Hollyhock Earrings

Just in time for a hot summer day....hollyhock inspired earrings! Copper, Sterling Silver and Brass were hand joined using cold fusion riveting techniques. The multiple metals used make these earrings a go-to pair for everyday wear. If you would like to own some for yourself, contact Karen via Facebook or Convo her on Etsy for a custom item! Etsy shop is "karendubois"

Shawl Pin

My latest creations are custom shawl pins inspired by my mother's persistent request that I make her one! I used a variety of metals (copper, nickel & sterling silver). I used cold fusion with brass rivets to secure the layers. Then I added a little patina & I think that they turned out great! They are suprisingly lightweight and are about 2" in diameter with a 4.5" straight pin. I am planning on listing them for customization on my etsy page. Other ideas I am considering are riveting a piece of beach glass or perhaps a large pearl to the end of the straight pin for an added detail. I will be offering those as options on my etsy listing. I made a similar one for an Aunt with a sterling heart riveted to the end of the pin. I found that a little weight on the end helps it to stay put.

Tiny Book Necklaces

My husband & I recently took a much needed vacation...without kids. We ended up all the way in Virginia and one of the highlights of our trip was touring Monticello. I was inspired by a quote written by Jefferson to John Adams upon his donating his books to the Library of Congress. "I cannot live without books". Being that I love to read, I just had to go with it and create something. I found some vintage bookbinding ribbon from Britain, several weathered books from the 1940's and a variety of leathers from recycled scrap at a local bootmakers shop. I added some handcast pewter charms from Green Girls Studio & various vintage brass, copper and sterling chains. After making one for myself & one for a good friend, the rest will be for sale on Etsy shortly. I most likely will sell a few at Greenies in Richland too. They were a lot of work, but I think they are worth it! What could be better than a book close to your heart? I love that you can inscribe the tiny pages to personalize them.

Here is a cute necklace I have currently for sale at Greenies in Richland (at Lee Blvd & G-way). I love the egg picture that I found in an old Audobon Book and decided to use a lovely textured silver bead that reminds me of a nest...I think I found it a few years ago at a bead show & have been waiting for just the right use for it. I framed the egg behind glass and soldered silver around it. The opposite side has a pencil sketch of a robin and the necklace can be worn on either side.

This is a necklace inspired by the newly released Alice in Wonderland. I found a vintage pic of the white rabbit, added a little watercolor & framed him in silver. I finished it off with a tiny glass bottle (recycled from an old watchmaker's container for storing gears!) that gives that irresistible line, "Drink Me". It is on a Sterling Popcorn chain from Italy. The gemstones used are hessonite garnet in a yummy honey hue.

Perfect Pear is organic-inspired jewelry that includes only all-natural ingredients. Only semi-precious gemstones, sterling, copper, and bronze are used. This results in a higher quality product that not only will last longer, but is simply more beautiful. Karen has worked with various jewelry components over the last 10 years in addition to her full time "day" job as a nurse. Newer work includes using japanese roshuko to give various patinas on Shibuichi (a copper & silver alloy), and using found objects from nature such as driftwood, pebbles, and beachglass.