Silver Bells at Silver Bella

As you're reading this, I'm at the final day of Silver Bella.  I wrote this post ahead of time, and thought I'd go ahead and show you the bells I created for the swap I hostessed: the Silver Bells Swap.  The swap was to be for vintage or vintage-look Christmas bells that could hang as an ornament on a tree, or be a tabletop decoration.  Colors were to be silver and white/vintage neutrals.  You could use a found bell or create one yourself, from any medium.

I started out with some silver bells I found at an antique store -- two matching ones, which was lucky, as I was swapping with two different gals!

On the left is one of the bells after I embellished it; for that one, I used silver seam binding, lace, a rose I'd sprayed with silver glimmer mist, some vintage millinery flowers, and some vintage bling.

I rested those on vintage sheet music that I'd folded, and underneath it, some wonderful vintage crocheted trim -- a string of white bells!  I added beads and pearls to the bottom of each little crocheted bell.

The final touch was replacing the bell's clapper with antique chandelier crystals.

One of the gals I was swapping with wanted aqua/Tiffany blue in her bell, so I changed that one up a bit to for her.


For each of the eight gals in my swap, I embellished a bag for them to carry away their bells; I used kraft bags, vintage and antique crochet lace, and silver seam binding.  I sprayed white bells with glitter, and attached tiny charms to them, which I then tied onto the bags.  I added some silver and white berry clusters, and I found an image of cherubs with bells that I used to decorate the front; and then put a tag with each swappers name on it.



If all went well, we held our swap Thursday night after dinner, a workshop, and all the group swaps (details of which I can't wait to share with you!) -- the Silver Bells Swap was held at 11:30 pm!  I'm not a night owl, so I might come back and tell you I was swapping in my sleep!  (Wink!)

Comments

Hi Laurie, Your swap partners will be thrilled! The bells are beautiful and I also love the embellished bags you made! Have fun at the Silver Bella event!
Hugs,
Julia
Linda Sue said…
So gorgeous! I am drooling which is highly unattractive! Very nice Dear Laurie-cakes!!!
Bunty said…
Fabulous stuff Laurie - wish I could have been there. Beautiful bells - I look forward to hearing more from Silver Bella. :)

Barbara
Pretty Things said…
Wow! Gorgeous! You guys have the most interesting and elaborate swaps!
Linda E. Pruitt said…
WOW! Creative and gorgeous! I have a bell just sitting in my closet. Maybe I ought to try doing something with it! It would be so fun! Then my daughter would love it, I know!
Alyssa said…
What lovely bells you found! I really like the crochet detail you added. Hope you're having a wonderful time!
Angela Catirina said…
Oh how beautiful!!! I hope you had a fabulous trip!
Laurie, I was so glad to meet you!
Bells and bags are beautiful! Made me wish I had signed up for this swap for sure. It was wonderful to meet you! Be sure to let me know when you come to Oklahoma and we'll hit the thrift stores!

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