Let Me Tell You About...

Welcome to my little corner of the  B'Sue Boutiques Build a Line Challenge Blog Hop! I am participating to learn all about the fascinating history of jewelry, and to create a cohesive line of jewelry using B'Sue Boutiques brass stampings and components.

I began dabbling in jewelry about eight years ago just out of curiosity to see if I could really make something wearable; boy was I surprised when Stringing Magazine accepted my first submission comprised of my own polymer clay focal and wirework necklace. From there, I attended several semesters of community college silversmith classes, and now I'm embarking on a new journey with gorgeous brass stampings, shimmering crystals, and those luscious Miriam Haskell pearls.

As I mentioned in my last post, this is a new genre for me as my past work involves metalwork, wirework, and polymer clay focals:

I have been attracted to sparkly baubles ever since I was five years old, when I became aware of my Hungarian Grandmother's Art Deco, Art Noveau, and trendy 1950's sparklers. I was hooked! Grandma made sure I was decked out every Easter, and my fondest memory was that gorgeous woman dressing me up in a white rabbit fur batwing jacket and matching pillbox hat. My frilly pink and white embroidered dress was not complete without the little gold and pearl duckling brooch with matching cufflinks. I was stylin'! I still have that pillbox hat, reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy. Those were the days.

Brenda Sue has made sure our challenge group is well versed in jewelry history, including such styles as Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco. The stampings used in the challenge originate from vintage and antique dies and are crafted by expert casters. They hail from the historical periods mentioned, so the designs our group creates will have a certain historical flair. Here are a sampling of my components I will use to create my designs, can you guess my theme?

Let me tell you about the birds and the bees, and the flowers and the trees, and how I will love to put these components together into a romantic and feminine jewelry line. My theme is The Birds and the Bees!  Please join me and the challenge group in our first of three blog hops charting our journey. Click on the links below! Tell us what you think!

Brenda Sue Lansdowne Jewelry Making Outside the Box


Diana Buynak Butterfly Emporium Ceramic Studio

Irene Hoffman, Heart's Dezire by Irene

Clare Wells Nemeth, Creative Magick

Mary Reckmeyer, Afrayed Not

Marcia Tuzzolino, Aurora Designs

Elizabeth Wilks, Wearable Art by Lizzie

Jeanette Rose Belmont, One Canvas At A Time

Lyn Joy Reeve, A Journey From Jewels To Jubilation

Belinda Reed-Ingle, Vogue Rocks

Beth Trubman, The Journey of Jewelry

Carole Carlson, Bead Sophisticate

Jann Tague, Clever Designs by Jann

Shari Gardner, SLG Jewelry Designs

Susan Bolton, Fern's Place

Chris Kemp, Noodle Pie Bracelets

Barbara Kelley, Angels' Keep

Susan Bowerman, Woodside Wireworks

Pamela Anger, Novegatti Designs

Joan Donovan, Hailey's Cottage

Alison Huie, Ally's Baubles

Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden

Erica Olmos, Beeb's Closet

Erin Whitacre, Shattered Time Jewelry

Fran Sitton, Sitton Up Front

Ginger Hammond, Lynn Leigh Designs

Paula Gaskill, Lovely LaylaBug Jewels

Mary Deis, The Rose Sword

Renee Webb Allen, Small Stuff Design

Valerie Tilghman, ArtJewelsandGifts

Chris Cravens, Vintage Cravens

Leslie Carver, Adorn Divine Designs

Donna Parry, JewelryDonna

Gina-Marie Hammer, Tangles, Twists and Treasures

Kelly Wymer, Winged Wisdom Enchantments