A Gathering of Tearful Beauties

One Orphaned Earring and "Thinking Outside of the Jewelry Box"

 
 One Orphaned Earring Necklace and Earring Set

An orphaned earring was all I received from my super friend Betty along with her request to turn it into a necklace.  Oh and could I make some matching earrings?  I think she's going to be pleased with the results, don't you?  The earring is now part of the focal point of this necklace, it's not an earring anymore!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three 1 1/8" vintage rhinestone and metal buttons, snippets of gunmetal chain and three 1/4" rhinestone buttons were added to the graduated circle earring component to create this stunning jewelry set. 

This is why I keep telling you "DON'T THROW OUT YOUR OLD AND BROKEN JEWELRY!" Bring these pieces to me and let's see what we can do with them. 

It's always an adventure with a surprise destination at the end!

"Thinking Outside of the Jewelry Box"

Oh and I'm thinking "outside of the jewelry box" again.  I just posted this romantic covered dish in my BlissQuest Vintage Jewelry Shoppe to be used as a jewelry holder.  This dove crowned silverplate dish is too good for butter or even cheese - it needs to be protecting and displaying your vintage jewelry pieces on your bedside table or dresser.  So shabby chic and a truly original, "off the wall" use!

 Vintage Sheffield Reproduction Silverplate Covered Butter Dish

BEJOYFUL my dears!

 

Reborn - BarbaraDoone's OOAK Heirloom Confections

 
Cameo Marries Damascene

My friend Cheryl was at the studio picking up some jewelry I repaired for her a few weeks ago and saw a damascene and lucite bracelet sitting at my work station.  I had just received it from a supplier. 

"That's pretty" she says. "Too short!" I says. 

It was about a 5 1/2" bracelet that must have been made smaller for a child or a very tiny adult.  I knew I was going to have to remake it into one of my OOAK confections for my BarbaraDoone Etsy Shoppe , in fact, I purchased it for just that purpose. 

Cheryl and I began playing with some vintage cameo and other brooches in my vintage jewelry stash to see what would make a nice focal piece in the bracelet. Cheryl then said that she had a couple of faux cameo brooches that were her mother's that she'd like redone and maybe this was just the bracelet for one of them.  To make a long story short........

 
Cheryl's Mother's Cameo Brooch Married the short, homeless Damascene Bracelet

A match made in heaven, don't you agree?  What a lovely child, lol.

 
Fait Dans Le Ciel OOAK Bracelet

One very old rhinestone and silvertone leaf brooch meets a rhinestone loop, silvertone metal chains and milk glass beads and voila.......the Fait Dans Le Ciel OOAK Bracelet.  This beauty is now for sale in The Shoppe.

I'm passionate about doing custom work as I did for Cheryl above.  Perhaps you have some heirloom or other jewelry from a beloved family member languishing in your drawer.  Wouldn't it look nicer on your wrist or your ears or around your neck?  I think so.  Send me an e-mail or a blog comment.....let's talk.

BEJOYFUL!

Long Standing Love Affair and BlissQuest's JewelryNest Shoppe

 
 
 
My husband.....L.....O.....V.....E.....S....trains.  Model trains or full grown trains, he absolutely adores them, hence this long standing love affair.  Needless to say, our home during the Christmas season is decorated to a certain extent with train ornaments.

 

 

One year he actually decided to put the traditional model train set around the bottom of the tree after all the presents were open.  But then he discovered the potential for the train cars to become kid and cat toys (we have 2 children and four cats) to be a little too high.  No more tree train.  So we roll with the ornamentals like the one above. 

BLISSQUEST'S JEWELRYNEST ETSY SHOPPE

I have resurrected my Etsy BlissQuest shoppe this week.   Previously it was the home for BarbaraDoone's current trend jewelry line.  For 2011, at least, it's becoming the JEWELRYNEST.  I will be offering wearable vintage jewelry, excess glass and other beads and tools for your crafting pleasure, and destash lots of broken jewelry and other such neat stuff.  Oh and I'll be throwing in some display and packaging items as well.  Great prices as I gotta get rid of some crafting stuff!

 
Vintage Cloisonnee Bangles $9 US

 
Funky and Chunky Necklace $12.50 US

 
Crystal Cross Pendant Necklace $21 US

BOGO pricing.  Buy one higher priced item at full price and receive the second item 50% off, buy the third item full price and the 4th 50% off, you get it.    Just e-mail or convo me through Etsy the items you want and I will adjust the pricing accordingly.  OR, buy them and I will process a refund through your Paypal account. 

