Jewelry Making Outside The Box

She Waltzed the Aisles of the Five and Dime

Round two of the Five and Dime Style Jewelry challenge will be brooch and earring set.

This has been a bit of a stumper for some of us because brooches aren't what most people make of late, and some of us are a little too young to know what a Woolworth or J.J. Newberry store was.

So....first, I'd like you to watch this video of Nanci Griffith singing "Love at the Five and Dime", and listen especially to her explanation of what it was like to go to a Woolworth's store:

Love at the Five and Dime by Nanci Griffith

I especially enjoyed the video as this song is one I have always loved, it tells a story. 

Here's a quote from my Facebook Fan Page (find it here) under the Discussion Tab on the next round of the challenge (find the discussion under the DISCUSSIONS tab at the top of the page---you'll want to check it, it's a deep discussion with A LOT of commentary):

I got one of my Nanci Griffith CD's out and was reading the liner notes....and I **saw** something VERY striking. Quoting parts from the liner notes written by Robyn Flans 12/2000 (italics mine):

"...Nanci Griffith remained true to her style even though her music could not be pigeonholed. Although she has never been considered commercial, she HAS carved out her own category that he has termed folkabilly---a place somewhere in between country and folk music.....

'What I do is just a little left of mainstram," Griffith admits. "I think that when you're out there FORGING A PATH, it's very difficult to package that, because there's not a PATH TO FOLLOW. I didn't see that I fit in AT ALL. I've always seen the propensity between the folkabilly thing that I do, and the Carter Family, and Loretta Lynn, and that era of country music. BUT NOT THIS ERA."......

Ultimately, all who know Griffith's music have come to realize it is of no real consequence if it does not strike a chord with hit radio........Nanci Griffith has had to struggle for recognition, but her art clearly REFLECTS THE TIMES and will move you to want to right the wrongs and BELIEVE IN THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGE."

Isn't that what we're trying to do here?

How uncanny and how appropriate to have chosen Five and Dime as a theme! and her song, written by her, is great inspiration as you determine your next move in the challenge.

What brooch and earrings set would Rita have worn, as she danced down the aisles of the Five and Dime, with Eddie?

Rosa By Hilary Frye of FryeStyle is a Great New Project!

Wondering why we are now carrying Ranger Stickles at B'sue Boutiques?

Because Hilary designed this incredible project, using them.....and I couldn't resist giving them a try, myself!

I love the combination of the sweet Worn Lipstick Stickles over the silverware silverplated large 40mm manipulated and riveted flower centerpiece.

You can find all our Stickles colors here

Also, you can find Hilary's project instructions on our site under Project Ideas, here

In Case You Were Wondering.....

This is the guy who really packs your orders from B'sue Boutiques

 

Sometimes he falls asleep on the job.

Sometimes he plays around a little too much.   But never fear.....there are always humans for backup.

Any time there's a problem.....Shelley will fix it.

My Challenge to You As A Jewelry Maker

What is the difference between PURPOSED and REPURPOSED jewelry?

When is it okay to take a piece of vintage jewelry apart and make something else from it?

And when it is better to use vintage components to fashion your own design, from the ground up?

Which will take you farther as an artist?

Grab a cuppa joe and come visit with me in the Library Room, and we'll discuss it:

Purpose or Repurpose---Which?

A Scene From My Journey

 

As you can see.....this goes back to 1996.   Honestly I was showing this at the FB page and thought it was 95......oh well, close enough.

This is a 'line' or catalogue sheet that our reps carried to sell my gift line back in the day.   It seems like forever ago.  I wish I had more of them to share with you;  in fact, at one time we had an eight page catalogue.  

I've come such a long way since then, but these sweet little pieces, although quite simple, still have a lot of appeal.

And we sell a lot of the parts to this day, at B'sue Boutiques

Do You Ever Look Back, Artistically?

It's just a simple concoction, a gypsy style bib necklace I made about ten years ago.

