SALE 15% OFF ALL ITEMS

Just to let you know I am having a 15% off all items in both of my Etsy shops including findings.

 Judithbdesigns and Flapyourwings

Be sure to check it out!

Flea Market Treasures

 Trying to get back into my routine....it has been a very busy month for me. I had company, bronchitis and two awesome shows. Last weekend I had a two day show and sold 87 pieces of jewelry...crazy, crazy! I think it has taken me all week to re-coup after that show, plus I put in 2 days of work at the antique shop. So what do I do to relax?...what else but spend the day at the Flea Market.

My found treasures for the day...

round blister pearls, moonstone, copper clasps, old keys, Victorian locket and chain, brass rings, enamel watch face, clock key, enamel cuff links, old rosary beads and masonic medal,, Victorian buttons, vintage dog tags, old chains and  photo tin type.

I could not resist this 1930's G-Man toy badge...how cute is that?

I plan to spend the rest of the day in my studio and see what I can do with these treasures.

Congrats again to the Bead Trends Magazine winner QuiltingJewel39, please contact me with your mailing address.

Happy Sunday!

We Still Have Paris

...sigh....Paris is on my bucket list. One day I long to stand in front of the Eiffel Tower and gaze at its majestic beauty. The Eiffel tower is iconic these days and is featured in many accessory designs. I found this great antique Eiffel tower watch fob at an antique shop and included it in my "We still have Paris" typewriter key necklace.

 The nice folks at Bead Trends were kind enough to include my necklace in their November issue. You can find it on page 114, or you can see it here in their nice little video.

If you do not have the November issue of Bead Trends you have the chance to win it here. Just leave me a comment and tell me one thing that is on your bucket list and I will draw one lucky winner on Wednesday November 23rd.

Victorian cuff bracelets

 Here are two gorgeous Victorian brooches I picked up at the antique shop last week. I knew instantly they would make perfect bracelets. 

 I used an antique steel cut button as a connector and made  a hand forged brass clasp.

The ruffle on this brooch is just darling and I love the set in stone.

I added some antique connectors that I curved just slightly to form the wrist, vintage chain is used as a clasp along with an antique picture button. 

These  bracelets will be packed for the show this weekend. If interested just let me know.

Pickin Nashville

The past 5 days have been super busy, my best friend Donna from high school came to visit, and this being her first visit to Nashville there was lots to cram into 5 days. To top it off I have been sick for the past week and  lugged tissues everywhere and was honking the whole time...all in all it was such a great visit!

 We surprised Donna with a visit to  Antique Archaeology in Nashville. Donna is a big American Pickers fan. Mike Wolfe has recently made Nashville his part-time residence and has the coolest shop in the city. It was so cool to see all of the treasure hunting finds as they were all marked where they were picked and what episode they were on. It you are a fan of the show you would just love this place!

(I'm wearing my new Pickin Nashville shirt)

Last night we had a wonderful dinner at Maggiano's and our very handsome son Nick joined us...(just stating the obvious...) 

Now it's time to get back to work...very seriously too. I have a 2 day show this coming weekend and it will be a busy one. I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to checking out some blogs and catching up.

Keepsake

I have had an extremely busy week getting ready for a show I had on Saturday. The show was fantastic and it was so nice to see so many repeat customers that came by to visit and make some purchases. I love interacting with customers and to see their reactions to my jewelry, it makes what I do so worthwhile! Besides getting ready for the show I had a repeat  appointment with this FABULOUS shop in Leipers Fork, Tenn. called "Serenite Maison". I am so honored to be selling my jewelry here, and if you are ever in the area it is a must visit place.

Keepsake

Here is one of the pieces I finished yesterday. I had been coveting this vintage mother of pearl picture heart for sometime and it finally found its home in this necklace. What is even more special about this heart, is the reverse side also holds another picture.

...how precious is she? I think a piece like this can conjurer up all kinds of thoughts and emotions. The couple could easily remind many of us of our parents and the little girl could bring back memories of yourself or your sister or perhaps a lost loved one. Working with vintage and antique pieces evokes lots of feelings, it brings them to the surface, it makes the piece of jewelry a keepsake and a holder of emotions...something extra ordinary. 

vintage mother of pearl rosary beads and vintage steel chain 

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!

Pay the rent

Wow, where have the days gone? Last week I was getting ready for a show and this week I am doing the same. I had a great show this past Saturday, surprising me by doubling my sales from last year! Yeah, can you believe it, and I thought last years sales were good for a one day show...who knew! I know I have said it before and I shall say it again....Newsletter! I send out a newsletter via Mail Chimp and it sure works because my local customers know where they can find me. It is well worth the effort!

 Do you have an item that "pays the rent"? What I mean by that is a good inexpensive item that covers your booth fee. My "pay the rent" items are my typewriter key pendants on a stainless ball chain, these are reliable sellers and at a good price point of  $20 at shows.

I always tend to sell more necklaces than anything else, especially religious  How about  you? What are your strongest sellers?

One Design Four Ways

I loved making these yesterday...assemblage jewelry is probably my most favorite to make. Anything that involves found treasures just makes creating so much fun and challenging for me. 

The four pieces are all the same design but with different elements. The common factor is rosary beads, filigree settings, antique buttons, etched discs,and a religious focal.

 The unexpected touch is the etched disc behind the filigree flower. It adds a really cool element to the necklace without being too much.

 You can find all of these pieces in my Etsy shop.