So I've been meaning to share this link with you guys for a while now. I read about it over at Bead & Button magazine's Editors' blog a bit ago, but with a magazine to put out, and Tucson trip preparations to make etc., etc., I hadn't yet found the time to post about it.

Check out the blog post by Ann Dee Allen, Editor.

So, the news is that the projects from their VintageStyle jewelry special issue are now available for sale individually as instant downloads!

Now, if you're interested in this sort of thing, I'd encourage you to just go ahead and buy the physical back issue. It's a gorgeous publication that feels and looks more like a book than a magazine.It's full of brand new vintage and vintage-inspired projects using beads, metal clay, and vintage findings. And there's also some jewelry history, artist interviews, and fun and interesting facts and tid bits along the way.

But if you're in a hurry, and want to download these projects to get started instantly, check out Ann Dee's blog post for loads of direct project links. You could get started making yours tonight!

I was lucky enough to have two of my projects featured in it: Buttons & Beads, a tutorial where I used antique glass buttons to make a bracelet, and Modern Heirlooms, shown at left, a tutorial where I used silicone antique button molds from Cool Tools, and embeddable jump ring bails from Metal Clay Findings to make a silver metal clay locket.

In the shot at left, I included photos of my late Grandma and Grandfather, Mildred and Harold, from a shot taken on their honeymoon. (The closed locket has photos of Mildred and her sister Helen — you can see it open if you check out the article.)

I thought that our Photographer and Art Director did such a nice job of capturing the look of my lockets in this photo that I asked for a large copy of it for myself, which I had framed and then gave to my mom (Mildred's daughter) for Mother's day. From the bits of 'liquid emotion' in her eyes, I think it was a hit.

So, if you're looking to start making your own heirlooms to pass down, check out these projects. Who knows, you may even elicit some 'liquid emotion' from someone you know.

Have fun creating!

~Addie~

P.S. When I was searching for the jump ring link, I came across these embeddable clip-on earring findings. My Grandmas Mildred would've loved these, and likely begged me to make her a pair of big, sparkly earrings with them. She adored jewelry, but in all her 80+ years she never did get her ears pierced. Funny!