Happy New Year's Eve!

12/31/08

I thought this looked like "star-packed" piece of dynamite . . .

-- in other words, a great way to bring in the NEW YEAR!!

Thank you so so much, our customers, for a simply lovely 2008, and here's to an even lovelier 2009.

But I'd not complain to have a ditto of 2008.

Our Anthill and Kay followers ROCK!!

HAPPIEST OF NEW YEAR'S EVES!!!

A0963, $195

SOLD

WAKE UP!

12/30/08

No yawning is EVER allowed while wearing this GIGANTOR piece of flower-popping SPLENDOR.

It consists of giant black enamel flower brooch petals that never made it into brooch completion at the factory.

Add to it a bevy of colorful clip back earring bobs from the 1950s, findings removed and drilled through the center to complete this surreal garden spectical befitting ALiCe iN FLoWeRLAnD!

IT IS HUGE! Adjustable to real long -- like 24 inches . . .

All flowers removable for tame (boring!) wear. (That's when you're allowed to yawn a little).

I recommend you wear it FULL THROTTLE!!!


Signed Kay Adams, A0759
Blast Collection, $245, Sold

Meet Me in the Medal

12/29/08

This piece speaks VOLUMES.

It is huge in scale and has eye-stopping color in person. It doesn't really convey well, but such is a still life.

But real life??? Baby, this piece is ALIVE!

It was a former bright gold "Mr. T" looking medallion brooch. I transformed it into a pendant, beaded the center, handpainted it in rich wild complimentary colors, and then custom beaded the sides for further accentuation.

YUM-E!

Signed Kay Adams, A0148
Strike Collection, $185
Sold

Let's Have Some Fun!

12/28/08

Ain't it just a riot?

It's old plastic bangles -- all slim and mildly colorful.

Whodda thunk they'd make such a funky-cool necklace.

Wear it and fun is GUARANTEED! Guaranteed!

(Guarantee is void if you do unfun stuff in it -- like break up with your boyfriend or have your wisdom teeth pulled).

See -- just looking at it is making me blog delirious!

Signed Kay Adams, A1140
Pop Collection, $65, Sold

Random Couture

12/27/08

I'm not sure what's up with the word steampunk -- it'll do, I guess.

But I'd rather call it Random Couture.

Watches and keyrings, fishing swivels and keys, buckles, beads and caps.

Anyone remember when I did Einstein's Brain?

It's like Einstein's nephew's brain.

Know what I mean?

Signed Kay Adams, $195.

A1248, Sold

Spending Christmas Booty

12/26/08

Know what it's time to do? Take your Christmas booty and come to Anthill and pick out the necklace of your dreams!

I personally think this one is a great choice!

Meet the Chinese Garden Tender.

I had always loved the little antique dress clip of the Chinese water carrier.

Then in my head I saw him lined up with his gardening triumphs -- all the beauty he cultivated through tending his flowers.

And I do believe he's got a wonderful green thumb!

Signed Kay Adams, A1270
Joy Collection, $220, Sold

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

12/25/08


I hope every joy and toy wished for came to you in 2008.



I wish the same for you in 2009.




MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

7 Trees A Neckin'

12/24/08

Merry Christmas Eve!

Is 7 Trees A Neckin' part of the 12 Days of Christmas song?

I think we should add it . . .

These lovely trees lay festively and happily around your neck (that's the neckin' part, silly . . . mind out of the gutter!).

They were former brooches that I ground the backs smooth then drilled through at various points to enable the "decorating" of the trees.

They are vibrant and dangley, and each has a distinctive little personality. Each is removable to wear one-at-a-time, too! You could change out to a different one all through the month of December.

And you could make it Christmas in July (or April, or August -- or ANYTIME you want!).

Signed Kay Adams, A0862
XMAS YeaRouNd! Collection, $295, Sold

A-R-T of the Christmas Tree

12/23/08

A feathery ethereal Christmas Art Tree.

It was a filthy, dull, useless, life size brass tree when I picked up at a flea market.

I cleaned it, painted it salmony ivory, drilled it everywhere and hung white feathers, white lights and clear crystals all over it.

I enjoyed it at the house one Christmas before I hauled it up to Anthill where a fellow art freak promptly bought it.

Now I miss it. Miss you Art Tree! But I know you're in a good, artful, Christmasy home.

Merry Christmas to that tree and to that home!

C21, SOLD

Littler Still . . .

12/22/08

I'm not sure why I insist on making littler a word.

I guess I just find it so darn useful.

This diminutive little beauty is chock-a-block in colorful goodness and tantalizing folkiness.

It's simple but complex, folky but polished.

If you're like me, it's for you!





Signed Kay Adams, P0708
XMAS YeaRouNd! Collection, $125, Sold

Badonkadonk, Badinkadink

12/21/08

A smaller version in this series of layered stack attack Christmas trees.

Same impact on a littler (word?) scale.

