entangled: jewelry by Pat Callahan

entangled jewelry is as elegant as pearls and as unpretentious as buttons. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, well-crafted, and inventive, often repurposing found elements. It’s a lovely way to recycle.

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Pearlescent. In this asymmetrical statement, small cultured pearls step the length of shimmery silk-cord braid to a ringed cultured-pearl cluster that counter balances two vintage carved-shell buttons. The necklace is 30 inches in length.

Milky way. On a length of silk-cord braid, small cultured-pearl dangles and a petal button dance against two large, milky-smooth shell buttons. This artful necklace is 32 inches in length.

Pearly pyramid. Simple white buttons stack to a sophisticated statement as the pendant on this 24-inch necklace. The recycling continues with the metal bead opposite one more button. Findings and chain are USA-made natural brass.

Sophistication in sage. A trio of fired-glass beads step from a vintage shell button to a serpentine pendant. This refined silk-cord braid necklace is 21 inches in length and pairs with serpentine dangle earring. Findings are USA-made natural brass.

Mixed medal fare. Delicate industrial chic, this 20-inch necklace mixes found metal pieces and chain, some recycled, some not, and some USA-made natural brass chain. The earrings swing with the same mix.

Sacred Heart medallion. This dramatic medallion is a never-to-be-repeated construction, combining vintage jet buttons, repurposed buttons and jewelry pieces, an antique rosary medal, and even a zipper pull. The rollo chain and findings are USA-made natural brass.

Deep blue beauty. One large and luxurious blue button underscored by a constellation of smokey glass beads and tiny blue buttons commands this necklace of 31-inch length. The offset, matching button floats on silk-cord braid as a blue moon to its mystical planet.

Wear a bit of whimsy. Glass beads skitter along a silk-cord braid between a robin-egg-blue Peruvian opal at one end and delightful polka dot bead at the other. A button-stack pendant completes this clever blue-green necklace, 32 inches in length. The earrings extend the polka-dot delight. Findings are USA-made natural brass.

Three in line. Small cultured pearls trim a silk-cord braid adorned with three mother-of-pearl buttons of ascending size--all just right. A ringed cluster of cultured pearls and a single Peruvian open hold center. 3.5 inches of natural brass chain bridges the braid ends for a total necklace length of 34 inches.

Mauve riches. A button-stack pendant hangs from luscious silk-cord braid as a simple lilac button stands counterpoint. The fire agate finale on this unique 22-inch necklace repeats in coordinating dangle earrings. Findings are USA-made natural brass.

winter garden photos

new entangled jewelry

I participated in the Artisans Fair at the Columbia Museum of Art mid month and garnered encouraging interest in my jewelry and sales. Every entangled piece is one-of-a-kind and most upcycle elements. I'm working with buttons of every description, stacking and combining them in ever more inventive ways. And I'm also fashioning intriguing constructions with buttons, metal pieces, jewelry elements, and hardware whatnots. Take a look!

Click on an image to enlarge.

First, new directions that recycled, reuse, repurpose, upcycle buttons.

Sophistication in sage:

necklace of braided silk cord with beads and vintage shell button woven in; matching earrings

upcycled vintage button, serpentine pendant, green garnet beads, natural brass findings

Rich to subtle dusty tones:

necklace of braided silk cord with upcycled button stack; matching earrings

upcycled buttons, fire agate, natural brass findings

Fun with color and polka dots:

necklace of braided silk cord with button stack pendant; matching earrings

upcycled buttons, various beads, natural brass findings

Circles upon circles:

necklace with button stack pendant below amazing ridged button; matching earrings

upcycled buttons and beads, natural brass chain and findings

New entangled constructions: inventive, clean combinations that recycled, reuse, repurpose, upcycle all manner of treasures.

Sacred Heart glory:

necklace construction with antique rosary connector, upcycled vintage buttons, buttons, jewelry elements, and even a zipper pull

upcycled buttons, rosary, and jewelry elements, natural brass rollo chain and findings

Mixed metal fare:

necklace with upcycled metal pieces and thin chain and other chain; matching earrings

upcycled buckle, bolt shaft, chain; natural brass chain and earwires

choker with repurposed hardware

repurposed hardware, pyrite ring, tiger eye beads, natural brass rollo chain

existence pondered

Is existence not what one believes it to be? Is it weighted or winged? Grounded or harnessed for flight? Solid or insubstantial, responding to mere whimsy? I haven't answers, just more questions.

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existence, mixed media

new shadow box series

dawn in 4 acts is a 4-box series born in 2 of my passions: running and birds. It's an odd combination. I'm a birder in motion; a birder before daybreak. So I know the distinctive chirps and flutterings of the early birds. My pace and hour of birding aren't conducive to learning the distinctive crown stripe that distinguishes one warbler from another. Still I marvel at how little light is needed to recognize many birds. In each shadow box, my drawings, constructions, and found elements evoke the spirit and ways, place and hour of a bird I know well.

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dawn: act 1

cardinal: flitting, paired and private

dawn: act 2

mourning dove: subtle, soft, sorrowful pairs

dawn: act 3

American crow: harsh, raw, committed to clan

dawn: act 4

American robin: brisk, purposeful flocks

dawn: act 4, detail

Michigan waters

We recently vacationed with family in Oscoda, Michigan, on the shore of Lake Huron, north of the AuSable River. We gratefully traded the of midlands South Carolina for Michigan's west shore, our 100 degree highs for its 50-something degree lows, our sandhills for it sand banks. A welcome respite.

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sand to sand, Foote Dam lake, AuSable River, Michigan

blue upon blue, Foote Dam lake, AuSable River, Michigan

storm approach, Lake Huron shore, Michigan

storm past, Lake Huron shore, Michigan

glass ripple, Lake Huron shore, Michigan

expanse, Lake Huron shore, Michigan

Season opening toss

Today marked the opening of a quirky summer sport of mine. It's sport within a sport that lightens my heart and step as I run on these heavy, humid mornings. The sport is quite unknown, requires no skill, and is an act of kindness, so it could catch on. It does require handling insects and being outside before dawn, so it probably won't. The sport? Cicada tossing! Seems that the lumbering insects can't always launch from pavement. So this morning when I heard one buzzing underfoot as it skittered over the pavement, I scrambled to catch it, gave it a gentle toss, and laughed as it buzzed away. The season's first pitch.