Elegant Frippery Studio
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CLASSES
Did your grandmother have a jewelry box similar to this one? Do you have wonderful memories of her letting you poke through the treasures and maybe she even let you play dress-up? Do you wish you could remake some of her heirloom treasures into pieces that you would love to wear every day?
If your answer is yes then this is the class for you. Bring your old jewelry box and create a wonderful new piece that integrates old treasures and possibly contemporary components into your very own style. We will provide the catalyst for creativity as well as the basic jewelry findings. A large selection of other components will be available for sale.
**A basic knowledge of jewelry making is recommended for this class.
Class Fee: $120.00
Would you love to start learning the basics of creating jewelry designs of your own?
Join us for a simple lesson in the steps necessary to create your own visions. We'll talk about the various types of jewelry "findings", tools, processes, as well as the importance of color and texture. While learning about the basics we'll be creating a beautiful bracelet, earrings or a necklace for you to take home. Tools, instructions, and basic supplies will be provided along with some light refreshments.
*No experience necessary, art or design classes helpful.
Basic Class Fee: $110.00
About The Fripperist
Shelley Brown-Esser is a native-born Texan who, as the member of a military family, spent her formative years traveling to foreign countries and being exposed to the customs and art of these cultures. One of her earliest artistic memories is when, at age seven while living in Japan, she learned to draw cherry blossom trees and Mount Fuji. As her family continued to travel Shelley added to her art classes, experience and memories. As an art major Shelley explored many forms of art, but she discovered jewelry is the art form that not only satisfies her passion for color and texture but offers endless possibilities for creative design. Her designs reflect her
exposure to world art, her passion for color, and her very personal and unique style. Shelley integrates vintage components, embellished with unique findings, into very unusual original pieces of wearable art. One of her favorite endeavors is to work with clients to remake their heirloom or forgotten jewelry-box treasures into new, vibrant, one-of-a-kind creations.
Random Musings, Why I Love Creating Jewelry
I am not a *jewelry person*. Never was. Weird, huh? I just never really wore jewelry much. I wasn't attracted to what I call "Junk Jewelry" and didn't waste my hard earned money on it. Once in awhile I would get some as a gift but even then it hung around in my dresser drawer and seldom made it to my actual body. I couldn't afford the "good stuff" and wasn't much attracted to costume jewelry, so I went merrily about with naked ears like an innocent elf. Also, having an allergy to nickel didn't help. It's true, my Mother even accused me once of using this as a ruse to get the "real thing" from my boyfriends, lol.. However, I've always been an artist. I have used almost every media you can think of to create. One time we had to cut down a tree that was close to the sidewalk in our front yard and the stump was left behind with two trunks. I put a pair of panties on them and that was my first, and last, shot at sculpture. All the neighbors and dog-walkers got quite a hoot out of my new yard art sculpture and it was just becoming a neighborhood landmark when the panties disintegrated and it was gone for good. True art can be a fleeting thing.
Beads On a Wire
Anyway, back to jewelry. I had a friend whose daughter told me she made jewelry and did I want to come over and play. I did and was amazed to watch her stringing things on to a piece of wire. Not much there, just some beads on a wire. Ho Hum. This didn't interest me in the least and I went back to whatever creative endeavor I was into at the time. I cannot tell you the actual moment I realized that what she was doing was not jewelry-making but bead-stringing and that there was a huge difference between the two . I just knew that "bead-stringing" was not for me.
Flower Frippery - What was it that changed my mind?
When my wonderful Mother passed away I was cleaning out her jewelry box. There were several of those bright colored flower brooches from the 60's. I'd never seen her wear them, and therefore they didn't qualify for the sentimental pile, they were instead relegated to the garage sale pile. During the garage sale I kept picking them up and thinking that something wonderful could be made out of them but I didn't have a clue what it would be. Refrigerator magnets? Not bad. But then it hit me how fun it would be to dismantle them entirely and stack them together on a different brooch. I had more fun doing this and at the end of the day had a gorgeous, colorful and lush necklace designed. It dawned on me, right then, that jewelry doesn't have to be bead-stringing and it doesn't have to be boring. It can actually be anything you want it to be!
A Love of Color
A little creativity, a love of color, and an interesting media can lead to some pretty spectacular pieces of jewelry. Alas, my "Flower Frippery Signature Series" necklaces were born. That started out my love of beads and jewelry making. I do so love beads. The colors make my toes spin and putting them together in the studio is just about as exciting as it gets. I have a tendency to work into the night if I'm on a roll and there's nothing better than that feeling. Not only the colors but the variety of textures. I love the metals, the patina, the many possible techniques and the never-ending possibilities of jewelry designs. So, yes, I admit I'm hooked. Now is where you come in! I need people to buy my work so I don't bury myself in my beads! Enjoy my website, I hope you find something you love..... or a great gift for someone you love!
