I Heart Jodie!

11/30/08

You've got to meet Jodie Smart.

She is one of the most alive, enthused and happy peeps you will ever meet. She always comes into Anthill bubbling over, laughing and grinning.

She's my kind of person because unguarded comments just come flying out of her mouth.

They're always kind, but they're never contrived or filtered. Things like:

"OH! Grrroowwllll, Look at That! LOOK AT IT!"

"That's So Gorgeous IT'S RIDICULOUS!"

"OMG, I'm gonna FAINT -- I've GOTTA HAVE THAT!"

I'm probably putting words in her mouth, because she's probably never said exactly any of those things -- but that's the essence. And everyone catches her spirit (enthusiasm is contagious, you know), and her and my energy builds off each other, and the shop gets loud and full and people stare at us like we're loons . . . but they always agree that whichever necklace she's opted for, it's a no-brainer, must-have.

So here's awesome Jodie in her latest! She looks amazing! =)

Jodie makes everyone SMILE! =)

A0757, Sold

A Childhood Memory

11/29/08

''Kay, are you taking apart your barbie dolls again?''

''Yes, Mother, and making the most groovy necklace ever!''

Excuse me -- I was revisiting my childhood . . .

Bratz and Barbie doll parts lept at the chance to be a part of this strange body parts collage. Hands and feet are embellished with ''diamonds'' and jewels, so as to be sure and one-up each other. You know how kids are.





Signed Kay Adams, A0937
Blast Collection, Sold

Black Friday Memories

11/28/08

Sometimes I revisit designs I made in the past and don't for the life of me know why haven't done another like it.

I thought of this necklace this morning, because I wore it last year on Thanksgiving day and then took it into the shop the next morning, Black Friday, and sold it immediately.

Now it's been a year and I've never attempted another like it. I'm convincing myself as I type this to do another beauty of this sort.

But it won't get done today, 'cause I'm off to the shop to "sell 'em up!" :))

Happy Black Friday, Blitz Day, (Big Retail Day) -- look for an available piece like this one coming soon!

A0116, $195, Sold

Thank You

11/27/08, Thanksgiving Day

There is confliction as to who is the actual author of this essay -- rumored to be Leno or Letterman, who knows . . . maybe even just some guy . . . but it's fitting for Thanksgiving day. I happen to think most Americans ARE appreciative, but let's remind ourselves. We really do need to give thanks. We are fortunate.


"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. The poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy . . . in essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. I started thinking, "What are we so unhappy about?''

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the
winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TV's, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?


Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative." -- author apparently unknown

Is Peter Max in the house?

11/26/08

If Peter Max had been born female, would he have wanted to wear this? Or maybe if he had just been born closer to the metrosexual era we're in now?

This screams of Twiggy and Laugh-In. The 1960's personified. Odd given that most of the elements are 1980's. But that's how art is. It morphs into it's own skin and then there's no denying its true essence.

So get your groove -- and your knee-high white boots on, and GO SHAGGIN'! (that means dancing, right?)

Said a la Mike Myers, "Fun, BABY, fun! Yeah . . . baby!"

$195, A1047






Rear Window

11/25/08

I have a lovely young customer who is from one of the most gorgeous places on the earth, Zagreb, Croatia.

I've had the pleasure of visiting that city, and how I'd love to go back one day.

Miss modelesque Iva sent me this picture of Grace Kelly from the movie Rear Window wearing a most gorgeous vintage bracelet. Could I make her something like it, she asked. For Iva, the answer was yes.

It's chocked full of vintage chunky golden charms, several of which were former earrings, vintage satin gold beads embellished with the yummiest old bead caps I could find, and to make it super-special, I tucked in a charm of the continent of Africa.

She'll be going there on a trip soon and knew it would have wonderful meaning for her.
All charms removable for individual wear as well.

B0710, Sold

Edible?

11/24/08

A piece with presence!

1940's earrings have become the voice of this never-to-happen-again necklace.

Gorgeous turquoises juxtapose next to porcelain yellows and fire engine reds. Includes Venetian glass, Italian lampwork, English porcelain and vintage carved celluloid.

Hangs from vintage baby pearl chain.

