Swell saints

Hello again!

So it's Monday...two days until the teeth come out. To be honest, I wasn't that worried at all until I started reading the literature the hospital sent me. My favourite part?

Specific complications of this operation

• Dry socket - bit gross, but nevermind...
• Retained root - no biggie...
• Damage to nearby teeth - hmmm...
• Sinus problems - fine...
• Broken jaw - ...sorry, what?!

Broken jaw! COME ON! Don't tell me stuff like that! I know they over-inform you so you can't sue anyone if it goes horribly wrong, but can't they be a bit more vague and fluffy? There's a lot to be said for the blissful ignorance of fluff...

ANYWAY, enough tooth talk - I made a new piece this weekend:

Hail, Mary. This necklace is part of my "Guide to Recognising your Saints" collection. This necklace is made from a vintage pendant, hung on vintage chain and adorned with vintage faux pearl.

So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Also, if you have any advice for staying in hospital, that would be great. I've never done it before, and I need all the help I can get!

I probably won't be around for a little while, but I promise I'll be back as soon as the Swelling (pun intended) has calmed down.

See you on the other side!

Much love,

Frankie
Swell Vintage

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Swell Queen

Hello my dear friends,

How has your week been? Mine has been good thanks. I've had a few commissions come in, including a bridal piece which I'm really excited about. I'm thinking lots of pearl and a special vintage centre piece....but more on that soon!

I've got some more exciting news to report. As you may already know, I've been a contributor to the wonderful Queens of Vintage for a while now, so I was over the moon when they asked me to be an Editorial Assistant! I really enjoy writing for the Queens, so I'm really excited about getting more involved.

Here's a photo with me and the brilliant editor, Lena:



If you haven't visited the Queens of Vintage before, I highly recommend that you do (and not just because I work for them). You'll find all sorts of interesting articles and exclusive competitions. It's getting bigger and better all the time! If you fancy having a read, click here.

Also, thank you so much for your amazing comments on my photoshoot photos. I've nearly got them all now, and they look great. I'll post some more up soon, perhaps at the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by. You stay classy, world wide web.

Much love,

Frankie
Swell Vintage

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Swell chain

Hello again!

First of all, I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all of your feedback on my pouch prototype. I can't get over how supportive and kind everyone has been, and it really means a lot. I'm going to have a go at another pouch design soon, so expect pictures and tales of more sewing machine disasters soon!

UK Vogue says that necklaces should be huge with lots of chain and adorned with gems, so with that in mind I set out to make my biggest necklace yet. I know that it's no where near the high standards of the designs in Vogue, but I'm quite pleased with the results. It took me ages, so it's quite satisfying when the final result resembles pretty closely what you have in your head:

This necklace is made from lots of vintage chain, adorned with a prism and freshwater pearls. It's good and heavy - definitely one for the braver among us. So what do you think? Should I make more big necklaces like this, or is it unrealistic to think that someone would wear this in the real world? Your feedback would be GREATLY appreciated, please!

I also had a play with another style of necklace. The very lovely Jenny of The Style PA very kindly sent me a load of old broken jewellery, so I used a couple of these parts for this necklace:



I've never been one for symmetry, so I enjoy experimenting with different chain lengths and hanging styles. This necklace is made from vintage chain and is adorned with vintage faux pearl, a purple prism and a little swallow. Do you like this style, or do you think that it would be impractical for someone to wear? Please let me know your thoughts, all constructive feedback is useful and welcomed!

In other news, I really need to start packing for my move! Not long now. I have so much to do, but not much time to do it in - eeekk!

Well, I hope you've had a lovely weekend, and that you enjoy the week ahead! Until next time, my lovely loves...

Much love,

Frankie
Swell Vintage

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Swell bits

Another Sunday has come and gone - where does the time go, eh?

Hello, lovely people! How has your weekend been? Have you got anything exciting planned for the week ahead?

I did manage to get out and enjoy the sunshine, and even to frolic with friends around London town. However, I did also manage to make a few new bits. What do you think of these?



Looking at these photos again, I can't help but think, "Frankie, turn off The Tudors!" However, I quite like this necklace. It's made from a vintage compact, hung on vintage chains and adorned with a line of freshwater pearls. The compact is still intact and comes with the original puff! It has that amazing powder smell too...if only this blog had a "scratch'n'sniff" facility.



