SilverCollect Blog » Artisan Handcrafted

Silverware Christmas Stockings

silver — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:11:40 +0000

You may have seen similar silverware stockings in home catalogs, but with a few materials you can make your own for a fraction of the cost. Use for fun Christmas holiday place settings or a handy way to carry your silverware through the buffet line. Instructions with template at Silverware Stocking from Disney Family Fun

Reclaimed Silverware and Holloware

SilverCollect — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:04:37 +0000

1937 Garland Pattern Silverware with Peridot Gemstone Bracelet - from SilverCollect.com

1931 Barbara-Glamour with Black Onyx Bracelet - from SilverCollect.com

Recycling or repurposing obsolete items is very popular these days. As a silverware dealer, I often came across vintage and antique silver spoons with bowl wear but had perfect handles. I held onto these pieces for many years knowing that one day I would find a way to repurpose them so that we could continue to enjoy them for generations to come.

About two and one-half years ago, I had the idea of making jewelry, primarily bracelets and watches, with these beautifully crafted silver handles. I had seen spoon bracelet jewelry before, but none I could find included gemstones. I decided that gemstones would make the bracelets a little extra special…worthy of becoming family heirlooms. After training and trial and error, the rest, as they say, is history.

After the first of the year, I will be adding matching bracelet, necklace and earring sets also made from reclaimed silverware. See SilverCollect Handcrafted Jewelry

Heirloom Lamps handcrafts table lamps from vintage and antique quadruple plate holloware, such as tea and coffee pots, sugar and waste bowls; and also antique candy tins, glass bottles and many other items.

Handcrafted lamp with antique quadruple plate holloware - at Heirloom Lamps.

*Heirloom Lamps is not associated with SilverCollect.

Victorian Style Couture Jewelry

SilverCollect — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 06:15:00 +0000

For a beautiful selection of handcrafted Victorian and Art Nouveau style couture jewelry, visit artisan Thea at her online jewelry store, Sparkle Plenty Fine Beaded Jewellery. Thea handcrafts jewelry using vintage, antique and contemporary beads and findings in her Los Angeles, CA studio. The designs are either one-of-a-kind or limited edition styles.

Here are a few samples from Thea’s designer collection of Victorian and Art Nouveau couture necklaces.

Below left: The Victorian-inspired pendant is the focal point of this couture necklace with emerald glass bicone beads and sterling silver. Below right: The focal point of this couture necklace is the antique vermeil plaque, which was made in Hungary about 100 years ago. It is set with deep green chalcedony surrounded by silvery-white blister pearls.

Below left: The centerpiece of this couture design is a vintage 1940s German topaz pressed glass pendant. Czech faceted glass beads ornately carved with silver-foil ends (cathedral beads) and firepolished crystal. Below right: The vintage stamping gives this couture jewelry an Art Nouveau look. The looped fringe includes dark forest and pale olive green glass pearls, golden sand iris and rose seed beads. The pendant is embellished on both sides. Acanthus leaf hook set.

Below left: The focal piece of this couture necklace is a scrolled sterling silver crescent set with sparkling Swiss marcasite. Swags of sterling silver chain and Swarovski green turmaline round and bicone crystal beads. Below right: Delicate Victorian style swag necklace of Swarovski amethyst and light amethyst bicone beads, and matching crystal rhinestone connectors.

Thea also designs and handcrafts beaded rings, brooches, handbags, earrings, jewelry watches, men’s jewelry; and also takes custom orders for bridal jewelry.

Victorian is only one of the many styles of artisan couture jewelry designs you will find at Thea’s jewelry store. Click to shop for couture jewelry at Sparkle Plenty