Authentos

Over the last few months, jewelry-making has taken a backseat to cleaning out my house.
It has been a challenge to declutter - both mentally and physically - but also rewarding.  

This process has turned up many wonderful items that I no longer want or need, but can't bear to throw out.  

The result of all this is a new store called Authentos (a portmanteau of authentic + Tsatsos).

please visit Authentos and look around!

The photos above are part of an image I took at Keough's Hot Springs (Bishop, CA), a primitive resort with lots of character.  It was a  wonderfully surprising place to refresh during a long, arid road trip through Owen Valley, CA. 

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?

Valentine's Day necklaces

gearing up for Valentines Day with these pretty necklaces (available at my Etsy shop)

Le Cadeau-line sheet

Le Cadeau means "the gift".  

I see each of these pieces in this collection as a little gift
for you or for someone special to you.

National Hellenic Museum

I put together a custom Briey Poste collection of vintage Greek stamp jewelry

for the gift shop at the National Hellenic Museum.

ethical + luxe

Upcycled vintage fur accents satin-lined cuff bracelets bracelets.

  More of these to come,  I think.

Briey Poste-finished pieces

Two necklace styles - long & short, earrings & rings. 

All stamps are vintage, and every piece come labeled with the country of origin.

The Briey Poste line features carefully selected vintage cancelled postage stamps placed

under crystal domes then mounted in brass or brass-filled copper settings. 

Select by color, country or both.  Whatever way, it’s a great journey!

old display made new

My friend Melva gave me a fantastic vintage Mad-Men-era jewelry display. 

I struggled with how to use it, as  the proper sized the puff pad inserts were long out of production.  

My solution, born out of desperation  was to simply adhere cork to the flocked base. 

 I love the wood, and the fact that it turns around, providing double the display area.

Thanks ever so much, Melva!

.

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

Bambi

Another vintage up cycled necklace:

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?

New necklaces for Valentine's Day

 

Funny & kinda creepy 1950's clown

 Vintage French playing card.

Ace of Hearts, naturally!

"les beaux petits enfants"!

Did you know Krampus was a romantic?

I have a few more to finish, including an El Corazon by Jon Langford.  

Will get them posted soon.

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