re-using vintage beads

Today I have been making more jewellery and using the last of these stunning metal framed glass beads I salvaged from a charity shop a couple of years ago.

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 I was just going to make the one bracelet, but once I had started I just kept going....

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 having made the second bracelet I was left with just three of the beads, not enough for another bracelet but I could make it into a pendant style necklace keeping the Vintage theme going

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 oh yes and then I made a pair of matching earrings just to complete the set

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

simple, stylish, elegance

Venetian glass - what can I say about these beads - just gorgeousness in abundance.
They need no embellishment, no other beads, or fussiness! just a simple chain and nothing else!
So today I threaded them onto a fine plated chain.
the gold plate collection

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the silver plate selection

the black plate selection

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

beady eyed fish

I've been doodling with wire again!!!

These wire fish will be taking their first outing this weekend when I will be taking them to Moreton Art Festival to 'test the waters - please' excuse the pun:)

Vintage glass button jewellery

I found these three glass buttons in my button box today so I decided to make a necklace and matching pair of earrings with them. I have added Swarovski crystals and small glass beads, and they have been threaded onto fine gold plate chain. I hope I have retained the vintage feel with this design.

unique handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

button earrings

It has been a while since I last used buttons in my jewellery designs, so today I thought I would see what I could make -

 First of all I had to decide which buttons to use - these were given to me by one of my aunts two or three years ago, and many must be over 50 years old there were some real gems in this collection and I am already formulating ideas for those, but today I thought I would try these pretty little pearly white ones.

I added Swarovski crystals for added sparkle along with some tiny glass rocailles beads. I am very pleased with these button and crystal earrings - there will definitely be more designs to follow


 handmade jewellery by Angela smith

Precious beads

Do you have materials in your craft rooms, studios you like too much to use so you stash them away? I find myself very guilty of doing this, usually with beads and especially if my supplier stops stocking them, as I know I won't easily find them again so I become very reluctant to use them and the beads become very precious.
This morning I found a stash of my precious beads, these are turquoise glass chips, I decided that they cannot hoarded them forever - they need to made into something beautiful so others can appreciate them too! So I took the plunge and made up these four items of jewellery. I used fine silver plate chain to create these delicate pieces.

the complete set, necklace, bracelet and earrings

I still have some of these beads left but not quite as many as I did yesterday!

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith

Jewellery making workshop

Today I returned to Shallowford House to provide a jewellery making workshop for the ladies attending the Mary and Martha Retreat - most of the ladies I had met yesterday at the craft fair and a couple have attended my workshops and / or birthday parties in the past,  although none had any idea I would be providing their workshop today!
I arrived half an hour before the workshop was due to start which gave me ample time to set up the beads and work boards etc. and most importantly to have a nice cup of tea.

After talking through and showing some of my designs, I gave a short demonstration on the basics of earring and necklace making before letting the ladies loose on the beads.
Necklaces, bracelets and earrings were made by the ladies and as always these came in a variety of styles and colours.
At the end of the session everyone had at least one item of jewellery and all looked very happy with their new makes!

Jewellery stall at Shallowford House

Today I was at Shallowford House for their Open day,
With the sun shining through the marquee windows all day it gave a lovely backdrop to my display!
My jewellery stall

Many people were sat outside enjoying the sunshine watching the displays and listening to the choir.
A lovely day
I Made many sales including several pairs of earring and other items of jewellery and I also made many name necklace orders during the day

One of my hares sold too

along with more of my photo greetings cards

If you have an event in Staffordshire or Shropshire and would like me to attend with my jewellery and cards please contact me.

Dichroic delights

These dichroic glass necklaces are another new make for this week, just in time for the Shallowford House Open Day tomorrow, I shall be in the craft marquee, with my jewellery and some of my cards too, please pop by if you are in the area!

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith 

Foiled glass bead necklaces

 New makes for this week also heading to the Open Day at Shallowford House this coming Saturday -May 3rd. Please come and find me in the craft marquee

foiled glass bead necklaces 16 inches in length with silver plate clasps

handmade jewellery by Angela Smith