Industrial Age and the Queen Mother

by Joan Williams
(Springfield, MO)

I've felt a bit like a mad scientist lately - can't get enough of taking grubby old metal objects and transforming them into one of a kind jewelry pieces!

I call the red piece Queen Mother because the heavy old brass keyhole escutcheon has a womanly shape and I think the old enamel crown charm gives her a regal air. I carefully cleaned the escutcheon while leaving the chipped red paint intact. Clock gears and other objects were attached with E-6000 glue and left to cure overnight to ensure a strong bond. I used a little Gilders paste for the blue accents, and to finish I made a few tiny dangles with Czech glass beads to hang from the chain.

For the Industrial Age piece, I threaded fine chain onto a tiny metal pulley and added beads and clock gears.

Joan Williams
Lilruby - jewelry design and more