Merry Christmas

As we near the end of 2013, I want to thank you for a great year and Holiday Season!  2013 has been a year of expansion and exploration in materials, tools, and techniques used and new shows to appear in.  I've made many new friends who share a love of vintage and handmade with me. 

 

If you purchased an In Small Spectacles piece for yourself or for someone special, I do hope the wearer loves it and enjoys wearing it. 

 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

 

 

"For today in the City of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

                                                                                                                                        ~ Luke 2:11

 

Sara



Soldered Glass Lace Filigree Necklaces

Finished the first batch of soldered beveled glass and lacelike filigree necklaces.  Super in love with the results:

Only one more week until Christmas and one day left for Free Shipping in the Etsy shop, so be sure to get your orders in.  After that, upgraded postage will apply to ensure Christmas delivery. 

Sara

Soldered Glass Necklaces

This is probably my last new design for 2013:  Soldered Glass Necklaces.  I have been wanting to add some variety to the techniques and tools I use, so I became reacquainted with the soldering iron I already had.  I soldered pendants from faceted cut glass I found from a stained glass shop to hang from necklaces of aged rhinestone, vintage brass, and old glass beads.  I also put some antique lace under glass to add some romance to the pieces.  Hanging below each piece are vintage key, sacred medals, old Lucite, brass hearts, and antique Swarovski crystal.  I purposely darkened the soldered edges to give it a true stained glass window effect.  I love the end result:

 

I hope you are enjoying this special time of the year when we gratefully remember Christ's birth.  I'll be doing private Trunk Shows, and the last public show will be the Cincinnati Holiday Art Show this Saturday from 10-4.  Hope to see you there!

 

Sara

Give Thanks Giveaway

 

Did you know In Small Spectacles is on Facebook?  If you haven't already "liked" the page, head on over there right now!  I'm offering a Give Thanks Giveaway this weekend, simply comment on the page about what you are most thankful for and you will be entered to win this pair of vintage sacred medal and glass pearl earrings:

 

 

Boy #3 will pick a winner Monday morning.  Can't wait to see what you're thankful for!

 

Sara

Props and Shows

I am always on the hunt for interesting ways to display In Small Spectacles pieces in photographs and in shows.  Several of my backdrops are the Santos dolls I collect.   Santos is Spanish for the word "saint," and these dolls can be found throughout antique stores and online.  They are very different and you either like them or you don't.....or they just grow on you.  Either way, I love them.  I have never been a traditional doll person, so maybe their unusual look is one reason I gravitate towards them.  Their unique structure and facial features are what draw me in. As the only woman in a home full of boys, I find their look of serenity quite engaging.

I found out about Santos dolls by accident.  A few years ago I came across this large winged angel wall hanging in an antique store and had to have it.   I didn't know what I had discovered, so at the time I thought the price was high but looking back I can see I really got a great bargain.  I did some research and found that the piece was a Santos.  I was immediately hooked.

 

I have come across really unique antique Santos angels and even beautiful reproductions made in  materials not traditionally used in the dolls.  I have found they fit nicely tucked in corners, grouped on a wall, and placed in little vignettes throughout my home.

 

 

 

 

They are the perfect backdrop for my jewelry pieces and match my design aesthetic.  Depending on my inventory at the time, I will very often grab the dolls I have around my home and take them to art shows as props.

 

 

 

 

 

Look for one or more of these pretties at the Cincinnati Holiday Art Show on December 7th from 10-4pm.  This will be my last public show of the year, however if you are interested in hosting a private Trunk Show, please contact me at InSmallSpectacles@gmail.com and we can put together a fun shopping experience in the privacy of your home with your friends.  Shopping is always more fun with friends plus hostesses get discounts and free jewelry!

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Sara



It's a Wrap

I've been working on some new wrap style bracelets created from vintage brass id tags embellished with brass Austrian crystal rhinestones, gemstones, aged rhinestones, vintage brass beads and glass pearls, vintage chain, and vintage metal tassels and sacred medals. 

Perfect stocking stuffers this Christmas!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sara