This Friendship Bell Bracelet is one of our favorite Holiday gifts… mostly because of the sweet story that comes along with it {Read BELOW}.  Plus it’s only $28.00!!  Click on the “Add to Cart” to order yours
{and your friends} today!! 

“When you drive north of town be sure to slow down long enough to see an amazing story unfold.  On old man Smith’s place you will find two horses that share quite a friendship.  While Daisy was one amazing saddlebronc horse in her time, she is now blind following a wreck of the worst kind.  Mr. Smith chose to give Daisy a good home to live out the rest of her years.  This alone is amazing… but if you’re still enough to listen you’ll hear the sound of  a bell tinkering in the not-so-far distance… and then you’ll see Cheyenne.

Sound and true, Cheyenne is the little mare that everyone learned to ride on at the Smith place… and tied to her halter is a little silver bell.  Now… that bell… it connects those two friends.  Watch these two and you’ll see that Cheyenne is always checking on Daisy… and she listens for her bell… trusting that she will not lead her astray.  When she heads back to the barn each evening, she’ll stop and look back… making sure her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect… or have problems or challenges.  He watches over us and brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are like Daisy, the blind horse, being guided by the little ringing bell of  a friend.  Other times we are the guide horse, Cheyenne, helping others to see their way.  Good friends are like that… and that’s just what friends do!! Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours!!”

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Technorati Tags: friend gift, friendship bell bracelet, friendship bracelet, western bracelet, western gift, western jewelry

Love these new Totem Necklaces from Schaef Designs!!  The necklaces are made of items that Schaef Designs owner, Bobby Schaefer, has collected over the years including antique & vintage items, as well as recently acquired items.  

Bobby has re-purposed earrings, pendants, fetishes, pins and more for these great pieces.  She calls them totem necklaces as most have animals in addition to many other items.  Of course they are a Schaef Designs collection and each is a one of a kind original!!!

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Rustic * Western * Vintage FASHION & JEWELRY

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Technorati Tags: indian jewelry, Schaef Designs Southwest, Southwest Jewelry, totem necklaces, turquoise, western jewelry

We have some new necklaces to feature from our friend Tamara Ruiz… fresh in time for fall. I would love to have any one of these necklaces for sweaters this winter!!

Chunky beads, bone, bronze, Bakelite and a vintage button . . . . all combined in a cool, tribal look perfect for fall. Muted fall colors of amber, rusty red, bronze, weathered black, ivory and chocolate brown are the predominant colors of this necklace. All beads and elements individually wire-wrapped and linked with bronze wire. A rustic focal of a wire-wrapped fossilized bone found on an East Coast beach, with a vintage die dangling below, complete the piece.

Nuggets, carved, faceted, shaped, and polished beads in beautiful shades of turquoise comprise the beaded strand of this necklace. A forged steel connector bar wrapped in small beads and vintage fabric with a wheel of recycled glass, a vintage trade bead with a yellow turquoise carved melon rondelle, a hammered copper etched bar, and patterned links of a metal chain and bell charm; hang together from a “charm catcher” forged wire hoop to form a cluster drop completely focused on texture.

A fossilized piece of sand dollar, wire-wrapped to a hammered copper medallion, forms the centerpiece of this rustic three-strand necklace. The beaded strand is a mix of vintage trade and resin beads, bone, mother-of-pearl, wood and brass; all wire-wrapped and linked with bronze wire. The second strand is copper wire crocheted with tiny, vintage glass pearls; and the third strand is a supple piece of deerskin leather. A forged bronze clasp and links complete the necklace.

Strands of small beads, pearls and shells in Southwestern desert colors are softly twined together in this necklace. The talisman charm focal consists of a forged steel connector bar wrapped in vintage, tea stained muslin, a length of ribbon in shades of plum, and tiny, vintage glass pearls – - with a chunk of agate dangling below; a stacked bar of puka and oyster shells; a hammered silver bar hand-stamped “begin”; and more dangles of carved bone and a spiral shell with just a tinge of pink. Forged bronze wire forms the end wraps, clasp and closure links of the necklace.

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Rustic * Western * Vintage FASHION & JEWELRY

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Technorati Tags: bohemian jewelry, rustic jewelry, vintage glass, vintage jewelry, western jewelry

More BEST OF CCD as we count down the last few days before heading to Texas… this post is from Spring 2009 after I was first introduced to Richard and Janet Schmidt… their joyful spirits and attitudes ooze out of their beautiful jewelry… even if you can’t make it to Texas {be sure to visit the Schmidt’s this fall at Marburger Farm!!} you have a great opportunity to get to know their work on their website right HERE. 

Last fall during Round Top Antique Week I was introduced to Richard and Janet Schmidt ~ a married duo whose talents, creativity, and keen eye create endless STYLE. During Round Top Antique Week they set up an unassuming display for their jewelry on Round Top’s town square. It’s not until you enter their little white tent that you realize you have stumbled upon something really special… jewelry that is created with SPIRIT and SUBSTANCE, and is sure to be the next big rage.