I look at it now and think.....what would I do differently?

I think it's good to keep some of your pieces and go back and re-examine them, challenge yourself.  OR....see how far you've come.  ;-)

Golly Miss Molly

Molly Alexander of Beautifully Broken Me submitted this photo for the Five and Dime Challenge today:

Molly's blog can be found at Beautifully Broken Me and is a delightful place you should frequent.  Molly is a bright spirit with a beautiful heart, and if it WAS broken....it isn't, anymore.

Her composition features hard plastic and vinyl flowers made in the 60's in Hong Kong and is delightfully, playfully, utterly Five and Dime Style.  

You can purchase flowers like these here

And the base she affixed them to is very similar to this    This one would absolutely work for you.

Molly drilled the base and attached with rivets or brads, not sure.....she can comment if she likes!  Look at her blog, she shows a series of pix front and back.

Andrea Dalen's Five and Dime Style Pieces, Kate Conway's Cuff

  We've seen some great work in the Five and Dime Style Challenge.   In fact, I worked on the permanent album for B'sue Boutiques for several hours today.

I did expect to see turns in the road, and alot of repurposing. 

Andrea Dalen offered us some photos of her work today and they just touched my heart.  Maybe it's because, if I'm being very honest, they remind me alot of the line I produced with blood, sweat and tears in the early to mid 90's and sold to over 500 store accounts.

So I suppose you'd like to see?  SURE!

This one is a delightful collage, simple, wearable, yet full of layering and texture.

This collection combines Steampunk Style and Novelty.  Novelty jewelry was widely sold in the 50's and 60's Five and Dime Stores, and much of it was made from stampings just like these.   We sell them at B'sue Boutiques

Another piece that was added to the album today was a very interesting cuff by Kate Conway.

I think the base is repurposed, but the front ornament, pie crust bezel, art bubble and prong mount are all from B'sue Boutiques.  In fact, you can buy a kit to make it complete with directions:

Photo Jewelry Kit with Art Bubble

The artwork under the bubble is Kate's.

Here is the whole album, by all means please visit and leave your comments.   I know what I like; but what you like may be different.   Most of all, I am looking to take us all on a journey of discovery and learning.   I have always believed the highest inspiration for jewelry making was looking at the work of those who have gone before.....getting a feeling....and making it your OWN.

Five and Dime Style Design Gallery

 

 

Bead Caps I Have Known....and Loved

A bead is just a bead until you frame it.  Just like a painting needs just the right frame to be truly appreciated, a bead needs the right cap.

ALWAYS.

Here are some I love:

cube-drawn bead, manipulated vintage style

 

These are really great on hatpins.  I LOVE to make hatpins, I can sit for hours making them.  They intrigue people....when I did shows, I always took a huge basket I'd made into a large pincushion and FILLED it with them.   I always put it under a light so that the glass beads would sparkle.  We never came home from those shows with many hatpins.

Here's a link to a hatpin kit in case you're interested:

hatpin making kit with instructions

These thimble style bead caps are ALWAYS a hit:

Russian Goldplated Thimble Style Bead Cap

 

And our acorn style go fast...so versatile!

silverplated acorn bead caps

Filigree always works for me.  Here are some faves in Old Rose Ox plating:

filigree bead caps in Old Rose Ox Finish

Wanna see some more?  We have over SEVENTY!! styles at B'sue Boutiques

Here's the Bead Caps Section:

Bead Caps at B'sue Boutiques

Why not check out our awesome vintage style filigree beads while you're visiting?

Vintage Style Filigree and 50's Style Metal Beads

Wow, So You Like the Memory Wire! Let's Do this Some More!

Thanks to everyone who commented on the bracelets....so easy to do!  Just get out your beads and caps and give it a go!   I love looking at your links...keep up the great work!

If you need quality wire, we do carry it at B'sue Boutiques:

memory wire

Here's another made with natural carved mother of pearl, grey vitrail, crystal and silvertone beads.