Updating Suze's Collection: Round 1

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:

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.

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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.