Have A Heart

"Adore" (sold)

With Valentine's day on the way, I seem to be having an unusually strong urge to work with hearts.  It's not really like me!  But, there  you have it.

 

"French Heart" (sold)

This French paste rhinestone heart is way to gorgeous for photos.  I just couldn't capture it's sparkly goodness.

I wanted the heart to take center stage so I paired it with a lovely strand of teeny, tiny blue seed pearls and a small, vintage rhinestone clasp with crystals and a faceted pearl in the back.  It's the perfect piece for layering.

"Faith and Grace"  

More sparkles, garnets, pearls...a wonderful, vintage brass cross...

...embossed on the back.

I'm seriously in love with this one!  I have only two of these wonderful rhinestone stars...dug up in an antique shop.

I have a passion for sacred hearts.  This one comes with it's own little, antique magnifying glass for seeing the details.

"Sacred Heart"  

The Apostleship of Prayer was originally formed in 1844 to promote the practice of prayer.  Sometimes, I'm lucky and find these scapulars with Jesus on one side and a sacred heart on the other.

"Wake" (sold)

This piece, made of vintage rosaries, an old crucifix and antique French hearts embossed with thistles (representing Christ's suffering) and patriarchal crosses, is sold but I wanted to show the resin focal...made with ICE Resin, of course:

Do you recognize this guy from this post?

"Love Letters"

Does this one look familiar?  I did it for Teresa McFayden's Paper Bella Studio e-zine, a year ago.  Here's what it used to look like:

Well, messy me, I got a tiny dot of ink on that pink silk and, being the perfectionist that I am, had to replace the silk.

Once I started, I got a little carried away and re-worked it a bit.  It's such a better piece of jewelry, now...longer and more shimmery and, again, great for layering.

Not only did I add strands of sparkling rhinestones, to replace the silk, but I added this incredible, antique Italian crucifix.

The silver bird clasp stayed because he's such a delightful fellow.  Best for last...

"Saint's Relic"

...this one is really spectacular.  At least, I think so!  It's because of the awesome relic.  I brought together some of my very favorite things for this necklace...let me give you a tour:

The relic is old...St. Francis Xavier and St. Vincent Ferrer.  Saint Francis Xavier was known for his missionary travels, apostolic zeal and many miracles.  He preached the gospel of Christ in many, many places and converted many unbelievers.  

Saint Vincent Ferrer was also a missionary who traveled western Europe for many years and eloquently preached the gospel.  He thought of himself as a messenger of penance, sent to prepare men for their judgment. 

I've mentioned before, on this blog, that I'm not a believer in the power of the saints (or relics, medal, etc.) on their own.  But, I do believe that people are given power, through faith.  I love the holy strength and power of belief that the saints represent.

Lucky me to get hold of these silver heart and hand pieces, from France. 

 

They melded perfectly into this necklace.

As did these raspberry, faceted pearls and baroque pearls from my last post.  The quality of these baroques was very nice.  So, there you have a few things that delight my heart, put all together in the form of jewelry.  If you'd like to see more of my Valentine's day line of jewelry, please check out my Etsy shop...here.  xxoo!

Check out Rebecca Sower's "Heart Sessions" for more heartfelt inspiration!

Comments

[laura]

your work is INSPIRING...i haven't seen any jewelry that has excited me as much as yours...

[katie struckhoff]

Stunning and breath taking jewelry!

[Pattie]

Oye Deryn!!

As true to your gifts these new pieces are all incredible. Is it any wonder why you are an inspiration and mentor to so many of us!! I agree Love Letter's is a much more striking necklace after you refashioned it. Oh and how perfect to layer for this season and stand alone when a bit of simplicity is wanted!

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

[Didee]

WOW.....talk about mouth-dropping designs!!! Stunning!! xo

[red or gray art]

i enjoyed your beautiful creations here

[tracey]

Gorgeous, Deryn. I'm drooling.

[Vicki Sheehan]

It's all so, so beautiful!

[Rebecca]

oh. wow.

[Shuku]

Such lovely, lovely pieces, and yes, I do have to admit that while I'm not a heart person, these hearts have a definite tug. I especially love the Saint's Relic - such a lot of history and beautiful objects in one necklace!

[caro]

amazing! so glad you posted the link on Rebecca's blog. LOVE the way you've blended the old rosaries.

[folksmith]

how reminiscent to see a scapula. whatever happened to those? they seem to have disappeared i'm sure my daughters, who are 21 and 16, wouldn't be able to find theirs. just love your jewelry. how creative you are. beautiful!

[Christine Damm]

I hear you about wanting to work with hearts lately! Me too! I love your colors and how you always work the found amulets into something wonderful. I think these bits contain the power of the prayers that used them as a focus by the previous owner. Potent stuff!

[sandra]

I just love your work, just beautiful!

[Michelle Adams]

Deryn you never cease to amaze me!!! I LOVE your work!!! Just when I think you can't top the piece I'm looking at I scroll down and am wowed by the next one!!!! Thanks for the eye candy!!!
xo

[Melissa]

These are also so gorgeous Deryn!

[Nancy K]

Oh wow, what a collection of gorgeous-ness! Someday, when I'm independently wealthy, I plan to own an original Deryn Mentock masterpiece.
Thanks so much for sharing your amazing gift!

[Thespoena McLaughlin]

Your jewelry is always so wonderful to look at. Hopefully someday I'll have one of your pieces. Have a great day!

[Sharon A. Kyser]

I love your creations! I so admire the Love Letters necklace! Your work is beautiful.
Sharon

[Lelainia Lloyd]

Oh Deryn, the HANDS!! LOVE THEM!! they are really, really cool.

I also love the bird clasp. For some reason, it made me think of St. Francis of Assisi. Funnily enough, though I am NOT Catholic, I went to Catholic school and so I got a bit of a religious education in terms of the saints. I thought St. Francis was the most magical.

Awhile back, I was thinking up my own lesser known saints and decided there should be an "Our Lady of perpetual Laundry" and others like that. One of these days I am going to make her into an art piece. I'm a little warped that way! *wink*

Your work just keeps amazing me. That square cut red gem is GORGEOUS!

[Renate]

Oh Deryn, you have me drooling in my early morning coffee over these! So beautiful - and such gorgeous details. You have really been busy, with fantastic results. Love your work!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Deryn-
You amaze me with each new direction. I love all the tiny details...the hands...the sacred heart relic...the rhinestone stars. I imagine that when one is wearing a Deryn Mentock that she would be carrying around a lot of stories - from you and the past lives of those objet d'art and her own invented histories - which is what really quite intrigues and delights me. Thank you so much for freely sharing your inspiration and your joy. Enjoy the day! Erin