La Belle Epoch Paris

     I found some old postcards, with images of Paris and the Eiffel Tower, and I just had to use them to make reproduction travel souvenir vocals. The sepia tones, the old-fashioned writing - I just love the ideas they bring to mind. I put all three of these in the Etsy shop - even though I was sorely tempted to make up necklaces with them for myself!
     Today I'm headed back over to the studio to finish up some orders. I have some ideas buzzing in my head, to create with cut glass and soldered reliquaries, and I have finally assembled all the components I needed to get started - so if I have time after the orders are completed, I plan to play with those ideas, bringing them to life.
     I hope you have a lovely, quiet Sunday afternoon, with family, food and fun!

Paris Souvenir

      I found these french postcards, with their views of the Eiffel Tower, and came up with a new pewter bezel to put them into. I wanted it to have texture and simplicity, with an old-fashioned feeling. I got the bezel made, molded and test cast last Sunday.

     I'm always on the lookout for images of the Eiffel Tower. I especially love old french postcards, travel tags and letters. Do you see the legs of the Eiffel Tower in the background, behind the word "PARIS," on this oval.

     I'm itching to make something with these, but went ahead and listed them in the Etsy shop. I might keep my favorite one aside, just to make up into a necklace for myself. 
     I like these simple oval bezels - and I can turn them side-to-side or up-and-down as needed!

Four Square Language of Flowers

      I like to collect old books from the 1800's, with poetry and literature in them. I have an old book, published in Chicago in 1884, titled "Language of Flowers" by Mrs. C.M. Kirtland (illustrated). In those days, especially in England, courting couples communicated with floral bouquets, the flowers themselves having meanings. There was symbolism in the choices of flowers that went into the bouquet, secretly speaking to the giver and the receiver of the gift.

      In taking the antique images from the french design book and turning them into these dainty square pendants, I thought I'd add the meanings from "Language of Flowers" for each. In this pretty pink square with two white lilies, the White Lily stands for PURITY and SWEETNESS. 

      Sometimes I have to interpret what type of flower it is, so this one I saw as a dogwood, the white flower with the yellow in the center. In "Language of Flowers" the dogwood blossom stands for "DURABILITY."

      Ivy by itself stands for "FRIENDSHIP. FIDELITY. MARRIAGE." and an ivy sprig with tendrils, like these, stands for "ASSIDUOUS TO PLEASE" in "Language of Flowers."

         This last one seems regal to me, with its dainty pansy flowers in pink, yellow and blue. The pansy flower stands for "THOUGHT" in "Language of Flowers."
    Since Easter is coming, I thought it would be nice to have some spring flowers on pendants. After April 1, no fooling, I will do another GIVEAWAY with these four square pendants. 

FlowerRama

      I talked about the french book of designs that my friend sent me, these images for the resin came from those patterns. Since spring seems to be coming, I guess I was inspired to make some floral designs for cabochons in the resin.

      With Easter coming, I made a couple with a lily in it, and one that reminds me of forget-me-nots. They are so sweet and feminine, I like the way they contrast against the dark patina pewter in their oval bezel setting.

     There's one with an ivy design, and one that reminds me of summertime flowers, all red and blooming. That book of designs is a treasure trove of beautiful vintage flower patterns. I need to pull out my book of "The Language of Flowers" to find out what these stood for in Victorian bouquets.

Flute of the Spirit

     A dear friend of mine, someone I've known since high school - let's not discuss how many years ago that is! - sent me a lovely package last Christmas. Usually, Karen and I exchange Christmas cards, catching each other up on our family and recent events, and the occasional email at holidays. Last Christmas I was pleased and surprised to receive a brown package, a large envelope, with a hefty feel to it. When I opened it, it was an antique book of images from France! Karen explained that she knew I would "make use of the images" from the book. I'm keeping the original intact, it's lovely and I don't want to take it apart. But photocopies on photographic paper reproduce the images very well, and all of the pendants in the picture have images from the french ornament book.
They remind me of barkcloth, from the 1930's, you know the fabric that drapes and upholstery were made out of. The colors are luscious, the images very old-fashioned. 
There are many pages of other images that I haven't tried yet, but I love the idea of giving them a new life, to be made into some special jewelry and worn. I'm combining them with resin and my new bezels, to end up with a vintage-looking finished pendant drop.
The flute of the infinite is
played without ceasing
and its sound is love.
Kabir
     Friends far and near, I hope you both hear and play the flute of the spirit every day.

Longest Day

Today is June 21, the longest day of the year.

The days start early and the evenings stay light for a long time.

I spent part of the weekend cleaning up the studio. I don't know how it gets so messy so quickly.

I worked on this special little medallion. The original is enamel with bright red color, I may try to reproduce that look. I like playing with it, to make it wearable.

It's a nice time of year, a good time for homemade ice cream outdoors.

Home baked loaves of bread, made into toast with honey.

Watching fireflies in the twilight.

Listening to the night sounds.

Happy Happy Today

Today is my birthday! I had a nice breakfast, and I've spent the rest of the day in the studio, messing up my fingernails! They look like I've been working on heavy machinery.

