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The centerpiece of this necklace is a set of links made of water buffalo horn. The grain of the horn is perfectly complemented by the brushed silver finish of the handmade chain.
Chain of Argentium silver punctuated with fine silver links embellished with 24-carat gold foil.
20 inches long.
Kaum-boo is a Korean technique by which 24-carat gold can be applied to fine silver. By bringing the two pure metals to 260-370’C, it is possible to make them fuse by simply burnishing them. I use gold foil, which is about the thickness of aluminum foil. It’s such a lovely color, I love being able to bring it into my work.
Handmade links of Argentium silver with centerpieces of fine silver accented with 24-carat gold. Liver of sulfur patina and brushed surfaces enhance the color contrast.
Bracelets measure 7 inches long. Choose two focal links with lighter chain, or one focal link with heavier chain. —or choose both to wear together.
This lovely Fleur de lys was originally intended as a watch pin. There’s a hook on the back from which the watch would have hung. I’ve brought it up to date by making it into a smashing pendant. I love the hand-cut surface decorations; they catch the light brilliantly. I couldn’t identify the mark but the finish is excellent, with almost no surface wear.
Sterling silver bezel wire conceals the pin findings and serves as a base for hanging loops. I’ve used the original hook to suspend a pretty black Swarovski crystal heart.
The chain is handmade of Argentium (930) silver, which holds its shine better than regular sterling. Gold-filled and faceted black spinel bead stations punctuate the length.
Necklace measures 24 inches long.
These marvelous vintage flower beads come from a venerable Paris purveyor. Original fashion sketches line the walls from their decades of haute couture clientele.
Pearls and seed beads, plus a delicious vintage Swarovski crystal head pin, combine to make these beads into pendants residing just on the glamorous side of whimsical. It’s difficult to describe such an ephemeral thing as inspiration, so I’ve done a sketch of the things that went through my mind when I found the beads, and the idea I strove to express with my design.
Optional 18-inch mesh tube necklace with a brushed finish is a wonderful complement. Magnetic closure.
Each of these bracelets is handmade of Argentium silver, with a delicate floral centerpiece.
Antique daisy (see more below) found at the Paris flea market was made as a brooch. It’s a marvelously detailed casting, in very nice condition, with a bit of wear to the silver plating just visible. I have concealed the pin findings with sterling silver wire, and added a few antique beads on the actual pin, adding weight to keep the front facing up. also counterweighted with a sparkling golden bauble.
Handmade chain of Argentium silver 7-1/4 inches long.
Star flower centerpiece made by Russell Strawn Smith is beautifully detailed, the same on both sides. Patination took a rose-gold tone. Handmade Argentium chain with delicate texture to echo the surface of the flower petals. Counterweight of 4 pretty pinched Thai Hill Tribe silver beads will keep it on top. 7 inches.
Links of celadon-green crystal beads are appropriately delicate to hold these unusual stone pendants.
At left, a faceted point of golden rutilated quartz. The ‘rutiles’ are hairlike inclusions of sparkling copper in clear quartz. 15 inches long with gold-filled clasp.
At right, a briolette of pink chalcedony (pronounced kal-sidney), a stone usually seen in sky blue. 17 inches long with sterling silver clasp.
These necklaces layer perfectly!
Nearly every piece of this necklace is vintage or antique, found in France.
The key is likely the oldest element; nicely detailed and with a delicate oval top. The brass heart locket dates I think from the 1920s, and is new-old stock. I have hung them from a handmade chain of uniquely flat links—I’m not quite sure how it was made, run through a rolling mill, maybe? But there would be dings on each link, so it’s a small mystery. The stones providing subtle sparkle are in fact vintage cubic zirconium in a gunmetal/black diamond color that harmonizes well with the antique steel key.
Assembled with new sterling silver findings and clasp.
Handpainted ribbon sewn into petite tassel shapes, combined with vintage and handmade beads to create one of a kind pendants.
These hang from gemstone rings of rose and lemon quartz.
Pendants measure three inches from the top of the ring.
Vintage silverplated mesh chains are included with this selection of pendants. Chains are 30 inches long and pop over the head easily.
Ribbon tassels also make charming Earrings.
Antique keys and heart lockets, discovered separately at the Paris Flea Market, pair perfectly to create special components to wear or give.
Pop one right onto a cord or chain as a pendant, or even onto a keyring.
The keys are the real thing and show decades of wear. I have given them a coat of wax polish, but you can expect them to oxidize. I’ll include a polishing pad with each charm.
For design assistance, contact me and I’ll be glad to make something just for you.
Sizes vary; please refer to the measurement in the photo to judge the scale of the keys.
Every piece of jewelry comes in a nice box tied with velvet ribbon—enough to make one of these into a wonderful bookmark! Video demonstration at the bottom of the page.
A simple composition of unusual components, this necklace has real presence.
