Something Nouveau

Wife Whisperer is quite a guy.  This weekend, he took me antique hunting...not something most guys (himself included!) really enjoy.  The loving patience displayed was amazing!  Especially in light of the fact that I really didn't find anything, until...

I peeked into a huge glass case and this amazing, Victorian antique belt screamed out at me.  The minute I saw it my head started to buzz and visions of the incredible jewelry I could make floated before me.  The aged patina on the bronze and steel is wonderful.  There are five of these stunning, faceted glass medallions...

four of these enchanting, filigree dingleberries...

...a couple of these fine, filigree flowery/clovery things...

...and several of these beautiful, long filigrees.

One of the things I love the best about the medallions is that, not only are the fronts faceted, but the backs are, as well.  The attention to detail in the construction in all of the elements is really remarkable.  This jeweled belt dates back to the 1800's and is quite a rarity.  It's incredibly lovely and I immediately fell for it.

Unfortunately, the sales lady was in love with it too and I practically had to wrestle her to the ground before I could buy it.  But, in the end, I prevailed and I'll be bringing a few pieces of jewelry, made with the outstanding findings from this antique, to Art & Soul with me.

"Nouveau"

Available on Etsy

Btw...I'm guest blogger over at the Objects and Elements blog...take a look!

Comments

[Cindy]

Deryn
What a find!! When you said you had to wrestle the sales clerk, did she actually want to keep it (NFS)? And you already turned it into a beautiful new piece!!!

[judy wilkenfeld]

Stunning piece

[Susie Jefferson]

It's incredible what finds you come across - I swear they hide themselves till you walk by, and then let you know by telepathy or something. Yet ANOTHER incredible piece. I'm so jealous I could cry! However, I'll try to be brave...

[Denise Tucker]

When I finally find my prince charming and get married, I'm sending him to WIFE WHISPERER for lessons!!!
He'll need help in supporting my bead/jewelry habit! :)
Love the antique belt, especially the dingleberries. WOW!

[Maide]

Wow...this jewelry is fabolous !!!
Itsso lovely and pure nostalgie...great and inspiring work !

Greetings
Maide

[barbe]

That is so amazing. I find the quality of antique costume jewelry to be far superior to most of today's costume jewelry. Lucky you!

I can totally see you wrestling the lady for it, I picture you as Joan of Arc and her as the Serpent trying to take it from you. I wish my drawing skills weren't so rusty-I'd draw that!

And belated happy birthday to you too!!! No wonder we like the same things!

[Karen Burns]

Oh, my! You obviously have wonderful places to shop and the Antique Findings Fairy was sprinkling good karma dust on you!! What a birthday treat! Certainly makes me want to get out there and look. And I will -- October 13th I head to Houston for the week for the International Quilt Show. I used to be a quilter and I meet girlfriends in Houston once a year for this awesome show. Over 1,000 vendors under one roof. Lots of fabric and quilting supplies, but many other goodies, also. Am hoping that the Findings Fairy saved a little good karma dust for me! Belated wishes to you....

[d newman]

oh how i love you blog. it's like a daily vitamin for my creativity. BUT, you can't call anything beautiful a "dingleberry." i don't know what it means in your area, but in the South, it is a very crude word. if you want the meaning, email me at dmcarm@yahoo.com. i wouldn't dream of polluting your beautiful with a definition.

[lilibulle]

Nouveau, très nouveau!!
beautiful, magnifique!!
the religious medal is perfect here with his 2 holes!!!
c'est superbe!! and the pictures: divines!!

[jenn desjardins]

Beautiful Deryn!...great 'capture' in two senses of the word!

[Julie]

These treasures took my breath away, so beautiful......and what you do with them....amazing! You make such beautiful pieces, it truly inspires me.

