Great Grandmother's Brooch

We all have a special piece of jewelry from a family member that is most treasured and never worn.

I'd like to say that we don't wear the piece because we don't want to lose it but that's not 

usually the case.  The jewelry isn't our style, we don't wear that type of jewelry, etc.

I made the necklace pictured for a family member who helps me out on a regular basis.

I love her work, I appreciate her work and wanted to give her an extra "Thank You."

I started with the gold feather and gold loop piece for this necklace.  The pendant base was formerly a brooch inherited from Great Grandmother.  As a society, we don't really wear brooches anymore.  Therefore the brooch didn't have a usable form for the owner.  The cool thing about this brooch is that the feather can be moved up to 180 degrees.  Personally, I think it looks best in one of the two manners pictured below.  Either having the feather "closed" or "open."

With a piece like this as my beginning, I didn't have to worry about what to add.  The brooch alone is beautiful!  Anything else that I add just enhances.  

I like to put thought, heart, purpose and meaning into my jewelry as much as possible.  Starting on the left, I added a rectangular mother of pearl.  Pearls symbolize innocence and faith.  Next I added a very small vintage sterling silver cross.  The large antique key in the center was a favor given at the recipient's wedding.  Finally, I added a chain on the right side that contained a heart and the letter M in celebration of her marriage.  The vintage pearls at the bottom of the chain were added for visual balance.  The pendant was placed on a 22" textured platinum plated chain with a traditional lobster clasp in the back.

I used a combination of silver, gold, antique bronze and pewter so this necklace would match any other jewelry that the recipient might be wearing at a given time.

I was really pleased with the overall look, sentimentality and design of this necklace.

If you have a piece of jewelry that you'd like for me to reinvent, contact me through the form on the left side of the blog or at makingsbybee@gmail.com

The cost of reconfiguration would be dependent on the additional supplies used plus labor ($40+).