RVA Fashion Week Jewelry Trunk Show

Was a featured jewelry designer in the RVA Fashion Week Jewelry Trunk Showlast week. Got the opportunity to meet some interesting folks, including Arlie behind Urban Revisions. Check out her post and photos of the show.

Bizarre Market at the RVA Street Art Festival

Participated as a vendor in the Bizarre Market at the RVA Street Art Festival in mid April. Check out the post on the market and festival by Kiss My Fashion.

Magnolia Necklace

New magnolia necklace in brass that I designed as a gift for my friend. I sketched the design using a vintage fabric featuring magnolias as inspiration. I scanned the sketch and resized it in illustrator. Then, I printed it out glued it on the sheet metal and began sawing away. I stamped little dots in the middle and the pressure actually bent the petals forward just a tad so that was a nice unexpected result. I finished it off with an oxidation bath for patina, gave it a brushed finish and hung it on an oxidized sterling silver chain. They are now available in my shop here.

Intro to the Jeweler's Saw Class

Finished jewelry charms, pendants and cuff from a class I recently took at the Visual Arts Center in Richmond, VA. It was an introduction to the jeweler's saw class where we learned hand sawing metal, hammering techniques, drilling and oxidizing for patina. Definitely learned some worthwhile skills. So excited for my next metal jewelry class coming up in March. Can't wait to learn more!

Favorite Vintage Home Pieces

Some images of loved items in my home. All are vintage, estate found or handed down. Hey that would be a good catch phrase.

DIY Snowflake Garland

My husband Geoff, stepson Elliott and I made the most simple and sweet snowflake garland this week. I tried making cutout snowflakes a few weeks ago thinking I knew how but then, to my suprise, I realized I really did not know after all.

Well, I ran across this fabulous post on creating snowflakes so I used it for some help. I did cut out step 5 though as it made the snowflake sorta hard to cut, maybe it's because she was using junk mail and magazine paper and I was using used scrap computer paper. Also, it wasn't necessary for us to have the snowflakes be as intricate as the poster's was (and we were working with a 6 yr old and the dexterity skills are sometimes lacking :). So basically we did step 1-4 then cut off the top and cut away along the sides.

Then, I simply ran a string on jute twine in the holes cut in the snowflakes and hung along our mirror. Came out really fresh and sweet looking. Super easy way to get some festive home decor!

Winter Holiday Desktop Backgrounds

Perusing one of my favorite blogs, PoppyTalk, I found a post with some darling seasonal desktop backgrounds. Currently using the second image and loving it! So calming and peaceful.

First image: Geninne Zlatkis, Second image:  Desert Friends. Click to take you to the artist's site where you can download the background for free!