Repurposing Jewelry - inspired by Pearl

I make jewelry and am always searching for unique beads and components to incorporate into my work.  One of my recent forays to an estate sale led me not too far from home. The owner, Pearl (a young 101 years of age), was selling off the contents of her house so she could transition to a convalescent home. Pearl's house was filled with absolute treasures, especially vintage clothing and jewelry. I felt so lucky to come away with handfuls of really great chain, and was immediately inspired to create new designs with them.

 

 This blue quartz necklace is the first piece I made. I wrapped each quartz oval bead in 14k gold fill wire and linked them all together. I then cut two gold oval links from one of Pearl's chains, and added some little ice blue apatite stones to one of the links. The apatite serve to cover the spring clasp which attaches the necklace together in the front, rather than in the back as is typically done. More of Pearl's vintage gold chain completed the necklace.

 

I found out after speaking with the estate sale coordinator, that Pearl is a lifelong crafter, artist, and all around busy bee.  Her interest in learning new things, and acquiring new skills and ways to express herself must have to do with the fact that she's lived such a long life. Inspiring isn't it?  I aspire to follow in her active shoes.

Woo-hoo!

Today I had my 100th sale on Etsy! And I have some facebook fans to thank for that.  To show my appreciation I'm offering a 15% discount on EVERYTHING in my shop, through the end of May.  Use coupon code FACEBOOKFANSMAY2011 at checkout. 

Not a fan?  You can be...  :-)  Like me at Leaf and Tendril and then head over to my Etsy shop through my fan page, or from here.  Happy shopping!

The Global Genes Project - 7,000 Bracelets for Hope

 Today I shipped out my donation to the Global Genes Project.  I sent this denim sodalite bracelet, which will join the many others that artists and crafters have been donating since last year.  The GGP goal is to gather 7,000 blue bracelets by December 2011, to give to families of children with rare diseases.

According to the GGP website: "Rare Disease affects over 250 million people worldwide, and the largest percentage are children. There are over 7,000 rare diseases that have been identified all with very unique needs, but many with little to no support. In order to really help this community they need to be viewed as one, one community of millions, impacted by disease. Rare disease is not so rare, and the community is much more likely to garner the support, attention, and resources it needs if it is viewed as one."

If you're interested in participating in this project, get more information on the 7,000 Bracelets For Hope page.  We can each make a difference, no matter how small.  :-)