Thank you, thank you!

Adorn Me jewelry is pleased to announce that our necklace design, Lucid Dream, using Vintage Natural Brass has won the Vintaj Design Challenge for July! To read more about it please click here. Click the thumbnails to view the photos at their full size.

I know I already made a somewhat similar post before this, but this post gives more info on the elements used in the necklace. This necklace is basically a nostalgic statement necklace. It has a lovely Vintaj Soaring Swallow that swings free at its top by a Vintaj petite etched cable chain as its wearer moves about. Up that side is a large, darker red not-quite-round carnelian that is nestled into a Vintaj 16mm filigree bead cap. The chain used is Vintaj petite etched cable chain and Vintaj flat oval chain. Headpins used are by Vintaj, as well.

The stones used in this necklace are an amazing - huge - carnelian teardrop pendant, inverted and wrapped in a Vintaj peony filigree. From it hangs an amazonite round, a peacock freshwater pearl, a faceted Czech glass teardrop in topaz color, and it is surrounded by a drape of more Vintaj petite etched cable chain. Along one side are more amazonite rounds alternated with carnelian-colored Czech glass melon beads, and Vintaj flat oval chain. Hanging from the swallow's tail are a teardrop amazonite and a pretty little pearcock freshwater pearl.

The clasp in the back is a simply gorgeous Vintaj Large Woodland Toggle Set The beautiful etched jump rings you see are Vintaj's Etched Jump Rings, and they are used in multiple areas of the necklace - every place where I wanted a strong and beautiful connection. At one side of the toggle you can see the cluster of pretty danglies - a glass melon round, a peacock freshwater pearl and an amazonite round, with the melon and amazonite hanging from hammered, antiqued brass (non-Vintaj) headpins. Because the necklace is so substantial I decided that less is more for the matching earrings. I used the hammered headpins for the lower, smaller amazonites and Vintaj's Round Loop Ear Wire. You can find many of these Vintaj products from Sue at Blue Marble Beads and Karen at Karen's Treasures. Thanks upon thanks to those who voted our Lucid Dream necklace into the winning spot!

There will be more Vintaj Statement Necklaces (and more sedate items, too) in the near futire, and as always, you may find us our Adorn Me Jewelry store at Etsy. :)

I Love Vintaj Brass!

There is something about the deep caramel color of Vintaj brand brass that draws me in. Their name is synonymous with "quality." As brass goes, it is definitely more expensive than your run of the mill, generic brass findings and materials. But worth it. Yes, it's brass, not fine silver, gold or platinum. I know that some turn their noses up at what they consider to be the 'lesser' metals. But let me tell you, you just don't find jewelry made with the old Arts & Crafts, Art Deco and Art Nouveau molds in those higher-priced metals. And when you do, well... better check your bank account, because you're going to pay dearly.

My friend Sue, at Blue Marble Beads, has carried Vintaj for a while, and my friend Karen, of Treasures by Karen, carries Vintaj brand findings now. She also sells Tierra Cast findings, which are GORGEOUS, but another story for a different day. Karen sent me this Vintaj Peony filigree to work with, wanting to see what I would make with it. My friend Sue at Blue Marble Beads sent me the bead caps used in this piece. The photos in this entry are the result of these generous gifts. Thank you, darling women!

What you see is my newest necklace, "Lucid Dreams" for short. I entered it into Vintaj Blog's Design Challenge for July. Wish me luck, please. :) As always, you are always welcome at our Adorn Me Jewelry store at Etsy. :)