Ornamentality

I've been holding on to these madeleine molds for awhile now. I was thinking along the lines of some Our Lady of Guadelupe shrines but instead I opted to make these Christmas ornaments.

The tins I picked up in an antique shop in Maine on one of my forays while visiting the folks.

They're nicely tarnished and bear the stamp Made in Germany. I had picked up a book at a thrift store with some great plates of reproductions of stained glass from the Chapel of Konigsfelden in Switzerland from the early fourteenth century. I allowed myself to cut up some of the smaller images. the larger plates I saved for reselling or bigger projects. I also had some Christmas cards that I had picked up at a thrift store here that I used. Now all I need to do to finish up is to put some hangers on them and they'll be ready to go.

Friday's Projects

After being gifted great stash of large vintage buttons I wanted to make some chokers using nothing but buttons. I made these two necklaces last night. I had to redo them a few times. Once when I was snipping the Beadalon as I was finishing I actually cut the main thread and had to start all over again.

The idea I had in mind turned out to be not mechanically possible but the results were pleasing anyway. I wanted the small buttons to be on the outside but it turned out that there was no way that the necklace would lay right. The necklace would actually turn itself over while you would wear it. (I did a small test drive for a few minutes in front of the mirror.) It didn't take long to find out that it wasn't going to work.  So they turned out to be necklaces that  perhaps have even more personality on the back side than the front. I don't see a problem with that. It's a pleasing design that the wearer will enjoy seeing  hanging even when not in use.

I  finished the ends with some tiny round stone beads that I purchased from  Crystal Penrod of Alaska Bead & Gem 

I 'd like to put them in Chartreuse's shop in downtown  Fairbanks. They feature recycled, upcycled fashions in their fun, quirky boutique that is a fresh addition to the city.