Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Length Matters!



When I started making necklaces for myself from recycled vintage beads and chain, their  length was determined by their ability to be slipped  on and off easily during my teaching day. As a dance teacher, my students were not allowed to wear jewelry in the studio so neither did I. But during the rest of the school day, when I went to meetings or did administrative tasks, I wanted to look more professional. I came up with a design that worked for me. I assembled sections of  beads and chain that totaled 30-36" in length. I even made some longer necklaces that could be doubled around my neck. I made them to be light and comfortable and I made them without clasps so that they looked good no matter how they slipped around my neck, no matter which section "showed."



The materials for most of my necklaces come from recycled vintage pieces and I have learned a lot about vintage jewelry. Did you know that short vintage necklaces were "chokers?" Longer pearl necklaces were described as opera length. Necklaces were designed to be worn with certain necklines - like the sweetheart neckline or the scooped neckline. I don't think that women in the 1940's and 50's  expected their necklaces to be any more comfortable than their underwear (think girdles and bullet bras). In the 60's, love beads appeared. They were longer, colorful and worn in bunches. In the 70's and 80's big, bold necklaces made "statements" about the women that wore them.

I still like comfortable. And comfortable comes in all different lengths!




Monday, July 28, 2014

The Revision Process Follow-Up

The necklace is now for sale in my etsy shop - called Synchronicity (although Annette Tait's suggestion (see comments on previous post) was very appealing and will be saved and used in the future :)

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

The Revision Process

Periodically, I go through the collection of necklaces I have made and find one that doesn't feel "quite right." Sometimes I take it apart and start from scratch like an artist who paints over old canvasses. Sometimes, I hold on to the basic idea and change one part, like the chain used or one section of beads. Sometimes I take out some beads or shorten the chain sections and sometimes, I add something.

These lovely plastic beads drilled on the diagonal were popular in the 60s. Because they were strung together without eye pins or jump rings, the overall effect in the original necklaces was created by them overlapping each other. When I found a broken vintage necklace with several of these beads still in good shape I knew I wanted to use them in one of my designs. The first version included simply the beads separated by jump rings hung on a dark brass industrial type chain.
Recently, when I "found" it again, it seemed that part of the beauty of the beads was "lost" because they were still too close together. So I found some small round glass beads to insert in between each of the square beads to contrast their size and shape.
I haven't listed the necklace in my etsy shop or named it yet (any suggestions?). But I am definitely happier with it now. The process is as important (and interesting) as the product.



Friday, May 16, 2014

What Goes Around, Comes Around

'Turquoise Dreams with the EVT Team' by SwedishGalsAttic

This is an introduction to some very interesting shops. Please stop in and see what is offered. Everything Vintage to please those who love the best of that era.


Cast Iron Statue, Woman, Sha...
$44

1940s vintage hat/ aqua velv...
$45

Geometric Turquoise Tea Cup ...
$16

Lightness of Being Silk Ribb...
$24

1950's Peacock Serving T...
$30

Mid Century Blue Green Vase ...
$28

Vintage Coro Pin / Shield Re...
$28

Vintage Turquoise Fluted Cer...
$25

Mid Century Metal Tool Box i...
$100

Wheaton Blue Carnival Glass ...
$11

Navajo Huge Turquoise Bracel...
$386

Soholm Denmark Vase - Einar ...
$325

Vintage original 1970s boho ...
$32

Vintage Globe Mid Century Ra...
$45

1970s Cape and Pants Pattern...
$6

Vintage Hand Painted Decorat...
$19.95

When my mother used the expression, "What goes around, comes around," it usually meant something negative….as when people were inconsiderate or selfish it would come back to "bite them in the end"- like bad karma. But this treasury is an example of the positive effects (what comes around) of thoughtful behavior  (what goes around) - more like "paying it forward." I included an item from the shop of fellow Etsy Vintage Team member Swedish Gals Attic in an etsy treasury I created and she reciprocated by including one of my sari silk necklaces in this lovely treasury she put together.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Great Upcycled Vintage Stuff!