Vintage Redesigns Part 2

"Gardeners Delite"

Available

The ornate watering can and the cluster of flowers the can hangs from are sterling silver. All other elements of this design are vintage. I've chosed to use clear cut crystals, a rhinestone rondelle and a vintage filigree strand seperator for this design.

The entire necklace shows the hook closure as well as the chain used and focal.

"Starburst Necklace"

(SOLD - JB)

A stunning vintage charcoal grey pin has been used to create the focal on this necklace.

Beautiful vintage focal.


Vintage clasp closure for the multi strand necklace.

Four strand necklace gives a big "wow".

"Time in Paris"

(SOLD - FF)

This focal consists of a vintage gold watch case in which a fleur d leis has been added to it as well as the vintage chandelier prism that has the Eiffel tower dangling down from the time piece case.

Love the Eiffel tower image in this piece.

Details of the watch face and fleur d leis image.

A pearl cross is added for a detail near the closure.

The gold tone chain is a bar style and is very cool.


"Lady Necklace"
SOLD French Flea August Sale

Focal is this square vintage chandelier prism piece that I've transposed this

wonderful lady to the back of. It has a very warm feel with wonderful patina.

A freshwater pearl dangles from a piece of vintage silver bar chain.


This focal connects with two more vintage silver bar chain pieces
and than to the wonderful strands of vintage faux linked pearl chain.

Vintage Redesign Jewlery - August

This post will include vintage redesign jewelry that I've created from vintage jewelry, vintage found elements such as key holes, keys, buttons, etc. as well as unique vintage beads. When I create a piece of jewelry I try to make it something that is timeless and can be passed down to future generations. I hope you enjoy this post, as much as I enjoy creating these new creations.

Ornate Key Hole Necklace
(SOLD at "The French Flea" July sale)

I found this wonderful vintage brass key hole last month at a local barn/antique sale and knew I had to create a design around it. I went home and dug to through my extensive stash and low and behold I had this wonderful brass key buried in my container of keys. This was the beginning of my design. I also stumbled across the awesome vintage metal button which I also believe to be brass and had a ta dah moment. The Fleur d leis AB crystal drop was once sported as an earring in its before Gretchen days. This wonderful combination of elements than became the focal on this necklace.

A beautiful AB Crystal piece.

I just love this stash of tiny buttons I came across in one of my treasure hunts. I paired the focal pieces with these wonderful vintage champagne colored Swarovski crystals. These beads have been hoarded for many years waiting for the perfect project to introduce them into, and I felt this was the perfect necklace to use them in. There is nothing like vintage crystals vs. the new crystals that are sold today. The old ones had an element used in them that adds the extra sparkle that the new ones no longer can emulate. I adore using vintage Swarovski in my designs.

The vintage champagne Swarovski crystals than connect to a pearl chain as well as two other chains on either side to make up the main portion of the necklace. The final portion of both sides was created with a solid gold tone chain on either side. This necklace also has an adjustable closure that allows the owner to wear it different lengths.

This necklace was my favorite one I designed in early July and I had a hard time putting it on the Occasional sale. Now I know why. It was in hot pursuit by several ladies at the sale and the gal that purchased new she found a treasure. At Occasional sales shoppers learn the hard way, that most items are one-of-a-kind and you have to get there early and grab it if you love it.

Mixed Metals

(SOLD at "French Flea" July sale)

This is a gorgeous necklace in person and has a lot of sparkle that my camera didn't capture. I took these photos in a rush before bringing them to a 4 day sale.
This piece has wonderful sparkle, which isn't apparent on the photo. It was a vintage pin that has been created into a necklace focal.
Part way up the side of this necklace there are some wonderful treasures dangling together. A vintage skeleton key, vintage brass filigree flower, a vintage tassel and a new Vintaj gold tone bird. I love these little sparrow birds and they've become a trademark for my designs. I use them quite often and never tire of them. They flow beautifully with the vintage elements I typically use and give a rather delicate addition to the pieces they are showcased on.

This is the entire necklace in all of its details. There is a brass and silver portion that attaches to the focal and the dangling portion hang from and then a heavy silver double chain portion after that.

Golden Dreams

(SOLD - FF August)

Lovely vintage amber colored stone with a wonderfully detailed gold colored setting.

These vintage rectangular amber with white swirl beads have also been waiting for the perfect focal combination to be used with and this vintage piece is perfect for them. I just love how sometimes things work out like this.
I intended to keep the focal and these six wonderful vintage beads as the front and center on this design, so complimented it with a simple gold chain, as to not take away from the beauty of these vintage elements.

"The Nest"

(SOLD)

I just love this piece. It was created with a very thick short choker length gold chain and a delicate pearl linked chain. The focal is a wonderful vintage chandelier connector that has been enhanced with a transposed robins nest on its back side. I've dropped a gorgeous delicate robins egg blue vintage bead from this Nest.
Again, the photos do not do this piece justice. It is wonderful in person and a very one-of-a-kind find you'll not see anywhere else. This would be ideal for any Moms out there that are keepers of their nests.