[Lorraine George]

Awe...I missed your bday???!! Happy belated birthday Deryn. I have been so absent from blogland and made the effort on my lunch break today to come and visit. I LOVE your new piece and that was an excellent wrestle to win for sure! Good luck at A&S. You won't need it though... :0)

[Michelle]

Hey how'd I miss your bday??! Hope you had a good one! The belt is absolutely heavenly!!! So many perfect findings all on one item!!!! squeal!!!!! Your new pieces are lovely too!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Happy belated birthday wishes are in order I see! Happy Happy Day!
Great scott...that is quite a find. My husband is the Bee Whisperer...and has been sucking up bees by the vacuum-ful...but I would oh so rather we went antiquing (or that he would send me off to do that myself!) We don't have any markets nearly as good as what you find. That is what is so amazing. I am off to check out O&E! Enjoy the day! Erin

[Christine Damm]

The Birthday Muse indeed smiled on you! This piece is so over-the-top and embellished that there must be many elements that are inspiring enough to spawn their own pieces. I love the image of you and the reluctant seller wrestling over the goodies!Many more productive and happy birthdays to you, my dear friend and companion in the arts!! Your life enriches us all!

[Sam Marshall]

It's such a beautiful piece-what a great find!!I can't wait to see what you'll create from it, too.

[Renate]

Belated Happy Birthday, Deryn!!!! Many, many very happy returns!!
What a score, an exceptional piece of art nouveau - I am drooling again... excuse me! And look what you have done with it! Exquisite!!
I love the dingleberries! Did you notice; the filigree clovery pieces are the same pieces the dingleberries are made of?

[Sherry Peck]

What a fun and frilly hunk of metal! This was gorgeous and I can't wait to see what all you do with it! WISH I could go to your table and see all your treasures!! I have an old pin like that metal with similar pieces except no stones....but I'm going to see if I can make it more special....the metal is rather soft....but love the filigree and have never seen another like it or close until I saw your piece....my neighbor on the next farm was in her eighties when she gave it to me in 1979-ish. A fun post!!...sherry peck

[Mary]

Love, Love this...I'm sure you will create some lovely pieces from this old piece!

[sharon]

Sooooo very gorgeous, and a very unique color! You have made it soooo very you!

[Shelby]

OH! don't you hate when there is an item for sale and they don't want to let it go...frustrating...lovely piece

[Sue Trump]

OK, is there really a thing called a "filigree dingleberry?" Oh my gosh, I can't believe you found this. It is gorgeous. When I find something I have to have I get all flushed and my heart beats fast...am I sick?

[Pattie]

First Happy Belated Birthday Deryn!!

Wooo the patron saint of Junque Junkies must have been watching over you!!! What an awesome score, and you are a very lucky girl!! Birthday or not!! :)

I read your posting on O&E great info but I don't know if I'm ready for another power tool just yet. In fact I had just finished drilling holes in my sea glass following your instructions and encouragement!! :) If you didn't know different you would have thought I'd won the lottery when the bit went through the glass without breaking the glass, dremel, or bit!!! There was a happy dance a goin on in my little art corner!! :) Thank you for the tip of using the wet sponge it works perfect!!

Have a wonderful time creating with your new find share pictures when you have time
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

[Emanda]

Fabulous find. Me? I'd have a tough time taking it apart. You are a very talented lady.

Emanda
ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

[Greta]

What a find! And what stunning pieces you made from it....

[Kelly Snelling]

don't you love it when you find something that inspires you to jump right to it! beautiful pieces, friend.

[Sandra]

wow, that is an amazing piece!

[Sherry]

Exquisite!! I have this visual of you and the saleslady wrestling over this!! Obviously you were meant to have it so it could be shared with many!

[Shuku]

Absolutely gorgeous! Wow, that was a wonderful find all right - you're right, the detail on the metal is just amazing. I love it! I'm sure the lucky new owner will as well!

I finally got two chainmaille pieces done, I'll photograph them maybe tomorrow. Hands are in recovery from wrestling with 16ga stainless steel rings, my pliers are too small!