Etsy Shop for rubee55

Kazuri and copper

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:47:37 -0500

$35.00
These earrings were created by forming a spiral of heavy gauge copper, then hammering and texturing it. A green and black ceramic Kazuri bead from Kenya was wired on the bottom of the spiral which hangs from hand formed earwires.

A bit on the Kazuri beads...
"Kazuri was started in 1975 as a cottage industry with the social mission of making work for a few women. Initially less than 10 women were employed. As word of the beauty and uniqueness of the Kazuri beads, necklaces and earrings spread, sales increased and approximately 100 people are now employed. Many more wait in the hope of having an opportunity to join the ranks of those talented people who make small and beautiful objects." (from "Kazuri America")

I hope you like them as much as I do!

All my pieces are original works of art; no two are the same. If you would like a piece custom made with specific colors and sizing please feel free to convo me.
I will gladly ship internationally but, convo me before sending payment to work out the shipping arrangement.

Peace within,
Rubee

Embracing Lost Time

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:47:37 -0500

$145.00
An old, non-working pocket watch with a charming yellowish-green crystal was the inspiration for this sculptured necklace. The well worn timepiece spoke volumes to me as I turned it over and over in my hands, studying its warm, golden patina.

I wanted to embrace its history in some way, so I created a complicated network of metallic seed beads to give it an eternal hug. The beads are secured to a lovely old copper filigree on the backside of the watch.

A few of my favorite vintage brass, and copper stampings were used to embellish the finished base once the beading was complete. Swooping across the watchface is a lovely brass swallow. Included in the collection of dangles is an antique black cabochon of a scarab beetle that I enveloped in copper filigree, and a brass mask, both of which hint at the imagined saga of this old watch.

Finally, 26 inches of vintage double-ring chain were used to make the sculpture wearable. When not being worn, it is happy being hung on a wall where it can be admired by fellow time travelers.

"Time lost is time when we have not lived a full human life, time unenriched by experience, creative endeavor, enjoyment, and suffering." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

All my pieces are original works of art; no two are the same. If you would like a piece custom made with specific colors and sizing please feel free to convo me.
I will gladly ship internationally but, convo me before sending payment to work out the shipping arrangement.

Now is the Time for Peace,
Rubee

Oak Leaf Pendant

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:47:37 -0500

$90.00
Freeform Valley Oak leaf made of copper wire and lovingly entwined with an eclectic mix of tiny semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, and Swarovski crystals. A 22 inch copper chain suspends the pendant at a slight angle to give the image of the leaf tumbling gently to earth.

Its always raining somewhere

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:47:37 -0500

$145.00
Did I tell you I love rain? Well, I really really do. So I made this woven pendant as sort of a talisman to rainy days.

The little cloud is 3 1/4 inches wide and 2 1/4 inches tall(excluding the rain drops). The handmade framework and weaving wire are oxidized sterling silver. The beads are an eclectic gathering of water molecules: Czech pressed and firepolished glass, tiny pearls, and Swarovski crystals.

The S-shaped links in the chain are also handmade using oxidized, sterling silver. There is a 2 inch chain extension on the back of the necklace. The length without using the extension is about 17 inches.

All my pieces are original works of art; no two are the same. If you would like a piece custom made with specific colors and sizing please feel free to convo me.
I will gladly ship internationally but, convo me before sending payment to work out the shipping arrangement.

Peace within,
Rubee

Green With Envy

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:47:36 -0500

$28.00
It's everywhere I look this time of year.

Moss in the cracks of the side walks, a steaming cuppa green tea, the color of my Shenshen's eyes.

I love the color green.

Whether it comes in the form of an unfurling fern frond, the faded finish on a 1951 Chevy pickup or the electric green of a tropical tree frog, I love it , love it, love it.

So when I saw these beautiful creamy, green vintage beads, I knew I had to have them. They caused me to remember a pair of antique brass, Art Deco pieces that I bought years ago in San Francisco. Before I knew it these little beauties were created.

The actual ear wires are new and made of sturdy gold filled wire. The tiny brass beads and head pins are also new. The little filigree bead caps at the ends of the beads are vintage. The total length without the ear wire is about 1 and 3/4 inches long.

