Valentines Boho Necklace

It's been awhile since I've had a moment to share my goings on. Life has a way of taking us on a roller coaster ride on occasion, but fortunately for us, it hasn't been a bad ride. Now that we've finished with the Christmas rush, we can sit back and enjoy family, friends and what the season is really all about, love and giving. Interestingly enough, Valentines is just around the corner, another day to show that special sweetheart in your life how special they are.
Here's a bit of trivia regarding Valentines Day.
Saint Valentine's Day, also known as Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated on February 14 and  is celebrated in many countries around the world, although not a holiday in most.
St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration one or more early saints named Valentinus.  A popular account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.
The day was first associated with romance in the circle of Geoffery Chaucer in the High Middle Ages,  when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering sweets and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). In Europe, Saint Valentines Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart"<sup>.

You can give a one of a kind Valentine this year, hand crafted with love and attention to detail. You will find this piece in my etsy shop at Simply Sheryl's</sup>  

What Happens When You Drop a Dish..... Whaalaa! Artisan Jewelry!

True story...... I found a lovely little saucer at a yard sale in Wallowa, Oregon along with some other treasures I can't even remember. I had tucked the saucer up against my chest, so it was hidden from view after I found more lovelies to take home. I get up to the sales table and start taking things out of my bundle one by one. I moved the arm that had the saucer tucked in it and eeek! it crashed to the porch, shattering in several pieces. The nice lady wasn't going to charge me, but it was my mistake so I paid her anyway. I had planned on using the saucer for a pedestal dish, so that wasn't going to work. Thank goodness I had started using broken china to make pendants and dangles for jewelry.
I found gorgeous midnight blue glass rondell beads so a necklace idea was born!

You can find this at Simply Sheryl's etsy

Re-purposed China and Broken China Creations

 If you care about what goes into our landfills as I do, you probably look for ways to re-use or re-purpose a lot of items that might otherwise get thrown away. Sounds crazy to throw away a good plate, especially when you can re-purpose it and create something lovely for your home. How about turning the plate and an old candle holder that is sitting around not being used, into a nice jewelry tray or soap dish? That's just what I did, in knowing that it would look pretty on a dresser, or kitchen or bathroom counter. If you are interested in this piece you can find it here: Blue Delft Style Pedestal Dish

 I have become a collector of Memory Lane China by Royal. I love the red and white pattern, especially the oak leaf and acorn trim on each piece as Autumn is my favorite season. Unfortunately some pieces arrive with chips and or broken, but not to worry, I have used some in creating a mosaic top to an antique table, and am now creating jewelry with some of the pieces.

This piece is also available in my Simply Sheryl's esty shop here: Autumn Cascade Pendant Necklace

What do you do with broken or lonely dishes?

Pretty in Pink & Chocolate Hues in a Valentines Necklace

Lovely shades of smokey pink, with a drop of chocolate to mix things up are combined to create this lovely necklace. A tiny copper heart charm adds a spark of romance to this one of a kind creation. Say "I love you" with a hand crafted one of a kind necklace from Simply Sheryl's at esty