Each element made removable for individual wearing.

Inedibly YUMMY!


Signed Kay Adams, A0801
Joy Collection, $175, Sold

Cutest Ever

11/23/08

Meet lovely mother and daughter Rachel and Barbara Driver. Rachel is about as pretty as they come, and you can see where she gets those good looks!

Barbara has become a great fan of Anthill and Kay necklaces and I LOVE her sense of style. She loves glamour and sophistication, and of course the classics (Chanel, Haskell), but always with an eye for that piece that has a certain j'ne sais quoi that makes it inch out above the rest.



I've recently made Barbara a piece using some OUTSTANDING Chanel earrings she bought, and I can't wait to show her! Watch for that blog coming soon.

In the meantime, here she's wearing this fun-filled glamour number that is one-in-this-world.

Just like Barbara herself!

A0134, SOLD

Baby

11/22/08

Baby locket collection.

Tiny beauties; rare collection. Two real gold.

Adjustable to 18". Signed Kay Adams

$225, SOLD

A0549

Earth Angel

11/21/08

Sally Elizabeth Wright, Class of 1927

Meet Sally, an earth angel.

She graduated high school in 1927, and this is her actual high school yearbook photo.

She now lives on not to be forgotten as well as to bring joy in the 21st century to those who will have the pleasure to know her lovingly transformed as an ephemeral angel.

Permanently adhered to a brass floral backing and embellished with bits of treasures from grandma's jewelry box.

Signed Kay Adams, A0751
Strike Collection, Sold

Time Out

11/20/08

Can I take a day to blog about the single most important person in my life? I have had two special people lose very dear loved ones this week. And moments like this make you reflect.

We had a 1928 framed poem in our shop that called to me every time I passed it. I decided it needed to come home with me and be dedicated to this man.

To a Wonderful One

There's a Wonderful One who always will be
all that is happy and precious to me;
There is a Wonderful One who is finest and best,
true to my heart through each trial and test.
There is a Wonderful One and I'll never forget,
to bless that dear day when happily we met.
And I'm hoping you know, after all's said and done
that you are my Wonderful, Wonderful one.


I love you Dick. You are the kindest most generous man on earth and to this day I feel lucky to be the one who caught you. Here's to the next amazing 20 years . . . .


In memory of Frank Beeker and James Goodwin

Beyond Elegance

11/19/08

Antique dress clips are all mismatched yet perfectly aligned in this red carpet worthy piece.

Each stunning rhinestone clip has been fully restored, had it's former hardware removed and been sanded completely smooth.

Permanently hinged together.

$795, SOLD

A0737

King of Inspiration

11/18/08

For those of us in the fashion and jewelry business, the Holy Grail of Beatitude is often awarded to Louis Vuitton. (Sometimes the stage is shared with Ms. Chanel, Ms. Haskell, Mr. de la Renta, Mr. Armani, Mr. Dior, you know . . . the masters).

I have to say my inspiration here was with the man deemed the most successful luxury brand in the world. The above picture (with the owl) is an actual Louis Vuitton piece that retails for $10,570. Don't I wish?

Enjoy a vintage one-of-a-kind baroque version by a Louis disciple.

Elaborate collage in soft hues and eclectic vintage objects d'art. Nothing glued, all permanently wired together.


As featured in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond Chic section.

Signed Kay Adams, A0738
Juice Collection, $1,100.

A0738






OH POLLY!

11/17/08

Polly doesn't want any more crackers. Polly wants a life in fashion!

A giant leather flower, an old wire-overlay butterfly, gorgeous varied beads and the most wonderful 1940's painted bird brooch I've ever laid my eyes on make this bird paradise necklace.

Tassels complete the jungle-like assemblage!

TOO FUUNN!

Signed Kay Adams.

A0113, $395

SOLD

ROLL CALL

11/16/08

There is nothing that compares to the romance of the antique initial pieces -- personalized history.

This necklace is made of former art deco dress clips that have been joined together to form a fascinating art deco sculpture.

Will no doubt stop onlookers in their modern day tracks.

Signed Kay Adams, $215.

A1206






I Love You. I'll Buy It for You.

