Religious Beauties

When I started to create jewelry it was out of desire and necessity.  I wanted a beautiful necklace on Etsy that had a Virgin Mary Medal, Cross and a blue chalcedony stone.  It was an unaffordable purchase for me so I made my own using parts and pieces from jewelry that I already owned.

After receiving many compliments, Makings By Bee was born.

That being said, I felt a particular “calling” to make religious themed necklace.  In addition to a few that I have shown during previous posts, here are a few more.

Abby’s “Guardian Angel”

• Combination chain is made up from antique bronze rolo chain and pearls from antique rosary chain that I removed and hand wrapped to create a sturdier section of chain than the original.  Chain is completed with a traditional lobster clasp attached to the ring in front.
• Antique bronze hammered ring.
• Antique key with a vintage rhinestone and silver petite cross hanging in front.  In the Gospel of Matthew 16:19, Jesus says to Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
• My signature grouping of vintage and modern beads, glass pearls and crystals.  Included in this grouping are the birthstones for Abby's children.  A brass “A” hangs at the bottom for Abby. 
• Antiqued “Guardian Angel” medal.  The “Guardian Angel” medal is a great reminder of the companion God gave us to be our "light and guard, rule and guide." 
• Wire wrapped white jade stone.  Jade is said to bless whatever it touches, serving mankind across the globe for nearly 6,000 years.  Specifically white jade filters distractions, pulls in relevant, constructive information and aids in decision making.

I had Mother Tracy from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church pray over the necklace before passing it along to Abby for extra strength.

Kappa Kappa Leslie

I randomly discovered that a friend of mine at church was also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority during college and so was her daughter (and fantastic babysitter and swim teacher).  This information allowed me to create a religious themed necklace with a Kappa flair.  Kappa Kappa Gamma colors are dark and light blue and the key is one of their symbols.

• 30” combination chain of 18” vintage silver twisted box chain and 12” hammered link silver chains.  The chain is completed in the back with a large lobster clasp. 
• Hanging from the handle of an antique silver key are: 
• Light blue jade stone wrapped with delicate silver wire. 
• Hand painted and hand fired floral bead from The Sedona Art Center in Arizona.
• 3 vintage glass pearls.
• Rhinestone and silver cross. 
• Antiqued Saint Bernadette medal.  Saint Bernadette of Lourdes is considered the Patron Saint of the poor, sick and ills of the body.
• Hung asymmetrically on the left side are five vintage glass pearls and an opal-like stone.  The opal stone is for her daughter’s birth month and is topped with a decorative cap.

 I love the way that the key hangs off center due to the weight of the items that hang from the handle.  Fun look!

 

Mixed and Hammered

As a retirement present, some friends got together and bought a custom necklace for Gail.

• 26” combination chain.  6” vintage 1950s glass pearl chain combined with 20” hammered links silver chain.  The glass pearls have a blue-gray hue due to aging. Stunning.  The chain is finished with a traditional lobster clasp in the back. 
• Hanging from a antique silver ring is a large riveted silver pewter cross with small gold cross on top.  The riveting gives the cross a beautiful, unique look and feel. 
• Hanging asymmetrically on the left side is my signature pearl cluster.  This cluster incorporates 1 vintage 1950s glass bead, 3 white vintage freshwater pearls, 2 vintage bronze colored glass pearls, 1 cream tinted Swarovski crystal, 1 freshwater peacock pearl, and 1 emerald glass pearl to represent Gail’s birthstone.

The complete look is beautiful, feminine, easy to wear and religious in nature.

Aunt Bonnie's Mighty Mite

This is a perfect example of how I can make items that are similar but not the same since I use vintage pieces that cannot be duplicated.

