your jewelry is beautiful! in photo seven, what is the stone in the center? i love your opal pieces too-- that is my grandma's birthstone, so i always think of her every time i see it even though she no longer wears her jewelry. my garden is still relatively new but some things might need to be divided this year. still a little too early to tell :) i'll know more in a month or two. i'm sure with the innate generosity of gw members, your garden will be fantastic in no time :)

Oh yeah, thanks a lot, Wanda. Now I have yet ANOTHER place to spend my $$$$. I went by the store today to buy some chain and to look for a particular kind of yarn to use in a piece I am planning. $74.00 later . . . .

yes, but you can post pics of your stuff. which is what I'm going to do. they have web sites to go to which is where they sell.

Here's the story about her jewelry. While all the pieces are wearable, they just aren't very fashionable, or they're difficult to wear. There are a few large pins (my favorite is a lovely Art Nouveau design with an amethyst-colored stone), a locket with her pre-marriage photo at 19 (she was born 1886), a detailed gold bracelet, and two bakelite rings. I like the idea of sewing or pinning them to the backing for display so they aren't ruined, but they don't need to be removable until I give them away. For my regular jewelry, can you tell me what you think about using one of my husband's political button display boxes? I can't afford to buy an expensive jewelry box right now. It is $30 and has a walnut wood frame -- very simple but would fit in with the antique furniture in our dressing room. The backing can be replaced. I know the hinges and clasps are clunky looking, but they seem sturdy enough to handle opening and closing on a frequent basis. If I wanted, I could even apply something to help tarnish the metal. It measures 12"x18" and can be hung on the wall. My husband can always use it when I upgrade to a nice jewelry box.