Happy New Year

Dance, sing, make some noise 
and 
Ring in the new year!!   

Wishing you the best of 2014!!!

Vintage Flower Brooch

I purchased this brooch at a fancy estate store outside of Chicago, Illinois twenty years ago.  I fell in love with the quirky little flowers and the metal work.  I was told a "story" of it being over 50 years old and from the collection of so and so (I always love hearing the stories).  None of it mattered though; it had me at the door.

Right Angle Weave and Rhinestones

 I am still practicing jewelry photography and having so much fun.  Above is an old rhinestone flower pin that is 4-1/2" X 2-1/4" which photographs beautifully against the blues and purples of some of my right angle weave beadwork. Inspirational Beading has a free tutorial on flat openwork square right angle weave (click HERE) and Beadaholic has a great video tutorial for flat right angle weave using crystals (click HERE).  I also have free tutorials on my Pinterest board (click HERE) for right angle weave.

Love

Happy Valentine's Day my friends.  Above is the cake topper from my wedding February 15, 1969.  Yes, I had red velvet, Valentines and pink champagne flowing from fountains.  I wore antique ivory lace and a veil longer than my train.  It was a big, beautiful reception that I will never forget.  Life is good, I am blessed and give thanks for my groom everyday.  Hope you have a memorable Valentine's Day.

Valerie Hector

 This is the card I received with my brooch.  It says" Short Narrow Bar--gold weave-gold, copper & bronze beads from contemporary Japan are the most expensive beads made in the world today--the tiny black beads are early 20th century Venetian.  Thank you!  Valerie 9-92"

The inside of the card gives a short biography (click on photo to read).  I loved having this handwritten explanation of what beads were used and where they were from.  Such a wonderful personal touch.

I love her book, "The Art of Beadwork".  If you are interested, it can be purchased through Fire Mountain Gems (click HERE).  

"Short Narrow Bar"

Valerie Hector Brooch 1992

I wanted to get photos of the back and both ends of the Valerie Hector brooch.

 When I did, I noticed I had given the wrong year the first time I posted it.  The brooch is dated 1992.

 Both ends are resin sealed. The back of the pin is covered with ultra suede and the pin back is sterling silver.

Then, I had to find the card that came with the pin (tomorrow) and then sit and go through her book again (one of my favorites), also tomorrow.

Valerie Hector Brooch

I purchased this Valerie Hector brooch in 1992.  It is still in perfect condition; exquisitely made.

Jewelry Photography

I love this old pin I purchased at an estate sale many years ago.  I will be practicing jewelry photography for the next few days so I have dug out some of the oldies (but goodies).

Holiday Button Tree

I love this button tree.  The buttons have meaning; some were my grandmother's and some my mother-in-law's. The rest were purchased, found or given to me.  The new mixed in with the old; the perfect mixed in with the broken.  Nothing valuable, but yet, invaluable.

A button is a fastener.  It fastens (connects) one part to another - literally and, for my tree, symbolically.  Wishing you lots of opportunities this holiday season to button.

Vintage Buttons

“Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart. 

To a customer, service. 

To all, charity. 

To every child, a good example. 

To yourself, respect.” - Quote by Oren Arnold

Le Bouton Jewelry

Le Bouton Jewelry is unique, whimsical and inspirational.  When I lived in Chicago, Illinois, I never missed one of their shows.  I received 4 of their brooches (which can also be worn as pendants) as payment for a sculpture repair I did.  I thought I would share these four pieces with you as they are so interesting.  Le Bouton creates one of a kind jewelry using antique buttons, buckles, gaming pieces, cufflinks, coins and watch parts.  The materials in Beverly Eisenstein and Sonni Helmer's creations date back as far as the 1700's and as modern as laser-cut Swarovski crystals.  Le Bouton creates all forms of jewelry including earrings (pierced, clip-on, hanging and post) brooches/pins, necklaces, bracelets, stick-pins, cufflinks and unisex tacks.  You can visit their website (click HERE) to see some of their one of a kind jewelry.

Smokin' Earrings!!

These earrings are from the 1980's (I think).  Too funny, right?  I wore them in the mid 90's and sure had fun with them.

Turtle Necklace

I made this necklace in 1998.  I drilled some holes in the little resin toy turtles and glued in some eye hooks.  Incorporating the turtles into a vintage necklace sure gave it a different look.  I wore the heck out of this necklace and it is finally beginning to show the wear.  It's been fun.