Heirloom Treasures and Vintage Textiles

My most recent project, is this old piece of a beautiful doily, that I encased in 3x2 inch glass, soldered with lead-free solder, added a vintage heart charm, and sweet chain for hanging from a peg, knob, armoire, and more.  A great way to use your most treasured old tattered pieces from your Grandmother, Mother, or your own private vintage collection.  The overall length including chain, and heart charm is 7.5 inches long.  Why give a card this Valentine's Day, when you can give an heirloom.   I have listed this piece in my Etsy Store http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/.

Vintage Feedsacks & Soldered Jewelry

Good Morning!  It is Tuesday, and I managed to work on a project that I've been thinking about for awhile.  I love vintage feedsacks, and my stash now consists of about 100 different old sacks, from 1930 to 1950, and each design is so unique.  I do sell them occasionally, especially the novelty ones that are more rare to find, as they bring a higher price.  I actually have one listed right now in my Ebay Store, pumpkinmoonstudio.  It is a wonderful old cowboy rodeo print.  Quite unusual, so decided to part with it, to help fund my other art and jewelry ideas like this one. 

I have taken vintage feedsack reproduction fabric for this particular bracelet.  Yes, reproduction for this, and my favorite fabric line for this is the Aunt Grace quilting fabrics.  Each charm link in this bracelet has a different piece of fabric.  The front and back of each soldered charm link is the same.  I cut two pieces of fabric and managed to line them up so that each side is the same in color, fabric, and design.  This project is just in the beginning stages.  I have cut the fabrics, sandwiched in the glass, and secured the copper tape.  The charm sizes are 3/4" square, and 1 x 3/4" as you can see.  I have soldered 1 charm and added my jump rings so as to give you an idea of how these will look.  You can click on the photograph above, and it will give you a close up look at the bracelet charms.

As the project progresses, I'll add sterling silver beads in between the charm links and finishing off with a beautiful silver clasp.  The Spring colors will be enough of a show, that I don't think that I will add beads that are colored.  If adding any beads, probably clear swarovski crystals to accent the sterling beads.  I'll have to play with it for awhile until I achieve the look I'm trying to go for.  I will post the end result later this week.  Right now, it is back to the real world and work!

Vintage Valentine Postcards & Altered Art Projects for 2010

Good Morning!  It is January 3, 2010 already!  I'm  working on some Valentine's Day altered art projects.  I love vintage postcards and glitter!  Yes, lots of GLITTER!  I remember an animated movie, where a strange little crow just loved his "sparklies".  Well, I guess I'm like that .  I love glass beads, suncatchers, and I love glitter.  If it catches the light, I like it.


For this particular project,  I took a vintage Valentine's Day postcard image, digitally altered it to a 3x2 inch size, accented with soft pink glitter, backed it with soft pink and white paisley decorative paper, and sandwiched between glass, then soldered the edges.  I use only lead-free solder.  I then bent 18 gauge silver wire into a fun 3 loop shape, and then soldered it to the top edge as you can see in the photo.  To the bottom edge, I soldered a 6mm jump ring, then hung a vintage light pink teardrop faceted crystal and vintage jadeite green bead.  It turned out well, nice heavy quality, and after adding the ribbon for hanging, this can be hung from cabinet knobs just like you would a decorative tassel, or hang from your Valentine's Day tree, or keep for use as a Christmas ornament.  It makes a great little gift also.  Overall, the length is 6 inches from the top of the 3 loop edge, to the bottom of the pink crystal, so this is a very nice large size, and much more beautiful in person, as the photo just doesn't show the glitter and polished silver edges of the piece well, but I hope you get the idea


I have 2 more of these in different images and accents.  I'll be adding those photos to my blog later today.  I have never had much luck with New Year's resolutions and wish that I could vow to make at least 1 art project each day for the remainder of 2010.  I doubt I would be able to stick to that intention, but we'll see.  I hope you'll check back later today to see the other 2 projects in their completion.