Preparing for Trunk Show

I'm preparing my display for the Swope Art Museum (Terre Haute, IN) trunk show this weekend. Choosing the jewelry to take, adding price tags, and designing the display table. I was part of the first trunk show last year and enjoyed it very much. Below is from the Terre Haute newspaper:

The Swope Art Museum is open late on the First Friday of the month, when guests can enjoy a cash bard, complimentary treats and their choice ofprograms. The December event, presented in conjunction with Downtown Terre Haute's 'Miracle on 7th Street,' presents an opportunity to attend the museum's second-annual trunk show."

There will be seven other Indiana artists participating in the trunk show. The handmade items available will include jewelry, scarves, pillows and purses.

This Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, is the Holiday Open House at Shady Lane Antique Mall in Terre Haute Indiana. Many dealers will have sales, including my showcase of jewelry and decorated purses.

Busily making holiday and winter jewelry. Along with the traditional red and green, I'm making winter-themed jewelry - think ice and snow!

Stuggling with photography of the winter shades jewelry. Working with colors is much easier than trying to capture sparkle and glow.

I'm just listing this beautiful necklace and earring set of Hillcraft jewelry, from their Frost line. These iridescent glass cabochons were hand set with Swarovski crystals by a family in Czechoslovakia.

Many of the cabs Hillcraft used were made by a company that also made buttons. The cabochons were made for Hillcraft without the button shank.

Hillcraft was an Indiana company that operated from the late 1940s to the mid 1980s. Their jewelry is unique in its settings which are hand wired, and its earring backs, which often slide on the ear. Much of their jewelry was made by patients of the Indiana State TB sanitarium.

I purchased vintage new old stock beads and cabochons from the last owner of Hillcraft, and have been making them into new jewelry. The blue bracelet is an example.

This set was missing one side of the clasp, so I replaced it with a new spring clasp. I also replaced the earring backs and polished the gold wire. Now it's pretty enough for a bride.

I found a great site with the history of Hillcraft here:

http://www.hoppersbazaar.com/JJ/jj.html

My Quickest Sale

Finally finished the vintage pearl collar with champaign AB brooch for a focal, and matching earrings. Posted it on Etsy September 19 and it sold on September 21 -- my fastest Etsy sale!

Thanks to fellow Etsier cafelinda for choosing this set.

Late last year I did an Etsy Alchemy custom jewelry set for a cosplay convention in California. The character was an Elizabethan woman, maybe a queen. The set included a 5 strand pearl choker, ring, headpiece and cross on a long chain. It was challenging working long distance, but we got it done. Wish she had sent me a photo of the jewelry with the costume.

The ring and headpiece focal were a pair of vintage clip earrings. The choker was repurposed or modified with the addition of a crystal brooch and pearl drop. I also customized the length. The ring has a stretch band. The beautiful cross was purchased from a fellow Etsy artisan.

Mommy Necklaces

Just listed today on Etsy and Artfire, two mommy necklaces.

Great for new mothers, the bright colors grab and hold attention. Made with a mix of new and vintage beads in a variety of shapes and colors. Fun shapes include dogs, fairies, chicks, baby bottles, teddy bears, cupcakes and cookies.

Pins and Earrings Bracelets

Earlier this year I got a large lot of mostly vintage jewelry at auction. I was able to make several bracelets using earrings and mini pins. Many are gone now, I've kept one in my fav color (teal/turquoise) which isn't pictured and one of the pink and blue bracelets.

Below is page 1 of instructions I developed for modifying vintage clip back earrings into post earrings.

Making jewelry is my passion. I make several types of jewelry using a variety of materials including gemstones and pearls, and both vintage and modern beads and crystals. The techniques I use include soldering, wiring, and repurposing vintage jewelry.

I have purchased stock from the former owner of a handcrafted jewelry company that was in business from the late 1940s to the mid 1980s. Items using these vintage materials are in my Retro ReDeux section.

I also take vintage costume jewelry and upcycle it to today’s styles and preferences. For instance, clip earrings may be made into post or wire earrings, bracelets, or hair jewelry. Beautiful rhinestone brooches may be made into tiaras, bracelets or pendants. These items are also in my Retro ReDeux section.

When I'm not making jewelry, I also enjoy crafting, decorating, reading, playing euchre, and hanging with my daughter and granddaughter.