11/15/08

You can't go wrong when vintage sterling charms envelope you. Add to it the endearing center piece which beckons with the most beautiful message ever known to mankind, ''I love you.''

(Followed by a universally known second most beautiful message, "I'll buy it for you").

The charms rest on a lovely overscale sterling cable-link necklace.

For all I know pieces like this could scrap for more these days with the skyrocketing prices of precious metals. But don't ever cash it in -- the loss of such a ''charmer'' would be sad indeed.

Besides, being able to read each of the abundant charms and pondering their course in life is joyous posterity.

Signed Kay Adams, $295

A1159






ALPHA female

11/14/08

Isn't it the coolest??? As with many of these, this sold some time ago, but goodness it's blog worthy.

It consists of old cufflink tops, vintage stick pin heads, pendants, former brooches, and even an old keychain fob. The very bottom "finial" piece is sterling silver.

I just L-O-V-E it and so did the lovely ALPHA female who got it. Anyone caught her around the city wearing it? I have! :)

A0504, .$315, .SOLD

Detritus No. 3

11/13/08

detritus - [dit-trite-uss] noun.
1. The remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up.
2. Debris, junk, rubble, dust, rubbish, trash, scrap.
3. Worthless material that is to be disposed of.

Don't be such a downer, Miriam Webster!

My opinion? Trash is simply failure of the imagination.

GO GREEN!

Old clip-on earring backs amassed and woven into a substantial collar, interlaced with multi-tone pearls.

Signed Kay Adams, $345.

A0270
SOLD

Does anyone have the time?

11/12/08

Well if you didn't, you will now.

This collar is loaded up with old Seiko and Timex watch faces with antique art deco ring tops in between.

It's odd and artful and full of attention getting opportunities.

Collar fits generously around neck. Watches guaranteed to not run. (Their backs have been permanently adhered to the collar). This is a LIFETIME guarantee.

But, as an added bonus, please note that every watch on here DOES tell pinpoint accurate time, twice daily!

Signed Kay Adams. $255.

A0731






THIS GIRL ROCKS IT!

11/11/08

AND THE WINNER IS . . . . (drum roll please) . . .

GRACE DUVAL JOHNSTON, AGAIN! Yes, folks, this time she won the Uncommon Threads Wearable Art Fashion Show, held in downtown Baton Rouge at the Louisiana State Museum. FIRST PLACE!!!

Her dress is made of balsa wood and actually curtsy's-on-demand upon pulling the drawstrings built into the dress. The underlining is a bodice constructed from pantyhose! Can you believe?
(Grace and I think so much alike creatively, maybe our mothers were sisters and we don't know it). Time for some genealogy research . . .

The necklace is a collection of vintage bone, celluloid and ceramic artifacts that came together effortlessly for Grace's Exoskeleton Dress. A little plucking, grinding, drilling, tweaking and VOILA! A winning combination takes it in Baton Rouge.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN GRACIE! Can we talk her into doing Project Runway, please???

Signed Kay Adams, A0875
Joy Collection, Sold

~model is Julie Gerdes

Other blog entries on Grace DuVal:
Bath Bomb Genius
Vote Tomato!
Rise, Phoenix, Rise
New Zealand Bound
Leaping Lizards!
Marie Antoinette's Peacock

The Happy Botanist

11/10/08

I love the vintage elements in this eclectic assemblage.

Enamels and rhinestones, each a botanical element, pose in colors of zany pale blues and whimsical soft greens . . . and then come those crazy little daisy's on the ends. Black pinned crystal chain unifies this crazy garden.

Each piece removes to be worn individually. Put the green leaf on a silver chain for the day . . . or the twirling tiffany blue center piece on a black cord. Choice and versatility are built right into the necklace!

It's like a gift that keeps on giving. :)

Signed Kay Adams, $215.

A0309

SOLD

Homeward Bound

11/9/08

This birdie never loses his way and neither will you, because the compass is there to help you along.

A good seller for me, this charmer consists of a "distressed" working compass and a precious little bird who starts life pure white.

He visits my studio where he receives a color transformation, changing him into this beautiful muted blue. He is then further adorned with a Swarovski rhinestone which glints and radiates as he flys.

