Getting down and dirty with Steeling Beauty...

Yes, that is right...I have been getting down and dirty hammering and forging steel re-bar while taking an amazing online class by the uber talented Keith Lo Bue. The class is called "Steeling Beauty"... consisting of 7 weeks of awesomeness! He is one artist among many who are teaching at Artful Gatherings Artful Online Retreat! If you are interested in his class the deadline to sign up is...August 1st (just around the corner) ~ I am stilling waiting on some tools (i.e. jewelers saw blades, rawhide mallet) ~ in the meantime I have been experimenting using this awesome material ~ STEEL WIRE! I completed a Steel Forged Heart Soldered with Cross and Leather Pendant Necklace...I am quite pleased how it turned out and wanted to share it with you ~ 

Thanks for stopping by!

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!

Silver Soldered Amethyst Druzy Quartz Heart Pendant with Amethyst and Ametrine Gem Necklace #2...

One of a Kind Assemblage Necklace by Romancing the Bling.



Handmade Silver Soldered (sides and back) Amethyst Druzy Quartz Heart with soldered created bail with vintage rhinestone finding Pendant.
Necklace consists of two 18mm to 20mm rough cut Ametrine (amethyst and citrine) stones, four 8mm smooth Amethyst rondelle beads, ten 7mm to 10mm Fresh Water Baroque Pearls in gray, eight 10mm to 12mm checkerboard faceted Ametrine (amethyst and citrine) fine gem rondelles and vintage rhinestone rondelles with sterling silver chaining and lobster style closure.











This one of a kind beauty is now listed in my Etsy Shop.

Vintage Buttons & Vintage Jewels...

I hope you enjoy viewing some of my handmade vintage button and jeweled wreaths!

The wreath above was featured on the front page of Etsy.com. I was so excited when another Etsy vender sent me an email letting me know she saw it!

I'm not sure if that is what led to the sale of this wreath, but it felt great to be recognized as having something I created be worthy of this honor! If you haven't had a chance to visit Etsy.com you are in for a treat! Vendors can only sell handmade and/or vintage items...it is amazing how many creative and talented people are on this site.

I was inspired by Monica of The White Bench to post some of the wreaths that I have created. If you click on her name you will be taken directly to her beautiful blog. This link features a tutorial of a "Friendship Momento" Heart Wreath, which she created. Such a great idea!

Monica's artistic abilities are such an inspiration! Her blog is full of her handmade creations... soft dolls, vintage embellished handcrafted bags and so much more! While visiting her Etsy Shop you will be able to view all of her artistic treasures!

Thank you for visiting!

Romantic Vintage Buttons and Jewels...

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I really had fun creating these two heart wreaths! Usually, my heart wreaths are encrusted with vintage jewels, exclusively. This time I used a mix of vintage buttons and vintage jewels.

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By clicking on the photo below you will see that these wreaths have been wrapped in layers of ribbon, bridal fabric, lace, a vintage doilie and pearls. I love repurposing with these romantic fabrications!

My wreaths are available for purchase. Please email me if you would like further info.

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