So I can appeal to the badinkadinks as well as the badonkadonks. =)

Signed Kay Adams.

P0201, Sold

Eclectic Christmas Mamma

12/20/08

Ain't she a beaut?

She's pink and blue and weird and wild and lovely.

I think that's the official definition of eclectic!

THE DAY is only 5 days away!!

Measures 2.5" tall by 2" wide.

Signed Kay Adams.

$165

P0705

Norman Rockwell's Chandelier

12/19/08

Can I blog on a really pretty chandelier that I made many, many years ago?

It was always one of my favorites -- so festive and unusual. It had "berry" bobeches and was draped in chain after chain of peridot, tourmaline and amber swags.

It just seemed liked it should be hanging over a loving family's crowded dining room table.

The carved turkey and honey-glazed ham complete with pineapples are just waiting to be carved.

And I see the cranberry sauces and the hand-decorated sugar cookies over to the side -- and there's the bowl of the walnuts still in the shell, sitting next to the nutcrackers. I see the sweet potato casserole and many many other condiments.

I hear the children laughing and the adults story-telling.

I feel certain this is exactly the environment into which this chandelier found it's way.

This chandelier was a mood -- a perpetually beautiful, content and comfortable, good, Norman Rockwell family mood.

A major Merry Christmas, everyone.

Sold

Retro Pearl Bomb!

12/18/08

Retro Pearl Bomb!

Virtually no caps -- ALL beads -- in a distinctively vintage color palate.

WWII pearl stock tops off each bead for added play and moveable swing!

It's like snow balls on each ornament!!

Crowned with a rhinestone ball "star," complete with rhinestone streamers (a former earring).

Charming!!

$85, Sold

P0205

Candy Canes, HO HO!

12/17/08

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.

Take a look at the Anthill, step in
It's glistening, glissssennning,
with CANDY CANE necklaces, HO, HO!

Whimsy rules in this sequin patch turned necklace. The sequin patch has been leather-back to give it more structure, and then trailing beads have been draped from the center for added flair.

Eclectic old fashioned beads dance up the neck in complete unharmonized harmony. How does it always work out like that? It's completely magic to me!

Signed Kay Adams

$110.

A1099

Swirly Twirly

12/16/08

This drama queen tree is constructed a bit differently from the rest.

Its "ornaments" are wired in a woven fashion as compared to when I drill thru the back and stack attack.

Creates a less uniform, more playful look.

Fun, whimsical and SWIRLY TWIRLY!

Signed Kay Adams.

$195, SOLD

P0204

Jim Dandy, Eye Candy!

12/15/08

Jim Dandy, Eye Candy!

Normal spiel . . . irresistible and far far far prettier (and bigger looking!) in person.

Pastels with some incorrigible pops of vibrancy for the unexpected DAZZLE.

Will be your favorite Christmas tree pin ever!

Measures 2.5" high and 2" wide. LARGE AND LOVELY!

Signed Kay Adams.

$165

P0703

143%

12/14/08

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE PERCENT CUTER IN PERSON!!

Why 143%? I don't know -- mainly because its the numbers my fingers magically found when I went to type a number. Like a oujia board --

The point is that it is DAZZLING, ALIVE, FESTIVE and JOLLY! But pictures don't always convey that Joy! So percentage keys have to.

Warped logic for a magical necklace!

Enjoy! Signed Kay Adams.

A0377, SOLD

BURSTING with Goodness!

12/13/08

It's beads are so big it's like the tree is BURSTING!

This is a plump one.

Loaded and decked like the others.

Ready to dazzle your lapel and your friends!

This IS NOT Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.
(Although it might be Lucy's)! :)

Approx. 2" x 2"



Signed Kay Adams, P0702
Xmas YearRound Collection, Sold

Kitschy Cutie

12/12/08

Really kitsch and loaded on this little handmade cutie.

Leather-backed sequin patch is pierced and layered with beads and chains, sequins and earrings.

You name it, if it was miniature, cute and near me, it made its way on this frolicking fir. (You just can't tell it's a fir for all the stuff loaded on it).

Signed Kay Adams.

$85

P0706, SOLD

Layers and Stacks

12/11/08

As gorgeous a Christmas tree pin as ever got made!!

The only one like it in the whole wide world!

Layers and stacks of colorful and rhinestone goodness.

2 1/2" tall by 2" wide. Nice and BIG!

Good stuff.

Signed Kay Adams.

$165

P0202, SOLD

It's a T-BEAR!

12/10/08

It's a t-bear!

A winter t-bear!

A sequin winter t-bear!

A red-scarf sequin winter t-bear!

A Kay Adams red-scarf sequin winter t-bear!

Ok -- I'll stop.

A1098

$110.

A rhinestoned-hat Kay Adams red-scarf sequin winter t-bear! (oops . . . sorry)

Crammed FULL!

