Aluminum Words

 One of my Texas finds was a aluminum printing plate, it is thin and easy to cut and I knew it had endless possibilities. Last night I finished this bracelet. I think it offers a lot visually and is so super lightweight. 

I plan on making some earrings as well and thinking of making some rolled beads from the aluminum, I will let you know how that goes.

Hope everyone is well and stocked up on candy for all of the tricksters! 

Vintage Beads

I came across these beads today and could not resist purchasing them. However....I am not going to keep them, I am putting them in my Etsy shop. Ok, yes I did keep a few bags for myself but the rest are for whoever wants them. If you love working with antique and vintage and new beads just don't do the job for you well these beads are awesome. Some really cool shapes and nice smooth wear, the pictures do not do them justice. They need some cleaning as you can tell, but who does not like a little natural "patina".

 The greenish beads to the left are actually to halves of a whole almost like a bead cap and they are faceted too! Nice matte discs and check out the cool green shapes!

Yes, those are rose shaped glass, and the really neat rectangle shape is side drilled on the top.

 I am sure most of these are Czech and early 1900's, with some vintage mixed in.

Aren't they just beautiful....yes I am an easy girl to please!

Texas Toast

We have been in Round Top Texas for the last 4 days and it is just a tad toasty...it is sooooooooo HOT with temps over 100 each day!! I do not tolerate the heat so well, so to be out and about in this heat is just wearing me out! On the flip side of my whining I must say I have made some wonderful purchases! I am so pleased with the the show here in Round Top. It is more than just the show, its the Texas hospitality, all the cowboy "flavor" (yum) that I just love! Sheriffs on horseback, the western apparel and don't forget the long horns!

 My honey's name is Ed so this just caught my eye...how sweet is that! Unfortunately when I went back to buy the book is was sold.

Texas is in dire need of some rain, the pastures are all burnt up and the ponds are all dry and cracked. One rancher said today his yard had cracks so big his cats were falling in them! Yesterday we did get a few raindrops but it never really amounted to much in this area. Pray for Texas!

I have lots more pictures to share but Wifi is hard to find and very slow so uploading pictures takes forever. Hopefully tomorrow I can post them. I will leave you with these great pictures.

Pile of trinkets and a winner

I always like to save the best for last, so first let me share with you this little pile of trinkets I purchased at the antique shop. I am lucky to know a dealer that gets the best antique early jewelry odds and ends and calls me when she is coming up to the shop, (she's coming tomorrow, yay!)These little odds and ends are perfect for my jewelry designs. Some of you may look at this little pile and think what the heck is she going to do with those? That little pile is my piece of heaven!

 Here are a few of the pieces I created using some of the elements from the above pictures.

Vintage Eagle Medallion on Etsy

Victorian cuff link used as a connector (check out the tiny shamrocks on it)

Victorian Sway Assemblage Necklace

and now the best for last...

the winner of the $25 certificate for Vistaprint is..

Beadroe

My Two Favorite Things

I love working with vintage and antique elements almost as much as I love shopping for them. It is all about the hunt and the treasures you can find. I know y'all know what I am talking about..... that awesome feeling you get when you see a really cool piece and you are able to claim it as yours. My jewelry design allows me to enjoy my two most favorite things...hunt and create. I am extremely fortunate as lots of my findings come from the antique shop where I have a antique booth and where I work 3 days a month. There are several ladies who keep me in mind when they go to auctions and sales they always have great things for me to pick from. 

This antique button necklace has lots of old elements in it. Mother of pearl button from my stash, old watch fob chains and antique glass cube beads. Etsy is also another great source for vintage finds and I am addicted to searching for them. The vintage raw brass figaro chain comes from LuxeOrnaments and the rhinestone beads are from EightJewelry also on Etsy. This necklace is available at Bright's Antique World in booth #158.

Faith, Hope and Love

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love. ~

...and Teddy Roosevelt...because.

 You can find Faith, Hope and Love in my Etsy shop.

A glimpse at my Antique booth

The other day I spent about 6 hours at the antique shop working on my booth at Bright's Antique World. It really needed a good cleaning and re-arranging, this is something I always puts off but when it's done it is so worth it. I don't usually just move a few things around...I move everything around even the furniture.

I have a hopeless addiction to transferware dishes.

 ...and white ironstone.

I also have some of my jewelry designs for sale as well. 

Today I am spending time in my studio where I can relax. The last few days were busy with estate sales and cleaning and pricing new finds for my booth. I found an awesome set of  teal blue rosary beads yesterday so I will play with them today.I finally found via a friend something I have been wanting forEVER! I will share "her" with you tomorrow.  Hope everyone is having a great relaxing weekend. As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Light and Lovely

There are times especially in the hot months that I do not like to wear much jewelry (however, I never leave home without earrings). I tend to go for something lighter ...I mean it is bad enough to be choked by the terrible humidity here in Tennessee,I don't need my necklace doing it too! So, for me here is a pretty  alternative.

Elegant Romance on Etsy

A sweet little necklace that is light on the neck. I used one of the great findings I found in Connecticut (also available here) and added an antique Victorian button. I used a copper disc to finish the back off and give it a nice neat look. 

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Be sure to enter  my Bead Trends giveaway. Two prizes will be given away, the July issue of Bead Trends and a pair of earrings that are also shown in the July issue. Giveaway ends July 9th.

Found Objects

I hit the road today for a little treasure hunting...made a few stops at some antique shops that I have not visited in a long time. I have been working on lots of "found object" pieces lately and was on the hunt for some more treasures, you know you can NEVER have enough!  Here is the little pile of goodies I came home with today.

Steel chain, old watch housings, watch fob chain, #1 tag and a cool old key

I see something with resin for the watch housings and the rest who knows just yet...

While I was shopping at The Rare Bird  I met this really nice and helpful lady...she knew just what I was looking for, most of the things came from her showcase. Lisa had the nicest booth, our tastes were so similar. Well, it turned out she is also a blogger....how cool is that! Lisa's blog is called "Out Junking" be sure to check it out here.

Here are a few of my latest Found Object pieces.

Dainty Sue

Lost and Found

You can find these in my Etsy shop.

Thanks for stopping by!