"Family"(Donated)

Update: neckalce was featured in the Star Tribune article on September 16th in their gallery of photos of my business in conjunction with the article they ran about my business as a jewelry designer.

This necklace would make a wonderful gift to any female family member, a best friend, or a a dear sister. It is created with a vintage chandelier prism.

Wonderful gold filigree settings with coral centers that create a flower effect make up one of the sides of this necklace design. The remaining side has two different types of gold chain creating its elements.

Detailed shot of the wonderful filigree flower section.

Overall necklace design.

"Keep America Free"

(SOLD - FF)

Love the liberty lady and all of her glory.

All of the vintage elements are so wonderful to design with.

This is a very fun and cool necklace that can be warmed everyday.

"Silver Cuff Bracelet"

(SOLD at "The French Flea" July sale)

Vintage paste style rhinestone shoe buckle is created into an ornate cuff style bracelet.
I love working with paste style jewelry. Each piece is so special and has its own vintage patina.
Back side of this bracelet shown.

The remaining portion of the bracelet was created with Sterling Silver wire that has been hand wire wrapped for a secure design that is sure to last for decades to come. The clear faceted crystals used are vintage, as is the disco ball and roundels. The Fleur d leis is a new Sterling Silver charm that has been added to give it a French flair.

"Time Flys By"

SOLD

A vintage pocket watch face is the focal in this design along with a sparrow bird and a cool oval piece with pearls set into it. This has been attached to larger single pearl chains on each side and than connected to a smaller strand of pearls with chain for the remaining length of the chain part.
This view shows the entire necklace and all of the wonderful details it entails.

Pearls and all of their details.

"The French Flea Market of Anoka" July Sale

Hello! The "French Flea"sale is completed for the month of July and those of us that are vendors are already busy gathering, re purposing, painting, designing and preparing for the August sale. However, since I didn't get a chance to share anything about the "French Flea" in my blog for July, I thought I'd entice you with a few fun photos I happened to take during the past sale. Thank you to all of our customers for coming and making this another successful sale.

I've not shown the new sign on my blog yet, but it turned out really great. We went several months without a sign, but once it was completed, it definitely was worth the wait. Nicely done!

Another greeting to the customers from the vendors is written in chalk on the cool shabby chalkboard in this photo. Without customers, this wouldn't be a shop. Thanks for coming!

This is my jewelry display area in the shop. I am in the process of redesigning this area, with using furniture for the August sale rather than the burlap/black tables that I've been using, so stop back again and see what I come up with.

I use vintage frames to display my "Vintage Redesign Jewelry". I have a frame for silver necklaces and another for gold. Its interesting to see what people fall for. Note the necklace second from the right on this photo, as you'll see a detailed version of her below.

(SOLD at JB)

Update on "Clara" . Clara was featured in the Star Tribune article about my business on September 16th, 2009, and found her happy home the following day while for sale at the Junk Bonanza. A lovely lady purchased her and is now giving her a happily ever after.

This is my "Clara" necklace. She was created using a vintage bisque doll that I found "as is", broken arm, silver hair and "Clara" written across from her chest. She is the ultimate of "cute" or the ultimate of "creepy". Take your pick. Some love her and some hate her. I personally love her and feel she has many stories to tell.

This oval frame houses all of my earrings for sale, and the black rectangle to the left showcases some of the vintage redesign rings I create.

This cool piece really can showcase a lot of fun treasures.

This wonderful table and chairs sold in the first hours of the sale. It was a fabulous buy!

Lots of cool shells, seaside and/or beachy items were prevalent at this sale. This two piece white display piece sold as well and could be used as two separate pieces of furniture or used as shown together. Another great buy.

Another cool display piece. Love the wire the gals chose to display on this.

I almost bought the life guard ring for our cabin, but passed on it and let a happy customer purchase this rare find instead. You don't find many of these in Minnesota. Very cool!

I love silver! I also love the black trays with the words written on them.

This painting was recreated by Julie, our master vignette creator. She bought this canvas and than embellished it by cutting out scrap booking paper to create her bow tie and hat, and added the vintage jewelry and feathers. She was named "Dominique" and sold quite quickly. She was one of those one-of-a-kind items that Occasional Sales have become known to provide the customer.

Thanks for taking time to visit my blog. Stay tuned for the next monthly sale event at "the French Flea". Each month the shop takes on a totally different and unique look with new wonderful merchandise set up beautifully for your pleasure. It is a beautiful place to work and be surrounded by.

Next sale dates are:

August 13th (Thursday) 10-8 p.m.

August 14th (Friday) 10- 5 p.m.

August 15th (Saturday) 10-5 p.m.

August 16th (Sunday) 12-4 p.m.

I hope to see you there. Be sure to say "hi" to me if you come into the shop.