New Vintage style jewelry on Etsy

New items will be added this week to my vintage style jewelry shop. Come and check it out!

Button Jewelry on Etsy

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

I'm back!!

After two-year long hiatus, Jantar Handcrafted Jewelry is resuming a show schedule with first appearance at Broadway Festival on September 4th 20011 in Manhattan. My booth will be located between 10th St. and 11th St.

It has been a long time. Hopefully, difficult times are behind me and I really look forward to what the future holds for me.

My newly acquired Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts sales tax licenses are "burning in my pocket", so I will be participating in street fairs and craft shows there also.

I'm looking forward to reconnecting with my old craft show friends, I miss you guys! I apologize for dropping of the face of the planet, but looking back, I know, it was necessary. As they say, what does not break you, makes you stronger...

Lots of great things happened in my studio over the last few years. New designs came to life and I had to pack up my studio and move it into a new space on a very short notice. My new studio has more natural light and there will be no more risking frost bite during winter time;0)

I will be sharing my new designs little by little, so keep checking my blog for new posts.

Salsa recipe

Several years ago, we where invited to a barbecue and that's when I first tried homemade salsa on top of my steak. Since then, there is no barbecue without this great side dish for my family and friends, and even our kids love the veggie boost ;O)

Salsa is great all year round on not only steak, but also chicken or even meatloaf.

Ingredients:

• half of white onion
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1-2 jalapeno peppers
• 1-2 lemons (depending on size and amount of juice)
• cilantro
• salt to taste

1. Chop all the veggies finely and place them in a mixing bowl.

Use 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers depending on how hot the peppers are, and on your personal preference. It's a good idea to use gloves while chopping the peppers; sometimes they are very hot, and the skin burn afterwards is not very pleasant.

2. Roll a lemon on a flat surface applying pressure to release the juice before cutting it in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl.

3. Add salt to taste. (I personally use quite a bit of salt.)

4. Mix the salsa and leave it for a bit to let the flavors mix.

If your salsa is too spicy for your taste, add finely chopped cucumbers, but allow the flavors to mix first as the salsa becomes milder after a while.

I also make a different version of this recipe without the tomatoes, which we use for steak tacos (great way to reuse leftover steak the next day after grilling). All you will need are some corn tortillas, which will be topped with reheated steak cut into pieces and salsa.

Enjoy!

Spring Crocuses

The weather, unfortunately is not very spring like... The rain, cold and winds are getting on my last nerves this year, at least we don't have to deal with leftover snow showers Northern states have seen this week;O)) While walking our dog, I was able to snap this photo of beautiful crocuses blooming in my neighbour's front yard. I hope to pull super secret mission this upcoming fall, and plant some crocus bulbs in our front lawn, which I was forbidden to do by my husband. Well, he will have to deal with it:O))

Jewels and moss treasury

I don't gamble, I don't bet on horses and I'm not into extreme sports, but landing an Etsy treasury list can be certainly filed in same adrenaline pumping category:O) There is something very nerve-wrecking and exciting in watching the number of treasury list go under that magic 333 number and number of visitors climb rapidly. Then your eyes are glued to the bottom of the screen waiting for the box to open and you are holding your breath afraid to even blink, because if you do...it might be gone. Your hand is squeezing the mouse ready to paste prepared earlier title of your treasury and click the finish button. Then you watch it load opening empty grid ready to be filled with beautiful, creative items. Believe me, beating hundreds of people to a treasury list feels great!

Here is the newest treasury I landed just yesterday. Its called ...jewels and moss... and features beautiful jewelry created by the {NewNew} members.