Change It Up Blog Hop

Here we are at the B'Sue Boutiques "Change It Up" Blog Hop .... glad you could join us!   Pour yourself a cup of joe, and join me and Toby!

Our blog hop mission was to take one of four specific brass components from B'Sue Boutiques, use it in a way that's different than its usual way, inspired by current fashion trends, but with a vintage flair, and create a statement jewelry piece ... now that is one tall order!

When I first decided to join this blog hop and make a piece using the above guidelines, I had no clue what I'd make.  I'm not a cuff-bracelet person, and the brass tie didn't inspire me, so I knew it'd be the floral crescent or large brass heart pendant.  Or maybe both ...

I did have an idea for what I wanted to do with the crescent.  I'm always inspired by Haskell and Hagler jewelry, and I've made some wired assemblage necklaces before.  My jewelry style is usually vintage-inspired, so this part was a no-brainer for me ... follow my heart and style. 

Now, how to follow current fashion trends while keeping that 1940's flavor .... aha! Luckily, pearls are big this year, and I happened to have a nice old multi-strand vintage 'pearl' necklace with rhinestone filigree beads that would be perfect to repurpose with this necklace.  The 'change it up' part really stymied me though.  How can I make this different?  Turn it upside down?  Nope.  Hmm, how about asymmetrical, using it more to the side-center?  Yes, that's it!

The focal itself was easy, and I zoomed right along. The vintage-look patina came about naturally from handling and heating the metal. The part that stalled me for a bit was the 3-strand section opposite the crescent.  It took awhile to get that 'just right' but finally ... success! A simple strung neckchain, and voila .... trendy pearls with a Haskell flair in a unique asymmetrical statement necklace!  

Classy and classic looking, yet with an edge that only asymmetry can bring, this necklace was a joy to create and is my first challenge piece.

But ... I still have time!   What to do with the large brass heart pendant that's unusual?  Turn it this way and that, and ... aha!   That's it!  Something glitzier, shinier, blingier ... like the beautiful rhinestone jewelry of years ago ...

I started with some unmirrored-back unset pointed-back faceted glass 'stones.' How to set them so the facets reflected back threw me for a bit until I read an article on using 'gold' leaf in polymer clay settings.  That works!

Some brass leaves joined the mix, along with a large brass shamrock component.  Toss in some small pearl cabs, and we're ready to create something different ...

... and different it is!  A glammy fish brooch reminiscent of the days when big brooches ruled, with a joined smaller pearl 'bubble' pin.  I've always loved those joined pins, and adored rhinestones, so this piece reminds me of days past when real ladies wore brooches.

There is, of course, only one name for this piece ... the decidedly unvintagey name of "Mr. Super Bling-Bling Fish."  Since I collect cat pins, Toby decided that Mr. Super Bling-Bling Fish needed to stay with us on the pin board so the cat pins could watch him shimmer.   ;)   

And that is how we "Changed It Up!" Thank you for joining in on the Change It Up Blog Hop sponsored by BSueBoutiques.   We've enjoyed our visit with you, and I hope you enjoyed our pieces too! Now come and 'hop' on along the list and see what our talented friends have created too!

Pamela & Toby
Novegatti Designs

Brenda Sue Lansdowne       Jewelry Making Outside the Box

Mary Deis       The Rose Sword       http://theroseswordmdeis.blogspot.com/

Jann Tague       Clever Designs       https://janntague.wordpress.com/

Lori Beekman       B.Accessorized       https://baccessorized.wordpress.com/

Renee Hong       Fine and Dandy Jewelry       http://www.fineanddandyjewelry.blogspot.com/

Cynthia Wainscott       Exotic Peru Jewelry       http://exoticperujewelry.blogspot.com/

Dana Hickey       Magpie Approved       http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com/

Mary Beth Quigley-Spiker       Q Settings       https://qsettings.wordpress.com/

Karen Eaton       KJewelry Creations       http://kjewelrycreations1.blogspot.com/

Shari Gardner       SLG Jewelry Designs       https://slgdesigns.wordpress.com/

Alison Huie       Ally's Baubles       http://allysbaubles.blogspot.com/

Pamela Anger       Novegatti Designs       http://www.novegattidesigns.blogspot.com/ <--- you are here!

Carole Carlson       Beadsophisticate       https://beadsophisticate.wordpress.com/

Cindy Peterson        Howling Dog Jewelry       https://howlingdogjewelry.wordpress.com/

Marcia Tuzzolino       Aurora Designs       http://auroradesignsjewelryblog.me/

Charlotte Smothers       Sea Horse Ranch Life       http://seahorseranch.blogspot.com/

Catherine Shattuck       Victorian Rose Boutique       https://vrbrose.wordpress.com/

Clare Wells Nemeth       Papercrafting Magic       http://papercraftingmagic.blogspot.com/

Erin Whitacre       Shattered Time       https://shatteredtimejewelry.wordpress.com/

Lynda O'Mara       Lomara Creative       http://www.lomaracreative.com/

Ginger Hammond       Lynn Leigh Designs       https://lynnleighdesigns.wordpress.com/

Ingrid Anderson       Lilis Gems Artisan Jewelry       https://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Deb Beechy       Beetique       http://www.beetique56.blogspot.com

Harry Wood       Oscar Crow       http://oscarcrow.blogspot.com/

Delyssa Maxwell       Past Time Fancies       https://pasttimefancies.wordpress.com/

Paula Gaskill       Lovely Layla Bugs       http://lovelylaylabugjewels.weebly.com/blog

Irene Hoffman       Heart's Dezire by Irene      https://heartsdezirebyirene.wordpress.com/

Alexandra Sefton       Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art        http://wilywolverine.blogspot.com/

Leslie Carver       Adorn Divine Designs       http://adorndivinedesigns.blogspot.com/

Dusting off the Blog

I'm baaack!   ;)   After a several month (well, okay 6 month!) break, I've dusted off the ol' blog and here I am!  I hope to be able to keep up with more posts, more frequently in the future.

Where have I been for the past six months?   Right here, on Clover Blossom Farm, but BUSY! Gardening, pet care, and jewelry-making took up most of my time during summer vacation from my school kitchen job.  Some physical issues kept me just relaxing some days (oh darn, huh?)  Then, there was the party:

Yes, my son and his lady are having a baby boy!  He's due in November, and we had a lovely baby shower party here on the farm last month.  Of course that takes lots of planning and preparation, and we crafty-types can't just buy decorations and such, oh no.  We have to make them all, and are simple things good enough?  ::shaking head no::   Suffice it to say, I spent a lot of time ... and had a lot of FUN ... getting ready for the party which was a huge success! Now to wait for that little grandson to arrive ....  <3

I spent some very nice early mornings in my workroom with jewelry supplies, cats, and coffee ...

... and came up with some summery necklaces that were fun to create!

Now, it's onward to an autumn line, and then winter/holiday jewelry, which is my favorite to make!

Before that, though, I've joined another challenge blog hop which will take place on September 25.  Sponsored by BSueBoutiques.com, the theme is Vintage Flair and the goal is to use one of a few selected brass pieces and create something unique and different, keeping in mind a vintage look and today's fashion trends.  Whew, that's a tall order, but I think I'm up to it.  In the meanwhile, stay tuned for more posts here, and more jewelry creations on my facebook page at www.facebook.com/NovegattiDesigns.  ;)

Pamela