CiaoBellaDesign's blog

Key Plate Necklace

We were cleaning out our garage and I came across old slatted wooden doors.  We did not need them and as I tossed them into the garbage pile I noticed the hardware.  The key plate stood out to me.  I removed them off of the doors and saved them. 

I love vintage skeleton keys, escutcheon key pads, old keys etc.  I don't know what intrigues me so much about these items.  Maybe because they are old and have many lives behind them.

I wanted to wear this piece so I grabbed some beads, a key and chain.  A little wire wrap and poof!  A necklace is born.

 

 

I wore this today and got a lot of compliments on it.  If you make jewelry, wear it.  You are your biggest advertising. I love this piece.  It is different.  The funny thing is people don't even realize it is up cycled!

 

Bits and Pieces

Here is a clever way to use up some of your left over jewelry pieces. 

I had a few miscellaneous beads, big silver plated circles and chain.  I wire wrapped the circles together and I also wire wrapped my beads.

 

WA-LA!!  A simple fun piece is born.  I love this necklace.  I get so many compliments.  I need to make more.

Ciao~

Live More, Need Less

I came across this on the internet and wanted to share.  It seems perfect for this time of year when most people over indulge on gifts they can't afford.  If you are one of these people who stress over quantity to make people happy.....just don't.  It is not important.  This time of year is for being with your family and friends.  Appreciating what you have and just having fun being together.

Advertising has us chasing cars, clothes, gadgets that we really don't need.  There is nothing out there to remind people of what is important anymore and if it is out there the message is getting drowned out by all the glitzy corps.

I hope you like this and helps you focus on what is really important in life.  CIAO!

 

The more I focus on living, the less it seems I need.

What does it mean to focus on living? It’s a shift from caring about possessions and status and goals and beautiful things … to caring about actual life. Life includes: taking long walks, creating things, having conversations with friends, snuggling with my wife, playing with my kids, eating simple food, going outside and getting active.

That’s living. Not shopping, or watching TV, or eating loads of greasy and sweet food not for sustenance but pleasure, or being on the Internet, or ordering things online, or trying to get popular. Those things aren’t living – they’re consumerist pastimes that tend to get us caught up in overconsumption and mindlessness.

When I focus on living, all those other fake needs become less important. Why do I need television when I can go outside and explore, or get active, or take a walk with a friend? Why do I need to shop when I already have everything I need – I can spend time with someone or create, and I need very little to do that.

These things I do now — they require almost nothing. I can live, and need little.

And needing little but getting lots of satisfaction … that’s immensely rewarding. It’s an economy of resources that I’ve never experienced before.

These days, I need nothing but my loved ones, a text editor, a way to post what I create, a good book, simple plant-based food, a few clothes for warmth, and the outdoors.

My Love Of Thrifting....

 

I love this purse.  I went thrifting yesterday, scouring the store for vintage finds, random cuteness and crafty deals.  I saw this purse and I immediately luv'd the color.  How fabulicous.......so fall fitting!  It gives my outfits a pop of color.    It is suede with the leather straps!  LUV LUV LUV it!

I am so thrift store obsessed!  Oh the things I can find at such a good price........

 

My completed enameled piece...

 

It is done!  Once of the pieces I created, I turned into a necklace.  These are two copper circles that I sifted a few different colors on.  The two sides that are shown are blue and orange the the other side I have a red and brown.  I can mix these around a bit if I choose. 

I have it on a copper chain with a couple of glass beads to compliment the colors.  I had to add a dang-ly piece on each side.......I love things that dangle, it is so fun and gives it a little movement.

Not to bad for my first project.  I am moving on the saw out of copper vintage ladies, a martini and wine glass etc.  Fun Fun Fun!!!

Enameling 101

 

My first enameled Piece

I recently signed up for an enameling class.  This is the first piece I did on the very first day.  I LOVE my teacher, Amanda.  She is a young artist, who is very talented.  I am lucky to have her as a teacher.  She is full of energy and ideas.  She encourages us to think outside the box.

This  piece was enameled on a copper cut out of a pear.  I want to design my own cut outs and enamal those.  Before my next class I want to come up with something of my own to work on.

What I love about enameling is that it is instant gratification!  I love that.  I love to be able to create something rather quickly.  However, the pieces I create will be cold connected to other copper or silver pieces.  You can really branch out with your designs.  I think I am going to focus on making broaches....I am obsessed with broaches lately.  I want to create a scene on my broaches...something that when you look at it, it tells a story to you.  Such as this piece that my teacher made:

I aspire to be this good!!  I want to do a  scene from a fair.  I love Ferris Wheels.  The scene I have in mind is similar to the video Neptune City by Nicole Atkins.  Luv the vintage dress.  Check it out!

 

I like to pull ideas from things that I love.  I have a few copper bezels that I made....I am thinking of taking one and spruce it up with enamel....possibilities are endless.  Soooo excited on my new enameling adventure! I have class tomorrow night. 

XOXOX

End of Summer

This  weekend we spent the night at a state park with friends.  We had a great time.  We road our bikes along the bike path wich was along a beautiful beach.  You could see the party boats out there and listening to people laughing and having a great time.

We sat around the fire at night having drinks and just talking under the stars.  It normally stays warm throughout November here so it really isn't so much the end of warm weather...here.

Even though the season is ending a new one is beginning.  I love when something new starts.  A season, a show, a friendship a journey.  I feel refreshed, alive and recharged.  This helps me with my creativity.  New season, new designs:

This bracelet is a bunch of cone glass beads wire wrapped on a silver chain.  It is sooo fun!  I left a strand with a few beads hanging, so depending on how you turn your wrist you have an instant charm!

Designing is La Vita Dolce!

Every month I get together with a few groups to create, to be inspired and to learn.  It is a great break away from the mundane things in life.  When I am creating or learning something new I feel so alive.  Everyday at work I am searching for inspiration for my DIY life (Shhhh, yes during working hours I am so obsessed). This to me is La Vita Dolce.....the sweat life.

I believe the key to life is simplicity.  Just enjoy what life has to offer.  I used to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and trying to impress.  No more!!  As we say in Sicily "NO BIAGE!"  This means don't like!  And I definatley do not like it.  Often at work I feel like an outsider looking in.   I see so many people sitting around and complain and stay complacent.  They do not have a purpose......they are not being driven and focusing on negative.  There is so much in life that is important......LOVE and GIVING for one thing.  Dare to be who you are......step out of your comfort zone...put all your energies into positive things. Don't let others bring you and your creative energies down.

Here are somethings I recently created. 

I love the copper beads.  Sooooo pretty. Looks great with summer outfits.

This is a vintage enamal pendant.  I love old broaches and flowers.  So pretty and femine.

Old vintage skeleton keys seem so mysterious.  I have always loved them.  They are unique and hold a secret. I made this steampunk necklace with various glass beads and findings and the skeleton keys is the focal point.  It is so fun to wear.

I took a silversmith class. I love it! I made a silver pendant and set my own stone. Being around other artists inspire me. Everyone is so willing to learn and help you along. I am working on a few copper pendants to set vintage images and inspiring quotes!

Ciao!

If you had the chance to travel for a year, where would you go?

I would definatley go to Sicily! I have family there that I never met. I saw pictures when my cousins went. The water is so beautiful, the area is so beautiful. You can just tell they love life and live it well!TypePad Conversations » Answer this question!

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