People seemed to really like the cuff I posted last week, so I thought I'd have a go at making another (Cuff II - Antique Boogaloo). This cuff is made from an antique drawer pull, linked on vintage chain and adorned with a vintage faux pearl. The drawer pulls came as a pair, so I can even make another if you all like this one! Lovely.


I've been wanting to do something with this vintage brooch for a while now, and today it finally felt right to use it for a bracelet. I like it because it reminds me of grapes. I mean, everyone loves grapes...don't they?

So, as usual, I would love your feedback on these, please! I find it really helpful, and all of your support means a lot to me.

Speaking of lovely support, the wonderful Clandestine Chick (aka Sheena) of Observations and Musings was kind enough to feature some of my jewellery on her blog. It's a really great post, although I can't help but feel like a total fraud - the other jewellery she has included is so much nicer than mine! Click here to have a read.

Also, I just want to take this opportunity to mention another person who is far more talented than me. The lovely and brilliant Sian of Siansburys specialises in sock monkeys (among many other things), and I recently asked her to make me a Poirot one (if it's not The Tudors, it's Poirot - I need to get out more). Don't get me wrong - I knew that Sian was talented, and I knew she made amazing monkeys, but I was TOTALLY blown away when Poirot arrived. Sian's attention to detail, both on the monkey itself and the packaging he arrived in, was just perfect, and he is so well made. I am now in love, and can't wait for him to take pride of place in my new flat. Here he is with just some of my Poirot-related merchandise:



Isn't the likeness uncanny?! To see more of Sian's wondrous creations, visit her website at www.siansburys.net.

Well, I think I've rambled on for long enough - it's off to bed I go! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I hope the monkey made up for the poor quality of my writing.

Much love,

Frankie
Swell Vintage

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Swell doings

I can't believe how quickly the weekends seem to fly by. Sunday already?! Surely not...

...and how was your weekend, my lovely friend? What did you get up to? I've been surprisingly productive, and managed to get a fair bit done.

For example, I finally got round to sewing pin backs onto the corsages I made ages ago:


I'm really pleased with how these have come out, but what do you think? If people like them, I'll definitely look into making more with a variety of vintage fabrics and brooches. I've just ordered myself a little sewing machine, so I can't wait to have a play and expand Swell Vintage into more than just jewellery.

I also made a few new pieces. As always, your feedback will be welcomed and appreciated:



My dear Mother commented, "That's very Anne Boleyn!" when she saw it - perhaps I'm watching too much of "The Tudors" these days? Anyway, this necklace is made from a vintage locket, adorned with a vintage pendant I found in a charity shop and is hung on vintage chain and faux pearl. I've put some of my cheeky floral inside the locket, but that can be removed and replaced with personal photos, or even Henry VIII portraits!


This cuff is made from an antique drawer pull that I have molded to fit around the wrist. It's linked with vintage chain, and adorned with a single vintage faux pearl. It's definitely a striking piece, but it's also comfortable to wear. Not to mention durable!


This necklace is made from vintage chains and vintage faux pearl. I'm really in love with the vintage weave chain that makes up the shorter part of the necklace (is it weird to be in love with chain?!), and I like playing with different textures within pieces. It's one of my more simple pieces, but I quite like it. What do you think?

I think that's enough for now, so I shall stop prattling on. I hope you've had a lovely weekend, and that the week ahead is even better!

Much love,

Frankie
Swell Vintage

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Swell plans

Hello again, my dear friends,

How the devil are you? How quickly time is passing these days! I still can't quite believe that it's March already.

The good news is I've got some exciting events coming up. Some of you may have heard about The Affordable Vintage Fair that is due to come to London on 4th April. The Queens of Vintage will have a table there, and they have been kind enough to offer me some space to exhibit a few of my pieces! They really are such lovely ladies. So if you happen to be in London that day, why not pop in and see us? Who knows - you may even find some vintage bargains too!

The bad news is that sometimes it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day, especially as I have a full-time day job...but I'm sure if I keep focused, I'll be fine. Here is one of the pieces that will be for sale at The Affordable Vintage Fair:



This necklace is made from a vintage brooch, adorned with a vintage faux pearl and hung on vintage chain. I love the colour of the stone in the centre, and because it's so clear the pink will adjust slightly to whatever is worn underneath it. It's nice and shiny too - perfect for any vintage magpies out there!

