Richard Ginori china from Italy

I've been having a great time creating jewelry from the beautiful Limoge plate given to me by my cousin. I came across another beautiful plate with a terrible crack in it. It was Richard Ginori china from Italy. This china too has been a delight to work with. So thin and yet a very strong china with such a beautiful pattern.

However, the way the pattern was scattered across the plate, I was only able to get very small pieces, except for one large piece. I have none that would be the right size for a pendant. The large piece made a lovely brooche. I scalloped the edges and decided to leave off the wire. I liked it just the way it was. This pin is 2-1/2" long.



I'll be making quite a few pairs of earrings from this china. Here are a couple that I've finished.




Next up, I'll be using some of the pieces that are a little too large for earrings and will be incorporating them into wire crochet necklaces and bracelets. What's nice about this pattern is that very few of the pieces are the same.

I may not be able to upload this jewelry to my website before I go to a craft show this Sunday. I have to concentrate on getting ready for that. So if you're interested in any of this jewelry, please contact me soon. I will be taking all of the jewelry to the show on Sunday and will have it available there for sale.

Manasquan Craft & Antique Show

This Sunday, August 3, 2008, I will have all of my jewelry available for sale at the Manasquan Craft & Antique Show, Squan Plaza, Manasquan, NJ from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The raindate for the show is Sunday, August 10, 2008.

So far, the forecast for August 3 looks beautiful - sunny and not too hot. So if you're in the area, stop by and see my jewelry in person. I'll be at Space #35. I can't wait for Sunday to get here. I hope I'll see you there!

A few more Limoge pieces

I've complete a few more pieces from the broken Limoge china that I was given by my cousin Freddi. I posted the pendant previously. Now there's also this wire crochet bracelet. The crochet is all done by hand. The bracelet measures 8".



Next are two pairs of earrings, each with a different design.





All of the Limoge pieces are currently available on my website at http://www.marjoriescracked.com.

Michael Londra's Concern Worldwide Video

One of my favorite singers is Michael Londra. He's one of my favorites not only because he has a beautiful tenor voice but also because he has a caring heart. He works as an ambassador for Concern Worldwide and has made quite a few trips to Haiti to personally check out the living conditions there. A few years ago, he released a single CD and all proceeds went to Concern Worldwide. He's done much to raise money and people's awareness of the conditions in Haiti.

Here's a video he's put together specifically about the problem people are experiencing there and the miles they walk each day for water. Please take the time to watch it and please do what you can to help. Thanks.

Michael Londra's Concern Worldwide Video

Fabulous hummingbird guests

For me, one of the most enjoyable summertime happenings is the return of hummingbirds to New Jersey. Nothing pleases me more than to see one of those tiny little visitors stop by my garden. And it makes my whole summer a delight if one or two decide to stay for any length of time.

For some reason, sightings have been few this summer. But last summer I had two little ones stay the whole summer. All the day drew to a close, they’d come and sit on the fence near the feeder and would stay there almost until dark, occasionally going to the feeder for a sip of sugar water. One stayed into October and would sit on the fence with the cold wind ruffling his feathers. Finally he too said goodbye.

I was hoping they’d return this summer but my neighborhood has gotten noisier and, while I saw one or two at the feeder one weekend in June, I think a very wild pool party in the yard in back of mine scared them away. But I keep replacing the sugar water hoping for their return.

Here are some photos I took last summer of my special visitors.

Lenwile Ardalt Broken China Pendant

Along with the Limoge china pendant previously described, I've also added a pendant designed from hand painted Lenwile Ardalt china featuring strawberries. I have another pendant designed from this china that is presently at Shore Things in Avon, NJ and I wanted to have an additional one for the website and for the upcoming craft shows. It's such a summery-looking piece of jewelry. This pendant measures 1-1/4" x 1-1/2", including the bail. It also comes with a 16" black velvet cord with a 2" extender.



This pendant can be found at http://www.marjoriescracked.com/pendants5.html.

Theodore Haviland Limoge France broken china pendant

I just put a newly designed pendant up on my website at http://www.marjoriescracked.com/pendants5.html. The pendant is designed from a beautiful Theodore Haviland Limoge France plate. The china was a gift to me from my cousin Freddi. Unfortunately for Freddi, the plate was chipped in a couple of places. But luckily for me, I now have quite a few lovely shards of china to make some jewelry. I plan to make an entire set from this plate - earrings, wire crochet bracelet and possibly a wire crochet necklace and ring too and will post them when completed. Here's the pendant. Wrapped with silver artist wire, it measures 1-1/4" x 1-1/2". This lovely classical Limoge design makes an elegant piece of jewelry. The pendant comes with a 16" black velvet cord with a 2" extender.



If you're interested in this pendant, contact me directly or order through my website at http://www.marjoriescracked.com/pendants5.html. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Marjorie's jewelry is now available at Shore Things

I'm very pleased to announce that Marjorie's Cracked Plate Jewelry will be available at Shore Things as of Saturday, July 12, 2008. Shore Things is located at 302 Main Street, Avon by the Sea, New Jersey. They can be contacted at 732-988-8484. They carry shore themed gifts, photos, art and more. Avon by the Sea is a lovely seashore town and Shore Things is located on their busiest street. Read the recent story in the Asbury Park Press about their new location - Click here.

I'll be deciding which jewelry pieces will be going to this store over the next few days. At this point, I know the bracelet that I just posted to this blog last night will be one of the pieces at the store and also a new necklace I'm just finishing up and the strawberry pendant below, which was designed from a hand painted Lenwile Ardale china plate:



This is the third local store carrying my jewelry. Marjorie's Cracked Plate Jewelry can also be found at Absolute Necessities in West End, New Jersey and at World's Images in Belmar, New Jersey.

New Medley vase bracelet

A new addition to my broken china collection, this delicate bracelet is designed using a piece of a lovely Medley San Francisco vase. The bracelet is crocheted by hand using thin silver artist wire. The clasp is also hand crafted. Several tiny pink beads accent the pink tones in the china. The bracelet measures 7 inches.

This bracelet is light as air and so feminine. The wire has a wonderful sparkle to it. I wish my photography skills could show you just how lovely this bracelet is. Satisfaction is always guaranteed on any purchases from Marjorie's Cracked Plate Jewelry Store.

This bracelet is available at Shore Things, 302 Main Street, Avon by the Sea, Avon, NJ, 732-988-8484. For more information or to purchase, please contact me through the email link contained in my Profile or call the store.

Birdcage for jewelry display

I found a fabulous little ornamental birdcage today that I'm hoping to use in my jewelry display in upcoming craft shows. Another garage sale find! Even has a little pink bird in it. My first thought was that I would drape jewelry around the outside of it. But I'm not sure if the jewelry will show up well on it. It might show up better if I painted the cage white. I'll have to find some pretty flowers to use on it and take out what's in there. If it doesn't do well as a jewelry display, I can still use it on the table to pretty things up.

I love it! Doesn't it have great possibilities? Let me know if you have any ideas for it. Sometimes creating a display for your jewelry can be even more challenging than creating the jewelry itself!