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/designers/mentioned-neat-sheet-today http://www.verabeljewelry.com/designers/mentioned-neat-sheet-today#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:21:48 +0000 leeann http://www.verabeljewelry.com/?p=957 We heart The Neat Sheet.

Check out their post about key themed jewelry here.

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!

I have, however, managed to bust out some new jewels.  I’ve recently come into some really cool moveable sterling silver charms.  These little guys are tough to find, but so interesting and different.  I’ve always had an affinity toward miniatures – I was more obsessed with Barbie’s shoes and dream house furniture than Barbie herself.  So, you can imagine my delight at finding wearable miniatures.  I’ve also been experimenting with some of my coveted vintage lockets and recently learned how to apply a hand patina to brass.  These items and more are available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

The back of this tiny sterling silver camera actually pops open - just like the real thing.

These little sterling silver scissors move in a cutting motion. But don't worry, they won't really cut you.

This gorgeous little sterling sea shell opens to reveal a fresh water pearl. A tiny picture could even be inserted on the opposite side.

Voila!

I was so inspired by the sterling sea shell that I decided to create my own.

I created The Pacific Ocean Necklace using vintage brass shells and a vintage fresh water pearl. They are strung on a gold filled chain.

This necklace was created using leftover pieces of gold filled chain from various projects. I connected the pieces by wire wrapping them together with vintage turquoise. The tiny brass birds have been given an antique patina by hand and the rose is sterling dipped in 22K gold.

I've expanded the Pockets Full of Lockets necklace into earrings. Each locket in this trio opens to hold two small photographs.

This brass butterfly was recycled from another necklace. It was a pendant, but with a little work, I managed to flatten it out enough to compliment this vintage locket perfectly.

Stay tuned for more updates.  In the meantime, enjoy this incredible weather!

For Kristi’s vintage themed wedding ~antique locket and vintage pearls

A Vintage Locket, Flowers and a Bird for Angel’s wedding