My sissy is a vintage jewelry expert. She collects a wide variety of beautiful pieces and I've learned an appreciation about the subject from shopping with her or looking through her vast, luscious piles and stacked boxes of precious pretties.
I've long admired her "Pool of Light" beads, without really knowing what they were,thinking just pretty little crystal ball type dangles.
So, when Beth had some junk jewelry for sale and had some of these little marble thingies in it, I was quick to snap them up to make my own necklace with.
Then I did some research about the balls, here is one thing I found:
For thousands of years this optically clear quartz has been used as gemstones because of its enchanting ability to absorb and affect light in the way that it does. Images viewed through genuine rock crystal balls appear to be reversed or upside down. They are brilliant, luminous and will be a conversation piece wherever worn. These literal works of art are finely crafted and are from turn of the century.
I also found out that they were very expensive. And felt a bit guilty about buying them from her for a couple bucks. But I'd already made a necklace for myself, and one for a birthday coming up for some one else.
And I did NOT want to take off my necklace!!
So, I made a necklace for Beth too, using pieces I thought she'd like, including an old luggage tag from the Santa Fe railroad.
And that didn't seem like enough, so I foofed up a box for her too. Its an old jewelry box, and to the top, I added text that included the word "prism" (seemed fitting) and a die cut rose. Over that, I smeared modelling paste, let that dry and added ink.
To the interior, I glued text to the inside lid, and a tiny die cut rose over that.
Next, I layered hand writing from a ledger page, that had been waxed, so had a nice, transparent quality, and scraped it away from the rose under it, and glued a teensy millinery posey under that.
While my jewelry tools were out, I made this necklace too, as well as some earrings for a pal.
Its inspiring to have beautiful baubles to work with, so I was on a roll.
I did a bit of painting that day, too. I'm not done with this one, I'm adding some 3d wings to her too.
Last day to enter the drawing for the bird themed collage! Drawing is Saturday.
I'll leave you with some photos of newer listings in the Boutique.
I love seeing the inspirations jewelry pieces you made! And you are one busy lady… jewelry, painting, journaling….. it’s hard to turn off that creativity, isn’t it??
Karla,
As always, everything is just gorgeous. Luv the necklaces and have already read Beth’s blog and know she loves hers. Your artwork is always striking.
You are definitely an inspiration to all who visit here.
The necklaces are just beautiful. And I know Beth will not hold it against you. She seems like a sweetheart.
Please enter my name in the drawing I would love to have a treasure from Karla.
Debra
Would that be MY birthday you where refering to?
I love the box and the necklace on top of the books.
The cover of the true dog stories is great.
And the painting you made of Sugarwings is soooo beautiful.
Well, all you show us here, is as always, lovely to see and to read. Thank you again.
Your necklaces are beautiful! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for beads like that!
Karla, I’m inspired once again! I love the necklaces so much. Perhaps I will make some of those for Christmas gifts. I inherited some of Moma’s old jewelry.
Love your stuff.
Karla, what beautiful treasures you have been making…the clear beads do seem to glow on their own. Love the jewelry you made, as well. Have a great weekend. Patty in Kansas.
I saw it on her FB page and adored it! And so generous to give back the beads!
The info you provided about the “pool of light” beads was really interesting! Your necklaces shown here are sooo pretty. So many enchanting creations of yours are shown here! I am itching to do something creative, but alas! I have chosen the road of dishes, laundry, and straightening up! Believe me, they all needed to be done! Maybe I can squeeze in just a bit of creating later? Looking forward to seeing which lucky gal gets that collage!
There you go again, leaving me breathless. I think it’s a good crafty day if I can eek out 2 small paper thingies. Eating your dust, Doll! (the necklaces are so pretty. gotta find me some of those “pools”). Charlotte
Oh, swooning over all the jewelry!
Beautiful art work!
That is great. Having a pool is such a luxury to have and having its design improved is another huge thing. A great lighting for pools is perfect for night swimming.