Also, I wrote another article for The Queens of Vintage - this time about some rather gorgeous and unique vintage brooches available online. If you have the time and would be so kind as to read it, I would be most grateful for any feedback that you may have. You can find it here.

So what have you been up to over this beautifully sunny weekend? I don't know about you, but I'm so happy spring is finally here.

Thanks for reading my little blog - it really does mean a lot!

Much love,

Frankie
Swell Vintage

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Swell silver

Happy Sunday, one and all!

Did you have a lovely weekend?

Mine has been pretty good! I actually have lots to blog about (Look magazine's fashion swap, PLUS I need to complete the personal style questions the wonderful and brilliant Couture Carrie tagged me to do), but I'm going to dedicate this post to the jewellery I made today.

Both of these necklaces share similar parts and have a similar look and feel. They're slightly different to my other pieces, as I wanted to make some necklaces that are really easy to wear and will go with everything. I'd love to know what you think, so your honesty and your words would be greatly appreciated!



Dear Diane...this necklace is made from a vintage sterling silver locket, hung from a vintage do-dad with vintage faux pearl on vintage silver plated chain. Very lightly inscribed is the name 'Diane', and it has space for two photos inside. I like to think it's pretty special!





Shielded...never fear - I'll protect you! This necklace is made from vintage do-dads, hung on vintage chain with vintage faux pearls. It's very ornate, but I like to think it's still simple and wearable. What are your thoughts?

ALSO, I was so so pleased to hear that the brilliant Maria of Style Kingdom loved the necklace she bought from me! She was even kind enough to blog about and it post photos:

The rest of the photos can be seen here. Please take the time to have a look because Maria's blog is brilliant and she is a much better photographer than me!

I really enjoy gift wrapping all of my jewellery. In fact, it's quite worrying how much I enjoy curling ribbon...


Help me?

Thanks for reading. Will you be my valentine?

Much love,

Frankie
Swell Vintage

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Swell times

Hello there!

It's been a while, hasn't it! How are you? I'm good thanks, finally feeling like I'm getting back on top of things. I've been a bit slack recently. Tut tut.

SO - what's been going on? Well, since finishing my Poirot DVD box set (best 11 days of my life), I've actually left the house a fair bit, which is pretty unusual for me.

I was accepted onto a 'Creative Industries' programme, an initiative run by Flying Start and the NCGE. They invited 33 students and recent graduates who wish to pursue freelance or business activity in any art and design related concept to Bournemouth for three-days of workshops and mentoring. It was a very intensive three-days in a hotel by the sea, but totally worth it, as I've learnt a lot. Hopefully I now have the knowledge necessary to take my jewellery stuff a bit further! Not only that, but they paid for EVERYTHING - the hotel, all of our food, the tutoring...if you're a UK student/graduate, I highly recommend you have a look at the Flying Start website.

Not only did I learn a lot, but I also met some very lovely, supportive and talented people! Hopefully I will have a chance to work with some of them in the future, as they all have something so individual and brilliant to offer. I'll let you know!

Due to my travels and general exhaustion, I've been a bit rubbish about making new stuff, but I finally managed a few new pieces today. Here are a couple:



Pure fan-tasy! See what I did there? This necklace is made from a very ornate vintage broach, hung on vintage brass chain and adorned with a vintage pearl. I debated adding more to this, but I think the fan itself is a fan-tastic centre piece. And an excuse for terrible, terrible puns.



The water of life! I am a non-drinker, but in my youth gin was my tipple of choice. This necklace is made from a vintage 'gin' decanter label, hung on vintage chain and adorned with vintage faux pearls. An ideal choice of any fan of gin, or if it happens to be your name!

Both of these necklaces are for sale on my etsy shop, http://swellvintage.etsy.com, along with many of my other designs. If you get bored, why not stop by and have a browse? Also, as always I welcome your feedback, please! It was recently suggested to me by Jody of Couture Allure that I should post measurements of my necklaces, and I think that's a great idea! I'll be doing that this very week.

Thank you for reading. You are rather lovely.

Where did the weekend go?!

Much love,

Frankie
Swell Vintage

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