Curved beads of handblown black glass have a textured, dichroic surface. Dichroic glass generally has coating of micro-thin layers of metals or oxides. While the coating is fairly solid at first, as you can see it breaks up as the glass moves in working, creating a tree-bark like pattern. The iridescence is rendered subtle and artistic. I love the way the artist (Lark Dalton) pulled thorns on these curves of glass. they aren’t sharp and the piece perfectly comfortable to wear.
To add some romance to this slightly gothic necklace, I have created a prong setting at the center which holds a vintage German glass button, in a classic flower pattern. The composition is framed with black tourmaline beads in an interesting cut, slices which are super-polished on the face yet semi-rough on the sides. Heavy sterling silver chain is oxidized to blend.
Necklace measures 17 inches long. Links may be added if desired.
One of a kind.
I’m constantly experimenting, and love the way these hearts, cut from the pages of the London Review of Books, can be made to recall the pages of a book, complete with ‘gilt’ edges. In the large heart, I have even sewn the center with Shocking Pink silk, pinning down a sort of bookmark of chartreuse felt.
The large heart is edged with vintage cupchain alternating 4mm pearls and rhinestones, backed with fuchsia felt. about 2 inches across.
The smaller heart is simply backed with felt. Choose from the colors shown. One inch across.
Handpainted ribbon frames a beautiful vintage heart. Its rich grosgrain texture is enhanced by crisp box pleats. I have folded the ribbon in half to make a rosette, and sewed amber-gold leaf sequins between the layers to hint at a laurel wreath.
Finished with a brass scatter pin finding and backed with felt. Sterling silver ‘KVA’ tag.
I have cleaned and polished the heart, but as you can see there is a slight scratch on the surface. This vintage piece is in otherwise excellent condition.
6.5cm high x wide
The heart is a pin in its own right and can be worn separately.
The sophisitcated color scheme for this brooch started with the handpainted ribbon that is its focus. Washed indigo fades to a pale minty green on the pleated ribbon, which is rolled into a generous rosette. From there I created and gathered materials to complement the flower and settled on a kind of fantasy cactus flower inspiration. Vintage and handmade beads lend shine, texture and dimension. Built upon a foundation of fine merino wool. Two tack-style pin backs hold this substantial brooch in place.
3 1/2 inches long; 3-inch width includes leaves. Thickest part is 1 1/2 inches; tapered toward the top to help it sit properly when worn.
This piece can also be mounted in a frame by request; please send me an email for an estimate, and to to relate your preferences for color, style, etc.
This big heart pin will have high impact on any lapel. Fabulous handwoven tweed fabric has texture and a fresh color palette. I added black and colorful sequins and beads in a grid to echo the weave. The black sequins reminded me of old-school LPs, and there’s a bit of tiger-stripe yarn in the mix, hence the name.
Vintage and new materials.
This heart measures 3-1/2 inches wide.
Bold in color and texture, this botanically-inspired brooch boasts handpainted ribbon flowers and silk cups, handmade beads, and vintage accents. I like to imagine the full cycle of life when creating a piece like this, considering bud, bloom, pod and seed phases. While it’s clearly not a literal interpretation, the effort lends interest and variety while maintaining the essential unity of the concept.
Backed with cashmere fabric, two tack-style pins hold securely. Just over 3 inches long, thickness about one inch. This piece can also be mounted in a frame; please contact me for a cost estimate.
A rich color palette ranging from dark blue to lilac and yellow is the starting point for this brooch. Expressing the idea of multiple growth phases, there are bud, flower, and seed pod forms, including a whimsical bit of artificial plant. Other elements include handmade flower beads and light-bringing iridescent beads.
Two tack-style pins allow the brooch to be attached firmly.
Longest measurements are 2 7/8 x 2 1/2 inches. This piece can also be mounted in a frame if desired. Please contact me for an estimate.
These are a lovely gift idea, and priced to make it easy.
Using the same beautiful handpainted ribbon as in my tassel pendants and earrings, I have turned the components to face forward at the centers of fanciful flowers. Combined with vintage and handmade materials, Swarovski crystals, and backed with cashmere fabric. Tie tac finding allows for easy placement on a lapel, collar, hat or scarf. Wearable singly or grouped.
Largest brooch (Lashes) measures 3-1/4 inches across; smallest (pearl pink) is 1-1/4 inch.
I was inspired by the curves and forms of Art Nouveau while creating the flower finial beads. I then dove into my collection of materials to create this large and dramatic tassel. A handpainted ribbon flounce eases the transition from flower shapes to a series of felt balls tapering down to suggest a flower stamen. A generous length of double-faced satin ribbon in deep plum can hang this whimsical but elegant object anywhere you choose, or try it as a most unusual curtain tieback.
Tassel is 7 inches long.
I can make these beads and ribbons in any color or combination. If you are interested in decorative items like this made to match your decor, please send me an email and I’ll be glad to work with you.
The colors of this decorative swag are meant to bring a smile. I made two sets of scalloped cup beads to punctuate an arrangement of felt and sparkling glitter balls. Glitter Balls! Long ties of satin ribbon faced in contrasting colors of celery.
