Saint Salvage

This is my first "commisioned" piece. I was asked to make a necklace from these beads, by one of the other ladies who attend my church.  Hmmmm.....this is a challenge for me, because I usually let my project materials "speak" to me. I thought that this would make a great focal point. It has a heart shape to it. This is a necklace I decided to sacrifice. These beads make a nice textural and color contrast. Here's all the beads, all ready to go.... This is my first design idea. I sent a photo to my client, and she wasn't crazy about the heart shaped focal. So, try again.... This is my next pattern test. It looks good to me. This is the beading wire I decided to use. I decided to string it directly from the spool.  To finish, I tried out my new tool purchase: the "1 Step Crimper" from  Bead Buddy . The clasp is a toggle from "Adorned by Rebecca Nunn".  He...

I pinned this very interesting looking wire wrapped sea glass caged pendant on Pinterest a little while ago, but I was asked recently how "I made it". I didn't make it, and never said I did. But, I'm curious, and I do want to make it. Since I'm living out of a hotel right now, with a minimal amount of supplies, I couldn't whip one up.... I decided to do a little research.  I found this  tutorial for a wire wrapped Prong Setting , and I generated this two part sketch on how to do the pendant above. I'll just have to tackle it when I get back home to my supplies. Yes.... I drew this, and then scanned it.

My younger son and I made a necklace together tonight. We used some vintage beads, some new Swarovski hot pink beads, and some black spacer beads.   I cut the aluminum tag, and I embossed it with the Vintaj set, to show an owl. (My son's girlfriend loves owls.)     He stamped her name on the long brass tag on one side and the date on the other side. He strung the beads on and added the owl charm and the tag.   Finally, we crimped the ends, and added a heart toggle closure. It was a nice project!  

  Here's another quickie DIY. I did it in about 10 minutes during my lunch break. I had a 60s era vintage black & white enameled metal pin, as part of a bulk deal from an estate sale.       I also had this blackened chain tassel, from a necklace that I took apart for another project.   I also had some broken chain left behind from another salvaging project.   I put the pin onto the jump rings, and attached the metal tassel under the pin.   Here it is, on.... I plan to apply a clear glaze on the flower, to keep the flower enamel just "worn enough".   Saint Salvage strikes again.... for very little time and next-to-no money!

I bought a very low-key necklace at a yard sale during the summer for $1. I thought it had nice "bones", but I thought it was too boring. So... here I go....   Those itty-bitty tan colored tubes are bamboo. Blah beigey colored.   Here's all the center spokes after.....   I added the green beads, silvery pmpkin beads, black freshwater pearls, glass clear seed beads....   Here it is... all done... one view; the bottom.   Here's the top view. I like it a lot better!!!!

I'm not normally a trend follower, but I've pinned a lot of the "Inspired by Tom Binns" DIY necklaces on Saint Salvage on Pinterest , so I decided to put my crafting where my mouth is (hah hah...), and do one. I checked out a couple of the pins I had, because I wanted to do my own take on it. First, to Swellmayde.com's DIY Painted Rhinestone Necklace Then, to Little Pink Monster's DIY Neon Necklace Tom Binns Inspired Finally, to Dream and Dress's DIY Painted Necklace I also liked Prada's rose and crystal necklaces and earrings. Honestly WTF  did an awesome DIY. So, when I was in the Cherry Hill mall's H&M store, I spotted a crystal and resin rose necklace. I bought some nail polishes, and also decided to use some other polishes I already had. I painted my crystals, just like everyone else.... Here's my mash-up: Here's what it looks on me: Ta-da!!!!! Saint Salvage strikes again!!!! I took aout 10 minutes t...

I was really enamored by this necklace I spied in the December 2011 issue of Marie Claire magazine. It was admired by many others, including  JCK Magazine But..... considering my budget, I could not afford the price tag. If something says "Price available upon request", it is out of my league. so, I pinned in on  Pinterest , and started collected the medals and charms to make it. It took me a couple of months, but I had rounded up a collection of chains, authentic religious medallions, charms and "pearls". This is what took me no more than an hour to assemble. Not bad, huh? Saint Salvage strikes again, and for less than $20, instead of thousands! These were mostly all vintage parts, too!