 
Coffee and Cream Clip-On Earrings $15 US

I will be moving the lower priced vintage jewelry pieces currently offered in my BeJoyfulVintage Etsy Shoppe to the JewelryNest over the next few days.  I may even take the liberty of adding chain and ribbon etc. to some pieces to do a little makeover but the prices will stay low, low, low and BOGO will drive them even lower. 

 
Boho Chic Mother of Pearl Pendant Necklace $16 US

This is a stunning mother of pearl hibiscus pendant.  I've added some multi-hued sari ribbon, antiqued brass chain and a antiqued brass lobster claw.  Ready to wear or remove from the ribbon and put the pendant on another chain. 

There you have it. 

Christmas is coming fast.  the BarbaraDoone Etsy Shoppe  BeJoyfulVintage Etsy Shoppe and BlissQuest's JewelryNest Etsy Shoppe  still have lots of goodies on hand to help with your Christmas list, at least locally.  E-mail me at bejoyful@barbaradoone.com if you need help with deciding on what to give that special someone for Christmas and New Year's. 

This truly is the season to BeJoyful!  Give it a try, it's catching!

 

 

 

BeJoyfulVintage in Blogland and Vintage Lace Pendant Necklace Giveaway

 
"Coeur et la Tete" Pendant Necklace

I've begun doing some online advertising of late.  The BeJoyfulVintage avatar and link now appears in the VintageIndie Blog and CityofDionne Blog . 

Both blogs are run by dynamic, trend setting women, putting themselves "out there" to brand great artisan made and vintage wares and sharing bits and pieces of their daily lives with the masses.  Take a moment and check these blogs out - you'll enjoy some great reads and pix. 

I am contributing my vintage lace pendant necklace, "Coeur et la Tete", to a giveaway that will be held on the CityofDionne Blog in the near future.  The necklace features a vintage lace snippet and vintage french dictionary phrase sandwiched between two glass slides.  A freshwater pearl and heart charm add more spice.  And, a vintage ribbon bow bedecks the simple silvertone bead chain.   

Keep watch on Dionne's blog for the giveaway details.  There will be several different gift bags to be won and the pendant will be in one of them. 

 
I will be making more of these necklaces, each OOAK, and offering them through my BeJoyfulVintage Etsy Shoppe . Keep a watch for them. I continue to offer my OOAK Art Jewelry History Collection pieces through my BarbaraDoone Etsy Shoppe .

Oh, BTW, I'm also offering a 15% discount on all items in the shoppe from now 'til the end of January, 2011.  Use discount code XMASJOY2010 at checkout time to ensure the discount is processed automatically. 

BJF and Merry Christmas!

Perfection Lives In Imperfection - The Belleek Project Continued

 
"ROZELLE ON CHINA"

Remember the Belleek teacup that was resurrected into pendants for my client Donna's family members (posting from June 22nd).  Well the surprise that I eluded to was that each pendant included a picture of Donna's mother Rozelle, what a lovely name, on the back along with her initial "r".    She's even crowned with a tiny vintage rhinestone.  Remember, the teacup came from Rozelle's china cabinet.

The process - the picture was e-mailed to me by Donna, I printed it off on my ink jet printer, downsized it and then applied it to the back of the pendant with ModgePodge.  Ink jet ink and gel mediums most times don't get along, even the ModgePodge caused the image to blur slightly but I think it added a little mystery to the piece.  I applied the initial "r" with StazOn Blazing Red.  24 hours later I topped everything with a layer of Diamond Glaze to smooth and protect the images.    Allowing drying time in between applications is very important in preventing the inks, both ink jet and StazOn from bleeding even more. And Voila! 

Such tiny upcycling acts can mean so much to everyone concerned. Donna and her family were thrilled.

The next time you go to dispose of some damaged family heirloom take a moment to think of some little upcycling project that may let the piece "live on".   And even if there is no project you can find a spot for the item in your life.  Just let the French Vintage Lifestyle apply - perfection lives in imperfection.   You'll begin to look at many things a little bit differently.

BEJOYFUL!

 

Living Through Missing Rhinestones

 
GLORIOUSLY TATTERED AND SPLATTERED

This posting is about my love of rhinestone jewelry but I have to also share with you this latest find from the Aberfoyle Antique Market in Aberfoyle, Ontario - a gloriously tattered and splattered dress form.  My amazing friend Liz brought my attention to the display set-up in a sun drenched spot at the market.  I was sweating uncontrollably and was certainly looking for one more heavy thing to carry but I HAD TO HAVE THIS!  Headless and armless dirty fabric bodies may not be attractive to most but they speak to me.  So.....here she is and she's adorned with some of my rhinestone finds.

