Thursday, May 31, 2012

Jewelry Repair - From Broken to Beautiful With an Extra dose of WOW added

For people that know I create jewelry, I often get those phone calls, e-mails and pleas for help to fix pieces that they've purchased or been given that have broken. 

Before - Broken Strand of Freshwater Rice Pearls

One jewelry repair I received recently was from a sweetheart of a woman that works with Chris (we'll call her E.J.)  She had a strand of pearls her daughter gave her years ago.  It broke and has been in her jewelry box for a couple of years now.  So she asked if I could shorten it and do "something maybe earrings" with the extra pearls.

The strand was on a cotton thread, so with time anything on cotton thread will wear through.  I did shorten the necklace, used a lobster claw clasp and an extender chain to give her flexibility in the length she wanted to wear the necklace at.

I also made a pendant that could be removed if E.J. wanted to wear just the chain.  The pendant is bead embroidered using a quartz stone I already had, the adding the pearls as embellishment. 

The quartz has a special significance or meaning.  I know some of my dear friends can add on to the description I've found, but I really love the fact it enhances the human energy.

"Crystal is a common stone, but a powerful one. It is mainly used in healing as amplification for the energies of the other working stones. In healing, the crystal point is best and the size can be important.

For meditating the crystal ball or point can be used. As it is a powerful stone the user should experiment with each to find what is best for him. The Quartz Crystal has a similar vibration as humans. This is why using Crystal to meditate and keeping a Crystal helps one to know oneself. It will sometimes not work for a negative person." ~http://crystal-cure.com/crystalgem.html



Because I have a thing about having matching sets, I also used the additional pearls to make a pair of earrings.  Creating a grouping effect, much like a bunch of grapes, I wire wrapped each pearl and attached them to a length of chain.  They dangle perfectly and can be worn as regular, daily jewelry. 

I delivered the set in person yesterday so I could see E.J.s face when she opened them.  To say she was thrilled was an understatement.  Her excitement about something new created from something old was priceless.  I treasure opportunities like this - to breathe life into something so special that it will continue to live on and make people smile!

What's old is new again!  
{Hugs!}
Dawn





6 comments:

Unknown said...

Yay I know it totally warms your heart especially when you get to see (or hear) the initial reaction to one of your amazing pieces.

DVArtist said...

You wowow'd it alright. Great job as always Dawn.
Nicole/Beadwright

Lori said...

I just love what you did with this piece Dawn! Perfect!!!

Bobbie said...

Lucky EJ! And knowing the thought and care you put into creating these to rescue a gift from her daughter will make them even more special each time she wears them.

Therese's Treasures said...

Gorgeous recreation Dawn, of the original pearl necklace. I love the pendant you created and the meaning of the crystal cab. The earrings are very pretty. I know E.J. must have been over the moon with her set.
Therese

H.T. said...

Hello:
Fantastic idea with jewelry repairs.I used to do the same,but long ago,living in Poland.Now do not do it anymore,but miss it a little,when the customer came and gave me all the 'freedom' I needed as concerning the new designs I created from old parts of jewelry.It gives a little money,but lots of satisfaction,when You see the sinning eyes of the customer,who's glad with Your work.It's much more precious,than money.
I bet,someone will be very happy ,wearing thet necklace,or the chain of pearls by themselves.It looks together with the earrings very decorative now.
Warm Greetings-Halinka-

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