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Courting My Beading Muse . . .

I think about beads and jewelry a lot.  Maybe not constantly, but almost.  So when my muse is with me, I must court her so she stays and provides me with inspiration.  Here are some results . . .

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Updating Suze's Collection:  Round 1

2/2/2013

4 Comments

 
In October 2010 I met with a friend who wanted me to update her vintage collection of inherited jewelry, gifts, and her own purchases over the years.  She didn't wear it anymore, or never had in some cases, but she wanted to honor the memory of some pieces handed down from dear relatives.  So we met to brainstorm, and in the end she gave me a box of jewelry, some intact and some just remnants, and a list of projects that I completed by the end of the year.  

Suze Spencer Marshall is an award-winning musician, entertainer, music teacher, and record producer in Vancouver, WA whose western musical roots go way back to the 30s and 40s.   We first met at her house where she showed me fabulous collections of her stage wear: vintage western shirts and boots, lovely velvet jackets, and beaded garments from the early 20th century.  With these in mind, and knowing that she wanted what would look fabulous on stage, we planned the remakes.

Here are a few before and after pictures of what was done:
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BEFORE:  Black satiny glass and a wonderful cross that belonged to a loved one just begged to be redone.

Suze wanted it long to layer with other pieces.

Originally it was stiff and too short to wear easily.  Luckily all the original pieces were usable.

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AFTER:      I added more black glass and sterling silver findings and lengthened it to about 36" plus an extender for some versatility.

Small silver balls between the black beads make it supple.  

She wears this one a lot and gets raves!

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BEFORE:  Moonglow 1950s beads worn by mom probably

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AFTER:

Suze wanted a set for travel and personal wear.  There were plenty of beads for a 3-piece set.

So I added clear glass, a lovely beige-y color, and copper findings, her favorite.

Again, small beads between the bigger ones makes this work.

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AFTER:

The necklace is about 23" long and works alone or layered, one of Suze's favorite looks.  This would look great with a longer copper chain with a pendant.

Copper bead caps, toggle, and counter-balance in the back are featured.  

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BEFORE:

A very classic design, perfectly fine, but not what Suze wanted.

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AFTER:

With the addition of a brown turquoise and sterling silver, this necklace is updated.

The bears are wired dangles, and the necklace is shorter.

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AFTER:

There were plenty of fetish bears and other beads to finish the set.  I added sterling silver and a few turquoise beads.

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BEFORE:  

Very traditional, nice turquoise and silver.

Suze wanted it shorter and more RED!

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AFTER:

Red coral is added, but the other beads and silver are kept.  

But making it shorter gave Suze a bracelet and earrings.

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BEFORE:

Long necklace of pearlized glass beads, German glass, and old-style bead caps.  

And one  clip earring.

Needs work.

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AFTER:

I grouped similar beads together and arranged the colors in a way that flows.  

Matte gold-finish findings work well.

Two earrings on vermeil wires.

Those are five of the original remodels I did for Suze.  There were more, some with white glass pearls and very traditional, some with black nailheads in a netted design, some with glass chips that just needed more room between the beads so they could move.  All were fun.  As I work on Round 2, I'll show you the process.
4 Comments
JoAnn Green
2/5/2013 02:13:15 am

The before and after pics are wonderful. Makes you think about
the bits and pieces of old family jewerly that you don't wear and how
they can be made into something beautiful again. SO creative Toni.

Reply
Toni McCarthy
2/5/2013 06:30:37 am

Thanks, Jo! Spiffing up old pieces is definitely popular, and we can honor sentimental items and still look stylish.

Reply
Juanita Gonzalez
6/6/2016 10:25:36 am

I love all of your work and items! But I'm especially interested in your BOOTS!! Please respond to me ASAP.
THANK YOU!

Reply
Toni McCarthy
6/7/2016 08:10:10 am

I'm not sure which boots you're interested in. Could you clarify for me?

Reply



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    About Me . . . 

    I am a beader. 
    I love it. . . all parts of it:  planning projects, buying beads, accumulating tools, reading articles, organizing my studio, auditioning designs, researching other artists, and hopefully inspiring myself to continue courting the beading muse. 

    I have been designing handmade beaded jewelry since about 1995, 
    and always my focus has been on What Women Buy for Themselves  (although I have LOTS of customers who are men too!)

    All pieces are designed and made by me in my studio here in Camas, Washington.
    Czech glass in bold colors is my main "fabric."  In addition, copper, brass, vintage German glass, handmade lamp work beads, and copper and silver wirework are mixed with metals, gemstones, pearls and found objects in one-of-a-kind designs.

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