the Art Nest. . .part 2

our second day at the art nest was in amy hanna's class 'rejuvenated jewels'.
the table she set up was stunning! so many beautiful pieces of jewelry. can you imagine how it was to look through her whole jewelry collection? i was in awe over each elegant piece! she displayed many pieces to sell and her favorite pieces she wears herself to give us ideas for our own creations. this picture of amy teaching was taken by melinda downing at the art nest.


the table was draped with a length of burlap and covered with a runner of hand dyed crepe paper decorated with sweet millinery flowers. each vintage velvet jewelry box held treasures and jewels put together with gorgeous chains, gems, and lovely vintage pieces. it was breathtaking! we had a hard time finishing breakfast and beginning the class as everyone was trying to decide which piece to buy!


then amy pulled out a box filled with baggies of vintage parts we could buy, a freebie box of bits and pieces, and a whole selection of chain and pretty bits from her friend Li' K Designs.
this is my favorite part of the necklace i bought from amy, look at the lovely little vintage flower nestled in the old watch face.
she had some beautiful marie antoinette looking ladies cast from silver and stamped with her name to add to each of her pieces. a perfect finishing touch!



and here is the burlap bag amy made to wrap our jewelry in. fabulous isn't it!


Once the buying flurry settled down we all began designing our pieces. amy has an unbeliveable knack for looking at a design someone is working on and making suggestions how to unify the pieces and add interest with chain, vinitage clasps, and stones. i loved her idea how to attach a vintage rhinestone clasp to my necklace that had one chain on one side and two chains on the other. the little bead bridge works perfectly!


i made these earings first with vintage pieces and beads i had collected. i was so excited to use the little rhinestone rondelles. i soldered a little ball at one end of the ear wire and shaped and hammered them before attaching the chain and dangle with a jump ring.
the great tragedy was i wore these earings out snowmobiling the next day and one came off and was smashed by my snow boot! i don't have another little pink disc, so for now they are awaiting repairs. :(


this is the necklace i made using the rhinestone piece from candice and a few bits from amy's junk box! to attach the separate pieces i drilled out the rhinestone and right though the soldered base to make a hole for attaching the dangle and both chains.


i also made these earings and this black necklace with a bezel from a class i took from stephanie lee . no idea what i will put in the bezel yet, but i love the tiny little man dangling from the clasp. . .



i still have more to post about the art nest, pam's class, the artist sale, and sledding! i'll get busy.
xo julie