He is homeward bound, and his home is you.

Limited Edition, Signed, $55 ea.

A0750






It's Weird, But That's Good

11/8/08

Stand out from the crowd and never play second fiddle when you wear this sculptural chain collage.

So unexpected and guaranteed to be the only one on this planet.

(No guarantees for their existence on Mars).









Signed Kay Adams, A0702
Strike Collection, $155, Sold

Stunning in Sydney!
















11/7/08

When you've got beauty, brains, the Opera House in Sydney, Australia and a Kay necklace, is there really anything else?

This is Rebecca posing in front of the famous Sydney icon. She is decked out in off the shoulder elegance and wearing her one-of-a-kind Kay Adams necklace. Her husband, Scott, came into Anthill and bought this necklace for her as a surprise. And then off they flew to the other side of the world for adventure and fun. G-O-O-D husband!

And doesn't she wear it beautifully.

I think it's time for another Kay piece, Scott! (Besides I want to blog about another one of your adventures)! :)

A0278, SOLD

The Spider's Palace

11/6/08

Unbridled and unruly!

This frolicking wonder is dripping in playful irreverence.

Look closely at the detail and see the brass spider on the left hand side crawling thru the eclectic chaos that is his home. He told me it was like living in a spider palace!

Lucky spider!

Signed Kay Adams.

$225

A0725






In the mood

11/5/08

And patriotism is the mood!

To really sell these things, I'm probably a little late on the draw. But no matter, because for enjoying the spirit of the moment, I'm right on time.

Old lapel pins, bracelet parts and a former handpainted wooden heart-shaped brooch are the elemental fodder for this patriotic original.

Adjustable up to 18". Signed Kay Adams.

$145

A1071






Election Day Necklace

11/4/08

Show your patriotism, be it left, be it right.

It's all for the ReD, WhitE & BLuE!!!

VOTE.










Signed Kay Adams, A0876
Lore Collection, Sold

The Road Less Traveled

11/3/08

Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I—I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
     ~ Robert Frost, 1916

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Frost.

Take the road less traveled.

It IS the difference.





Signed Kay Adams, A0108
Strike Collection, $195, Sold

Thinking of you Nancy!!!! --xxoo
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org

MERRY CHRISTMAS???







11/2/08

Yes, Merry Christmas! Well let me explain. I was asked to be a designer in this year's annual Lewis Ginter "Splendor Under the Glass" Designer Wreath Auction, November 21st. (Just around the corner, really).

This is an invitation-only, black tie affair staged in the dramatic glass Conservatory. It will be a memorable evening filled with festivities including an elegant dinner, entertainment, a special preview of the GardenFest of Lights 2008, and of course the live auction of wreaths by artists who were asked to submit their work for this annual fundraising event.

Indeed, this is my contribution. I have been teased relentlessly for saving burnt out bulbs by almost every member of my family. (And if you know the chandeliers in Anthill -- well over 100 fixtures lit at any given time -- you know we have BULBS!). But intuitively I knew there was a gorgeous application with those spent bulbs just waiting to be discovered. And guess what? I WAS RIGHT! :))) GLEE! No more teasing, ok? (No chance of that I'm sure) ;).

I had a lovely time making it, was so happy to recycle such seemingly pointless landfill, and was certainly honored to be asked to be a designer. So all you lovely bidders -- bid high, bid proud and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
SOLD

A November Necklace

11/1/08

I thought this necklace looked particularly November 1sty, with it's lovely collection of autumnal tone scarabs.

The scarab (Latin for beetle) conveys ideas of transformation, renewal and resurrection in ancient Egyptian religion.

Scarab jewelry was a most popular look in the 1960's, probably due in part to Elizabeth Taylor's epic movie Cleopatra. Bracelets, watchbands, earrings, rings and brooches were in vogue. They were made using stone, glass or resin scarabs.

Because of continued fascination with the art and beliefs of ancient Egypt, scarabs are still a classic. This necklace brings together former earrings, pendants and a former Sarah Conventry circle pin, to form a scrumptious collection of scarabs I think even Liz herself may have wanted to don. Signed Kay Adams.

Blogged for $195

A1100