• 32” combination chain.  12” vintage 1950s glass pearl chain and 20” antique bronze rolo chain completed with a large traditional lobster clasp in the back, 
• Authentic Widow’s Mite from Jerusalem.  This coin dates back to 103-176 B.C.  The glass bubble beautifully magnifies the coin and detailing.  The coin is not affixed to the locket in order for the wearer to view and handle the coin if desired.   Wearing an item that dates back to Biblical times affords an overwhelming sense of comfort and warmth.  "As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in her two mites. "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4) 
• Widow’s Mite is set in a hand-crafted antique copper glass bubble locket lined with cream-colored lace.  The glass magnifies the content and has a delicate clasp. 
• Hung asymmetrically on the left side of the chain is a random cluster of items, my signature style.  This grouping is intended to be on the left side, closer to the heart for maximum well being.  A small vintage gold cross, a gold plated “Miraculous Mary” medal coin and 6 vintage glass pearls in varying size and colors. Pearls signify faith which make them a perfect addition to this necklace. Pearls are the “stone of sincerity,” known to alleviate emotional imbalances, enhance personal integrity and assist emotional expression 

Mother-Daughter Necklace Sets

My daughters are already enormous jewelry fans at 2 and 4 years old.  They can often be found roaming the house with a dozen or more Mardi Gras beads hanging from their neck.  For special days and occasions, they each have necklaces created by me.  I will post my necklaces for children on another day.  

 

This post is about necklace combinations that I have created specifically for mothers and daughters.

This is a delicate balance!  What a child loves is not usually something that an adult would wear out into the World.  Ask the millions of mothers with macaroni necklaces stuffed in their bathroom drawers.

The balance of combining identical, similar and unique elements on respective strands allows for the success of these necklace sets.  Check out these two sets that I recently created.

Mother’s Necklace:

• 32” Mixed media chain.  18” vintage “Lucky Brand” antique bronze ball bead chain and 14” gold plated vintage 1960s bar chain.  The necklace is completed with a traditional lobster clasp in the back 
• Gold plated antique (1950-1960) Guilloché hand-painted locket.  “Guilloché, phonetically pronounced gee-oh-SHAY, is from the French word meaning ‘engine turning.’  It simply means "engine turning patterns" and refers to an ornamental pattern. Guilloché patterns can be seen in neoclassic architecture and banknotes.  The technique as it pertains to jewelry making involves carving a design into a base metal.  The Guilloché technique can be seen in various antique and vintage jewelry and vanity items from compacts, pocket watches and dresser sets to charms.  After enameling, decorative accents such as hand-painted roses may be added to an item.”
•  Faceted Citrine teardrop hung asymmetrically at the connection point of the two chains on the right side of the chain.  Citrine is known as the “success stone.”  It is also said to be a joyful stone with bright energy, good fortune and good luck energies. 
•  To the right of the locket is a cluster of vintage glass pearls ranging in size and color.

         

        Daughter’s Necklace:

• 14” white cording with a traditional lobster clasp in the back. 
•  Large faceted Citrine teardrop. 
•  Cluster of vintage glass pearls ranging in size and color.

Mother’s Necklace:

• 32” Mixed media chain.  10” vintage rosary chain using black metallic class beads and 22” antique bronze rolo chain completed with a traditional lobster clasp in the back. 
•  Antique (1950-1960) Cloisonné locket with gold plating and etching.  “Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects, in recent centuries using vitreous enamel, and in older periods also inlays of cut gemstones, glass, and other materials. The resulting objects can also be called cloisonné.”
• Hung asymmetrically at the connection point of the two chains on the left side is a cluster of charms and beads.

• Vintage enamel daisy from a 1960s brooch representing the daughter’s name
• Gold toned letter “D” for Daisy.
• Antique bronze heart charm.
• Vintage rose quartz colored glass bead.  Rose quartz symbolizes love, the perfect addition to a mother-daughter necklace.
• Vintage green glass pearls and onyx bead.

Daughter’s Necklace: 

• 16” Antique bronze rolo chain completed with a traditional lobster clasp that attaches on the ring in front.
• Gold toned vintage hammered ring.
• Antique bronze “paper” crane charm.  “Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane. Some stories believe you are granted eternal good luck, instead of just one wish, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. This makes them popular gifts for special friends and family.”
• Vintage enamel daisy from a 1960s brooch.
•   Antique bronze heart charm.
• Vintage rose quartz colored glass bead, symbol of love.
• Vintage green and white glass pearl and onyx bead.

Included with this necklace set were paper cranes folded using “Daisy” paper, strung up and adorned with beads.