It's All About the Cameos

Buona Sera everyone!

I know I said I would post again next week, but, big BUT ( I cannot lie) I've actually managed to post all the jewelry I've made so far on Etsy, minus 2 pieces...one I'm working on, that I hope to finish next week with another one I'm contemplating on for a mini series and one that I'm going to post on Etsy between tonight and tomorrow morning before I leave for work for three days ( I predict, if weather and circumstances allow, a flea market stop near Milan if the place is not too far...I'll mention it if I go on my next blog).

Soooo...well, this past month (sadly enough it took me that long to come up with three solid pieces)  it has been all about the cameos!
That's right: I cannot get enough of them...and I mean it quite literally!  I actually had to get a jewelry box just for them!  Just because they keep coming and coming and they will keep probably coming in all sorts of shapes and degrees of detail until I probably die.
I've had this special love for the pretties, especially the carved shell ones with those yummy carnelian hues, since I can remember.  I remember the first time I encountered one...my mom had one in a box and at 4 years old I asked "What's that?"  And mom briefly explained it was a cameo in her hand without going into too much detail.
Who would have thought that more than 20 years later (sorry folks, the age stays secret, unless you know me) I would become a cameo hunter and fierce collector?  And who would have imagined I would actually aspire to become a vintage assemblage jewelry designer?

Oh my! The strange paths of life!  Well with that musing and questioning in mind I present you with the work that finally made it to my shop:

This little piece features a broken shell cameo locket.  When I found out it was broken on the back, I just shut it permanently so it would keep the secret whispered to her through time safely.

For this second piece I was inspired by the color palette of the renaissance painter Titian, and I won't lie, honestly every time I see a shell cameo in this fashion,not the most detailed but still beautiful, I think how the painter may have sketched his models and then fleshed them out.  I always loved his juxtaposition of rich burnt reds with really deep grey blues and flamboyantly turquoise skyes.  I tried to emulate that in this necklace, take it as a tribute.

And last but not least I was inspired by one of my favorite jewelry designers on Etsy, Robyn Parrish, who has an amazing shop called the French Circus on the site.
She always makes the most glamorous necklaces and one of my very favorite necklace styles of hers is her signature triple strand necklace, a long satoir and lariat necklace that ranges between 48" to 54" depending on the neck.
Not only Robyn is very talented, but she is also so nice that she gave me permission and guidance to emulate to style.  Thanks Robyn! You are the Best!
There are way too many beads, chains and fidings to list on this one, but once again the cameo is the focal point and just to name a couple of extra goodies there are a vintage rose link, rhinestones, rosaries and a part of a vintage souvenir Paris bracelet.
I hope you will stop by my shop to see a bit more this next week.


Well that's all folks, once again thanks for stopping by and I'll leave you with a final goodbye of opulence: CAMEOS TAKE A BOW OF GOOD EVENING

Buona Notte and see you soon!