" swap was the 1st swap I ever participated in. The rules stated to include at least one craft supply, one thing you made and spend about $15 not including shipping. I really agonized over what to get my swap partner. I scoured her website looking for clues on what she might like. I searched thrift shops, estate sales, garage sales. I asked anyone who was around to look at the package I was assembling to give me an honest opinion. I sent the package priority mail and crossed my fingers...

And I got an email back saying it was received AND LOVED!!!! Hooray! And then I got my package soon afterward and love,love,love the contents!

Here's what I got:

Can you see the adorable pink and aqua plates and cups? They remind me of lunchroom trays in a cafeteria. I can't wait to use them for TV dinners with D. In the back there's a velvet jewelry box - something I always have a use for.

And check out the paper goodies - big pink hearts to string on a garland maybe, cards she made, envelopes and places for tiny notes. Also, lots of embroidery floss in shades of aqua and pink.



Funky patterned fabric quarters to use in the cushions I'm making for the rocking chair I refinished this summer!



She made me these tiny notebooks! I use notebooks all the time at work and always look for cute ones like this.




Pretty vintage pin. Love the pearls!



Fancy star boxes with lots of pink and aqua buttons.




Needless to say, my cat was impressed.



Cute little cupcake that grows in water. So sweet!



Here's a closeup of one of the cards she made. They're the perfect size for sending recipes or short thankyous. The cookie book is a find, too. Great recipes to try!



I also got a fun tin of candy scented lip gloss that for some reason I didn't get a photo of. I know I immediately used it so maybe I didn't put it back on the table afterwards! Speaking of missed photo ops, when I opened the package, everything was wrapped separately in little pink and aqua tissue papper bundles. It looked so pretty. I wish I had been able to control my excitement. But being me, I tore into it squealing with glee and just made a terrible mess of it. Oh well.

Here's the package I sent her:

I knew she quilted, so I tried to get a sewing theme going. I found this little wicker sewing basket and glued sequins to the top.



The inside was pink gingham. All my collected treasures fit snuggly inside.



I found a vintage pattern and embroidered it all in aqua. If you can't tell, it's two busy bees working hard at sewing. One has a needle and one has a thimble. I then appliqued my embroidery to a potholder made of vintage fabric.




Here's a closeup of the pin I included. I also gave her a bit of the fabric I used for the potholder. I just loved that fabric. If you look closely, you'll see there are tiny deer hidden in the print.



Pink buttons, pink plastic glittery bells and a little girl's apron with pink and blue flowers.



Vintage trims and ultra fine glitter.




Well, I've just GOT to get to bed or I'll be a zombie for my patients in the morning.

Take care!

Going Home

So I went home to Chicago for the weekend to visit my sister and ma. It was a quick jaunt. Got in Thurs night and left today in the wee hours of the morn so I didn't have a chance to hang out with old buddies or go to all my favorite shops. I mostly went home to see this:





Do you remember Mystery Science Theatre 3000? It's those guys. Minus Mike. Joel's there. So's TV's Frank and Pearl and they're all very funny. Totally worth it.

And before the show, we went here. This was by far the best Renegade I've been to. It was huge and people came from everywhere! Tons of really neat jewelry and clothes. Not just the usual felt stuffed animals and knitted scarves, but real cool pieces that took a lot of time and effort. (Don't worry, you can still score a silkscreened t-shirt with an octopus or cartoon sushi).

So I wanted to treat myself to something cool and I was immediately drawn to the jewelry booths and this girl in particular:



I love how her pieces tell a story. Her compositions are original and thoughtful. Some have vintage or antique parts, some have casts she made of antiques.



This necklace was for sale as just the ring. It's a Slavic engagment ring from the 16th century, excavated in the Baltics.



Every piece is a curiousity. Looking at her wares was like reading Smithsonian magazine. All these little nooks of history and experience the world has to offer and I have yet to explore!

I almost bought this:




Made from a cast of a wax seal, I was drawn to the nautical theme. I love nautical things. Especially ones with Victorian sentiment attached. I always have. Later in life, after jaunts on ferries and whale watching, it is apparent I have no sea legs whatsoever. Boo.

***All the above jewelry photos were taken from Erica Weiner Jewelry's website. Please contact her for purchasing info.

This is what I did buy:




Vertebrae were made into a mold and cast in brass. It was pricey for me but I just fell in love with it. And I don't really mind doling out a bit more to have an interesting piece from a good artist.

Best Friends - Old and New

This afternoon I went to the post office to send off my swap partner's package for the "I Love Pink and Aqua". I was pretty happy with the results, I must say. When she gets the package, I'll post pictures of what I sent.