Hang from a curtain rod, message board or mirror to give yourself a lift when you need it.
Beaded section measures 9 inches long; ribbon loops extend 32 inches in total.
I wondered if and how I could make my own curtain tiebacks: what are the essential elements? Luckily I have a few classic and contemporary ones found in France to which to refer (who would know better than the French), and it seems to boil down to a pendant, adjustable loops, and a sliding bead. Voila!
I crowned a vibrant red heart with fuchsia felt balls and made the graduated set of flower beads to lend the composition structure. A fringed ball hints at the tassel inspiration. My beadweaving background made it easy to conjure a ‘beaded bead’ slider from 1cm felt balls. Rich satin ribbon loops finish it beautifully, and I’d say I pulled it off.
With so many custom-made elements, I can create a piece like this to match any fabric or decor. Send me an email and we can start designing together.
Beadweaving gives these readymade leverback earrings loads of coquettish personality, a cheeky take on a classic style.
Set with 10mm Swarovski crystals, embellished in three colorways with glass seed beads, vintage plastic bows (j’adore!) and pearls.
These lightweight earrings bloom in abundance with color and texture. Antique copper-wire bead finials lead to handmade layers: beadweaving, shrink plastic, and silk.
Earrings measure 2-3/8 inches from top of wire.
Readymade lever-back earrings are a great canvas for beadweaving. Adding color and texture, glass beads in subtle colorways are complemented by lustrous keshi pearls. Swarovski crystals measure 10mm diameter.
Earrings are one inch long from top of wire.
Lightwieght and elegant, antique silk-wrapped wire flower tassels make ideal earrings. This pair is 2-3/8 inches long, hand-dyed in brilliant fuchsia. This variety, called ‘check’, has a thick and thin effect that catches the light beautifully.
I have added French knots in a beautiful red under each flower really turning up the heat on the color. A touch of green velvet ribbon finishes the top, and the tiniest Swarovski crystal rondelles wink out.
When I found a small stash of antique silk passementerie at the Paris flea market, I was so excited. This is exactly what I had hoped for! These are the last two pairs. I took a chance and dyed one set pink, and they look lovely. Both are embellished with silk embroidery. In excellent antique condition.
Ecru earrings measure 3-3/4 inches long; topped with unique rose-gold colored Swarovski crystals.
Pink earrings 3-7/8 inches; topped with pearls and iridescent crystals.
Dinosaur that I am, I still have print subscriptions to a few magazines and journals. Rather than chucking them all into the recycle bin, I decided to have some fun with the beauty of printed text. Read more about the process below.
For this update, I’m hoping to make it easier to compare styles by showing them in a new way. The page was looking out of hand with lots of different photos.
This way you can see all the topper choices together and compare scale and effect better. Finished earrings will have a pendant heart made of the LRB as shown on “Amethyst”.
All Business features a vintage pleated brass bead and amethyst color Swarovski crystal rondelle. Subdued sparkle=sophisticated.
All Pleasure’s topper is an 8mm bead encrusted with iridescent rhinestones. Ideal for celebrating when you devastate your rival with a perfectly worded letter to the editor.
Juicy, with a citrusy matte iridescent crystal and leaf green bead cap, is very pretty and without guile.
Amethyst protects against drunkenness, so they say. That’s handy! At any rate, it’s a lovely 6mm stone, set off with a clear crystal rondelle and flower cap.
One Micro Pave pair is still available. Tiny sparkling fuchsia stones pave-set onto a round bead. Gothic, but cheerful.
These delicate pearls are called ‘Keshi’ pearls, from the Japanese word for poppy. Not only do they have an elegantly irregular shape, they tend to have a high degree of iridescence. I have chosen to use them facing forward in order to best show that beautiful color. Vintage Swarovski crystal headpins (gold-plated) allow me to make this a one-piece design. Silicone ear nuts are included.
Each pair is unique.
Antique jewelry box is not for sale ;-)
Classically flattering pearls are gathered into a kind of bouquet atop gently tapered silver forms. These pieces of silver were originally the ends of a hollow cuff bracelet that had broken. I sawed these pieces off and refinished them for these earrings. Seed pearls harvested from an inherited necklace proved the perfect finish. Swarovski crystals in bronze green wink out from the base of the wire for a subtle touch of sparkle.
Handwrought earwires are .930 Argentium silver and do not tarnish.
The faceted coin shape of these labradorite beads shows off their admirable quality very well. The cut and faceting are slightly irregular, implying some age, and the stone itself flashes with color across the full face of each bead.
The subtlety of this stone makes it one of my favorites. I have used vintage Swarovski crystal head pins (the crystal faces down) to create the earrings, giving a touch of sparkle when they move.
Labradorite beads measure 8-9mm diameter; earrings measure 1 1/4 inches from top of wire.
Argentium .930 earwires.
Visit the Necklaces and Bracelets page to see these beads used as pendants as well.