More Show and Tell

Here are a couple of necklaces I have been working on for an upcoming show.

The pendant is a former drawer pull and has a great vintage patina.  I paired it with gray glass pearls, black Czech beads, rhinestone roundels and silver links from a vintage watch fob.

The second features a vintage brass shoe nails tin...

and I made the chain using wire wrapped emerald green Czech beads, champagne fresh water 

pearls and forged and soldered links. 

Meet "Jewelia"

I searched for a dress form for a long time in hopes of finding a vintage one but in my area they are few and far between.  I finally found a new one at Pier One last fall.  I thought she would get a lot of attention and be a good display for an art show.  

Oh, I forgot to introduce her-this is "Jewelia"-so named because she does love her Bling!

So far she hasn't been to a show because she needed  a dress and I just haven't been inspired.

A few nights ago, a light bulb went off and I knew just the dress she needed.  I collect old crocheted doilies and dresser scarves and had a big hat box full in the attic.  I pulled them out and started pining them to the form.  I knew I must be on to something when my husband came upstairs to see what I was doing and commented about how good he thought the dress looked.  WOW!

Before long she had a new "old" dress...

  

 What do you think?  

What is your dress form wearing?

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

Have you heard?  Lori Anderson is having a Bead Hoarders Blog Hop challenge.
This is what Lori wrote about the Blog Hop...

"So what's this blog hop design challenge about?  Well, I've noticed that I'm really, really good at collecting beads, but not so good at parting with them!  I've amassed a scary number of beads that need to see the light of day.  I have excuses -- lots of excuses.  This one is too special, this set cost a lot more than I usually spend, this set needs just the right accent beads." 

If you would like to join you must comment on her post with your name, email and blog address and then post the badge on your blog.  Sign up deadline is June 28th and the date to post your creation is July 20th.

You might want to check it out!

Re-purposed Treasure

A while back I found an old silver plate serving spoon and added it to my collection of
 "I'm going to do something with this one day" pile.

The slotted spoon is the one I'm talking about.  All the others are destined for silverware necklace pendants.
I have looked at it and looked at it trying to decide what this should become, today is the day I'm doing show and tell.

Finally, inspiration!  I had my husband cut the handle off and then annealed the the spoon bowl and hammered the heck out of it to flatten it.  I was a little disappointed with the way it turned out. After the heat and hammering it was very dull and the areas where the silver plate was worn seemed to stand out more, so back into the drawer it went!

After a few months, back out it came-I tried tumbling it, which only helped minimally.  Then I used a Pro polish pad on it (are these suppose to be moist? I just bought these and they are dry) and like a miracle-the shine was back.  I drilled a hole in the middle and riveted a piece of brass filigree and smashed metal button to the center. Since it is kind of flashy, I thought a simple chain would be best. So I made a chain from 18 gauge bronze wire.

Now for the reveal....

I like the way it turned out-I don't know about you but sometimes I just have to ponder for a while...

Oh, Suzanna!

Exploring Raleigh-

Sunday my sister and I were in Raleigh for my grandchildren's Monday graduation.  With a little time on our hands we checked out a few of Raleigh's hidden gems-my favorite bead shop, Ornamentea-who doesn't need a few more treasures.

Then because I needed some chalk paint, we were on our way to "Two Old Birds"-had never been there before and didn't know that we were in for a delightful surprise!  This store is part of "Vintage Village" and this is what we saw as we drove up....

Now my son's family has been in Raleigh for 13 years-how on earth could I have missed this? The village is at 9300 Durant Road-you might want to check it out if you are in Raleigh!

Two Old Birds had just the Annie Sloan chalk paint I needed ....

And Suzanna's Antiques has so much eye candy it was hard to see it all...

There is even a pair on sidewalk skates like the ones I used to have-telling my age!

The Village is made up of tiny old building-packed to the brim!

I can already see a trip in the fall when it is a little cooler-SO WE CAN STAY LONGER!!

Graduations a Plenty!

Growth and Change...

We have five grandsons ranging in age from 18 to 5 years old.  Three of them had graduations  and two of the three are moving to Nashville, Tennessee.

Last week was Eli's Preschool graduation-they learned a lot this past year and couldn't wait to show off all their skills-"counting", "vowels", Bible verses, and of course singing.

Next off to Raleigh to see Nathan and Noah graduate.

Noah graduated from 5th grade and received an award for writing-so much change since he entered kindergarten-

Nathan graduated from middle school into high school-there was no ceremony-but on awards day he received  "Band student of the year".  Nathan plays trumpet and African drums.

After graduation, Nathan and Noah along with their parents left Raleigh for a move to Tennessee.  We'll miss having them only 3 hours away and have already started planning a trip to Nashville!