12/09/08

Let's see what's on here . . .
jingle bells
santa lapel pin
wreath brooch
holly leaves pin
santa earrings
stocking brooch #1
christmas tree pin
teddy bear earring
poinsettia earrings
elf lapel pin
stocking brooch #2
double bells pin
bell brooch
angel pin
christmas tree earrings
snowman pendant
holly leaf pin
Also:
* lots of beads nestled through custom drilled holes and tucked in unsuspected nooks and crannies,
* swarovski rhinestone headpins,
* and faceted crystal garnet bead chain from which all this reworked, recycled jewelry hangs.

ANY given piece can be removed for single element wear! =)

GET IN THE SPIRIT! Signed Kay Adams.

$295

A0527, SOLD

Jump on my neck!

12/08/08

Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum, please jump around my neck.

Get happy, festive and pretty AND grab attention all at the same time when you wear this Christmas tree necklace.

Decorated with five former brooches and two former postback earrings, with the addition of vintage ruby carnival glass beads from Japan.

Offset in irresistible eclectasy (new word!) with the mossy green bead chain.

It's adorable and so will you be when you wear it!




Signed Kay Adams, A1113
XMAS YeaRouNd! Collection, Sold

Frosty's Family

12/07/08

Didn't know Frosty was married, did you?

That's his wife in the center, and all their chillins' (pun intended) playing on the crystal chain.

Frosty's been busier than we all thought!

Frosty himself was not put in this necklace as he was out on a press junket for the upcoming holiday season.

A807A

$185, SOLD

Funky Christmas Monkey

12/06/08

What a funky little Christmas monkey.

This little goober was made by adhering a sequin patch to a piece of leather, then using a giant industrial leather sewing machine needle to pierce the back numerous times over in order to stack and embellish, embellish and stack, stack and stack and embellish some more.

It looks like a 1960's folk art Christmas tree.

It's cozy and unaffected by Nordstrom's . . . know what I mean?

Signed Kay Adams.

$85

P0707

Batman Smells

12/05/08

Jingle Bells, Batman smells,

no wait . . .

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

no wait . . .

Jingle Bells, Anthill Sells, lots of Christmas fun. Come and get a Kay Adams piece before the day is done.

Yeah -- that's the one.

Bells galore in this loaded charm bracelet. Includes some very old brass ones, a vintage Swiss bell complete with transferware chalet flowers, and delightful jadeite celluloid bell. MUCH cuter in person!!!

Festivity for your wrist. $95.

Signed Kay Adams.

B0706, SOLD

Where's the Xmas Party?

12/04/08

A Christmas party right on your lapel!

It's tree deeee-lish!

Reds and greens pop in a standing room only format -- using antique molded Czechoslovakian glass beads, vintage aluminium flowers, rare plastic bead caps, oddly shaped sequins, and hand painted wooden beads.

This beauty has it all! And it shouts, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

P0203, $165.

SOLD

Santa Claus is coming to CARYtown!

12/3/08

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why . . .

Santa Claus is in CARYTOWN! And at Anthill specifically!

In fact, he took a clone pill and now look! There are 5 of him! All on the same necklace. Will Santa's wonders never cease?

A polyclay Santa, a fired ceramic, a wooden one, an enameled metal and and 1930's celluloid one, complete with his rhinestone studded toy bag (added by yours truly, of course). All former brooches or uses. All back sanded baby's bottom smooth.

HO HO HO!

Signed Kay Adams, A1096
XMas YeaRround Collection, Sold

Yummy Xmas!

12/02/08

If you live in Richmond, PLEASE come by the shop, Anthill Antiques, 3439 W. Cary St., and see this in person. So so so pretty, and so hard to convey in a photo.

Handmade Christmas tree pin in this series of Christmas jewelry. An unadorned vintage tree is drilled and adorned in every conceivable nook and cranny to make this oneuvakind handmade collectible.

Colors everywhere -- pales and vibrants, opaque and iridescents, vintage Swarovski components, metallics and old glass flower bead caps -- IT IS LOADED!

Measures a showy 3" tall by 2" wide.

Signed Kay Adams, $165.

P0701

Thank you for looking!! Merry Coming Christmas!!

Guilt-free Merry Christmas!

12/1/08

It's December 1!

I can now say, "Merry Christmas!" guilt free!

And as such, here will the first in my series on Christmas tree pins.

These are delightful and impactful little creations I make by drilling through a blank unadorned tree pin, then stacking tons of old goodies to make the most unique and mesmerizing tree you will see anywhere.

You could possibly find dazzling mass produced, but you'll never find a more unique and captivating one-of-a-kind. It measures a large 3" tall, by 2" wide. Bedecked and bejewel on every part of its 5 total square inches.

This one is in reds, aquas, and oranges -- how eclectically cool is that????

Merry Christmas!!!! Guilt free! IT'S DECEMBER 1ST! Oh my goodness! Only 24 more shopping days 'til THE DAY!

Signed Kay Adams.

P0704, $165.