My New Canvas Project! 'The Gardens'

My husband and I have been going back and forth about art work for a few places in the house. A few years ago, he decided to take a flying leap...and bought tubes of paints and some paper and decided to try his 'skills' at painting. Well, the canvas and paper ended up in the garbage...he claims I said something...not true! You should see the two huge canvas paintings I did in college...my parents have them hanging in their garage...need I say more. So, I decided it was my turn to put my foot out there. And yesterday, my son and I decided to get the paints out while Addison was sleeping. My husband came home when I had just started adding the paper around the edges. And I told him, I don't know why I painted the canvas, except I remember my Painting Instructor from college telling me to never start with a white canvas. So, underneath all the glitter, glue, paper, flowers, pins, chipboard, rub ons, distressed ink, brads, and ribbon, there is red, brown, and tan paint. So, if ever the thing decides to fall apart...it will still be pretty! So, I have decided to give you a sneak peak, because tonight when I took the pictures, they didn't turn out very well, and I will try again tomorrow. And I am not finished yet. I still want to add a big hanging bow on the top! So, for now here are a few or more pics of the up close detail of the canvas board called 'The Gardens'.

Vintage Brooch I bought off Etsy.com

I also have one more canvas to do. I bought my paper at Devine Memories. And I bought all the paper offered in the series. So, this one has a botanical garden theme, the other is going to have a roaring 20's theme. Which while I was making this one, I was pulling out things for that one.

Enjoy and please leave comments, because I will read them to my husband!!!!

Thank you!

Jewelry Inspiration Board #10 Vintage Jewelry/Anthropologie

I've paired up some of my latest 'Vintage' inspired jewelry with a few pieces from Anthropologie.
Here we have a vintage/oxidized necklace with Freshwater Pearls, Aquamarine, Clear Smooth Oval Quartz, Swarovski Crystals and Pearls and on a Sterling Silver Chain that has been treated to create the stunning Oxidized look! The great thing about this necklace is you can match it to quite a few earrings and bracelets. Here I have matched it with a pair of Coin Freshwater Pearls and Crystals Dangle Earrings, also made with Sterling Silver Chain and Ear hooks that have been treated to create the Oxidized look! *The jewelry is not yet available. They are One of a Kind pieces, if you are interested in purchasing them, please email me at beautifulgarden@cox.net.


The outfit is from Anthropologie Top, Jeans and Sandals.
The Clutch is from an Etsy Designer: Oktak

Have a great Tuesday!
We are off to a very busy start- lots on our list to accomplish today!

Our Special for the Month of April - Receive a free pair of 'vintage' pearl drop earrings

I've decided to run a special for the month of April...Receive a pair of freshwater white pearl earrings in the 'Vintage' finish with every order over $75.00. No need for a coupon code- we will just know!

So, shop away- these are perfect earrings to give as a gift or keep for yourself, and they will match back to just about everything in your wardrobe- dress them up or wear them everyday! It's just our way of saying thank you!

These earrings will be available to purchase in May 2008

Oxidizing Jewelry

I have fallen in love with Oxidizing / Antiquing Jewelry! I just love how it turns out. I was up late last night making jewelry and I can't wait to finish the process of taking pictures and getting them added to my website. The funny thing is, I want to oxidize all my jewelry. I now look at my jewelry and think to myself whether of not it would look better dark and antiqued.
My family went over to my parent's house today to celebrate my moms birthday and go swimming. It was a little on the breezy side. But, my daughter couldn't stay away from the pool and my son is a fish! Anyways, my dad makes stain glass window and I decide to ask him about the whole oxidizing. I had brought my jewelry case over to the house so my mom could pick out a few pieces for her birthday gift. He didn't know what I was talking about until I started talking about the chemical he uses to darken the lead on the stain glass windows. So, we went out to the garage to test the chemical out 'black patina' on one of the necklace I had tried to oxidize with hot, hard boiled eggs. It didn't oxidize evenly on the chain. So, we put this chemical on it, and it work perfect! So, now I am so on it! I can't wait to go through my collection and start pulling out pieces I can 'blacken'!!! It's funny I think it gives it a whole new life! Be sure to check out my current 'Vintage' Collection. Again, I am in the process of listing about 15 pairs of earrings just for the 'Vintage' Collection.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I am off to work on my website.
Happy Birthday Mom!! We love you!!
Cheers, Trisha

A few Oxidized Pieces have been added...