But really I've been working on some different closures.

Like this medal with a large loop at the top, it says "VALEUR ET DISTINCTION" in french. It was cast from an original french antique.

I combined it with an old skeleton key, with the number "6" at the top, putting a loop on the back to make it into a toggle.

My hubby went to the bookstore and picked up a copy of the Summer 2010 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry. I'm excited to spend part of this evening reading through it.

The article on the Faux Amber turned out well, I think. And Deryn Mentock and Nancy Schindler have articles in there, too.

I'll spend some quiet indoor time this evening looking at the whole thing, can't wait.

We're having a Boef Bourguignon tonight, yum. That won't require any VALEUR but it will be a dinner with DISTINCTION, for sure.

With some fresh french bread and Missouri vineyard red wine.

Happy Birthday to Me! A nice day, enjoyable and memorable.

Round and Round

I snagged a few hours for creativity, and decided to create some more of these soldered glass connectors.

I like them, especially the ones with things about Paris and very vintage images in them. Snippets from love letters. Old writing.





They have two loops for using in a chain, or I guess as a focal with a dangle.

I could see a bracelet with them, maybe with buttons in between as connector links.

I need to make more of these, they're fun.

Focally Speaking

Last weekend I spent time just letting my fingers make whatever they wanted. Not especially planned, just spur of the moment.

Sometimes I have a specific idea in mind. And other times I just let things go, and wait to see with some surprise what comes. This focal bead, with its partial initial and wire work, reminds me of the kinds of advertising plaques you used to see in old general stores.

For some kind of liquor, or maybe patent medicine.

I'm not sure exactly what it is myself, I guess you can help me write its story.

This focal has an oriental feeling to me, with the round bezel and the peaceful moon face inside.

It's hand polished and buffed to a very worn and natural sheen.

And this one has a french feeling with the ornate decorative fleur de lys pattern on it, in a walnut brown warm tone, with fancy wire scrollwork.

Like something on a garden gate in the deep south, in Louisiana.

Seeing what comes out of working for a couple of days is just as surprising to me as anyone!
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Hey, I've been putting some special things on SALE in the Etsy shop - they're going kind of quickly so if you've had your eye on something pop over, it might be a great deal!

Starting Anew

I thought I'd post some photos of some work I did this weekend while cleaning up the studio. I decided to play with copper and pewter together.


I made this necklace, I really like it.


I used some copper and etched the words "PARIS 15 JUL" on it, then rounded it in the dapping block.


It looks very old and worn. Combined with a dark pewter Eiffel Tower, it starts to have a story of its own.


There were balloon races over the skyline of Paris in the old days, the clear faceted lucite bead reminds me of an airy balloon high in the sky, very light and fun.

The costume pearls were just dyed this weekend, they're a nice light gray color, they have a worn and vintage look to them that goes well with the aged feeling of this piece.


I'm pleased with the way it turned out, I think I need to test wear it though, just to be sure!

It's the least I can do...

An Old Girl Looking New, A New Girl Looking Old

It warmed up this weekend and I was able to pour some resin. It's been quite a while!

I made a few really special things, it was a very productive time in the studio. I love that these are translucent, if held up to a light or window they shine from inside like screen stars from the silent movie days.


I'm getting kind of an old-time feeling from these pieces.

I was looking at some catalogs of old Victorian memento mori jewelry, and I think it inspired some of these ideas.


Photographs of children made to be worn as a brooch or necklace, to keep the images near at hand.

On the other hand, with Mother's Day coming, maybe I'm thinking about relationships between mothers and children.

I hope the weather stays above freezing for a few more days - I have more ideas to explore!

Early, Early or Late, Late

Yes, it's tomorrow already. Very, very early tomorrow.

I got started on something and lost track of time.

I love the look of old tintypes. But I don't like to alter or cut them, it makes me wonder about who those folks were and why their photos aren't still with their family and friends. I guess I'm sentimental.

So I wanted to come up with something similar to a tin type photograh, but a replica.



In a way, I feel I'm inventing ancestors.

The backs, I can't really call them bezels because they're flat not concave, are cast pewter. I added the sepia photos, very similar to the way the original tin type antiques were made, and coated them with resin to protect them. They're shiny and lightweight, with a brushed metal finish on the backs.

They look a little rough and tumble, but I like that about them.


And I don't feel guilty for cutting and drilling anyone, even if they aren't my own ancestors.

These two are of tiny girls dressed in cute hats and dresses.

I want to make some more soon. I have a fun photo of some cowgirls in their hats, I think they should become instant ancestors, too.

And now, I'm headed to bed for a few hours sleep.

Locking the Writing

Remember a while back, I threw out some ideas about using the replica of the pen nib in various ways, and one was for a toggle?

Well, here's what happened today.


The very old-looking padlock got a toggle made from the pen nib.

I watched a movie about a Jane Austen novel the other day, I think it gave me the idea.

The words locked up inside, flowing out through the end of a pen dipped in an inkwell.

You just never know where things come from.

