Button Post Earring Collection

The idea to transform little vintage buttons into earrings kept nagging me for quite some time, but taking a crack at it sure took even longer. The logistics of removing and sending down the shanks off of tiny buttons, which when held down between my fingers leave very little space to maneuver the Dremel sanding attachments, took a bit of brain burning. None of the sanding tools in home improvement stores or pliers seemed to be helpful, but I finally figured out the best way to prep the buttons.

To minimize the horrible glass dust cloud, which used to banish me to my back yard, I purchased a Plexiglass grind box. I wish it was a bit bigger since maneuvering the Dremel and the buttons needs some finessing, but I love the fact, that I was able to get rid of the dust mask and goggles. My fingers still get sanded, burned and poked with flying bits of glass, but the final effect is so worth it.

Some of the buttons I found are modern, made using the same old molds used even back in the 19th century. They are truly stunning, especially in the lovely shades of blue with golden yellow aurora borealis finish.

The vintage and antique buttons are my favorite, some near 100 years old. I get a bit nervous, when working with them, since not all of them survive the assault of modern day power tools...

This last pair of buttons is 80-90 years old. I love how the hand painted background makes the raised flower design pop.

To check out more of the button post earrings, visit my flickr page or my Bonanza shop

Spring in pink

I think, I'm starting to sound like a broken record...and I'm not the only one;O) Winter seems particularly long and stubborn this year and we keep getting this bothersome cold weather blasts.

As we all ache for spring, every piece created in my studio seems to be influenced by this wonderful time of year, which seems to be particularly inspiring when I'm cold and can't stand wearing my winter coat any longer.

The Leaf Bouquet necklace is one of my all time favourites. This pink creation is third in this series and is made of beautifully detailed brass leaf, Swarovski crystal beads, vintage West German lucite flowers and Czech glass beads. Very delicate and feminine.

This pair of earrings was a bit of an experiment, which I think turned out super cute. I can almost hear the honey bee buzzing while collecting pollen from this beautiful vintage lucite flowers topped with antique copper bead caps and Swarovski crystal beads.

The last pair of earrings is made of antique brass finish leaf detail bead caps topping wonderfully detailed vintage inspired beads.

They can all be found in my Etsy shop

Spring Azalea Earrings

I want spring!!!

We have been lucky with winter weather this season. While areas West and North of Long Island had plenty of "white stuff" covering the ground, warm currents helped in pushing the wintery weather away from the island. Well, at least till last Monday... We got more than 12inches of snow:O))

Well, I'm ignoring all the snow outside my studio's windows and thinking spring while working on lucite azalea earrings, and if I close my eyes, I can see them blooming in my back yard...soon, very soon...

Azalea bush blooming in our backyard in spring of 2008.

Sea Foam Azalea earrings and Tangerine Azalea earrings are already listed in my Etsy shop.

The Lemon Twist earrings as well as earrings in other beautiful spring colors will be coming soon:O)

Thing-a-day, project # 4, Vintage Filigree earrings

Staying away from online supply shops poses a real challenge…yes! I admit…I’m addicted! Last Sunday, friend of mine told me, that she was shocked by amount of supplies in my studio and she did not think I will ever use them all.I will try to use as much of what I already have and try to minimize new purchases. The filigree elements I used for this project, have been purchased probably more than two years ago from a vintage supply shop on the web. I reached for them several times, but did not come-up with anything I really loved to use them and they kept going back into the box. This time I’m happy with the design! The right Czech glass beads arrived just a week ago and with a tiny addition of Swarovski crystal sparkle, they came out perfect!Hmmm…what other goodies my boxes hide? Need to go on a hunt…;O))

Thing-a-day, project # 2

I'm already falling behind in posting, things are crazy as usually...I think, I need to place an order for additional 6 hours per day with Mr Time;O)

Yellow flower earrings are my second craft project. I planned to make them a while ago, and finally did it. They are made of scrapbooking paper flower embellishment. After removing adhesive dot, I sprayed them with several layers of acrylic finish. If I ever make them again, I will use clear furniture finish, it probably will not require as many applications and they will be more stiff. Epoxy might be better also.

