Artifacts Jewelry for my Scientist Daughter

I made this necklace for one of my daughters for her birthday. She is not a girly girl, and doesn't wear jewelry that often. Really the only time she wears jewelry is when she is dressing up a little for church or for some particular event. So I tried to tailor this necklace to fit her and her interests. She got her degree in biology with a chemistry minor. She wants to get her masters in a particular biology discipline. She works at the zoo. She wants to get into research. She loves biology, astronomy, geology, creation science, physics, ancient history, politics...yeah, conversations with her are sometimes just a wee bit over my head.

I ordered a stack of books for her (that she picked out) from the Creation Research Society - books about cosmology and creation, natural limits to biological change, the genesis of germs - sounds like fun reading, huh?

Sooo, you can see why I chose the items I did for this necklace--

Some of the beads I chose are basically antique artifacts...

The first two items are freshwater pearls (elements from nature...)

Then an old typewriter key for her initial (she likes old stuff...)

The little black button is a vintage shoe button. (...old stuff...)

The little white disc is an antique African ostrich bone bead. (antique, artifact...)

The tiny copper bead with the ostrich bone bead is an antique African brass bead.

The large white bead is an antique African yak bone bead.

The blue and red disc is an antique African trading bead.

Then I hand stamped the word "Artifacts" on a nickel tag I cut out...



The little blue disc below is an antique Venetian glass bead used in trade to the Africans in exchange for spices,  peppers, etc.

The brass charm below the Venetian glass bead is an antique African handmade brass charm that they use as decoration on their little babies' hats.

I made the copper bezel and inserted a "nature-y" line drawing.

The button with two holes is from the Civil War era.

The blue and red disc is another antique African trading bead, and coupled with it is a tiny antique African nickel bead.

Then there is an antique African brass bell.

And, finally, an antique African water buffalo bone bead.

Hopefully, this will be a piece of jewelry that she enjoys wearing because it is a little bit of history....

Shannon

Handmade Gifts for 12 Weeks of Christmas

This week at Red Writing's is all about hand-crafted gifts for Christmas. And it's time to get busy - only 50 Days till Christmas!
This pink and green arrangement is one I put together in a vintage sugar bowl. I am about to list this arrangement on my website, so if you are interested in it, let me know.

The next arrangement is done in copper and silver - two of my favorite colors. I have this in my sitting room right now. Either of these little arrangements could be used on a dinner table, buffet, coffee table, built-ins, etc. This copper and silver arrangement is done in a silver-plate tea caddy. Anything silver catches my eye! If you haven't ever tried making your own arrangements, you should give it a try! It's very fun to do.

To see more hand-crafted Christmas, go to Red Writing's - there are some great ideas there!
I will be starting a series on Holiday Tables tomorrow. Please check back in a few times each week - I have some beautiful tables to show you - you will get some wonderful ideas!

Shannon

Now That's a Cake Dome!

I just got home from Dallas. My mom and I were at the gift market at the World Trade Center. This massive cake dome is one of the things I ordered for my store. I am working right now on getting things ready for a grand opening soon!

I can't wait to get this cake dome. Just imagine the possibilities!

Shannon