Hermes Cafe Bon Temps~Good Times Cafe

[MadMadCat]

You designed the links? This is beautiful. Very sophisticated yet simple and elegant link.

It was a consultative process with the silversmith. We worked together on the link design. I wanted to choose something he'd feel comfortable making, especially since i commissioned this by email. He had already made a necklace with square links of his own design, but i wanted something a little edgier and came up with the "cube" inside each link.

He was wonderful to work with. I left my country so long ago that when i encounter people who fight the sluggish economy, the crazy politics, the insane rate of taxation, and continue working with pride and love, i get surprisingly emotional.

 

[eagle1002us]

I used a lot of intricate designs using glass venetian seed beads in my youth (i started beading when i was 10), but now i get frustrated because i don't see as well up close and my eyes get really tired. Since i work the whole day in front of a computer, i don't need more of that!

I hear you. Were there some pix of necklaces you made posted in tpf? I was scrolling thru earlier today and found some very nice necklaces, I remember a labradorite and then one with burnished metal. I can't see where those pix went to now that I have time to comment.

 

[eagle1002us]

It was a consultative process with the silversmith. We worked together on the link design. I wanted to choose something he'd feel comfortable making, especially since i commissioned this by email. He had already made a necklace with square links of his own design, but i wanted something a little edgier and came up with the "cube" inside each link.

He was wonderful to work with. I left my country so long ago that when i encounter people who fight the sluggish economy, the crazy politics, the insane rate of taxation, and continue working with pride and love, i get surprisingly emotional.

It's getting harder and harder to find silversmiths. I only know of one now and altho I use him he doesn't like to darken the recesses of silver chains or curves to bring the design out. I think the stuff used to oxidize silver is probably a stinky compound called by the magical name of "liver of sulfur." Yeeee-uck! That may be why silversmiths are disappearing or morphing into goldsmiths.
P.S. are we the sluggish economy with the crazy politics? Or you're referring to somewhere else? Just wondering. Not offended either way.

 

[Genie27]

5-10 mph?

Not per hour, eagle. More like per day. And not every day. I hate going to the gym, so I walk to my errands year round - 5 km to the yarn store one day, another couple of kms to my local hangout, a short hike with a friend, it all adds up.

 

[MadMadCat]

I hear you. Were there some pix of necklaces you made posted in tpf? I was scrolling thru earlier today and found some very nice necklaces, I remember a labradorite and then one with burnished metal. I can't see where those pix went to now that I have time to comment.

Mmmm...not sure if it was me. I post in bursts, disappearing for weeks at the time, and when i come back i cannot remember what i posted!

 

[MadMadCat]

P.S. are we the sluggish economy with the crazy politics? Or you're referring to somewhere else? Just wondering. Not offended either way.

Oh no! I was born in italy, but i haven't lived there for...uh...25 years. I left just after finishing my degree. The silversmith i work with is there.

 

[Genie27]

These are slightly better pictures, at least there is some H in the background!

@eagle1002us is this the post you were looking for...?

 

[Maedi]

These are slightly better pictures, at least there is some H in the background!

View attachment 3486159
The one above is a labradorite and burnt metal necklace. I am allergic to "fake" metal (even plated), and this is not one of my favorite to wear because my neck gets itchy. Unfortunately I could not find any silver beads that would give this look.
View attachment 3486160
This is an unusual color combination for me. It is rose and smoky quartz, but it matches beautifully my Vif Argent pink scarf. In spite of what it looks like in the picture, the smoky quartz recalls the gray of the scarf.

View attachment 3486161
This is one of my favorite. More labradorite (low grade, not very translucent and a lot of variations), and gold beads. The larger beads are reproduction of Etruscan beads, while the round ones have the Florentine pave' finish. The result is rather stunning. Due to the cost of the beads, though, This is only 28" (or 76cm), therefore it can be used mostly just as a long necklace (two turns are a bit tight).

View attachment 3486162
Last one a gold rollo chain with Swarosky oxblood beads.

Love your sense of colors and materials. Your necklaces are so unique and creative. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

 

[cremel]

Mmmm...not sure if it was me. I post in bursts, disappearing for weeks at the time, and when i come back i cannot remember what i posted!

[emoji1]

 

[cremel]

StyleWe does pop-ups constantly on my pc. They know I am intrigued with them. But they don't seem to have many plus size dresses. Certainly, the fabrics & colors & femininity of the misses size designs are remarkable and unique. I am glad, Cremel, that you tried them and were pleased.

One thing that I like about some of the pieces is how practical they are.

 

[CapriTrotteur]

These are slightly better pictures, at least there is some H in the background!

View attachment 3486159
The one above is a labradorite and burnt metal necklace. I am allergic to "fake" metal (even plated), and this is not one of my favorite to wear because my neck gets itchy. Unfortunately I could not find any silver beads that would give this look.
View attachment 3486160
This is an unusual color combination for me. It is rose and smoky quartz, but it matches beautifully my Vif Argent pink scarf. In spite of what it looks like in the picture, the smoky quartz recalls the gray of the scarf.

View attachment 3486161
This is one of my favorite. More labradorite (low grade, not very translucent and a lot of variations), and gold beads. The larger beads are reproduction of Etruscan beads, while the round ones have the Florentine pave' finish. The result is rather stunning. Due to the cost of the beads, though, This is only 28" (or 76cm), therefore it can be used mostly just as a long necklace (two turns are a bit tight).

View attachment 3486162
Last one a gold rollo chain with Swarosky oxblood beads.

Beautiful MMC, we have so many talented ladies in the cafe.
I am sure they raise your outfit just by wearing these beauties.

 

[tabbi001]

Lovely pieces MMC! You have an eye for design

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Madame, did they have Lartique in the exhibit? I love this photo.

Hi, eagle1002. This picture is in the exhibition. The photographer was 12 years old when he took it.

 

[Mindi B]

The old-style fur stole with all the, er, bits of the animal still attached never fails to disturb me. She is literally draped in dead things. If anything would put me off fur forever, this is it. Disclaimer: I do own some fur; while I am morally ambivalent about it, I would not choose to judge anyone else's choices on the subject. I am not vegan, I wear leather: I'm in a glass house all the way.

 

[dharma]

Morning cafe! I've been catching up on the last few days and I'm so behind that by the time I reach the end of the thread, all of the responses I've had in my head have been stated by others, discussed and put to bed So I guess I have nothing new to add
I did see some gorgeous flowers at a swanky soirée last night


@cremel and @Cordeliere , stay safe and dry! Cremel, I totally understand your reluctance to travel with little ones, it's stressful. When DD was little, I dreaded it and I only had one shy little girl. I can't imagine two boys! When stressed, I usually play the "what's the worst that can happen" game in my head and that helps tremendously because it makes you realize most situations are temporary and very manageable.
@MadMadCat, great work! I adore labradorite, it's difficult to find really luminescent beads. There's a tiny store near me that imports them and I bought super itty bitty rough cut beads and made a quicky bracelet. You just made me remember, off to look for it.
I have a strange day ahead of me, work promotion type of meetings mixed with total fantasy presentations. I'll take some photos and post them on the ride home tonight. Also hoping to stop at a favorite contemporary jeweler's sample sale for some holiday gifts for DD.
And @Madam Bijoux , your inspiration is perfection
Peace xo