I hope you love them as much as I do. Thanks for stopping by.

Green Peace,
Rubee

Turquoise Donut Collage

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:47:36 -0500

$110.00
An earthy turquoise donut is the base for this traveling collage necklace. Bronze wire wrapping, along with pieces of copper and brass chain, suspend a collection of beads and charms from the centerpiece.

Jasper, yellow turquoise, jade, pearls, African opal and Czech glass make up most of the beads. Leaf charms of brass and pewter, an arm milagro, and a silver coin, hand-cut to suspend an eagle at its center, add to the colorful menagerie.

This is a great necklace to wear whenever you think you'll be waiting in queue, stuck in traffic, or trying to keep small children occupied for a while. You can make up exciting tales about the relationships of each element in the collage. The possibilities are endless.

BUT WAIT! You also get 3 gorgeous strands of silk cord to hang it around the neck of someone special...perhaps yourself.

Fishy, Fishy Earrings

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:46:23 -0500

$18.00
Stylized fish made from Karen Hill Tribe silver swim upstream in these fun earrings. More than 97% pure silver, they are extremely slow to tarnish. Additionally, you are supporting an indigenous people of northern Thailand when you purchase this Fair Trade item.

The fish charms dangle from a wire wrapped, disk shaped Czech glass bead in shades of pale blue and seagrass brown.

The earwires are hand made of 99% fine silver. Total length is 2 1/2 inches.

Thanks for looking!

una bella tazza di caffe

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:01:39 -0400

$125.00
No, this is not a piece of jewelry. It's just another side of my quirky personality that is attempting to surface.

This adorable little gal is everyone's favorite barista. She's always at your beck and call, anxious to make sure that your cappuccino has just the right amount of perfect foam...dense, thick and creamy...god, I miss Vivace! (una bella tazza di caffe!)

But I digress...

Check out the list of materials below to see all the goodies she's made of. The glass door knob is from the old house I raised my girls in. Her apron spent most of its life as a little kitchen rug in a tin doll house. Pantaloons of snowy white milk glass jars were found in a local buried dump. And her shoes...shiny, red poker chips. The effect is charming indeed!

Not exactly a "Tall Drink Of Water," she's just 12 inches tall and barely 8 inches across at her widest point. I guarantee you'll never find another sweet thing like her anywhere. Maybe you'd like to take her home or perhaps she's just not your type. Either way- Thanks for looking!

I will gladly ship internationally but, convo me before sending payment to work out the shipping arrangement.

Peace within,
Rubee

Needle Workers Vignette

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:01:39 -0400

$175.00
Like many artsycrafty people, I'm a collector. I can barely pass up a garage sale or church rummage sale, and few things can make my heart race faster than a trip to the world class Alameda Flea Market across the bay from San Francisco. As a result I've got STUFF.

Now and then a bunch of that stuff comes together in my brain and becomes a vignette. Then life around here comes to a screeching halt until I can actually materialize the vision. Since I come from a long line of needle workers this vignette pays homage to them.

The old wooden box with brass latches (yes, it actually closes) is 15 inches tall by 10 5/8 inches wide and 3 3/4 inches deep when closed. I made shelves out of old wooden yardsticks. Everything is gently and lovingly attached with permanence. As with any antique, it should be displayed out of direct sunlight.

There are a even a few non-sewing essentials that any savvy seamstress shouldn't be without. There is a Victorian lady's notebook adorned with violets and the coolest little cast iron penguin attached by a chain to a 3 inch long etched silver mechanical pencil! Whew! What else do ya need?

This would make a wonderful gift for the seamstress in your life. Maybe that would be you?

I will gladly ship internationally but, convo me before sending payment to work out the shipping arrangement.Thanks so much for checking it out!

Peace for all,
Rubee

Like a Moth to a...

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:08:59 -0400

$35.00
Set against the silhouette of a golden harvest moon, a dark moth flutters silently in the garden, among fading leaves and hanging blossoms.

The centerpiece for this bracelet is a 1 1/2 x 1 inch, flat, dark orange, resin bead that I have stamped with the image of a sphinx moth.
Fear not, the ink I stamped it with is completely permanent, durable and light fast.