Smashed Buttons

A while back I came across a blog by Christine Marie Davis where she wrote about taking her frustrations out on some old metal buttons by smashing them with a hammer. She talked about how satisfying it was to smash them and how much she liked the way they turned out.

I tried it and she's right it does feel good to smash something!  A little loud-but fun!

This is the necklace I made using her button smashing technique...

I found the keyhole at the Raleigh Fairgrounds and used it as the base for my necklace.  Two smashed buttons were cold connected and attached to the keyhole as a dangle.  I love the blue ice beads and after wire wrapping them, I attached them to forged and soldered circle links. I think this makes a very feminine and pretty necklace.

Smashed any buttons lately?

A Little Late Blooming-

But better late than never ...

I was very surprised to find my Easter Lily in bloom yesterday-I had just about given up on it

 Although I never quite figured out how the flower is suppose 

to know when Easter  is.

Also in bloom ...

Gerber Daisy's

Day Lilies

Purple Heart

Lantana does so good in my yard and blooms all summer

Don't you just love the smell of Gardenias?

I told you I'm not much for digging in the dirt-

but I love a pretty flower!

I forgot to show you...

Do you sometimes forget to post pictures of what you have been up to?  I do!  I get so involved in making pieces that I don't want to stop and take the time to take pictures and write a post.

So here is a little of what I didn't post...

The focal for this necklace started with a vintage button and the back of an old watch.  I made a copy of a lovely old cabinet card and used it in the watch bezel and covered it with ice resin then cold connected it to the button.  To add to the vintage feel, I added a tiny locket with baby pictures, MOP buttons, vintage chain links and sari silk.

Soldering glass slides is what got me started making jewelry.  I saw a charm bracelet with soldered charms and knew I wanted to learn how to do it. So now many charms later, I'm still liking the look and discovering all the things you can place between two glass slides.  This one has  a vintage piece of pulled or drawn thread lace preserved between the pieces of glass.

 More soldering-doesn't she look mysterious?  A glass bulb from a Christmas tree light was added to a 22 caliber shell casing to form the dangle.

What have you been up to lately?

Trip of a Lifetime!

As I was watching the PBS Memorial Day Concert this past week end and the scenes of Washington DC military monuments,  I was reminded of the Honor Flights that transport World War II veterans to see their monument.

The WW II monument was completed in 2004 at time that most veterans of the War were in their late 80's making it difficult for many of them to see the memorial.   Honor Flight began in 2005 and by the end of 2012 has transported more than 98,500 veterans to the memorial at no cost to them.
Time is running out to make this trip possible for remaining WW II veterans as most are in their 90s and more than 800 are dying every day.

My father served in the Navy during WW II and was so proud of all the military service of  all our soldiers for our country.  He died the year the memorial was completed.  To honor him, I felt compelled to help make it possible for other veterans to make the trip. So I volunteered to be a guardian on one of the flights.I was assigned to 3 special veterans, who enriched my life by sharing this trip with them.

On May 4, 2011 Honor Flight out of New Bern, NC left very early in the morning carrying 108 veterans, 36 guardians, a medical team and 3 team leaders on a trip of a lifetime.    A very emotional and reflective day. 

I am in awe of the courage and strength of our veterans, our Heroes. 

 Everywhere along the way these veterans were given the respect they deserve-lots of  hand shaking and "thank you's" by strangers.  When we arrived at the WW II memorial, there was a greeting and welcome by our NC congressman, Walter Jones and an escort by a bagpipe team.

There was much emotion during the day as being with other veterans who understood what was sacrificed and what was won brought back the horrors of the War and thoughts long repressed.

 While at the memorial, it was wonderful see Honor Flights from other states arrive.

Many veterans were in wheel chairs but thanks to
their guardian, they were able to  make the trip.

One of the three veterans I assisted

The other two veterans who made the day special

 After the WW II memorial, we traveled by bus on a quick tour of Washington, then on to the Korean War memorial, Vietnam memorial, Iwo Jima memorial, and the Air Force memorial.  Although this was a very long and exhausting day everyone was so happy to have made the trip and finally receive recognition for what they each had given.

The return home.

 Mail call was a very important during the time away from home. Remember there was no instant communication with love ones as in today with computers and cell phones.  Letters were very important.  Before the trip, each guardian contacted significant others to request letters and cards for their veteran.
This was a secret unknown to the veterans until they were surprised with "'Mail Call" on the trip home.
It was a true surprise and brought both happy smiles and tears as they enjoyed the supportive mail.

Mail Call

 As the trip came to an end and veterans left the plane they were greeted to a welcome of
over 250 people complete with bands, cheers and Thank you's for their service!

This banner was signed by all the veterans making the trip 

 Consider becoming a guardian for a flight-it will be a day you will never forget!

Have you experienced an Honor Flight?

I would love to hear about it...