Ring in the New

I've always loved rings and my newest fascination is steampunk rings.  I fell completely in love with Steampunk Jewelry the very first time I ran across it on the Internet and had begun to look for old watches, nuts, bolts, and broken clocks before the day was over.  Here I am less than two years later, still completely hooked.  

This is not my original design.  It is so simple it may have originated with several steampunk jewelers.  It's just a watch movement mounted on a ring base and accented with Swarovski Crystals.  So Simple, so Sweet, so Steampunk!

In the Lord I put My Trust

I'm usually a pretty laid-back, calm person, but I can get riled on occasion.  Afterwards I always look back and wonder why I got so bent out of shape.  I find more often than not, one of my close family members has stepped in my "only child territory".  This always gets my dander up.  Also I have an only child, so we clash occasionally over who's in charge.  We both want to be, because we are both pretty sure our way is best.  Then there is my hubby who has no sacred territory, but is a bit of a bulldozer; pushing things around to go his way, when I want the very opposite.  Goodness, but I want to push back.  We are great at compromising - the secret to a long happy marriage.


If I could just learn to live every day with this simple Psalm in mind, I know I would never worry again, when I don't get my way.

Three Beautiful Girls

Christmas was a wonderful time in 2011, with everyone healthy, happy, and blessed.  We spent Christmas Eve with our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters.  I just wanted to share this photo of my beautiful girls.

Early Work

This is another of the very first pieces I created.  I love it still and often look at it and wish I had kept it.  The front is a battered, metal, watch dial I purchased and the gear from an old wind-up clock I found.  The D-rings were purchased to tie ribbons together on greeting cards.  The reverse is an old cardboard milk bottle top, sent by a friend, also for use on a card.  But, this was one of my best pieces. It's amazing what one can do when the creative process is hot and the hands just have to make something, anything!   

Starting out the New Year Steampunk Style

I  had been a dedicated card maker for many years, but in March 2010 I stumbled on my first piece of chunky, industrial, found object, jewelry.  It was love at first sight.  I knew immediately that this was something I wanted to create.  After all I had boxes of broken watches, old jewelry, beads, charms, and gemstones, etc.  I soon made made my first piece out of an old earring, the chain from another necklace, a watch dial, a Tim Holtz game spinner, and a tiny silver charm. Since then I've made hundreds of pieces, but never lost interest in this great diversion.  

Also I've learned this genre of jewelry is called STEAMPUNK.  I love it not only because of the great, diverse elements that can be incorporated into each piece but because it's origins are in a "time that never was".  Out of the works of such great minds as Orson Welles, Jules Verne, and Phillip Pullman come fantastical    blimps, airships, weapons, and adornments.  Each inspired by a "time" when electricity was unknown and steam power ran the world; when adventure was there for the taking - to soar and glide far above the limits of mind and time.

World War II Vintage Medal with Steampunk Accent Necklace

This lovely old medal was so interesting I couldn't bear to cover up the front, so I placed my embellishments on the back.  This way both sides have something of interest.  It was a great design for me.  Because of it I've a new customer that has been keeping me busy for a while.  Thanks Jess.

I've Been Published - My Very First Time

 

 Sky Blue

My very favorite jewelry magazine is Stampington's Belle Armoire Jewelry.  I am amazed at the wonderful pieces I see there every quarter.  So, on a whim, I submitted four of my own creations, and was surprised when I received an email, about a week later, saying my work would be featured in an upcoming issue.  That was March.  The pieces came out in the Fall issue.  I could hardly wait to see the results.  Wonderful!  They took my simple little watch works and made them look really special.  What fun!

Caged Skull and Dove of Peace

Although I generally create jewelry for the mainstream, I do love to dabble in pieces a bit more macabre.  There is just something I like about the itty bitty skull beads.  When I found this cage, I knew what I wanted to put into it - a skull. 

This silly little creation has lovely colors, lots of texture, and a sense of balance. The skull in caged in a pewter colored box with a yellow brass ox hinged lid. The bottom has a vinyl insert to hold the skull in, but the four sides are open. Above the cage three stylized flowers in shades of purple, and blue/green hang from a link in the chain on the left and a dove of peace and a tiny brass heart hangs from the right. The gunmetal chain is almost 20 inches long, including the unique steel hand hammered clasp.
I leave it to your imagination to create the scenerio surrounding this little piece.  Let me if you come up with a great story.

Fleur de lis adorned World War II Medal

I love the old copper medals that were awarded in World War II to soldiers all over the world. This one is over 60 years old.  I've used the dial of a pocket watch, a brass ox filigree, and a tiny brass French Fleur de lis to accent the front.

Here is a little about the fleur de lis.  While  it has appeared on countless European coats of arms and flags over the centuries, it is particularly associated with the French monarchy in a historical context, and continues to appear in the arms of the King of Spain and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, members of the House of Bourbon. It remains an enduring symbol of France that appears on French postage stamps, although it has never been adopted officially by any of the French republics. According to French historian Georges Duby, the three leaves represent the medieval social classes: those who worked, those who fought and those who prayed. 

Wee Glastig from Ach-na-Creige Fairy Necklace

After I finished a series of books about Scotland, I wanted to create something Scottish, different, fantastical, and fun.  I found literature about this wonderful little creature and decided to go from there. 

This wee Glastig is seldom seen except at the bank of a stream, and is oft engaged in washing. She is a shape shifting creature also known as the green maiden. Usually this illusive creature is described as a beautiful woman with dusky or gray skin and long blonde hair. Her lower half is almost always covered by a long, flowing green robe.

I have restored this vintage key somewhat, leaving just enough rust to give it character. Over the base of the key I have wire wrapped a charming silver fairie crescent face with lovely leafy hair. To keep this little maiden feeling at home I have given her a greenish peacock freshwater pearl, a leaf of her favorite watercress and lovely green bubbles of glass. She is held in place by swirly silver wire. The 14 inch silk & cord necklace is complimentary. This little lady would also look lovely on a silver chain of your choosing.

For Sale on my Etsy site.