Well, I'm off to have some dinner. And then watch a movie I recorded. It's "Becoming Jane" about Jane Austen.

Who knows what will come out of that?

Times and Places, Two Kinds of Faces

Did you know that I create the round glass for enclosing the images for these glass soldered charms?

It's a messy deal, I take the thin glass and with a circle template I draw the circular shapes on it with a permanent marker, then coat it with a thin film of Vasoline.

That's to keep the permanent marker from washing off while I'm shaping the circle on the grinder. The grinder bit has to have a flow of water on it, so there's lot of splashing and glass particles flying around when I do it.

And inevitably I grind my forefinger nails - they're a mess.

I get completely covered with glass dust, so I make sure I'm wearing my leather apron, eye protection and a dust mask over my face.


These I made last night, but I didn't make a late night of it. I do feel better now that I'm on my prescriptions, but I didn't want to push it. That's the thing about walking pneumonia - you start to feel better so you get up and start running around and then you relapse. So I'm being more careful.

These are vintage french bistro clock faces. On the backs of some I put an image of fancy brocade cloth in a matching color, and on others I put a portrait, very old-fashioned looking. Clock faces, people faces.


I made some of them very simple, and some with a few little fancy flourishes.


One of the circle pendants is a portrait of two hugging children in a very old photograph. Very sweet.

If it warms up a bit today, which seems unlikely, I want to pour some resin. I haven't been able to do that for weeks.

I got the news yesterday by email that my resin article for Belle Armoire Jewelry will be in the Summer Issue instead of the next one, for Spring. That's okay, I'm happy to have confirmation that it's being published - I'll just have to wait a few months more, that's all.

Metal Collage

When I first started working with the pewter and didn't know a lot about it, I wanted to combine components together to create a sort of metal collage, similar to designs I had been making in polymer clay.

I found that it didn't work as well as I originally thought. The pieces were sort of heavy, and combining pieces wasn't so successful. It was hard to get the pieces thin enough after casting, and the combined units didn't work well together.

So I shelved that idea for the time, and kept doing R&D on how to use the pewter, the temperatures, finishing methods and all that, to get better with using the metal.

Last weekend I had a sort of brainstorm. It came because I have a beautiful french medal medallion that I wanted to reproduce. But there are many undercuts in the design - those are areas where the underneath is lower than the top and it would be difficult to mold and to cast - and so I couldn't do the casting in one piece.

I started playing with armatures, using wire and pieces of copper, to see what I could come up with. This is often how I make many messes and break many things. But I always learn something.

Finally, I decided to try creating two pieces separately, finishing and grinding both of them, then mounting one on the other instead of trying to cast all as one piece.


This is the prototype, the first one I tried as a test of the theory. I think it's very workable. It resembles a collage type design I tried to make a while back. It's lightweight and very detailed, both pieces. The key sits astride the shield medallion, but they're one unit.

Now I'll make a cast of the two parts of the french antique medal and try to reproduce the same setup. I'm a lot more confident about making that work this time.


Kind of fun. Always thinking about things, I have a little notebook I carry around, and I make shortcut notes to myself of things to try out. This came from one of those pages.

I never know if anyone else is interested in this trial-and-error process I go through, but I thought I'd share, just in case you have had a similar breakthrough sometime - Right?

Marie Would Like These

In keeping my feet up and trying to rest and feel better, I've been catching up on some shows on the History Channel. I like to watch shows about archeology and history, it's interesting and causes me to think about old designs.


These little baubles remind me of the court of French Royalty. The fancy dress balls, with masks and fans, the music and the candlelight.


I wanted to use one of my bezels with resin, to try out how I can use them together. So I created this faux pocketwatch with a dainty pansy flower in the center, a lilac color and the hands of the clock face forever at midnight. Romantic!


I'm feeling a little better today, thank you for all your good wishes, I was really hoping to get through the winter season without being sick ... but it happens, I guess.

And we got some snow last night - but not as much as many of you, I'm sure. Just a few inches here in Saint Louis.

All the same, I'll be staying indoors today and trying to finish getting better. Nice to watch out the window and not have to go into it, staying dry and warm.

Hope all of you are well, and safe and warm.

Pen Pals, From Far Away

Remember a while back when Esther in Provence, France sent me the package full of goodies? Inside along with some lovely medallions were a pair of antique calligraphy pen nibs.

I've got a collection of old antique pen nibs myself, so I was especially thrilled.

Since I only had two, I wondered how I could get more so I could use them for charms and a pair of earrings.

They were so dainty I wasn't sure I could cast them, but I tried just to see how they would look.


These are the results.

I'm tickled with them, I think they look grand.

Now I can use them without guilt or feeling that I'm drilling a hole in something antique and special - I made these with holes for jump rings.


You can still see the writing on the side of the pen.

Maybe as a charm on a bracelet as a symbol of writing a love letter - or the old saw about "the pen is mightier than the sword" for a dangle on a necklace - my mind started racing about how they could be used. If I drilled a center hole it could be a toggle for a clasp ... Do you have more ideas?

Thank you again, Esther. These are so fun, and it wouldn't have been possible without your generosity!