Shirin Designs

Since I am a bit distracted by life to create something new at the moment, I will share more of my repairs of old jewelry I collect. This is a pair of silver earrings that used to have posts with one broken, unfortunately. I tweaked it a bit and added ear hooks instead. And now it can be worn instead of being lost to the world. ☺️

Just a photo to show my reimagined amber necklace from the previous post with all parts visible this time. I understand it might not have been clear before what the final piece actually looked like.

I am very partial to amber, and have been collecting vintage Baltic Amber jewelry for a while. All of it dates back to Soviet days, and most of the jewelry is usually in need of repair due to age. This piece is a Frankenstein of sorts, with all parts coming from different pieces, plus I had to make some new ones to complete the design idea I had in mind. Super happy with it, by the way.

One more pair of vintage watch bands I turned into earrings. These ones are with mother of pearl, and I must say I am impartial to this material for some reason. 🌊🐚🦪

Some of the Nursing Mother pendants I’be made so far, and one of these will be raffled off this Saturday at the event in Culpeper, VA. So, if you happen to be a registered participant, you might actually win it. 😉 🤱🍼

Another one of my vintage jewelry saves/repairs. I bought this set of native american turquoise watch bands, and had them around for a while not sure what to do with them. Finally decided to turn them into earrings, and now I can finally display this beauty made by some unknown master with magic skills.

One more thing I repurposed and wanted to share the results. I had this Tiffany's charm bracelet from my younger days that I didn't find too practical anymore for my current lifestyle, but hated having it gather dust. So I decided to turn it into a necklace, and also added some gemstones while at it. At least I get to wear it now, so I count it a success. 😉💪🏻❤️

Sometimes I buy old jewelry, not in the best condition, and fix it. Because I hate seeing beautiful things heading toward jewelry-graveyard.
This was a strand of amazing amber beads falling apart that I restrung and gave it a new life. Pretty happy with myself for learning a new skill.

New “Nautilus” earrings are finished. Always thought yellow stones look best with gold colors, but this pair pleasantly surprised me. Really in love with the combination of amber with silver.

In other news, anyone else is experiencing unbearably hot temperatures? Virginia is pretty unpleasant at the moment, plus all the humidity. 🥵☀️🔥

Throwing some things together, and it took me a long time to pick the right stones that would go with this new pair of earrings. For some reason nothing felt right, but then I remembered I had Baltic amber drops salvaged from some vintage jewelry I'd repaired a few years ago. So, finally this might turn into something nice.

Tried using a really thin wire, almost a thread, to practice my viking knit technique a while ago. Well, working with that wire that didn’t feel too enjoyable, so only ended up with enough for a pair of earrings. 😂 You live, you learn, I guess.

New pair that is simple and pink. Why overthink something all the time, right? 😂

A slightly different version of my metal lace flower earrings. This time with a bigger mother of pearl center and not a pearl. Still super light yet sturdy, cause it’s still metal after all. 🌺🌸🌼

In other news, still have a lot of projects in mind, but free time is very limited around here. But that’s life…of a parent in the summer, right? 🤷🏻‍♀️😎🍉💦

Could never figure out what to do with the colorful mother of pearl buttons I had, and then decided to throw them together with pearls for that bright and uncomplicated look. Doesn’t it just scream “summer” to you? It does to me. 🌴💦☀️

Believe it or not, but I managed to finish these from last week. Earrings for optimists, or those trying to be more positive. Why? Because they are my take on a glass half-full, since transparent beads remind me too much of the water in a vessel, and the glass is definitely half-full. Do you see it? 💦🥃💧

Just a bunch of colorful earrings with mixed colors. Stepped out of my comfort zone of making everything in identical colors, and not sure how I feel about the results, to be honest. Maybe should have just made strictly green, black, red, etc. earrings. Hmm, oh well, never try, never know, right? 🤨

There’s nothing more fun than trying to take a picture of white stones with a white background. 😂 Oh well, no time to change the whole set-up, so this will do, and you have to take my word for it, these earrings are quite lovely. 😌

Another pair of flower earrings. Because it’s so fun seeing the final result with these stones. It’s like magic is already there, I just need to help it become displayable. 🌸🌼🌺

Still working on this pair. One down, one to go. Hopefully, will be done this week.

Was cleaning out my drawers and found these glass beads I have never ever used so far. Hmm, think I can throw something together, for fun. 🤔💎🌸

Leaf earrings with pearl dew drops are finished, and even though it wasn’t the fastest project, I still enjoyed the time I spent on it. Guess I will try to dilute my list of time-consuming designs with somewhat less-demanding ones, just so the artist gets to relax a bit here and there. 😂

Funny story with this pair. Started making earrings, then had to change them cause I wasn’t happy, then I had to change the changed pair, cause…I wasn’t happy. And then I had to stop myself from changing again, because clearly it wasn’t going anywhere. So I just stopped, and ended up with this mesh/pearl creation that I can’t even relate to, nor is it in my usual style. But I still made something, right? 😩

* very weak ‘yay’ in the distance* and a shaky pat on the back.

Working on a pair of earrings. Tried crocheted flowers, now trying crocheted leaves for a change. Will also add pearl dew drops at the end. Hoping life schedule cooperates and I don’t have to wait too long to get back to my workbench, cause you know: summer, kids, distractions. 🌻🕶☀️

Just wanted some color and nothing too complicated. Corals and pearls for that summer-y vibe. Anyone else doesn’t feel like working much when it’s more fun to be outdoors? 😂🌊☀️🕶🌴

Another pair of flower earrings. Tried to see what gold metal and yellow stones would look like together. I think I like it, in a summer-y kind of way. 🌼🌻🌸

Another “Please finish me” project finished. Had these copper spirals sitting around for ages, and thought of finally making something out of them, even if something super simple like these gemstone earrings. Still better than just recycling the metal, right?

Well, these were fun to make. Flower earrings with flower-shaped stones. Predictable outcome, I suppose, but they just begged to be turned into something like this. 🌸

Have these flower-shaped stones and thinking of making something with them. Earrings, maybe? 🏵️😉🌸