Back in the Saddle
Feb 16
Uncategorized
Happy Valentine’s Day
Feb 9
The Heart Locket and Skeleton Key Necklace set. $36
Available for purchase here.
Art, Made in Portland, Uncategorized, Verabel, Vintage, fashion, gifts, jewelry, necklaces
days like these…
Oct 18
The latest from the Verabel Fall Collection available for sale here. The beautiful baby boy, however, is not for sale.
Accessories, Made in Portland, Uncategorized, Verabel, Vintage, gifts, jewelry, necklaces, new, new styles
A Housewarming Gift for Luna
Sep 3
Everyone should have the childhood friend who remembers every snotty, embarrassing, and ridiculous thing you’ve done throughout your life. Mine is Luna. We grew up together spending hours getting ready just to go to the mall and flashing the car full of boys next to us just for kicks. We were inseparable, and I’m so proud of the person she is today and the fact that we are still close friends.
Luna and her lovely husband, Frank have spent the last year remodeling their house in the beautiful mountains of Northern California just off the Salmon River. With the nearest major shopping centers three hours away, they have created a space where they are completely self-sustained. When it came time to give Luna a housewarming gift, her only request was napkin ring holders. This eco-friendly duo uses only cloth napkins for their frequent dinner parties and weekend guests. Luna needed a way for her and her guests to keep their napkins separate and know who’s is who’s if they reuse them. Who wants to wash a load of cloth napkins after every meal? I thought it was a great idea and I was up for the challenge!
I found these interesting vintage brass leaves with an opening in the middle perfect for hanging a charm. I connected the leaves with vintage brass chain and attached a different vintage charm to each one.
"L" is for Luna and "F" for Frank
I’m thinking this should do the trick!
These adorable Amy Butler fabric napkins came from fellow Etsy seller MaryLittfin.
For the Home, Made in Portland, Uncategorized, Vintage, decorating, gifts
Fun With Art Clay
Aug 31
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!
Hello, Lover…
Aug 3
So, I’m having a lovely brunch with friends at one of my favorite neighborhood spots, Petite Provence, when in walks some of the most amazing sandals I’ve seen all summer. Of course, I practically tackled the nice girl wearing them to find out where they came from. I was surprised when she told me that she picked them up from an Urban Outfitters in Texas. Now, I’m normally all about shopping in the amazing locally owned businesses of Portland. After owning and operating my own boutique for two years, I’m no stranger to the importance of supporting our local economy. But, we are also in a recession and UB has some pretty sweet sandals on sale for as little as $19! I bought three pairs. And I don’t feel the least bit guilty.
So, here’s the thing…
Jul 28
It seems that I’m much better at reading blogs than posting on my own. It has, after all, been absolutely amazing weather here in Portland. Hot, yes. Actually, sweltering the past week. But I’m not complaining. My days have been spent at the river, pool or with my bare feet in the sand on the back patio of Casa Naranja (my new favorite hangout). The summer is flying right before my eyes and I’m relishing in every moment of it.
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!
Made in Portland, Uncategorized, Verabel, Vintage, earrings, fashion, gifts, jewelry, necklaces, new, new styles
Something Old, Something New…
Jun 22
There are two things I love; custom jewelry orders and weddings. Luckily for me, sometimes the two go hand in hand. Wedding season is in full throttle and I love that so many people are looking to Etsy for their planning needs. And with designer direct transactions and endless customizing options, why not? Here are a couple of wedding necklaces I’ve done lately. I’m hoping the lovely brides will send pictures of the big day and I’m honored to share in a small part of it. Cheers!
For Kristi’s vintage themed wedding ~antique locket and vintage pearls
A Vintage Locket, Flowers and a Bird for Angel’s wedding
Accessories, Made in Portland, Uncategorized, Verabel, Vintage, jewelry, necklaces
