Wednesday, March 5

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

16 comments:

Lilli in Vancouver said...

Thanks for sharing, Julie! How heavenly it must've been to see such beautiful jewelry bits up close. And to have Amy's expert help with the assembly.

Sorry about your earring :( Hope you find a rhinestone replacement soon.

Anonymous said...

Hi Julie - I love all your pieces! So sad about the pink earrings tho..

I've admired Amy's jewelry since I met her and Pam at ArtFest 2 years ago. She was so friendly and sweet, giving me tips for a bracelet I had made there and how to oxidize silver, etc. I've been collecting bits and pieces since then to make my own "Amy-esque" necklace but still haven't started. I admit I'm intimidated about things like soldering and drilling. I'm not even that great at closing jumprings!

Britt- Sparkled Vintage Charm said...

looks like you had a great time :-)
gorgeous jewelry! :-)

Nerissa Alford said...

I'm drooling over all the pictures. I'm such a fan of Amy's & I'd love to take a class with her.
Thanks for stopping by my blog & your kind comments :)

Have a good weekend!
Nerissa

Sarah said...

Yummy!
Sarah
http://vintagelily.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Dale said...

Wow! It looks like you guys had a great class! What inspiring jewelry to see right before the class! They look to be fantastic. The ones you made look awesome too :).

Maija said...

It was such a great class! I love the stuff you made - I'm partial to the earrings - they rock!

Marina Collings Whiting said...

very cool jewelry!!!
and the photography is PERFECT!
and 17 comments?!?! movin' up in the world!

Anonymous said...

OH MY! OH MY! This retreat is on my dream board!! It looks perfect...small and wonderfully inspiring...YOU ARE ONE LUCKY LADY INDEED!
Congrats on Artful Blogging...I will be featured soon also! And yes...what a trip to see that in with your incoming mail..you cry..you laugh..you can't believe it...you cry some more!! It is a beautiful piece and a wonderful publication!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Charmingdesigns said...

I'm on a waiting list to take from Stephanie Lee. If they open up another class, is there anything special I should take??? I have plenty of old chains and jewelery. Does she have a way of making shiny metal look old?? Im really excited. Thanks, Laurie

Оksana said...

Very vintage look! I love them all!

Anonymous said...

Hi Julie!

I love everything on your blog...you have such a way with all your vintage treasures.

I saw your article in "Artistic Blogging" very beautiful!

I am looking forward to seeing what you did in Pam's class...

And...I am worrying just a little bit about the Heart you made me......I miss it!!!!

Love,

Elise

Diana said...

Julie... What gorgeous jewelry!!! I wish I could have joined you nesters. Sounds as though you had another successful retreat. Congratulations!!! I miss you all!!
Diana Frey

Anonymous said...

These are so much FUN! I've been collecting "junque" jewelry for awhile now and can't wait to get started on making some also. Jump rings are my nemesis though! But I'm not giving up!
Diane Knott

Anonymous said...

gorgeous stuff! looks like y'all had a wonderful time. haven't heard from you...so, guessing your ok on your supplies for class. looking so forward to meeting y'all. let me know if you need anything.

Just be...... said...

Such a wonderful retreat!!! Love the jewelry you made ... Paintings!! everything has such a lovely quality about it!

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