Famous Jewelry Collections: THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Awesome Upcycled Jewelry by Victoria Tane

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 04:00 AM PDT

It's one thing to repurpose all sorts of materials for jewelry making. It's another to make said jewelry really, really good. One outstanding and inspirational artisan is Victoria Tane who I discovered when she started following me on Twitter.

Garden of Eden Bracelet

die cut paint swatches and vintage metal stampings

This award-winning artist is an avid recycler and her pieces showcase her use of not only vintage elements but materials which do not normally make it into jewelry designs. She explains, "I've been making jewelry out of found objects for so long that I turned green!"

Elizabeth Taylor Necklace

crystals from 1920's lights

Her artistic flair and creativity is outstanding. How does she do it? Victoria says, "I never look at the way things are. Rather, I always look at the way they could be." And these are invariably unique and delightful. The design below includes leather eyelets from a defunct suspender factory teamed with Home Depot fencing wire, old pewter castings and glass beads.

Five Geometrics Necklace

die cut paint swatches, business cards, aluminum wine wrappers, antique sequins, dyed coconut shells, old jewelry parts

Her commitment to the green movement is real. She and her husband travel to several fine art and craft shows in the US each year in a solar powered restored vintage Airstream trailer! Check out her blog. One useful post explains how one can determine the "greenness" of eco jewelry. Victoria is also the inventor of the patented Headbenz adjustable headband or choker jewelry.

Cleopatra Necklace

vintage 1960's pencil tops and chandelier crystals

Ruff Collar Necklace

Honeycomb blinds and vintage luster pearls

Frosted Grace Necklace

frosting applicator tips, jet glass, antique art deco clasp

More Inspirational Upcycled Jewelry :

For more tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

Liked what you read? Don't miss a post! Subscribe

via RSS OR Via Email* It's FREE! *Click on the link in the confirmation email to activate subscription

Be a Fan!

Winner of HAS' Free Shop for Life Giveaway

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 03:30 PM PDT

First of all, I want to thank Andrew and Kimberly for sponsoring the incredible HAS Free Shop for Life Giveaway. It was a most generous move and one which many of you appreciated.

Indeed, as one reader said, it was something she was praying for. As expected, the number of entries was large - over 300 by the time I counted in the extra ones.

But there can only be one amazingly lucky winner. As you know, the winner is randomly drawn from all numbered entries using random.org. And the winner is (drum roll, please) - 11BOLDStreet! Congratulations! She said, "A venue which features ONLY handmade...what a concept!!!" Indeed. Refreshingly so.

For more tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

Liked what you read? Don't miss a post!

Subscribe

via RSS OR Via Email* It's FREE!

*Click on the link in the confirmation email to activate subscription

Be a Fan!