Friday, December 30, 2011

Assemblage: The Latest Trend in Jewelry

"ASSEMBLAGE JEWELRY"
WHATEVER DOES THAT MEAN? YOU ASK. 
Well, before I show you my latest "Fascination"... Look at the excerpt from this article: 

Following excerpt (by Valli Herman) can be found at: www.thestyleglossy.com
     Worn in multiples and combined in eccentric, slightly kooky combinations, today’s jewelry makes its statement with size, color and audacity - not price.
     Many collections feature a strong vintage feel. Now is the time to reassess that pile of forgotten chains, bangles or rhinestones. Trends include cascades of pearls mixed with matte metal chains; rhinestones partnered with ribbon; and rosettes that anchor asymmetrical assemblages of beads, chains, leather & fabric.
     Metals don’t aspire to be "precious" - they’re content to look like they belong in a hardware store. A recession-inspired return to less-precious materials, coupled with a new consciousness about sustainability, has helped inspire a creative renaissance in fashion jewelry. 
     The trend is good news for all of us who have despaired that our jewelry is a hodgepodge of different styles, materials and decades. Matching is out, mixing is in. Now is the time to flaunt your personal style, says Ken Downing (Neiman Marcus). “You can combine bracelets and bangles that feel as if they have been collected not only from various places on a journey, but also from various times.” 
     That intricate necklace of mirrors, medallions and bells you bought in India (or the neighborhood thrift shop) is now the height of fashion. Forget restraint: Big necklaces can complement earrings the size of a corsage. Or copy the baroque approach of designer John Galliano of Christian Dior and pile on a bib necklace of gold medallions. . . 
     Colleen Sherin (Saks Fifth Avenue) advocates mixing layers of chains and not worrying about everything coordinating perfectly. “An off-kilter, eclectic look is really on trend,” she said. 

OK. So that goes along just SPLENDIDLY with this project!
Here is the shoebox of "mom's" costume jewelry. 
My "task" was to come up with 7 different assemblage pieces.  
The finished pieces would be given to daughters -in-law & grand daughters. 
Isn't that a sweet idea? . .  . I loved it!


So, each piece would include parts of several necklaces
along with earrings & brooches which would compliment each one. 
So, here are my creations: 
3 necklace strands & a few assorted earrings on the shoulder.

3 great necklace strands, grape earrings, bird earrings and an oriental pin for balance.

A Classic beauty! 5 strands and a fantastic brooch for the focus!

Necklaces & chains, a funky brooch and several earrings.

OOH-la-la! Crazy silver strands, rhinestones, the other grape earring & MAS!


3 more great necklace strands with seashell earrings. Love it!

Crazy black & whites strung together with red earrings as a Focus!
  
SO, THERE THEY ARE....
I now have another project using a combination of jewelry,
seashells and sea glass pieces!  
Like I always say, "Beachy!"  




And, here is my creation using MY old & abandoned jewelry. 
I tried to sell it for awhile...but... NO! can't do it. 


And, here is a great one that I would like to use for Inspiration:
 Check out all of  her creations at:
  



Thursday, December 8, 2011

RPT - Local NewsPaper WriteUp

"Yippee-Eye-Yay"

I am going to reprint the Article that Sandy Spain wrote 
in the December issue of the Rocky Point Times 
You can also see it online at:






Sunday, November 20, 2011

SHOPPING! SHOPPING! SHOPPING!

HERE ARE SOME BEACH THEMED 
SHOPPING IDEAS.

~ ENJOY... 




Wednesday, November 2, 2011


It's not pretty being a "copy-kat"!
(...But at least I did it with permission.)


So, a year or so ago, I first discovered these sweaters when the creator, 
Kat O'Sullivan, was featured in the Altered Couture Magazine.   
She has sold thousands of these sweater coats. 

However, just recently,
she began offering the tutorial (which is like 70 something pages long! 
And, is much more like a fun-to-read story!)

She also posted this YouTube video which is crazy-fun to watch. 

P.S. I love the Benny Hill music at the end - a great choice!!  




OK. SO I bought the tutorial. 
 
And, I started in on my first sweater. 

NO, I did NOT videotape myself sewing at the speed of light! 
  The first one was a very slow-go... 

However, I did take some photographs of the process. 
 SO check it out:

My collection of sweaters.

Deciding on the new bodice & adding some detailing.

CHOPPING!!

LAYOUT: A new direction for the sleeves! 

Skirt layout.

Sleeve layout.

Hood layout.


CONSTRUCTION BEGINS.

Pinning together the sleeve layers.
Skirt bottom pieces



THIS WAS ACTUALLY VERY FUN! 
Photos of the final Creation:    


FRONT VIEW.


BACK VIEW.



SIDE VIEW.
SWIRLY SKIRT...

SLEEVE CLOSEUP.
 
POCKET & SWEATER LABEL. 

BUTTON CLOSURE CLOSEUP.

I LOVE THE COLORS.....



SO... what is there left to say? 
I am slightly a copy-kat. 
But I think I added a touch of my own imagination. 
And, I am happy with my sweater.


However, I found it is very addictive.
I am now looking for sweaters...

buying them

stashing them

piling them up in corners.... 

This could get obsessive.  

OK.  So here is the second one...
just "hot off the serger"! 





Do you have an assortment of unused, 
outdated, slightly worn in places, 
old favorite sweaters? 
I will custom make you a sweater coat 
using your sweaters and 
perhaps a few additional.... 

Remember, upcycle & repurpose! 

Stop by my workshop and let's talk! 
Or just bring those sweaters by! 
And let's look at them. 



*Shop hours listed on "Off the Beach" 
page of this blog.






Sunday, October 16, 2011

PLAIN WHITE WALLS MAKE ME CRAZY! 
OK, so when we added on this living room a few years ago, 
 Russ just wanted to get it painted and move in. 
I did manage to paint the entertainment center a slightly different hue. 
But the overall effect always made me slightly uneasy.
(Was I living in a rental house that I couldn't paint?) 


“The creative person is willing to live with ambiguity. 
He doesn’t need problems solved immediately 
and can afford to wait for the right ideas.” 
~ Abe Tannenbaum
 
So here we go!
A few months back, I ordered some wallpaper, got a bunch of old paint 
and poured it all together in to a new color, 
put on my painting clothes and some music....
Below are photos and a few close-ups of my results. 
(I am not done... I still am contemplating 4 windows that are along one wall 
and what to do about them...) 




¡Mi favorito corner niche!

Details.

Funky framed framed mirror. (Get it..)

"Welcome" Details. 
Sponge detail in dining area. Yeah I did this awhile ago.
Ceiling over dining table.

Living room ceiling - to add some depth. 

Ceiling Corner Detail.



 
Wall edging... no corners.  Yea!  



Monday, October 3, 2011

HISTORY. ARCHITECTURE. FLAMENCO. ESPAÑA.


WE REALLY, TRULY, HONESTLY, ACTUALLY WENT. 

"Spain from the Plane" 


Here are a few photographs from our 10-Day trip. 
You can browse our entire Photo Album at:   
 



Palacio Andaluz Flamenco Show & Dinner Theater



Roman Ruins - Merida , Spain

Overlooking Toledo, Spain 
In the Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain


The Atlantic on the Algarve in Portugal

A Landscape View from Ronda