cute as a button

Sorry for the bad pun.

I've been looking for a way to reuse my collection of mother of pearl buttons & buckles.

Here's my first go at it.  

In addition to the mother of pearl components, I also used sterling ear wires,
matte metal oval jump rings, polished florite drops & faceted green rutilated quarts rondelles.

They're kinda mod & romantic at the same time, don't you think?

ethical + luxe

Upcycled vintage fur accents satin-lined cuff bracelets bracelets.

  More of these to come,  I think.

Briey Poste-proccess

Using treasured vintage stamps, I carefully select the best images.

I seal the images under crystal domes, then mount in antique bronze necklace, earrings & ring settings.

My next post will feature completed pieces.

There's nothing "old lady" about this prety flower

more Baroque...

It all starts with some not-so-attractive components...

...and ends with something beautiful!

If it ain't Baroque don't fix it!

Wanting to purge, I've been digging deep into my supplies & materials.  

It's been great because I've been pushing myself out of my aesthetic comfort zone, 

using elements I wouldn't ordinarily use.

Here are two necklaces I've just completed using the above components.

Baroque, right?

Doreen's new (old) jewelry

My friend Doreen (modeling below) saw my remodeled vintage jewelry and asked if I would consider looking at a bag of  costume jewelry she had inherited from her deceased mother and aunt.  The jewelry wasn't Doreen's taste however it had sentimental value.  

It had been buried in her drawer, unworn for ages.

It was just before Christmas 2010 and I was busy with sales, gift-buying and general holiday craziness.   Doreen gave me carte blanche to create whatever I desired.  She was in no rush for the work, because she had no intention of ever wearing any of these old pieces anyway.   I told her I'd have a look, but couldn't guarantee I'd even be able to look at it until after the holidays. 

That night I opened the bag, and practically within minutes had three new pieces constructed. I wish I took a "before" picture of the tangled pile of rhinestones, clip-ons and chains that was in the bag.  But since I didn't, you'll have to use your imagination. It was just a big pile of stuff.  Little did I realize what treasures were hidden in that clump of stuff.  

I'm still making fresh creations from Doreen's collection of unworn heirlooms.  

Her enthusiasm for her new/heirloom jewelry has been extremely rewarding for me.

Here are a few of the many new necklaces I made using Doreen's trove.

 These crystal hearts were a pair of  screw-back earrings.  I made two necklaces: one for Doreen, and one for Maddie, her teen-age daughter. 

Maddie wears them both together and Doreen hasn't had the chance to even try them on.

Graduated aurora borealis crystals, restrung on purple silk bead cord.

Uniform aurora borealis crystals, restrung on golden silk bead cord.

 An earring and a brooch became a new necklace

A Victorian locket and 1950's rhinestone brooch are combined with vintage gold- and silver-tone chain 

to create an entirely new look.

Here's another necklace, similar to the one above.

This was one of a pair of earrings that featured a diamond star embedded into an onyx circle.

Do you have old jewelry sitting around not doing anything?  

Send a picture of what you have to info (at) rockcandybyhelen.com and I'll propose a new custom design for you!

Rock Candy by Helen jewelry was invited to show at Cole & Herr, Chicago's most fabulous home furnishings warehouse.
They will carry selection of Rock Candy by Helen vintage remodeled, pearls & gems and art pendants.

 

Dorothy Coyle and Marybeth Herr offer a carefully edited selection of furniture & home goods, constantly refreshed with inspiring new pieces.  They've partnered with experts like Leslie Hindman Auctioneers to offer an amazing selection of vintage and estate pieces. I do not exaggerate when I say this place is HUGE!  They really do have something for every taste.  They also offer personalized design services to help tailor each item to your exact specifications.

Visit Coyle & Herr in person at1200 W. 35th St (Racine side entrance), and on facebook. 

Open ten days a month and by appointment. This month they are open through December 20.

Fiera de Ladra

I went to the Feira de Ladra ("thieve's market") the Lisbon, Portugal flea market in July 2010.  
  
After a long, hot morning of searching through piles of old cassettes, sunglasses, hardware and other odds-and-ends,  I found several adornments. 

I've been hoarding the special treasures I bought that day, waiting for the right inspiration.  

Here's the first of the new pieces:

I don't know the vintage of this mother-of-pearl charm, but it is old.  It's hung on moonstone & 14GF chain, with a bronze freshwater pearl & peridot accent.

 One side has a picture of a pagoda.

The other side features geometric carvings.

It looks pretty on either side!

I'll continue posting new pieces as I make them.

click here to link to my Etsy shop

Fashion Focus 2011-Glam to Go!

To celebrate Chicago Fashion Focus 2011 , 

I had a trunk show at Glam to Go's cute Roscoe Village boutique.

the display

 Sam was a dynamite model, 

highlighting both Rock Candy by Helen jewelry and Glam to Go fashions!

We can't thank our sponsor Volo Restaurant & Wine Bar enough for providing such a luscious spread of goodies.

Guests received branded jewelry pouches hand-made from vintage linens.

We're already planning next year's celebration, so stay tuned!

little charms

These are some lovely little charms I picked up along the way. My favorite of these might be the caged goldstone ball. It's so 1970's, right?On the top shelf there are aquamarine, turquoise, garnet and labradorite gem chains.  I'm so excited to put these together to make new necklaces!

click here to link to my Etsy shop

Elda de la Rosa: part 1

Earlier this year, Chicago designer Elda de la Rosa used some of my jewelry in a photo shoot.  Doesn't the necklace look fabulous with the dress?(gown by Elda de la Rosa, photography by Michael Collinsworth)  

Here's a closeup of the necklace.  It makes me think of Liz Taylor as Cleopatra (only she probably would have worn this on her head).  The focal piece is a re-purposed 1970's Swarovski crystal and faux turquoise brooch, centered on three vintage gold-tone chains. The back of the brooch is marked "Austria"

first blog post!

This is my first blog post. Thanks so much to the lovely Bec Dudley for the tutorial! The image above is a necklace made from a stunning art-deco rhinestone brooch hanging on 1970's goldtone chain.  The brooch is about 4" long and the chains are about16" long. It is representative of my Remake/Remodel line of vintage up-cycled jewelry.   click here to jump to my Etsy shop