Tucson Loot

Some of the exciting items I bought at Tucson this year. Watch parts! I can't wait to start making something from these, an adjunct style to my hardware chic. African trade beads. These are not old ones but they are lovely anyway. Nepalese beaded balls from the Bead Goes On. I'll probably use some of these high quality lapis heishi and coral I got from Afghan Tribal Arts. And last but not least, wonderful gold washed solid copper that has been torch shimmered for a beautiful array of hues, and some bright copper square beads before treatment. You can order these from Silk Road Treasures. I also bought some more old Afghan Jewelry elements like those I got last year from Pashtoon Artifacts.

Today when I was taking the photos in my workshop it was almost warm enough at midday to work there, so maybe you'll be seeing some new creations here soon.

Hardware Chic

I decided tonight to look up Hardware Chic in Google search. About a year ago I coined the term after designing some jewelry using washers, nuts, bolts, bushings and the like from the hardware store. I had been eyeing watch parts to make jewelry but had not purchased any yet. then I went to the hardware store to buy plastic boxes for organizing beads and things. While there the display of washers caught my eye. Too cool, and close to what I was thinking about for watch parts. So I bought some. Made some jewelry, went back for more, then to buy acrylic paints to paint them. And more pieces were born.

6 months ago I did not find any jewelry using the term "Hardware Chic" per se, though I found some jewelry using various kinds of hardware. Mine was quite different from that. Now, however I have found quite a few actually using this term and even some people giving classes using hardware to make jewelry. So it has caught on. I guess my idea was a good one. I hope they will respond to my comments so I can see what other people are turning out. Creativity and influences are endlessly fascinating to me. I hope you like my creations.

Since It's still too cold to work in my workshop it's about time I added a post to my blog.

And I sold one of my favorite hardware chic necklaces, the double strand shown here on me. This was one of my favorites. Guess I'll have to make more.