Lust List

I stumbled across mention of a shop called Bell and Bird. They specialize in vintage jewelry. I was left humbly lusting after some of these amazing pieces.

Victorian Gold Bracelet with Natural Pearls    

Bangle with natural pearls in 14k gold. Circa 1860/1880

 Victorian natural pearl and diamond ring set in 18k gold

 

Moss Agate Earrings & Brooch in Fitted Box 

English or Scottish moss agate earrings and matching brooch together in original fitted box. Circa 1840/60

French Sapphire and Diamond Ring

 Circa 1912-1920 sapphire and single cut diamond platinum ring. Paris hallmarks.

1860′s Gold Rush Earrings 

 Dating 1860-1880, 18k gold arrow earrings with natural gold nuggets from the California gold rush.

 

I fell in love with these museum worthy pieces. If you'd like to see more from Bell and Bird you can visit their shop here. Caution! If you suffer from a heart condition the price tags might be dangerous.

What do you guys and gals think? Love it or hate it?

 

This was not a sponsored post. I just loved their product and wanted to share. This post is in no way affiliated with or solicited by Bell and Bird. 

 

Shiny, Happy, People...

Brooches

 Earrings

 Rings

 Bracelets

 For the jewelry lovers in your life: Bounkit. Thank you Lindsay, for introducing me to them. Some great eye candy and absolutely lovely gift ideas for those who need something for the jewelry addicts, like myself, in their lives.

xoxo

{images via Bounkit}

Handmade By Menina Feliz

The girly girl in me that loves everything vintage and retro fell in love with Menina Feliz's designs. There were so many gorgeous gift ideas at Menina's stall at the fair it was incredible.

Carlitta Monchitta

It's getting down to that time of year where people start buckling down for Christmas. What better way then to give something unique or handmade? When I found out there was a local folk arts and crafts fair, I was over the moon. I had so much fun this past Saturday. I had no idea what to expect and the place was a little bit manic. There were so many amazing and talented local artists. One of my favourites was Carlitta Monchitta. She makes Japanese inspired vintage jewelry. Quite honestly, they're amazing.

It's all her fault!

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Yesterday, I was minding my own business, surfing the web when I stumbled across this Jewelry designer, Sandra Sutherlin, by accident. She hit some really great notes for me with her designs. I have a soft spot for dark, romantic, steam punk, whimsical, and vintage pieces. Click through the images above if you'd like to see more of her designs or visit her Etsy shop.

Voodoo Love

Buona sera!


I've had some free time today and grabbed some pictures of a piece I've been working on. I created these pieces because I've met so many people looking for someone special. The pieces include red coral, pink swarovski crystals, a small bone skull to protect the wearers heart from those with bad intentions, a bone heart to attract the one the wearer is looking for, brass, bronze, and flower clasps for each piece. Love it or hate it - let me know!


~Ciao!~
xoxo

Hey, Hey, Hey!!!

Time to check in and catch you up to date. I got in and sorted out the chain maille (woo hoo!!) and I got some more fabulous shots of the store to share with you.

The store has much more than just beads and I'm going to see if I can share some photo's of some of the fantastic tie dyed materials in the store they have from some of the local artists soon.

Ciao!

A New Dawn

Photo courtesy of Nicole Bond

It looks like the gray rainy days of our unusually long spring are fading and the sun.....the beautiful long awaited sun is finally here. With the tide out, it felt like we could walk to and from Seattle across Puget Sound.

The weather was so beautiful I took my work outside and made a good bit of progress on one of my latest pieces. I'm still stuck with my chain maille. Hopefully, I'll take it to Amy Margaret Kapphan who has more experience and she can give me some guidance. She does some amazing work and has a shop on etsy. Definitely a must see to all of us who are into anything handmade. Amy happens to be one of the most killer talented artists in the area. I met her while visiting my local go to spot for supplies, Beads of Bainbridge.

I'll be getting some more photo's of the place to give you guys a peek of the store inside. What I really love about the store, is the quality of their merchandise. It's easy enough to order supplies online or go to a large nationwide chain store and feel like you're getting a "good price" on your supplies, but it's often hard to get a feel for the quality of the items. I've never been disappointed with the quality of any of the supplies I've gotten from here. The store doesn't mark up the prices enough to warrant large scale discount sales. The work areas are another appealing quality to the store. The staff and owners are knowledgeable, talented, creative and helpful. If you're in the area definitely take advantage and visit them at 162 Bjune Dr SE Bainbridge Island, WA.  They carry a lot of work done by the local artists so if you see something you like, you can always take home a piece of the Island with you. I'm hoping I can convince Miss Amy into letting me feature her on the blog. She's amazing! 

Alright everybody, time to run! Enjoy the sun!

Arrivederci!

Tip of the iceberg

This weekend was all about exploration and our journey brought us to quaint and wonderful downtown Poulsbo, WA. Our exploration was nowhere near comprehensive so there will definitely be more to come.

We started our day with a fabulous breakfast of frittes buried under sauteed kale and onions, a baked salmon, topped with a poached egg. It was loved all around, even the 2 year old cleaned his plate. 

Downtown Poulsbo and the Poulsbo Marina

Such a neat day and I got to take some pictures for some necklaces I've been working on. 

What do you think? I'd love to hear your feedback! Have a beautiful night everyone.

Ta!
Rachel of SymbioticLife
symbioticlife.etsy.com

I eat chain maille for breakfast

Alright, so maybe I don't eat it for breakfast.....yet. I've been doing my best to learn the jewelry making form of chain maille. I've taken vintage bronze wire, researched methods, and successfully made my own jump rings. I've been studying the European 4-in-1 technique for making chain maille and to be honest, my first two serious attempts aren't going so well.

 Attempt 1

 Attempt 2

Below is the toggle that inspired this whole necklace to begin with. 

Thank goodness I'm stubborn. I will not only figure out how to do this technique, but I will master it, to the point of a fine art form and angels will sing! :D Ok, maybe that's reaching, but a gal can dream.

Cheers everyone!
Rachel of Symbiotic Life
symbioticlife.etsy.com