Earrings with Vintage Components

This is almost the last of these vintage brass twists.  At one time, they were part of an antique necklace that I purchased at one of those antique malls we so often visit on our trips Outside.

(for those of you that don't live in Alaska, the term Outside refers to the lower 48).  

I had lots of them, but sold all of the earrings I made with them.  This pair, and maybe one other, are all I have left.  They are incredibly interesting elements -- embossed, twisted and framed.

From the bottom, where there is a convenient loop, I added dangles of black vintage glass beads.  It just seemed right to use vintage beads with these vintage twists.  Click the photo to go directly to the listing.

A Simple Necklace

Several years ago, I found an amazing necklace at an antique store in Phoenix (I'll cover my addiction to vintage jewelry at another time). It was full of these faceted football shaped violet glass beads, with knots separating the beads. The condition of the necklace was poor, so I didn't feel bad about taking it apart to "rescue" the beads. The beads show some wear, with small chips here and there, but I love this aspect of vintage glass beads. It shows that they've actually been worn!

I've used the beads sparingly over the years. This simple necklace features one of these lovelies hanging all alone on an oxidized sterling silver rolo chain. I added a front toggle closure and that's it. This great necklace is for sale in my etsy shop.

Lampwork Earings

I started with lovely lampwork beads from Deronda Designs. They are of and indescribable golden hue, with touches of aqua and soft pink. Emerging from the bottom is a collection of glass beads in coordinating colors, including some tiny aqua colored vintage glass beads.

These earrings are 1 1/2" (3.6 cm) from the bottom of the sterling silver leverback earwires. They are available for sale in my
etsy shop.

Another Grand Entrance!

My first Grand Entrance necklace sold so soon after listing it on etsy that I decided to make another one. This one features the same escutcheon pendant and an antique key. I chose to use light blue and lavender beads for the color. The etched blue bead with the dots is from a vintage necklace that I deconstructed. There is also a glass leaf bead and a two-toned heart shaped bead.

A Day at athe Beach

EtsyBEAD, the street team I belong to has chosen a new theme for June 1-14. The theme is "A Day at the Beach". If you look in my etsy shop, I have created a section for the items I have put on sale as part of the theme. Here is my latest creation. It features a lampwork shell bead from StudioMarcy, a very talented glass artist.

Grand Entrance - The Necklace

This is one of the newest items I've posted to my Etsy shop. The assemblage of items includes a brass escutcheon, an antique skeleton key, an amber glass leaf, a small Swarovski flower bead and my favorite vintage glass bead -- it's the amber colored twist. The chain is brass and is finished with a simple hook clasp. Enjoy!

Blast From the Past Earrings!

These 2 pairs of earrings feature color combinations that remind me of my youth -- avocado green refrigerators and turquoise blue princess phones!

I forged the earwires myself using 20 gauge sterling silver wire. I heated one end until a ball was formed. When cool, I hammered the ball on my anvil to make it flat. Added a few artful curves and voila -- earwires!