lust ~ opulent reptiles

{I wish I owned these....}

{here & here}

Until the day I can justify the price tag on the above chameleon rings the below will have to do. Though he may not have champagne diamonds for eyes or amethyst stones for scales.....

{ my personal collection}

Ring Stalking

{obsessed with these vintage gold spinning bird rings}

Things of Another Time

train tracks crossed on the way to the beach, seaside train on the drive up to the tide pools, my grandfather's pocket watches.

My are my father's beautiful pocket watches that belonged to his father and grandfather. I am absolutely in love with them! They fill that void of a missing jewelry heirloom in my life! The Apollo pocket watch on the right was my grandfather's and the numbers and dials are painted in radium, which I find fascinating. The one on the left is a 14t gold filled Waltham watch that was my great grandfather's. There are two more in the shop and I can't wait to see how they turn out!

Antique Ring Stalking

An obsession of mine is stalking pretty vintage rings on Ebay. Some ornate, some on the verge of tacky and some beautiful antiques. I like to look for pretty undiscovered gems, that I could probably afford, doesn't mean I will buy them, just the possibility. And to me Ebay is like going to the pound and adopting a puppy. There is an element of saving someone else's treasure from impeding doom. Thinking about it, this obsession probably stems from the the fact that the woman in my family (both sides) really didn't keep or have any jewelry to pass down. I had one gorgeous ring that was my grandmother's that was stolen within my horrible old apartment by the repair man and it broke my heart. Being a fashion lover I always wished someone in my family was hoarding a box of precious antique jewelry. At 28 I have come to the conclusion that this box I dreamed about as a child does not exist. I can also say I was always a bit jealous of friends that always got a beautiful, unique, custom-made piece of jewelery for major life events, 16th, 18th & 21st birthday, college graduation, etc. There is just something so special about having a treasure to pass down that is full of meaning and memories.

I am obsessed with the idea of heirlooms, antiques, treasures and the stories they tell, which fine vintage jewelery embodies. The turquoise stone on the bottom right & ruby ring are Victorian and to die for.

Friday Round Up

inspiring posts from around the blogosphere:

skeleton chairs, louis vuitton maison, candle wax drip necklaces

{via morbidanatomy, stylebubble, design milk}

Ring Stalking

I saw this ring at the Pop-up shop and fell in love with it! I love the color and idea of it. It reminded me of a chic adult twist on those crazy towers you could build as a kid and race marbles in. Modern, geometric and sleek aren't usually my steeze, but this purple amethyst and sterling silver vintage ring spoke to me. I debated buying it, but in the end I bought TWO other rings that are right up my alley. A crazy ring and a tiny brass squid, of course!

Etsy Los Angeles Street Team Pop-Up Shop

It was a good time had by all at the Etsy Los Angeles Street Team's Pop-Up Shop at the D.i.Y. Gallery on Sunset. I had to leave early, but I met some good peeps and got 2 new rings (will post them soon!)

Copper Alligaor Wrist Cuff

I made this alligator in my jewelry smiting class at LACC. Originally I wanted him to be gold, enameled in white with a ruby eye. So he would be a albino gator, but that proved to be way too hard and way too expensive. So I used copper and a patina instead. Next semester I am going to put tiny rubies on him for little gator warts. Someday if I have enough money and learn how to enamel I would love to make a gold/ruby/albino gator cuff!

I started out by making a line drawing of a alligator using ADOBE illustrator. Then I got a big flat piece of copper and began sawing and sawing. Then I hand engraved the lines in, hammered it into shape and used a patina on it! Next semester I add my tiny ruby warts on him!