Monday, October 29, 2012

Vintage meets Steampunk

This pendant is another example of recycling broken jewelry and trinkets. After making a shell of sorts from copper sheet, I filled it with old and new treasures. There are old rhinestone buttons, a chess clock gear, a segment from a vintage choker and a crystal from a chandelier. I made a weaved bail and a couple of twisted copper beads to add to the black leather. All the findings are hand made from copper wire and then antiqued with a rich patina.  There is no solder or glue. It is a cold connection piece. It measures approximately 18 inches in length.




Saturday, October 20, 2012

Charletta

 I am very fond of this piece. I began with a organic shape and added netting so that it looks like a web. It is coiled, and wire wrapped with copper wire. A friend gave me the wonderful blue angelite and green stone briolletes. I also added a moonstone brio, as well.  I designed a flower and attached it to my webbed frame. It is a bold, weighty pendant so I used black leather to hang it from. Despite it's weight, it is very comfortable to wear. Finally, it was given a warm patina finish. It measures approximately 17 inches.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Mechanical Heart

This necklace has a lot of texture and depth. I used a variety of techniques to give the viewer lots to look at. What started out as a filigree heart made from mixed metals turned out to be a glamorous collar neck piece that takes you back in time. The heart center piece is wire wrapped with copper and oxidized stainless steel wire.  Swirls, spirals, coils and shapes were combined to give the heart a life of it's own. Shaped and hammered segments were wrapped and laced with copper wire and tiny seed beads. The dangle is made from dyed coral beads and moonstone briolettes. Red coral beads wrap it around your neck. It is very comfortable to wear. It falls deep on the chest and measures approximately 18-20 inches in length.

























































Wednesday, October 10, 2012

"Cliodna"

(Irish, Scottish) [KLEE-nah] Goddess of beauty and the otherworld. A Tuatha sea and Otherworld Goddess who often took the form of a sea bird and, as such, symbolized the Celtic afterlife. As the ruler of the waves, she was believed to be embodied in every ninth one which broke on shore. This wave was believed to break higher and stronger than the others.

The beads in this watery deep necklace are Mother of pearl beads resembling the colors of the ocean. I shaped segments in copper and used coiling, netting and wrapping techniques. It measures approximately 18-20 inches in length.
Before patina















After patina


Butterfly wing earrings

These earrings are simple but enchanting. I made them with copper wire and crystals. A few more touches and they are done.