So, I decided to give this whole Oxidizing Process a try...and the end result - I love it! I think it's the neatest thing ever! I really think it takes a piece of jewelry that I would hesitate to wear out during the day and makes it more casual for everyday wear. I love the antique/vintage feel it gives the jewelry. I now feel like I can wear dangle crystal earrings during the day with jeans and a fun t-shirt and it will look great! I will work on a board so everyone can see what I am talking about. If you have a pair of sterling silver earrings and you feel like you are not getting enough wear out of them; I would give the whole oxidizing technique a try. You might just surprise yourself, and start wearing them more often.

I have the new collection in their own category- 2008 Vintage Collection - I've only added a few pieces. I am still working on them.

I've been working on my scrapbook albums. Actually just getting a few pages completed late at night. I got side tracked last night and decided to work on this round box. I'm about half way through it. I will post pictures of it tomorrow. I should have it completed tonight. So far I really like it. I think it really goes with the whole Easter Vintage theme I have going on here in my work space.

Oh, and one more thing. Over at Etsy.com they have this thing called the Treasury. You see it on the home page. Well, Etsy vendors actually sign up and do the collages. So, last night I did one and you can view it here- Spring has Sprung It's a way to promote other Etsy vendors- not for self promotion, except you are kind of promoting yourself- your name is all over it! I just think it is a neat tool- and the Etsy community has more interaction.

Well, I'm going to head up and work on some scrap booking projects.

Thanks for stopping by!

Trisha

Vintage Shabby Chic Look for Jewelry Pictures

OK new post! This is my new look for 'vintage shabby chic' photos of my jewelry. I will still use the white background but add in a few of the vintage paper. I really like the new look. It really goes along with my new shabby chic home show and boutique table display.

I will have a new collection added to my boutique- you can view it this coming Monday. I have been working on a vintage look with some of my jewelry designs- the pieces will include vintage inspired or vintage pieces incorporated into the piece. I'm really excited about exploring these one of kind works for art.

Check back later today so you can get a sneak peek at the new line.

Have a great Thursday!

Trisha

Great Vintage Pieces coming....

I am so excited! When I was browsing around Etsy, some time last week I came across a shop who sells vintage brooches, buttons, earrings and things of that nature. Well, I made a few purchases today! I can’t wait to get them and start making new ‘vintage’ pieces! Every since I changed of a friend of mines grandma’s brooch into a necklace, it just made me want to recycle, reuse, bring life to a new piece.

When I first started out as a jewelry maker, I never thought I would be at the level I am now. And when I am talking about level, I mean giving myself the opportunity to explore new media, not just a strand of beads.

I was reading this blog, Art Junk Girl, well she is exploring painting right now. And her entry today made so much sense to me. When I was in college I was an art major but as soon as I started down that path, I quickly changed my course of direction to Art History Major, Studio Art Minor. I had a hard time coming up with ideas for all the different projects I had to finish! I did take a painting class, and the instructor did give us inspiration, or an assignment to fulfill. Well, let’s just say that the 2 pretty large size painting I did are now hanging in my parent’s garage! Is that good? I’m really impressed that they are hanging anywhere!
I still have my oil paints, water colors, charcoal pencils, pastels, you name it I have it. I can’t throw it out. And I have been out of college for quite sometime. It’s funny how I can never come up with something to paint or create. So, I just sum it up that the paints will always be there for me, when I’m ready to pick up the paint brush for the umpteenth time! For now I will work on my passion, creating jewelry. The funny thing, my 12 years I spent in the fashion industry, I only made a handful of pieces I could actually wear to work.
I can’t really say this entry had a lot to say, but I know I got a lot out of it!

Vintage Brooch entering it's next Life...

I had to share these photos with you...a friend of me gave me this brooch she received from her grandmother. She wanted me to make something out of it. So, one day I came across this picture of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's where she is wearing a gorgeous 5 strand pearl necklace with a pendant/brooch. I immediately contacted my friend to see if she would be interested in the same style. So, this is what we came up with. I just love it! I hope she has some where special to wear it! Never under estimate vintage pieces of jewelry. You never know what their second or third life may become! Enjoy!