When I started collecting for the swap, I first went to my jewelry stash to look for a good piece to either give to her or get inspiration from. No swap package made by me would be complete without some lovely bauble, bangle, or bead.

I found this, which, when bought for $2.00 at an estate sale, became my favorite necklace for a good two months.



The adjustable length and rhinestone/pearl combo made it perfect with every outfit. And the price was astounding.



I looked for blue and found the following:



Oh, how I adore this broach! I just couldn't part with it. Especially after losing a rhinestone and finding the perfect replacement in my stash. Can YOU spot the repair? Of course not. This guy had a $2.00 price tag as well, incidentally.



Now this is a beauty I really thought of including. Really, really, truly.



This I got at my favorite new thrift shop, Cajun's Closet. It is the thrift shop that supports the Cat Care Society. Here's their web page.

If you live in Denver, PLEASE GO TO THIS STORE. It's for your own good! Incredibly well organized, cute displays, good prices and daily discounts. One day a week, if you bring in a can of cat food, you get 10% off an item. You can bring up to 5 cans for a savings of 50% off one item. There are also student discount and senior citizen discount days. And if you're up to it after a great shopping spree, cross the parking lot and go to the shelter. It's a clean, modern building with very friendly staff. Just tell them you want to pet the kitties and they'll be OVERJOYED! Seriously! I'm an animal lover and love just spending time with cats and dogs, but most shelters are wary of strangers coming in, especially ones with no intention of finding a pet to take home. It's understandable. They want to do what they think is best for the animals. But it's still a bummer to encounter these folks.

This shelter is probably the best I've ever been to. The animals are all healthy and obviously well taken care of. They are separated into small groups of 4-6 in small rooms, each equipped with a screened in balcony accessible by cat door and loads of toys, beds and ledges to climb on. It's also very clean. There's a little shop area in the front that sells pet toys and kitty knick knacks.

Anyhow, back to the bracelet:



I just love the clasp. It is decorated with little stars each with a tiny pearl in the center. Such detail! A good score for $3.00. I ended up not including it because of the beads - some were purple and some of the pearl beads were worn. Also, it's a very tiny bracelet.

And here's another piece that didn't make the cut:




More royal than aqua. Cute, though. And great on a sweater. With sweater weather coming up, I'm glad to have it in my drawer.

So, I'm dying to show what I DID include, but will have to wait. Instead, let's talk about my new treasures. Last week, my in-laws (aka mom and dad c.) were visiting. This left little time for garage sales. Mom C. and I did shop, shop, shop which was great though. Being new to Denver and low on girlfriends, I rarely go to boutiques and loved having a fellow shopper around. I've spoken of Mom C. before. She's got a great sense of style and a stash of killer costume jewelry so shopping with her is always great fun.

Mom and Dad C stayed with Mom C's cousins, M&L. M&L are the closest family we have in Denver and are awesome, to say the least. Smart, funny and with an open door policy - I'm a big M&L fan. L is a doctor with a wealth of experience and always a good word of advice. M is a professional organizer (have you seen the new A&E show hoarders? She helps people like that). M also has a cool sense of style and blends old with new flawlessly. She knows where to find great antiques and also owns modern art and somehow everything fits seamlessly.

Anyhow, the last night Mom and Dad C. were here, we went to M&L's for dinner. M made a great birthday cake celebrating the birthdays of me, D and probably Dad C., since his b-day is around mine, although he let us blow out the candles. D made homemade ice cream. What a feast!

At the end of the meal, M gave me a sandwich baggie filled with goodies from cleaning out a client's mess. She knows I love jewelry and asked if I had any interest in the bag's contents. Here's what was in the bag:




First, bits and pieces. Little broken bracelets and single earings. All precious and useful. I love this earing especially:




I so wish I had the pair! It's like a piece of stardust. This picture doesn't do it justice. I've got to figure out a way to use it.






Little blue flowers that were once a bracelet or necklace. Also no plans yet for this, but who can resist their charm?

Here's an autumn set with amber rhinestones and gold leaves. One earring is missing a leaf, but the pin is perfect and I'll be sporting it soon.




Here's an interesting pin. It's missing a few stones. The back is marked sterling, so when I get a chance, I'll give it a good cleaning and see what I get. I'll also straighten out some prongs and post the result.



Lastly, a bracelet and necklace set.





The necklace is broken, unfortunately. At the dinner table, I discussed these pieces with M and Mom C and we were all interested in them because they were so heavy and well made. At home, I examined them further and found the name Trifari on the clasp of ther bracelet. Apparently, this was a very well known costume jewelry company. Started in 1918, many pieces command a high price and there are many collectors eager for pieces that brandish the Trifari crown logo. Though my set is probably not worth much, it's still an interesting history.

Well, that's it for now!