I used hole puncher to make top holes and large, unusual earwires to hang the flowers from.

Enamel Flower earrings

I have been working on new jewelry for the Handmade Cavalcade and reached for the remaining vintage enamel flowers left in my stash. They are so cute, that I'm having a hard time letting them go... Here are the newest 3 pairs I made on Saturday.

Ruffle bag earrings

My earrings, which will be added to Holiday Handmade Cavalcade raffle bags are ready! They will be packaged tomorrow and accompanied by a discount coupon for my Etsy shop:O)

The Secret Garden

My newest addition to jewelry selection available on my Etsy page, remind me of the magical "Secret Garden", directed by Agnieszka Holland, with beautiful music composed by Zbigniew Preisner. O) The wonderfully detailed handmade lampwork rose beads are adorn by lovely selection of vintage and contemporary beadcaps and a touch of swarovski sparkle.

Handmade Cavalcade Newsletter

The Handmade Cavalcade is coming to town!

Saturday, September 13, 2008 1pm-8pm Corner of Main St. & North Cedar, Beacon, NY

Bust out your shopping carts because on September 13, The Handmade Cavalcade coming to town! The {NewNew}—a group of sellers from Etsy.com—is setting up shop in Beacon, New York for a one-day shopping event.
The craft fair will take place from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and will coincide with Beacon's Second Saturday Art Walk .The Handmade Cavalcade fair will be located at the corner of Main Street and North Cedar, right in the middle of it all!

Here's a sneak peek at some of the great items you'll find for sale:

Love Gun Necklace by pulpsushi: This necklaces features a thick lightweight metal knuckle duster pendant powder coated in hot pink. Measures approximately 2.5cm (1") in size. Length of necklace is 17 inches with a brass lobster claw clasp. Chain is gunmetal. ($16)

Wooden Scull Bookmark by Beacon Bookmarks: Handcrafted bookmark made from cherry wood with a clear water-based satin finish. Measures approximately 1 3/4 inches wide by 7 inches long and weighs less than 1 oz. ($6)

Hazelnut Earrings by Jantar Handcrafted Jewelry: Made of 15x20mm oval rosewood beads, beautiful large antique brass finish bead caps, vintage brass flower caps and 25mm oxidized brass earwires. They measure just over 1.75 inches (including earwires). ($17)

Foxy Cloth Napkins by Cakehouse: Made with repurposed fabrics and silkscreened with water-based inks. Machine washable. ($40 set of four)

For more information on this one day shopping event, please visit www.handmadecavalcade.com
The Handmade Cavalcade is presented by the {NewNew} http://www.thenewnew.blogspot.com/

Trumpet Flowers

Couple of weeks ago I came across beautiful carved flower beads online, and just could not resist the temptation to purchase them. They come in variety of colors and materials, and in two different sizes, perfect for necklaces and earrings. First couple of pair of earrings are all finished, photographed and looking fabulous complemented by antique finish brass elements and a touch of Swarovski sparkle:o) The first pair is made of beautiful green aventurine stone with filigree beads, leafy bead caps and tiny vintage bell caps. The second pair is in beautiful, deep shade of amethyst

and this time the beads are made of glass. The centers of the flowers are sparkling beautifully with genuine faceted Swarovski crystals.

There will be more of the trumpet flower earrings and necklaces coming soon:o)

June 25Th

The coral trumpet necklace is ready! The bead is larger than the earring beads, it measures around 30mm and it's made of man-made material. I also used antique finish brass filigree beads, antique brass finish alloy ring, beautifully detailed brass filigree bead cap, brass leaf element and little sponge coral bead. I looove the end result! The leaf and coral dangles were added later and they complete this piece very nicely.