Christmas Submission to ICE Resin®

http://iceresin.com/icequeen/2014/11/place-an-christmas-postage-stamp-under-ice-resin-in-kim-williams-santa-baby-bracelet/

Mammie McFaddin Ward 119th Birthday Party Family Tree

One of my favorite pass times is volunteering at a house museum in my home town, the Mcfaddin Ward House Museum, Beaumont, TX.  Over the years I have been called upon to create decor for parties and special events. The staff knows who to call when they need something unique and special. I used my latest obsession with brown tags to make this family tree. Decorating each tag with a picture and stamping them up was just a blast. 

Sneak Peek of My Latest Project an Art Journal

This is a my first attempt at an Art Journal. I used a cereal box which I covered in old hankies and a small embroidery sampler. A prayer card stitched to the cover went so well with the colors of the sampler. My pages are made from brown craft paper and more hankies. I took my time since I was challenging myself but I must say it is just lovely.

Feeling Lucky?

I count my blessing everyday that I wear my Lucky Bracelet. iceresin.com

Gift Tag Exploration

"What to do? What to do?" I found myself with an abundance of leftover treasures which were too precious to store away in the bottom of a drawer. A cosmic stumble and I catch my big toe in a new form of assemblage. Obsessed is not a strong enough expression for how I have fallen in love with tags! iceresin.com

Beyond Time Taught by Luthien Thye Artful Gathering 2014 Class Project

I couldn't resist using some ICE Resin® in my book that I created while taking Luthien's class. And not let me forget some Iced Enamels too!

Guest Blog

Check out http://www.cousin.com/blog/14-05-15/Guest_Blog_Find_Creativity_in_Another_Place_and_Time.aspx where you will read my about how to find creativity. I was so thrilled to be ask to be a guest blogger for Cousin.com.

Bead Soup 2014

Bead Soup Reveal 2014 and Blog Hop

Marcy Lambertson sent me some of her beautiful lamp work beads.  I had not worked with lamp work beads before this experience.  I love the complex designed focal bead featuring an ocean floor with sea creatures and beautiful underwater vegetation.  Marcy really thought about what she sent me because I live on the Gulf Coast of Texas and it is just a short trip to the beach from my home. Here is a link to Marcy's blog. Please stop by and say hello to my new friend in Atlanta, GA!  www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Here are the folks that are in my blog hop circle. Give them a visit and be kind and sign up for their 

future postings. I know I could use a few followers. 

Leslie Schenkel                                      http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/

Kym Hunter                                            http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/

Leslie Wayment                                    http://www.aabeadsonline.com/blog/

Beckie Robison                                      http://spiralfirestudios.blogspot.com

Hannah Trost                                         www.pzdesigns.blogspot.com

Kim Hutchinson                                     www.jumbledhutch.wordpress.com

Liz Engriser                                              www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com

Diah Anggreni                                        https://mymaniks.wordpress.com

Monique Urquhart                              http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/

Kim Williams                                           www.kimmwilliams.blogspot.com

Cowgirl Prom Cuffs

ICE Resin® and Ice Enamels 

Kim's Buying Guide for Victorian Bangle Bracelets

The shopping experience at Marburger Farms this spring, 2014, was quite an education in how to begin a collection of affordable Victorian Bangle Bracelets. It seems the market is heating up over these beauties. My advice, buy them! They are lovely and should be worn and appreciated. 

In Victorian times, popular bracelets included those made from black Berlin iron or gauze-like Silesian wire. Bangles of rolled gold (Rolled gold means that the motif was imprinted on the gold in a repeated pattern on a layer of flat gold banding that was then applied to the bracelet using a machine.) were also common, as were bracelets decorated with red coral (it was thought to protect children from diseases and bad spirits) and tightly woven bands of human hair.

As gold-plating techniques advanced, more bracelets were made out of the precious metal. Inexpensive gold-filled bracelets were made in great numbers, bringing gold to the masses. Sterling silver was also a favorite—even Queen Victoria wore silver charm bracelets during her reign, making them a popular fashion accessory among noble Europeans. Sterling silver hearts—some set with precious or semi-precious stones, some puffed up in a style called répoussé—were as popular then as they are now.

   1.   Check for the general condition of the bracelet.

Does is close securely, is the metal smooth and would not snag clothing?

   2.   If it has a safety chain check to see if it is the original chain. Look at the color of the metal and see if it matches the bracelet color.

   3.   Here are some of the historically important motifs that make the bracelet desirable from the Victorian Era.  Birds, flowers, leaves, Roman designs.

   4.   Buckle style closures are highly desirable. Check to make sure the loop that secures the bracelet tail is intact. I’ve seen one or two on ebay that are missing that element.

   5.   If enameled, check to make sure it is evenly distributed throughout the design.  Most of these will be etched and enameled on the top although there are some that go all the way around the bracelet. These are older.  Besty Ross style are highly desirable.

   6.   Engraving is highly desirable especially if the font is indicative of older world styles. Look for them on the outside of the bracelet as well as the inside.

   7.   Don’t overlook bracelets with center stones and/or filigree 1920’s-30’s. Chain bracelets with a lock and key are also worth collecting 1875-1910. These were given in times of separation like wars.  The tradition was to present a lady with the bracelet as a symbol of engagement. The male kept the key. 

   8.   Closures vary in style. Prong tongue, tongue and groove, the long bar slide, or the wide flat slide are just a few to look for.

   9.   Look for maker’s marks and patent numbers. These are considered very desirable.

 10.  If it doesn’t have a hinge it is 1950 or older.

Take Me Out to the Ballpark Bracelets

http://iceresin.com/icequeen/2014/04/take-me-out-to-the-ballgame-cuffs-by-kim-williams/

Sweetheart Earrings

I used text from a love letter written by my father to my mother in 1952. Love!

ICE Resin Creative Team 2014 Video

Here it is the first of my ICE Resin video's for Creative Team 2014.

Cowgirl Prom 2014

Giddy Up Cowgirl wear these lovely pieces to your HOOT NANNY Spring Soiree.