This spring I had a chance to peek into Richard and Janet’s permanent showroom, Schmidt’s, which is in the town square of La Grange, Texas {just 20 minutes south of Round Top, and halfway between Houston and Austin}. As suspected, I was not disappointed… Art, jewelry, photography and pottery are just the beginning of the journey through Schmidt’s.

Richard’s distinct jewelry designs set the tone for the space which has been a family owned business since 1977 {Richard and Janet have owned it together for 9 years}. In addition to their own designs, Richard related that “other artists they show are Dave Newman, Brad and Sundie Ruppert, Clayton McDermott, Rustic Attitude, and Tara Gasparian. They also have a great selection of diamond and colored stone jewelry, santos, oaxacan pottery, wrought iron and wooden crosses, beads and many other great tchotchkes.”

I also asked Richard about how he got started designing jewelry, “I first made jewelry about 30 years ago while in college. It wasn’t until 1995 when Janet and I decided we wanted to raise our children in the small town I grew up in that I decided to do jewelry design full time. I am mostly self taught with lots of trial and some error. This is truly my passion and I am blessed that I get to do this every day.” Richard’s passion is evident in his detailed and INPSPIRED designs.

“Schmidt’s is a small town store and gallery with great merchandise, Texas hospitality, and a warm atmosphere…” The Schmidt’s work hard “to find unusual and one of a kind pieces that will fit even the most discriminating budget.” This is definitely a place that you must stop if you are traveling between Houston and Austin ~ or go for the day, it’s a great drive… ROAD TRIP!!

Click HERE for more pictures of the Schmidt’s Jewelry

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COUNTDOWN to Round Top

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Rustic * Western * Vintage FASHION

(more…)

Technorati Tags: Marburger Farm Antique Show, richard schmidt, Richard Schmidt Jewelry, Round Top Antique Week, western jewelry

Fall is upon us here in Weston MO… can you feel it in the air??  Fresh for fall we have some new jewelry from one of our favorite artists, Tamara Ruiz… enjoy taking a look and reading what Tamara has to write about her inspiration for each piece…

I’ve been working on some new necklaces that have a rustic, ethnic look.  I’m reminded of the song from the seventies that had a verse “take a trip and never leave the farm” . . . . they weren’t talking about jewelry – - ha, gotta love the seventies – - but my favorite necklaces this month have taken a trip and never left my studio (on the farm). 
 
The talisman necklace, with creamy shades of ivory, golden amber, and chocolate brown, celebrates the American Southwest with primitive glass and cork beads, etched metal with designs reminiscent of Native American petroglyphs, vintage trade beads and coins in bone and brass, citrine, rutilated quartz.and a hammer forged steel clasp.  The combination of different textures in this necklace make it especially appealing – - carved and pierced bone;  raised designs etched in copper;  primitive basketweave patterns of brass trade beads; sandy, matte glass beads;  and smooth nuggets of citrine and quartz.  A neutral color palette weaves the textures together and gives it harmony.

A vintage pagoda charm was the inspiration for the red necklace.  Red, in the Chinese culture, symbolizes good fortune and joy;  so red seemed a good choice for the beads featured in this necklace.  Vintage trade, glass and resin beads from India and Africa, chunky rondelles of red coral, lampworked glass beads and a fabric connector bead wrapped with vintage silks in reddish hues are linked together with a free-form handmade steel focal bar, the vintage pagoda charm and a forged clasp.

Big, chunky beads of bone, silver, glass and a wire-wrapped twig of fossilized wood comprise the links in this statement necklace.  Deep espresso brown, ivory white, golden wheat and soft black mingle with gently tarnished silver beads. wire-wrapped links and a forged clasp.  Swirled tribal patterns of dark browns and ivory in the focal African trade bead and an asymetrical drop of a fossilized twig complete this bold necklace.

 Wire-wrapped yellow turquoise beads, carved bone, vintage glass and woven brass trade beads;  a hammered steel link wrapped in frayed silk and small, tarnished beads;  and a citrine nugget complement the etched copper in this amulet necklace.  Inspired by vintage Southwestern Shaman and medicine man bags, the focal piece of this necklace is the etched copper amulet.   The circles and spirals etched into the copper are said to represent life and renewal.  The 32″ length of this necklace allows it to be wrapped twice for a shorter look, or worn long to layer with additional necklaces.

Love it all!! Thanks, Tamara…

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Rustic * Western * Vintage FASHION & JEWELRY

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Technorati Tags: bohemiman jewelry, rustic jewelry, vintage glass, vintage jewelry, western jewelry

I just came across this website and had to share!! I’m completely speechless about this phenomenal necklace available from Western Vintage Revival…

Technorati Tags: indian jewelry, turquoise, western jewelry