Monday, August 26, 2013

The Watch Cat Antique Chocolate Mold Assemblage Necklace



I had a watch cat once, when I lived in an upstairs apartment.  She would go to the door and growl when she heard people in the hallway.  Really.  She had been rescued from a dumpster, and I think she was going to defend her good home.

Here's a necklace made with an antique chocolate mold which I oxidized, and then foiled the eyes for a little drama and fun. It is half chain, half tied-on antique lame soutache braid. All the beads have been salvaged, some from an old rosary, some are seeds, some wood, some glass, and one tiger eye, linked into a chain assembly and then linked to the soutache.  A salvaged spring ring clasp is just next to the bird charm, in the front, so you don't have to untie the beautiful textile part. I added a perching bird charm and some bells, not loud ones; they make the softest little sound.

I collaged the inside of the mold with a scrap of from an old children's reader, to add a bit of weight and interest.




I think it wears well and it's very comfortable,
light-weight, and dainty.

6 comments:

  1. Love the kitty - especially the eyes! Wish the photos were bigger though - they're really teeny tiny on the ipad ...

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  2. What a sweet piece, I love it!! I too had a watch cat, not all are as lucky as us. I had that cat before I got married to my ex and I didn't listen to her when she told me that I was about to make a very bad mistake.

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  3. i was just thinking "all that work chasing and reppouse and really it looks wonderful but a lot like a candy mold" lol! i love it! that cat is adorable and i love your story about your watch cat.

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  5. I was just gonna say that if I start to chase or repousse on tin or steel, we'll need a Nobel prize for metalsmithing! Because it will hurt all over and such suffering should be rewarded, is why.

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  6. Your work is lovely, and so are your stories. So glad to have found you via your recent Etsy treasury. I had a watch cat once also...a beautiful female Siamese kitty named "Baby", and she kept constant guard over our house and my daughter. I once even saw her place herself between my young daughter and a great dane dog, in order to protect her. Would not have believed it had I not seen it happen. Now THAT's a watch cat!!

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