Shameless Self Promotion

I am SO excited to be featured on cleveland.com today!
It was great fun to meet this multi-talented writer who is also a photographer and jewelry artist in her own right. Thank you, Allison for a great write up! Click here to see the interview!

Note to self: Selfies draw attention to your enormous schnoz. Next time get a photographer to do the head shot.

SToNZ Vintage!

If you know me at all, you know I have a thing for great antiques and vintage rarities. I have been stopping at house sales and roadside antique barns since I was a kid. (My mom got me hooked on antiquing in the 1960's.)

Normally SToNZ is all about handmade, nature inspired silver jewelry, but last week I made the decision to add a vintage section to my Etsy Store.

I have so much great stuff to list over the coming months. I love the way these fun things add a bit of color and variety to SToNZ. 

Let me know if you agree!

Here's a sample of what you'll find in the vintage section of SToNZ:

I have proof of a Time Traveler!

Last night I came across this wonderful circa 1916 photograph of my Grandma Evelyn with some friends. (Leaning on chair with glasses on her head)

Too bad the girl in front of her was too absorbed in texting to look at the photographer.

And just who was she texting, anyway?!
Texting would not be invented for another 96 years.
Just sayin.

"Thimbell" Necklaces

Made them yesterday, listing them today on Etsy!

Sterling Heart Bracelet Inspired by an Old Fork

What became of the other silver heart that was cut from the old silver fork that I found at an estate sale?
It's now the centerpiece of my newest SToNZ silver chain bracelet. Nice and heavy...for someone who really LOVES silver. And yes, it IS your size!

Creating Contemporary Sterling Jewelry From Antique Flatware

Those who know me, know that I am hopelessly addicted to rummage sales, estate sales and flea markets. I have an eye out for all sorts of things, but these days I am drawn to nice tools that I can add to my jewelry bench, or anything made of sterling silver that I can somehow incorporate into my SToNZ Jewelry designs.

Last week I was at a sale where the kitchen drawers were filled to overflowing with all sorts of utensils and gadgets. For the most part, there was nothing of interest there, until I spotted a couple of broken forks way in the back of one drawer.
The people running the sale seemed to feel these broken forks were worthless, so I got a nice deal. Yep, they were sterling.

I had an idea for a personal challenge: try to make as many pieces of new jewelry from the silver on these broken vintage forks as I could. How fun!

The first thought I had was to use the pretty roses from the neck of each fork. I used a jewelers saw to cut them out. Sanded them smooth, and soldered sterling posts on the back. Earrings!

Then I hammered one of the fork heads flat and sawed out a couple of free form hearts.

After some filing and sanding they looked just right! Next, to solder on silver jump rings and turn these lovely things into charms.

I decided to hang one from a slinky silver curb chain and added a wire wrapped freshwater pearl charm. A great combination. The necklace works with the charms worn together or one at a time.
And who would ever guess that the heart started life as a fork, once upon a time?!
Recycling can be very fun.
CHARMING, actually.

Mom's Wedding Dress

I still have my mom's wedding dress as well. (See earlier post below about Grandma's dress) I guess I have started a small collection. (Mine has been vacuum sealed in a silver package for the last 25+ years. The wine stains that the dry cleaner pretended they removed are probably nice and permanent by now.)

Mom & Dad tie the knot: April 14, 1957

Mom lived in New York and the dress came from Jay Thorpe on 57th Street. 

Jay Thorpe      Photo: Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc. 

It was also a tea length lacey dress. It's really tiny, as mom was just a tad over 5' tall and most likely weighed about 100 pounds at the time. I tried it on for fun when I was a thin teenager and could barely get the side zipper closed. Funny how those pointy shaped bodices were in style then.

I always think of mom a lot this time of year, since they were married in April and she passed away in April of 2006. She'd be so proud to know that her grandchildren are about to embark on job searches in her favorite city. I wish she was here to cheer them on.

Mom and Dad flanked by my New York grandparents.

Thinking of you, Mom. 

You were an adorable bride.

My Grandmother's Wedding Dress

I remember the first time I saw it. It was 1985 and I was engaged to be married. Grandma Evelyn went to the back of her closet and took out her treasured wedding dress, thinking I might like to wear it for my special day.

Eve Kolinsky engagement portrait 1923
by Standford Studios

Although I adored the idea, (and the dress) it was discolored and fragile, and would never hold up to an evening of dancing and revelry. (Or even a gentle cleaning, for that matter.)

But she gave it to me that day and I have kept it safely stored away. 

Today I took out the dress and photographed it. Only one image survives of her wearing the dress. You can just make out the big pale pink silk satin bow at the hip.

Photo: Standford Studios

The date was June 24, 1924. It was the roaring twenties, and Eve wore the tea length dress and forehead hugging headpiece in true flapper style. The headpiece and veil are long gone. (I have a vague memory that she told me they were borrowed for the occasion.)

I believe she said that it was handmade of French lace. There are machine stitches holding it together, but every tiny snap up the side is hand sewn in place. It's so lovely.

Eve was 26 years old on her wedding day. She married a man named Bill (just like me) and she'd go on to have twins (just like me) but her life took a horrible turn when she became a widow when her children were just 5. She did not marry again for 32 years.

For her second wedding, she chose a tailored look. And gloves, of course.

Photo: Michael Nalley

She approved of my wedding gown even though I hadn't chosen to wear hers.

And can you guess what color her dress was that day? 

Yep. Pink.

Missing you, Grandma.

 ♥