THE LUELLA COLLECTION

In Loving Memory of
Luella Martin Pennington
1904-2002

 

 

The Luella Collection- Brand-new one-of-a-kind treasures created from and inspired by vintage jewelry left by my late grandmother. When my mother asked me what I wanted of my grandmother's, I told her to bring me some of her old jewelry. "Not the good stuff," I said, "the FUN stuff!" I wanted to take all those great old things apart and remake them with the gold and silver wire so that they could be enjoyed by future generations. The result is what I'm calling The Luella Collection. Due to the nature of the supplies, these pieces are all limited edition or one-of-a-kind. I'm quite sure my Grandma would be delighted by the results. I hope you are, too! If you're close by, please stop in to see these fabulous treasures. For those of you who are farther away, please call me or email and I'll be happy to send you pictures. Note: Due to the nature of the supplies, these pieces are limited edition or one of a kind. If your selection has already sold, you will be notified as soon as possible.

Luella Pennington This was taken at my wedding reception on March 28, 1998. Grandma was 93.

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Flowing Fields 2-1/2" long x 1-3/4" wide $48.00 A large faux-malachite centerpiece, surrounded by small faux-malachite cabochons and tiny faux pearls, all in an intricate filigree goldtone setting. This was a pin, it's now a pendant. Bold, dramatic, and sure to get noticed! All I had to do was add a large round twist-wire bail at the top. You should be able to wear it on a chain or cord up to about 8mm, or an Omega up to about 4mm. Only one like this!

Caribbean Ice 2-1/4" long x 1-3/8" wide $42.00 This is another of the pieces my Mom picked up during her estate sale hunting in Iowa. So, not Grandma's, but from someone like her who lived in the same area. This was a clip-on earring, with spectacular ice-blue rhinestones, two of which have an amazing irredescent rainbow overtone. The whole piece reminds me of a sunset on Caribbean waters--fabulous! I've sculpted it in the gold wire for a modern-looking pendant that's sure to get noticed. The large round bail should fit a chain or cord up to about 8mm, or an Omega up to about 4mm. I have another earring I can set...maybe in silver next time?

Ice is Nice 2-5/8" long x 1-5/8" wide $60.00 I'm not sure I can do justice to this amazing piece with mere words. It's a series of brilliant aurora borealis crystal beads, individually attached with headpins to a puffed backing. You can't turn this beauty a fraction of an inch without the sparkle absolutely knocking your socks off! I surrounded the piece with an outline of the gold wire and locked it into place with four sturdy prongs. The elongated bail will fit a chain or Omega up to about 6mm. I have a couple of other rhinestone pins that I'm going to make into pendants, but this particular specimen is one-of-a-kind.

Snow Baby 2-1/2" long x 1-3/8" wide $38.00 What was once your basic "bubble"-style clip-on earring is now a spectacular, go-with-everything pendant. Aurora borealis crystal beads and faux pearls, set in sculpted swirls of gold wire, with an elongated bail that should fit a chain or Omega up to 6mm. A nice mid-size pendant, great for dressing up those fabulous fall sweaters, or for making a statement at all your holiday parties. I can't find the other earring, so I'm pretty sure I've already set and sold it. That makes this the last of its kind!

Spring Wreath 1-1/4" long x 1" wide $26.00 This was once a circle pin, missing a stone. Now it's a simple yet stunning pendant. It's alternating rows of large emerald green and small sapphire blue rhinestones--it reminds me of a Christmas wreath, but with the colors of a spring evening. I fashioned a white gold twist wire bail at the point where it was missing a stone--I swear you'll never be able to tell! One-of-a-kind.

Berry Freeze necklace = 18" earrings = 1-1/8" $25.00/set These are cool pale mauve graduated-tube acrylic beads circa 1960, spaced with new 8mm faceted lavender Czech fire-polish beads. A subtle yet sassy springtime look that will go with lots of different outfits. The necklace is finished with a sterling silver magnet clasp and the earrings have sterling silver earwires.

Starlight Hour 2-1/2" long by 1-3/8" wide $48.00 Large, deep emerald green rhinestones, with an aurora borealis overtone that makes them flash like a strobe light with the slightest movement--fantastic! Set in sterling silver wire, with a generous elongated bail that will probably fit an Omega up to about 8mm. I'm pretty sure this was an earring, but I can't seem to find its mate, so let's consider this one a one-of-a-kind.

Amber Melody 2" long by 1-1/8" wide $28.00 This was originally the clasp to an amber bead necklace that I restrung for a customer. This is not actually amber, it's acrylic, but the color is magnificent and the swirling black lines dripped across it are really cool! This pendant has an elongated bail that should fit an Omega up to about 6mm. It's definitely one-of-a-kind!

Chantilly 2-1/8" long by 1-7/8" wide $60.00 This was a pin of pearlized lucite beads and faceted aurora borealis crystals in a sort-of flower shape, held on to the silvertone backing with rhinestone-tipped headpins. Very cool! I've figured out how to outline the backing with sterling silver wire, where it securely holds the piece yet is hidden by the beads. It's a little more difficult than setting a stone, but I love the way it looks and I'll be doing this design more often, you can be sure! The round bail on this pendant will fit a chain up to about 6mm.

Eye of the Dragon I've decided this one is mine. It's just too gorgeous to part with. And after all, she was MY grandmother, right? But I'm going to leave the picture here so you all can at least enjoy it vicariously!

Moonrise 2-1/4" long (including earwires) by 1-1/4" wide in sterling silver $48.00/pr. Beautiful, bubbly aqua blue faux pearls with a faceted aurora borealis tube bead accent were the original clip-on earrings. I've cut off the clips and sculpted them in sterling silver wire for a dramatic yet fun pair of dangle earrings that will work at the office or out for the evening. Truly one-of-a-kind!

Champagne Bubbles Sculpted Pendant and Chain Pendant 2-1/2" long by 1-1/2" wide Chain 20" long $70.00/set This is the first time I've ever used white gold wire. Hmm, even after nearly 20 years at this art, there are still some "firsts" for me! White gold is not as bright as silver, but it doesn't tarnish like silver does, so I've had a few requests over the years. This pendant is an old clip earring with white and gold faux pearls and a large crystal bead, which I've sculpted in the 14kt white rolled gold wire. They blend just perfectly, reminding me of a glass of bubbling champagne. Although the bail is large enough for up to an 8mm Omega, this pendant comes with a 20" two-tone white and yellow gold necklace. Put together, this is a striking look which will go with practically everything in your closet!

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