There's no place like home . . .

2/1/09

Forgive my "hiatus" but I went on an journey. A journey to the bottom of the earth . . . Antarctica for the last three weeks, and hence my blogging hiatus.

So why blog on this goofy little storybook, homey kind of necklace the day I'm back?

Well, to tell you the truth, although my trip was amazing, I did have a touch of homesickitus. (And frankly seasickitius while I was there). I missed my shop and my mother, I missed my cats and simple food. I missed making necklaces and blogging. I missed my daily Starbucks Venti Decaf Peppermint Mocha Frappucino, no whip. (ok-- I know it's sad), but I missed my regular life.

It was a magnificent trip and I met great people and rubbed elbows with a team of environmental scientists aboard our Marine Vessel Discovery. I spent cherished time with two wonderful Maltese friends. I saw scenery that was so beautiful it would make you cry. And I absolutely have visions of my "Ode to Antarctica" necklace that I will soon be creating.

But in all honesty, home is where the heart is. And my heart is here.

There truly is no place like home.

Signed Kay Adams.
A0767, $155.

Catching Dreams

1/9/09

"The irony in leaving one’s youth behind is implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered,
and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.” -- Paul Fussell

Yes, yes Paul!!! I get it! I agree. And likewise:

"The irony in leaving one’s former designs behind is implicit in every joyous moment of a new design: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered,
and the wise necklace maker learns not to repeat designs but sees new visions all the time.” -- Kay Adams (with a little help from Paul Fussell)

Catch your travel and your creative dreams!

A0328, Sold

Otterwise Things Are Fine . . .

1/8/09

Fishies and seaweed and seashorses and shells and bubbles.

Each item further embellished with Swarovski crystal flat backs, to give glint and gleam every which way you turn.

It's a veritable ocean on your neck.

Don't wear it in the surf, though. Other fishlets may be miffed that their surroundings aren't quite as glamorous and then they'll squirt little vials of octopus ink on you.

Otterwise, you are fine to wear it anywhere.



Signed Kay Adams, A1130
Blast Collection, $195, Sold

But is it Aesthetically Correct?

1/7/09

Round and round and round it goes . . .

where it stops . . .

is predicated by a highly technical and scientific combination of how many onesie hoop earrings you have, if your wrist fatigue is acting up, and whether or not you have other commitments besides necklace making ahead of you.

And last, but by NO MEANS least, the single most important criteria . . .

AESTHETICS!

Yes -- we can ditch all other criteria and always default to that. Necklace making is fool-proof if you let visualization rule.

I've done these "Hoopdy Loop" necklaces much wilder and crazier and denser in the past -- but this one was finding its voice via the soft, simple, uncluttered approach.

And you have heard that aesthetically correct IS the new politically correct, right?

Signed Kay Adams.

$165
A0153, Sold

Dreams Do Come True

1/6/09

If your dream was always to have a huge red owl resting on your chest -- and really, who doesn't dream of that -- your dreams are coming true!

Made from repurposed vintage jewelry, this jaw dropping piece is a HOOT!

The eyes were former earrings, the pupils were old Swarovski button inserts, the crown was an 80's earring, the nose . . . ditto.

The body was a porcelain scarf buckle, the tail a pendant with extra sparkle added for good owl measure.

The wings were 1960's German plastic jewelry findings.

A bounty of re-creation!

Signed Kay Adams, A1125
Strike Collection, $195, Sold

Flava Flav's Fantasy

1/5/09

This is a wild one . . . and I LIKE 'EM LIKE THAT!

Six sleek black faced watches, five round and one rectangle, join forces and give Flava Flav a run for his oversize single clock-face bling.

Let's update his concept -- this is a little more couture, wouldn't you say?

Mega fun, ultra different.

And the only one in THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.





Signed Kay Adams, A1222
Toc Collection, $245, Sold

Don't Happen No More

1/4/09

Many times when I look at a piece of work I've just finished, a song will immediately pop into my head.

For that matter, many times when I HEAR a song, I can SEE a necklace.

But that's another blog for another day.

If you know me, you know I have always been a major fan of Pat Benatar. Her voice reaches me.

Well, she recorded a soulful blues cd back in 1991, True Love, that was incomparable -- just wonderful.

One of the songs, written in 1956, was titled, "Don't Happen No More," written by jazz and blues master Obie Jessie.

This simple little necklace is just that -- a tangible reminder of something that doesn't happen anymore. Beautiful attention to detail in the most everyday of objects -- the care, pride, and craftsmanship that is by and large a lost art -- a style of art which life just doesn't afford us anymore.

This is the refrain from the song, and this is what I see when I look at this necklace:

At least we can love and appreciate what still exists before it changed.

What a BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL art deco buckle.

Man, how the world has changed. . .

"It don't happen no more,
that was a long time ago,
It's a pitiful shame,
How the world has changed."

Signed Kay Adams, A0243
Lore Collection, $120, Sold

Like Life

1/2/09

An intense puzzle that reveals

an undefinable beauty,

unharmonized harmony,

balanced discord,

quiet chaos.

Like life --



Signed Kay Adams, A0730
Blast Collection, $195
Sold

Luck to You in 2009

1/2/09

This is the third necklace I have made in this series.

Old crystal ball style memories come together to form a nostalgic and lucky walk down memory lane.

A four leaf clover and a vial of mustard seeds. A single mustard seed in a very old heart shaped piece of lucite, a faceted teardrop -- each piece has its own little story and reason for being . . .

and for bringing you health, love and creative luck in 2009.




Signed Kay Adams, A1080
Lore Collection, $185, Sold

Happy 2OO9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1/1/09

I have been waiting until New Year's Day to blog on this lovely, lovely customer, the newly married Mrs. Vicki Thomasson.

SHE HAS SUCH A WONDERFUL JUBILANT PERSONALITY!

(I've blogged about this piece before, but not about who became the Phoenix Rising from the Ashes rightful owner!)

She bought this piece a few days before Christmas, with plans to wear it last night, ie, New Year's Eve! I want to see those pics!!

Vicki also got married in one of my pieces -- I also want to see those pics one day!!

Vicki is happy, happy, happy, always aglow and excited, and will without fail forever glean from life all that it has to offer. I adore her energy and enthusiasm.

She is a mood-lifter on legs! Happy 2009, Vicki!!!

Happy 2009 ALL!

A1158, SOLD

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.