Antique Glass Earrings - Upcycled Chandelier Grapes

Doing some cleaning in my "junk" room, and while shuffling around boxes, I found two antique glass grape clusters.  Miniature in size measuring only 3.5 or 4 inches long.  One cluster was coming unraveled, so I finished unwrapping each small green glass grape, and when the last string came loose, out tumbled these antique green copper embedded glass drops.  I was instantly fascinated and curious.  What could I possibly do with these wonderful little things?   The copper wire already changed over time with beautiful patina, the small glass ends slightly irregular in shape with lots of bubbles within the glass, obviously handmade decades ago.

They are about 2 inches long, and so I began making loops with the wire, and turning them into antique glass drops for my upcycled and repurposed jewelry.  You can see in these photos, how wonderful they catch the light, and you can see the wonderful whimsical bubbles within the glass.

I don't remember when or where I even acquired these miniature grape clusters, but I'm very pleased with the results of the earrings that have been created using the little glass treasures.  The antiqued kidney earwires add to the vintage charm of them.  I could have embellished with more ornate bead caps or findings, but this old glass speaks for itself.  The beauty is the glass itself.  You can find this pair in my Etsy Store, http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/  

My husband calls me a packrat, but sometimes little things tucked away for years, with the thought of "Maybe I can do something with those one day", actually comes true. 

ROBINS EGG BLUE VINTAGE SWALLOW NEST

It is February 1st, and it is still cold.  My studio has been iced in and over for several days, but the sky is blue and gorgeous, and while staying in where it is warm, I wrapped a few silver nests for my Etsy Store, http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/ 

Vintage pearls salvaged from old necklaces from the 1950's were the inspiration for my EGGS.  Sweet pink pearls wrapped in non-tarnish silver wire, and topped with a sterling silver bail.   The other, beautiful robins egg aqua blue pearls wrapped, and topped with a gemstone turquoise star and sterling silver bail.  Both ready to hang from a sterling silver chain.  Very sweet pendants.

February is off to a busy start.
Now hoping the studio/cabin thaws soon.

CREATE YOUR OWN FABRIC DESIGN EASY & FUN

It is exciting to open a package that you have been anxiously awaiting for, especially when you are getting actual fabric that is your own design and artwork.  http://www.spoonflower.com/ is a wonderful website, where you can upload your own art and designs, and have cotton quilting fabric created in small yardage and fat quarters.  I am a member of Spoonflower, and you can search the site and find me by searching the designers.  My designs are under the name pumpkin moon, or follow this link to my page http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/pumpkinmoon

Sock monkeys are the rage, and so my most recent design features pink and chocolate sock monkeys just for girls.  The great thing about Spoonflower, is that you can have a simple 8x8 inch swatch printed to see in person before you order more yardage.  I simply created this basic design, then the magic of Spoonflower is, that they repeat the design, and you can actually see a sample on their site, showing how the repeat design looks as a full yard of fabric.  Sort of like creating wallpaper for your computer screen.

I've ordered a yard of this, and as soon as it arrives, within 7 days, I'll photograph and post.  Of course, I have all sorts of ideas on how to use it, and  if I like the way the fabric looks and feels, then I can allow Spoonflower to sell my designs, and I get a commission.  Of course, beware!  This can get very addictive! 

This is the basic design, then the next shows the pattern in repeat.

VINTAGE ASSEMBLAGE AND 1950'S MOONGLOW BEADS

Aged brass add to the appeal of these earrings.  Vintage lucite moonglow teal beads from an old discarded necklace circa 1950 have been used as the focal point of this assemblage.  Topped with  beautiful crystal teal rondelle faceted glass beads,  hanging from aged brass lever back earwires.   These are available in my Etsy Store, http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/  I recently purchased a nice lot of vintage jewelry from the estate of elderly lady, who practiced her art of bellydancing from the 1930's through the 1950's.  You'll find a few choice vintage pieces from this estate in my Etsy Store also.  I think seeing her cherished possessions, exotic costumes, and well loved jewelry and accessories was the inspiration for this pair of earrings that I created.  

VINTAGE REPURPOSED UPCYCLED REDESIGNED JEWELRY

Half a day has been spent adding items to my Etsy Store, http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/ .  I love vintage jewelry, and I take old broken and discarded pieces and upcycle and repurpose them into fun jewelry to wear.  However, there are those times when I have acquired a beautiful piece of vintage jewelry, and just do not have the heart to take it apart, and will list it as is in my store, hopefully becoming the addition to a collector of pins, necklaces, brooches, earrings etc. 

Upcycling old lockets is one of my favorite jewelry projects.  Such as this locket.  Beginning with a small vintage locket about 3/4 inch in diameter, then adding a vintage plastic rose cabochon, which was made in Japan years ago.  It is such a sweet buttercup yellow.  Then I added the old link from a bracelet, and I accent it with a yellow rhinestone cab.  Vintage celery green pearls then begin the neckchain portion, with vintage links that I have added enameled  tiny rose cabochons, then old glass bicone crystals, and finishing off with aged looking vintage aged brass chain.  Pieces from at least 4 or 5 different old jewelry pieces add to this necklace, now ready for wear.  These look great from dressy to casual blue jeans.  Each piece I create is OOAK (one of a kind).  I will never duplicate a locket design.  Each one is individual.

Today I listed a couple of these new creations with vintage flare in my Etsy Store.   I also listed some wonderful old vintage jewelry pieces such as this.

A very beautiful double hearts brooch or pin.  I couldn't take them apart, they are too perfect the way they are, and both encrusted with vintage aurora borealis finish rhinestones.  What a sweet piece to wear during February, the month we celebrate Valentine's Day.

I hope you'll check out my Etsy store, and pass my link onto your friends.

Typewriter Key & Soldered Initial Pendant Jewelry

Digitally layering artistic elements in tiny spaces such as this can be time consuming, but the result is appealing.  A simple faux typewriter key, digitally layered on artistic paper, and graphic elements resulted in a very special necklace. 

An old world sepia toned decorative paper backs this, and both sandwiched between glass, soldered, then adding a handbeaded necklace with color coordinated beads, and charming little dangle.  I use only lead free solder.  I used a decoratived edge copper foil tape for this, which adds to the eclectic charm of this piece.

The pendant itself is approx 1.25 inches square.  When wiring each bead together gives the chain the look similar to a rosary chain.  I have listed this piece in my Etsy store at http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/  Of course, the piece will be made to order, with initial of your choice, and necklace length of choice.