 
  MISSING RHINESTONES

Yes, I admit my passion for rhinestone jewelry but also for jewelry missing rhinestones.  These darlings spark my creative spirit.  Sure, I could replace the missing rhinestone with a similar one from my stash but would that be creative? unique? one-of-a-kind?  Not really. 

I truly wish I'd taken a BEFORE picture of this pendant.  My fab friend Kate has asked me to create something with her beloved grandmother's jewelry.  Kate was devastated that one of the royal blue rhinestones from this piece had been lost - not a problem, just a blip in the radar.  I think she'll be pleased when this project is finished.

ALMOST AFTER

I have replaced the royal blue stone with a rhinestone button echoing the shape of the overall pendant and the shape of the pearl centre cluster.  This is going to be stunning when chain and other embellishments are added. 

So you can now see that the imperfect becomes a joyous challenge to the creative heart.  And I love these challenges when they involve gloriously old, discoloured, chippy, scratched rhinestone jewelry.  Oh, BTW,  I also love chandelier crystals so when I combine the two this is what I can come up with.

BIRD UNDER CHANDELIER GLASS

More of my non-custom order repurposed jewelry creations can be found in my BarbaraDoone Etsy Shoppe.

BE JOYOUS!

 

Such a Joy - A Belleek Resurrection

BEFORE

You know the feeling - you lose your grip on a cherished teacup or figurine or plate and it hits the floor and shatters into a million pieces.  You feel sick to your stomach and not even that bottle of pink stuff can help.

Well, a lovely lady here in Whitby found my BarbaraDoone Website and called to ask if I could help.  She had already thought of turning these Belleek teacup shards into pendants for her sisters and her daughter.  She had found the broken teacup in the back of her mother's china cabinet - a teacup long since broken but unbearable to dispose of - loved, cherished.

It's taken me a while as haste is not something you factor into the equation when working with someone's memories and cherished lovelies.  The definition of a "lovely" is "whatever YOU love and cherish".  This includes family members and pets as well.  But please don't bring them to me to fix, my expertise wanes when it comes to the homo sapien and other living matter.

I had already decided that I would break the shards into pieces that would have at least one shamrock and edges that would be easy to take the copper tape and solder.  This proved problematic as the rounded shape of the teacup and molded elements tricked the ceramic clippers.  Ultimately fate determined the shape of the pendants.

The next hurdle was applying the solder and a jump ring and getting a smooth finish - wasn't gonna happen.  So what do you do ?  You cover it up!  Nothing better than bling and glitz to help in this department.  Rhinestone bits and pieces fit the bill.  I glued small rhinestone strips and pieces to the soldered edges and corners.

These steps turned these forelorn, broken shards of a Belleek teacup into beautiful, one of a kind memories.  See for yourself.  

AFTER #1

AFTER #2

Being able to "breathe life" into broken bits like these brings me joy.   Hopefully, it will bring the owner joy as well.  I included a special treat on the back of each pendant for the her.  I'll tell you what it is later once she's seen them and given me the okay to share with you all. 

Let me know what you think of these pendants - have you a similar artful story to share?

BEJOYFUL!

In the Home Stretch

This will probably be the last time I am able to post before the home party this coming Sunday.  I am feverishly working on jewelry, scented bookmarks, handstamped muslin ribbon, gift envelopes, labelling and sorting my vintage items etc. etc. etc.  My muse during all of this insanity is the TLC show "Say Yes to the Dress"  - the sea of white wedding dresses and the Kleinfeld white decor must be calming - it certainly isn't the price of some of the dresses, Youch!  I paid $200 for my wedding dress some 26 years ago, $75 for my hat (yes I had a hat not a veil) and $60 for my lace shoes $335 total. Hmmmmmm.

Fleurs Avec Le Bleu Francais Necklace

 
back of the Fleurs Avec Le Bleu Francais Necklace

I believe that the back of the necklace deserves attention, perhaps not as much attention as the front but it needs that special something to make it more than just a working part of the necklace.  You will find most of the BarbaraDoone necklaces will have a Swarovski Crystal or Pearl dangle or a few complementary beads worked into the chain to give it that special somethin' somethin'.