Surrounding the moth bead is an eclectic assortment of glass, metal, stone, and resin beads. Many are from the Czech Republic, some are vintage, some recycled, and all are unique in their own way.

The bracelet is meant to be worn somewhat loose so it hangs comfortably at the wrist. The round copper box clasp is easy to use and very secure. Total length is 7 7/8 inches. Length can easily be adjusted at no charge to you if necessary.

The Submissive Dragonfly and the Mysterious Red Stone

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:08:58 -0400

$50.00
This little dragonfly has come to rest on a ruby red oval pendant that is suspended from a necklace of tourmaline beads.

Sadly, I cannot seem to find the name of the stone the pendant is made of. The crystal structure looks very much like charoite, which is usually purple. I suppose it could have been altered in the lab to create the gorgeous red color, but I guess we'll just have to go with it being a mystery for now.

The brass dragonfly has been forced to embrace the pendant. And let me tell you it didn't cooperate willingly, but, in the end I won out. The necklace is comprised of 7 1/2 inches of tourmaline beads that were strung and separated by color with handmade golden spacer beads. At each end of this strand are beautiful old brass beads.

A length of bronze chain and toggle finish the necklace which is 20 inches total in length. If you would prefer a slightly shorter or longer necklace, this piece could be altered at no extra charge. Just convo me with your particulars.

Thanks very much for looking!

Esprit de larbre

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:08:58 -0400

$100.00
The Tree Spirit. Glass, copper and brass leaves, an infant milagro, a brass swallow, and many other treasures dangle from a hand-formed and stamped, antiqued copper pendant. The pendant is attached to a 30 inch soft suede cord. If you prefer a shorter length, please convo me with the length you'd like and I can alter it. Thanks for looking!

All my pieces are original works of art; no two are the same. If you would like a piece custom made with specific colors and sizing please feel free to convo me.
I will gladly ship internationally but, convo me before sending payment to work out the shipping arrangement.

Peace within,
Rubee

Morocco

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:17:44 -0400

$110.00
Not long ago my husband gave me a box of very old scientific labels. I started reading all the scientific names, the dates when the items in question had been collected, and the locations where the collecting took place.

Penciled in someone's forgotten handwriting were exotic sites like Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, even Transylvania! Suddenly I felt like I was reading a script for an Indiana Jones movie. Thus, I became inspired to create a steampunk style necklace that I call Morocco.

At the center of the medallion is a flattened bottle cap that became the canvas for a tiny collage. It was then riveted to the larger, vintage, raw brass disk. More brass rivets were used to attach brass chain and beads as well as metal rick-rack dangles at the bottom of the medallion.

Black lava beads and vintage, corrugated brass rondelles, which remind me of old machinery gears, add to the steampunk style. Opposite these beads is a curvy, feminine brass connector suspending three unique brass dangles that are sandwiched between tiny black Swarovski crystals.

The finished piece is designed to be worn close to the neck with the center medallion hanging just below the collar bone. If you are interested in purchasing this beauty, convo me with your neck-to-clavicle measurements and I will custom alter it to fit you perfectly.

Please check out my shop policies for all the small print including international shipping and custom orders.

Thanks for stopping by to look!

Peace for All,
Rubee

Turning Leaf Pendant

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:17:44 -0400

$90.00
Antiqued sterling silver wire formed into a leaf shape and wired with a multitude of colorful Czech glass beads, freshwater pearls, and Swarovski crystals. The suede cord and sterling silver S-hook create a 16" necklace. I'd be happy to add links of chain for lengthening the necklace if you'd like.

As seen from the footbridge...

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:17:44 -0400

$125.00
I love gazing into clear mountain streams from the vantage point of a footbridge or rocky ledge. The mosaic of leaves caught amongst the tumbled stones and the way that light shimmers on the water's surface is mesmerizing.

That is the vision that inspired this pendant; semiprecious stones, pearls, glass and metal beads woven together on a freeform framework of hammered copper wire.

It would be hard to list each element here. Just know that each bead was chosen carefully and with much thought as this piece was lovingly created.

All my pieces are original works of art; no two are the same. If you would like a piece custom made with specific colors and sizing please feel free to convo me.
I will gladly ship internationally but, convo me before sending payment to work out the shipping arrangement.

Peace within,
Rubee