According to Wikipedia, back in the ancient Greek times, muses figured greatly in art, literature, even their approach to life. They were the font of inspiration, the so-called basis of great thinking and creativity.
This definition is offered, from the ancient Greek:
Ancient Greek: Μοῦσαι, moũsai:[1] perhaps from the o-grade of the Proto-Indo-European root *men- "think"[2]
I'm not one to go knee-deep into Greek mythology but I do like to know the root of words. I'm a word lover! So men-think says to me....today's muse is something that makes you think.
I've been preaching the 'muse' of a vintage piece of jewelry, something to change up your design aesthetic while making you look backward and study things gone before.
These findings have long been a design muse for me. They are authentic vintage Miriam Haskell findings.
The majority of them are still made, and many we have carried over the years at B'sue Boutiques I've seen stampings like this for years and years, so the stampings themselves do not get me going so much as the finish on them does. That's why we have carried Russian Goldplated filigree and findings at B'sue Boutiques since 2004.
You can barely tell them apart from the originals, and truth be told, the finish we carry today is far better quality than the old one was. Ours is a precious metal finish, 18k goldplated, high gold content in the plating bath, with a specialty antique. It also is NICKEL FREE. The old material was not. Russian goldplated brass simply glows. Beautiful stuff!
This piece was made with OUR Russian Goldplated brass:
I changed up the color a bit by adding a little paint. You see, a muse only starts you on a journey. You have to carry it to the next step.
Here is a piece of Miriam Haskell jewelry from my collection:
I ADORE this piece. Here's what the back looks like:
Making jewelry like this is NOT difficult. Have you ever embroidered? It's sort of like embroidering onto filigree with 28 ga goldplated wire. Trial and error, or planned: you can indeed approach it like any other collage, except in this case, you will wire on the parts instead of gluing or riveting, or soldering them.
This is one of my fave pieces from our Russian Goldplated line:
It's the same piece I used in my bracelet. Here's where to find it on the website:
http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Old-World-Pierced-Floral-Filigree-2994
Go ahead. Let my brooch be your vintage muse today. ;-)
bsue...I just adore you!
Posted by: Kassie Kavanaugh | June 24, 2012 at 09:34 AM