...And So It Begins!

I purchased this amazing silver back plate for what would normally be used as a "flourish" for a kitchen cabinet door!  It is just too beautiful to be in a kitchen.

I recently stumbled onto a fellow Etsy artisan who does amazing things in the world of recycling and upcycling.  The Wooden Bee is a husband and wife team from Florida that use wood and other household construction items to make cool stuff rather than letting it go into the landfill.  They have come up with some really neat design ideas and sell other materials used in the building industry as "art supplies".  You really need to check the store out on Etsy.com, but they also have a website and blog where they regularly post on great upcycled projects!  Love it!

While I was perusing their Etsy store, I ran across this cabinet "pretty", as I like to call it, and just had to have it.  I have been staring at it and flipping it around in my hands trying to determine what jewelry design this will take on!  I started with this button that just happens to fit into the center hole where the knob would typically go...but not in my world.

Computer Issues

My computer has failed me.  It seems as though it has a tough virus surging through it's network veins.  Although, my jewelry doesn't necessarily suffer when I cannot use my computer, my psyche and creative energy does. 

Every time I start to come up with a design idea, I stop short.  I remember that I cannot readily access Etsy.com, my blog or Twitter.  It's like I am on an island so far away from the marketing world.  Either way, I will continue to create, but it will be a few days before I am back "in full effect" on the web again.

New Twist on a Bargain

I was recently given a handful of "re-dos" by an acquaintance friend.  She picked up a boat load of great deals on slightly broken and/or mismatched costume jewelry at a local department store.  The deals were phenomenal and she and I pondered over how to fix and recreate these finds into something she would wear with pleasure!  The first in a string of recreations was a badly strung set of brightly colored beads!  It needed help.  I found an example of a simple lariat that used bold accent colors to make it a real stunning piece.  Here she is...the first in this series of upcycled jewelry for Miss Nanci!

Focal Point

Well, I have spent the past hour putting the last pieces of the puzzle together.  It seems that I can begin with the rest of the bracelet now.  I feel that since the focal point is so complex and sparkly that I should not make the chain/band to large.  I will update with further progress.

Bracelet Beginnings

I found these amazing, giant filigree oblong earrings at a local "Tween Scene" store and just knew that they had potential above and beyond their current earring status.  So, I have begun the process of seeing what works as the embellishment to end all embellishments and come up with a stunning bracelet!  It is not complete, but I have used broken rhinestone necklaces, bracelets and earrings to the top.  You can still see the open filigree work on the half that is not finished.
This one, is open for suggestion and of course purchase!!!

What is the Best Name to Choose for your Etsy Shop?

Recently, one of my sweet sweet cousins contacted me to discuss Etsy shop names for her up and coming jewelry establishment.  She is a talented actress in her local school and community theatre and has a nack for creating woven bracelets and colorful earrings!  She and I have been emailing back and forth, bouncing different combinations of words and names off each other.  So much fun!  I told her that it took me a long time to come up with my shop name "ReMarydOriginals".  But, I wanted something that really resounded and made sense in reflecting what it was that I wanted to make and the statement that I wanted to make in the crafting world.  However, I didn't want to have a name that would "cage me in".   After a few days of our emailing and discussions, I think we are getting closer...but she hasn't made a solid decision on what she is going to use yet. 

I refered her to an article that was on Etsy's forums about coming up with a name that is understandable, easy to spell, and easy to remember for possible returning customers.  I thought it was wonderfully stated and easy to understand.  I wish her all the luck in the world and hope that our brainstorming will help!

Nancy Necklace Redux

It happens occasionally that you may find a peice of jewelry in your average department store that has several elements that you really like, but it just isn't a "stunner".  Here is an example of such a story.  Nancy went to one of her favorite department store and found a great deal on a necklace and bracelet combination.  She loved the color, the shape and the texture of the beads, but just didn't LOVE the way that they were strung. 

These are the two necklaces and two sets of earrings that I made from the necklace that Nancy bought.  I did, however, add a significant piece to the double strand necklace that I happened to stumble upon.  The earrings on the left, I had to make from other beads that we, re not part of the original necklace, but they just had to BE.

Finished product...loads and loads of fun!!!

Hmm...What to do with neglected clip earrings?

Once I discovered that these ornate earrings would work as an amazing add on to both bracelets and necklaces, I couldn't wait to keep creating.  My first endeavor with the clip earrings was the necklace that I created for the KIA fashion show.  Purples, whites, silvers, golds and champagne colored pearls and crystals top each earring.  Once disassembled, they attach nicely to blanks that can then be hooked together in varying designs.
Then came Stephany's necklace.  Stephany was the provider of this collection of clip earrings!

But, for the icing on the cake.  I made Nancy a bracelet for her birthday!  So many options....

Long Time, No Post

I have wanted to post, to share, to let the world know that I had not disappeared, but life sometimes get in the way.  I made an amazing Gigantic Bling ring for a friend and it has turned into an obsession.  This is the ultimate in taking the old and making it new!!!

From a large 1-1/4 inch diameter domed clip earring, I first removed the clip from the flat back and began to glue the broken rhinestone earrings and necklace pieces to the front.  And behold...the birth of the Gigantic Bling ring!