Cest La Vie ... Paris...from start to completion ~

One of a kind assemblage necklace ~ Paris

I love how this necklace turned out and thought I would take photos of the process and materials used. I hope it gives an idea what is used in creating a piece like this ~ starting with photo #1 ...


No, you are seeing correctly ~ this is a small paper box where you find wooden match sticks (discard cover and match sticks).
This is what I have used to make a small showdow box.





To reinforce this half box I have used netted plaster material ~ which is used to make a cast when a limb is broken. Dipping it in water and wrap around the box (I wrap it twice to make it strong) until it is completely covered ~ letting the box dry overnight.

Modge Podge brushed on moistened paper images and carefully placing onto the box~ drying after each step.






and now the real artistic expression and fun begins...


Layer, layering and more layers using combinations of artist chalk, crayons and two different compositions of pigment powders and a product called H20 (solid pigment using water ~ working into a paste). Between each product I brush on a coating of Gel Medium ~ more drying time between each step.

Patience ~


next wrap the decorated box and glass cover with copper foiling ~ using flux and silver solder to securely seal the box.

Embellishing with French charms, stampings, vintage rhinestone jewels - soldered to box, vintage bias tape, chunky chain ~ hand oxidize silver solder and components for a vintage cohesive look.

Very labor instensive; but so much fun to make!

Due to the drying steps for each process this piece took 3 days from start to completion ~ I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Français Assemblage Shadow Box Collier ...

(French assemblage shadow box necklace)

Rhinestone fluer de Lis dangles freely inside the box ~ so fun!

If you have made it this far ~ thank you for viewing all the photo's!

Have a wonderful week!

New to my Bridal line on Etsy ~

I was commissioned to make a Custom Necklace and Earring set for a bride to wear on her wedding day in May ~

The inspiration came from her beautiful bridal gown and wedding ring...

We worked together over the past two weeks thru email and photo's. I am so thrilled that she is in love with the finished pieces! Sarah will be sending me photos from her wedding and I can't wait to see my designs with her vision ~

Here are two other necklaces I made to compliment the same earrings ~ these will be listed in my Etsy Shop.

I scored BIG TIME!!!

I scored some unique jewelry pieces at a garage sale at the end of March! It's not my style ~ all I saw were the different findings that I could repurpose while designing new pieces!!!

Stay tuned for new designs using the findings ~

Shoemakers Kids Go Without Shoes...

No this isn't really a posting of the "Shoemaker and his kids"... As a mixed media jewelry designer, I rarely keep any of my creative pieces for myself. Recently, I made two pieces just for me. I thought I would share them and I hope you like them also! This is my favorite piece. I splurged and used such yummy materials to create this one of a kind necklace. Gorgeous baby pink Baroque pearls hand wired wrapped using vintage oxidized wire. Faceted rock crystal ~ hand embellished by cutting apart ornate bead caps and soldering the pieces to the front and back of the crystals. French spiritual medallion, guilloche rhinestone cross and mother of pearl locket with cross accent all dangle below the crystals. Love it! My favorite chunky faceted Aquamarine gem beads were used with checkerboard faceted rock crystals and two-tone faceted Czech crystals. I found the two vintage metal findings at the flea market ~ where else? :) Sometimes when I can't find the right components, or findings to create with I will make them myself. The soldered connectors I made to join the beads and rock crystals to the double strands. The heart was made using a turquoise heart that I wasn't fond of ~ I foil wrapped, silver soldered and embelished it with a vintage rhinestone finding and various components.

I "heart" this piece!

My flea market finds today...

I took a quick trip to the Alemany Flea Market early this morning and found some wonderful items waiting to be repurposed into new little story pieces of jewelry ~ A beautiful vintage carved rosary, spiritual medals ~

LOVE the French one!


An awesome Victorian Chatelaine Coin Purse...German?

Vintage metal chain belt, BLING!

Large silver filigree flower brooch, Art Nouveau and Deco Findings ~ Vintage Repousse Crown!
Can you guess what the four items are in the second photo? I gazed upon these vintage aluminum chunky pieces and I knew how I would use them in a future project. :)


I love these fork pendants!


Chunky antique brass belt...just what I was looking for!

Swoon ~ Mother of Pearl Choker and another pearl collar to add to my growing collection ~

The thrill of the hunt and the next awesome find waiting to be discovered is what it's all about!