Hand dyed Antique Lace

I have only a small bit of my two favorite laces left. I need to get out to more antique shows and flea markets. I had so many boxes, I thought I would never run out. If you live in the Northeast you really have to go to Brimmfield. It is the most amazing antique market I have ever seen. This year had a theme for me. I found three brooches a spider, fly and beetle. I love them.

I dipped into my antique bead jar for this one...

Beading for Winter Formal Event

This piece is a first attempt at anecklace for a friends Black Tie Fundraiser I like to make a few options when I do custom work. The next piece has a starry Night quality, I will post pics when that is finished. I plan to gift one of these to the fundraiser, as the money will go to NJ schools.

All materials are recycled from other vintage garments and accessories.

Transcendental

Tran

Tattered Elegance

This statement necklace is for a friend in NYC. She has an opening to attend and wanted something spectacular. She is wearing this with a black riding jacket and lurex jeans. The beads and lace are vintage. The black lace is from a hand made mermaid dress that was worn on New Years Eve to the Limelight in NYC. The lace is going out for an encore.

A Winter Wedding

This Neck Piece is a prototype for a Winter Wedding I am working on. I dug deep into my vintage lace and pearls. I pulled out a box of vintage sequin appliques from Roth Imports. A treasure found in NYC at the Chelsea Flea Market. The box has all original packaging indicating 1092 as the date of origin. Tru 80's Glam.

The effect is very romantic and should be worn with a warm ecru strapless dress. The dress is planned to be very simple. No lace or beadwork. A simple beautiful silk shape. Inspired by vintage classic dresses.

I love being involved from the start. It gives me a chance to see down the road. This is going to be an elegant candle lit wedding. Warm and glowing.

This is my next project. I love Chan Lu, inspiration.

See Chan Luu Inspired Turquoise Wrap Bracelet and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep

Harrisville Looms in NH

One of the most spectacular towns in New Hampshire is Harrisville. The old mill buildings made from brick have gorgeous old warehouse style windows and wide plank flooring. The waterfall and river actually pass under the mill buildings. The Harrisville Looms are one of my favorite places to sneak away to. Walls and bins of Roving and yarn, not a synthetic anything in sight! You walk in the little retail shop and your hit with the warm scent of wool.

My favorite thing is to go to the bin where you can mix your own bag of roving by color. I pull and stuff and think of ideas. I love it!!

I rushed home and made some flowers...

Bohemian Chic, Charm and Feather Necklaces

Fashion is at a fun place right now. I really relate to bohemian Chic. I love natural materials and gifts from nature. I am trying to think of ways to incorporate the amazing chunks of mica I find around the woods here. I am on a feather kick at the moment. These necklaces are fun to wear because the feathers catch the breeze as you move and since tethered will flutter. The feather makes a nice background for other handmade charms and recycled beads.

More my style...

Second bead project. I am working in my colors. Pearls and white bone. A big clear glass heart bead made from recycled glass. Linen in a tattered and fringed way. I always come back to nature. Soft and romantic. The shape of the dress is yet to come. The chiffon is only gathered and pinned. I know for sure the dress will be backless. working out the other details.

I am enjoying beading! Who knew? It is a lot like mosaic work and evolves as you go.

Summer Experiments, new skills

When I was little my Irish mother used summer as a time to teach us creative skills. Alternative learning. The arts were an every day part of life in our house. Someone was always making a dress or new summer top. I remember making kid suede rose barrettes. They would be perfect with romantic bohemian chic looks. My dad made me a bead loom and drove me to a bead supply house in Boston to purchase giant bags of glass seed beads. I still have those big coffee cans full of beads. I remember trips to Natick Mall to an incredible old school button shop called 'Windsor Button'. Learning new skills was a way of life.

I still view summer as the lazy days of experimentation. The pace of life changes... (not slowing down, just different) I find myself on road trips to towns and cities I don't usually get to during the busy school year. I find evenings filled with more down time, and no check lists of school work or projects that must be completed. I cherish those evenings and view them as my time. I am using my free time this week to try my hand at beadwork. I am working on turquoise suede and using my spare glass bead collection.

Any critiques, advice or helpful tips are welcome! I hope to finish this cuff bracelet by the weekend.

I found an ancient Butterfly Book!

The pages were falling out. Someone loved it dearly. Pencil and pen marks point to species that have been found and identified. I love a well worn and loved book. I found the owners own attempt at drawing the butterflies tucked inside the book. I think I will frame it even though it is torn and water stained. I also found a 'golden' butterfly and moth book from 1942, a 'field guide'.

I made this pendant from the field guide. The other antique book may be a potential for restoration.

Found Objects...Jodi French=Nature Girl

My entire life...I have been a nature girl. I'm still like a little kid. Rescuing the little orange newts off the road. Waiting at the top of a chipmunk hole for him to think it's safe. I just love the outdoors. Wherever I go I am always picking up 'things'. A piece of metal, run over by cars. Feathers or bones I find in the woods. Sea shells and glass at the beach. River rocks or mica... it all comes home.

I have started pulling out my boxes of treasures. I am loving the Bohemian Chic movement. These necklaces represent a little part of what I am working on...

Time=Spirit

Beetles and Feathers

Buttercream Vintage Flowers

Summer Fashion. Pretty vintage flowers my Mom brought here from Ireland. I take them apart and stitch them into arrangements. Added silk stain in center of flowers and vintage pearls, from the Dublin Barn Sale.

Some pretty little wedding hair do-dads

I made a few dozen of these for a wedding in Virginia (Virginia is for Lovers after all). The mossy green appeals to me. I was worried what the bride would think because moss actually varies so greatly in color. This is a 'true' New Hampshire moss color. Touches of red and a forest green. The flowers are enhanced with hand painting, really I should call it hand-staining. I let the water carry the color onto the petals. Each girl will be wearing 5 of these in up-swept hair. Cute.