Christmas Tree Jewelry

I'm reinspired this year by combining jewelry with holiday decorations. Christmas tree jewelry -- ornaments -- are a great place for beading, wire wrapping, and glitter. I found many ideas on Etsy and Artfire.

I've been busily preparing ornaments and ornament enhancers for the Swope Trunk Show (December 3). Then they'll go back online. Here are some samples of this addition to my line.

Modifying Vintage Clip Earrings

Vintage clip back earrings can be made into post earrings. Here are instructions for how I made a pair of gray pearl cluster earrings from circa 1950 into post earrings.

I removed the clip mechanism on the back with needle nose pliers. Pull off if you can do it without damaging the earrings. You can also bend the mechanism back and forth until it breaks off, then file the edges.


Rough up an area on the back and clean it for gluing the new earring post. Using E6000 (or a similar glue for jewelry or metal) apply to earring post pad and place on back of earring. Do not place the pad on the out edge of earrings this size as they may droop off the ear instead of laying flat against the ear lobe. Glue the post pad to a flat surfact near the center. Let the glue dry at least 24 hours.

(Grand) Baby Shower

My daughter Deni's sister-in-law held a family baby shower for her at my house on October 3. They chose my house because it is centrally located for the family members. I wanted to give everyone a small gift to thank them for coming so of course I thought of jewelry!

I made necklaces of a 3D pink iridescent heart on a thin gold chain. I found a nice poem and a cute container for it all. Overall a fun project!

I also had fun making several gifts for my Deni or my granddaughter Mia -- but more on those later.

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