For her best friend…

For her bridesmaids…

For her maid of honor…

Her baby’s first ultrasound...

Have your custom art locket created by contacting leeann@verabeljewelry.com.  You can view the rest of our lockets are jewelry  here.

]]> http://www.verabeljewelry.com/uncategorized/customize-locket/feed 0 http://www.verabeljewelry.com/accessories/jewelry-accessories/portland-picks http://www.verabeljewelry.com/accessories/jewelry-accessories/portland-picks#comments Fri, 28 May 2010 15:42:20 +0000 leeann http://www.verabeljewelry.com/?p=962 If you have not already subscribed to their weekly email newsletter — do it right now!!  These lovely ladies have exquisite taste and are always the first ones to report on the latest new boutiques, restaurants or local events here in Portland.  Today, they featured our little boutique:

Thank you Portland Picks!

Check out their post about key themed jewelry here.

We have been busy, busy, busy setting up our new digs on NE Alberta Street – and we’re almost done!  We’ve had a ball renovating our cozy space and turning it into the perfect workspace and boutique/showroom.  The extraordinary Miss Rachel did all of the buildout, including these super cool wooden busts that will display our jewels in the front windows.

Melissa brought us vodka, soda and grapefruit while we worked into the night…

And I stayed busy keeping up with online/wholesale orders while making a collection of new designs for the shop.

Needless, to say, we are exhausted!  We are also very excited to open up our doors to the public this Friday (April 2).  We will be open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday as well as Last Thursday and during all the fun festivities Alberta Street offers during the summer.

Come by and say hello!  We are located at 3012 NE Alberta Street, Portland, 97211 across the street from one of our favorite restaurants, Vita Cafe.

The Heart Locket and Skeleton Key Necklace set. $36

Available for purchase here.

New for Spring… Wearable Art

Vintage 1960′s lockets are screen-printed with various nature inspired motifs.  Each one opens to hold two special photographs, pressed flowers, secrets…

Available for purchase here.

The latest from the Verabel Fall Collection available for sale here. The beautiful baby boy, however, is not for sale.

I recently took a class on the basics of using art clay to create pendants and charms.  Art clay comes in the form of silver, bronze or gold and it is totally and utterly addicting.  Metals in the form of clay?!  The possibilities are endless!

I took the class using silver.  It’s not just like clay as it’s a bit more temperamental.  I learned quickly that the sooner you use it once it’s out of the packaging, the better.  One of the things I love most about the fine silver is the fact that it is 100% recycled.  Not only that, there is no waste involved in using it.  Even the powder that is created during sanding and shaping can be saved and used later.

Once you’ve created your masterpiece, or in my case mostly initial charms, it is fired in a kiln.  After firing, it looks just like porcelain.  Sanding and polishing brings out the shiny silver luster and your piece comes alive.  This is such a fun project and a great way to make custom and personalized gifts.  Here are a few of my latest creations:

This initial charm was made by request for my beautiful Mom. "J" is for Janet and I've attached her birthstone below.

I made this one using an "L" stamp surrounded by flourishes. It reminds me of an antique coin. I'm thinking about attaching it to a long brass chain, as I think it would compliment the antiqued silver.

Another "L" charm. Because a girl can't have too many initial necklaces! This one will hang from a delicate sterling silver chain with a tiny aquamarine - my birthstone.

This was my attempt at sculpting a bird bead and it turned out pretty good! Can't wait to incorporate it into one of my designs...

A few more charms...

This is an awesome way to give a truly personalized gift or create a unique one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.  For more info on art clay visit:  www.artclay.co.jp

*Currently I’m taking special orders on these.  Interested in a custom piece?  Send me a note: leeann@verabeljewelry.com 

Happy creating!