Le Coeur Bracelet

Just a couple more designs to get you excited about Sunday.  Le Coeur Bracelets are confected of mixed metal chains, chandelier crystals  and Murano foil lined heart beads.  The hearts are available in red as pictured, pink, blue, chocolate brown and chartreuse.  Also, the bracelet is adjustable,  I may not have bracelets available at the show in all of the colours but they can be ordered. 

Angels and Demons, Buddha and the Butterfly, Kitties Galore Earring Sets

Finally, whimsical, diminutive, mismatched, darling earring sets.  Each little ceramic bead "munchkin" is crowned with a Swarovski Crystal.  I will be expanding the offerings and combinations in these sets over the next few months.   The Angels and Demons earring set provides a succinct way of expressing yourself.  On those days when making a decision seems almost impossible or you are losing the struggle to remain on the straight and narrow, you can wear the angel in one ear and the devil in the other!  Family and friends will be forewarned. 

Well, back to work.  I am so looking forward to seeing you all at the home show on Sunday afternoon!

BEJOYFUL!

On The Edge

In the Garden of Good and Evil

My husband declares that "I've lost it"!  I tell him that I'm trying to incorporate new jewelry pieces in my  Etsy Blissquest Shoppe  that are slightly "on the edge", I'm trying to grow and create in new and exciting ways.  Well, maybe this one has fallen right off the edge.  What do you think?  Skull beads are very popular these days with the younguns so I gave some thought as to how I could weave them into my designs.  Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Angels and Demons

Well, what about these?  A pair of devil earrings and a pair of angel earrings sold as a set.  Wear them all at once (if you have 2 holes in each ear) or, if conflicted, wear one of each.

For the more conventional, here's a couple of new designs I will have ready for sale at the upcoming home party and the evening at the Ajax Convention Centre.  Also available through the Blissquest Shoppe.

Circles

Pearls and Wisdom

Always appreciate your thoughts.  Your input really helps me to "be real" and at the same time "push it to the edge".

BEJOYFUL! 

 

CREATING, CREATING, CREATING for the Party and SAVE THIS DATE!!!!!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know to save this date.  On Friday, April 16th from 7 p.m. - 11p.m. I will be participating in the Market Moms Shopping Event titled "Mingling Mommas and Mocktails" at the Ajax Convention Centre.  BarbaraDoone's Grand Magasin will be stocked full of BarbaraDoone jewelry, vintage rings, Damascene and rhinestone jewelry pieces, other vintage delicacies as well as Bliss Gift Packaging, Handstamped Muslin Ribbon and Vanilla Latte scented Bookmarks.  Check out the Market Moms own website  to learn more.  Wishing to see you there!

STIRRED NOT SHAKEN EARRINGS

Still busy creating, creating, creating for the home party on March 28th.  Like Julia Child I spend alot of time thinking about food so look what happened to my jewelry!  I did say that my BlissQuest Jewelry is whimsical and romantic themed - fork and spoon earrings definitely qualify as whimsical. 

NATURE LOVE EARRINGS VERSION #2

Here is another version of earrings for the Nature Love jewelry.  These fall under the romantic themed category and you also could say that they're rather BOUNTIFUL and will definitely be entering the room before you do.  Silvertone etched leaves, twisted rings and swarovski cream pearls make up this recipe. 

 
NATURE LOVE BRASS NECKLACE - THE PARTY DOOR PRIZE

Kate and I thought we'd sweeten the pot a bit for those planning to attend and the yet undecided.  This necklace will be drawn for at the end of the party so you need to attend the party and fill out a ballot to be in the running to win this BEAUTY.   The necklace is confected from 22" of brass rolo chain, a beaudacious brass three dimensional flower pendant and three carved stone beads.  This charmer is remarkably light considering the components.  A $45 CAD value.  These necklaces will also be on sale at the party and, if I run out, can be ordered. 

Most BarbaraDoone jewelry can be ordered and customized if other colours or chain styles are better suited to you.  ALWAYS ASK!

Now my last jewelry piece for this posting -

 
IN LOVE NECKLACE

Multiple lengths of black and silver chain, a silvertone lined black and white lampwork glass bead and a plentiful filagree silvertone heart combine to declare LOVE is in the air and around your neck.  Nothing like LOVE is there?

Are you looking forward to the party?  Let me know how you're feeling and what you think of the jewelry with some comments on this and the other blogs.

BEJOYFUL EVERY MOMENT - HONEST IT DOESN'T HURT A BIT!