A Jewel of a Store

by Deri Terry

A 1:12 inch scale jewelry store, designed to house a growing collection of miniature jewelry, is the fulfillment of a longtime goal, The timing coincided with the celebration of my daughter’s fifth wedding anniversary, inspiring the story and influencing select choices of jewelry.
Designing a box and designating it a store or shop geared toward a specific collection, whether jewelry, hats, silver, crystal, shoes or handbags, is an ideal solution to contain a collection. Once finished, items may be added over time. 
I purchased the Empress room box, made by Victoria Miniland, of Canada. This ensured my starting with a realistic, well-built store, and freed me to concentrate on making a large part of the jewelry, displays, and furniture for the scene.
The concept is an imagined, modern day shop, in an older building whose architecture evokes a feeling of tradition and provenance. The interior showroom contains built-in shelves, and a number of high-end display cases filled with beautiful, tiny, sparkling jewelry.
The story unfolds as a young, recently engaged couple, Brittany and Joey, bring her new engagement ring to the store, along with his grandmothers’ ring set, to have them combined, into a custom wedding ring. Brittany, also has brought her grandmothers’ pearl necklace (seen in the vintage blue box on the desk), to have it inspected by the jeweler, before she wears it on her special day, as her “something old.” 
Well-placed objects convey important information about the scenario. One of the French doors is open slightly, and the studio/workshop scene that I printed and hung outside the doors, can be seen beyond. the embroidered “Private” sign hanging on the knob, indicating the couple has been escorted to the jewelers’ bench, to discuss ring designs. The store is not yet open, so the jewelry left on the desk is secure, and it is implied the couple will return shortly, as she has left her iPhone behind on the chair.
The proprietors’ desk displays his personal items: a phone, pen, tape dispenser, a set of keys to the jewelry cases. Reading glasses hint he is probably at least middle-aged. His coffee contributes to the early morning atmosphere; the fact it is in a china cup and saucer indicate he is a refined gentleman.
The newly engaged couple likely are young and stylish, hence his cool, aviator sunglasses rest in front of his chair, as well as her designer handbag and cell phone in a glittery, silver case. Viewed from above, the contents of her purse are visible: a bottle of water; hand wipes; lipstick; a tear-stained, crumpled tissue (remaining from the emotional proposal); and the latest copy of a Bridal magazine. There is an engagement ring in a little blue box, and wedding rings on the black velvet display mat. The pearls in their vintage box complete the vignette of a couple planning a wedding.
The shop is furnished as if pieces were accumulated over a long period of time, this being a third generation business. There are antique pieces combined with modern acrylic units. Most of the “antique” furniture pieces came as unfinished kits from Alison Davies Miniatures. The matching commodes are painted black, and the ornamentation gilded with a gold pen. I marbleized the tops in the same technique used for full-scale pieces, using tiny brushes and sponges. I gave the top a leather effect, using layers of dark and clear waxes, made for chalk painting. The three French chairs, created on a 3-D printer by Alison Davies, are scaled down from real French antiques. The twin walnut display cases are Bespaq, as well as the mirrored shelf unit fitted between them. One shelf holds “heirloom” baby items, a silver basket and jewelry items The frosted glass bowls trimmed with cobalt are hand-blown by Phil Grenyer.
The vignette holds pieces crafted by some of the most talented miniature artisans; I also wanted to try making my own tiny jewelry in the style of David Yurman, mixing gold and silver, combining twisted rope designs with signature end caps. A number of silver and gold jewelry findings were selected, such as toggles and jump rings, as well as pearls and rhinestones (sold for scrapbooking projects), which I set to work cutting, shaping; and gluing. 
The bracelet display stands, one for each wall display, hang atop the matching commodes. Each stand is fashioned from a toggle clasp, a toothpick, and a small silver bead. The bracelets are various silver and gold jump rings. The straight bar from a toggle clasp becomes the hanging rod, attached over a segment of painted toothpick, anchored into a silver bead serving as the base. The toggles also are used as chokers, jewelry components, bracelet display stands, logo card holders, and as hangers for the Aubusson tapestries at the windows. The bracelet displays are part of three components forming twin, wall-hung displays, created from the bottom section of acrylic boxes with gilt top edges. Skin-toned mannequins are painted black, to coordinate with busts throughout the store. The earrings, attached by the glue stick “acrylic bases,” complete the design.
The front entrance of the store is imagined, as there is only plexiglass. The wide facade frames a panorama of the entire shop. The display windows were a challenge; they are narrow, and the individual panes block a clear view, but are not removable. After assessing the mullions, I decided the panes are appropriate for an old store building in the same location for three generations.
I found inspiration in the New York City windows of Tiffany & Co., styled a few years ago as a Winter Wonderland in shades of blue and white. The backdrops are framed sections of Christmas cards depicting snow scenes, combined with white plastic deer from the craft store, cotton “snow”, and clear fairy lights. Lettering for the window displays and signs in the store interior is marketed for scrapbooking projects. After installing  the jewelry displays, the window sills were dusted with artificial snow. The cylinders used to showcase the jewelry boxes are cut segments of small glue sticks, sprinkled throughout the store to house earrings and bracelets. When cut on an angle they look like the acrylic risers used in actual stores.
There are incredible miniature artisans creating jewelry emulating their full-sized counterparts. My most prized pieces are from three artists: Lori Ann Potts; Chanel Harmon, of Heirlooms By Chanel; and Sun of Nalladris. Other sources were: Itsy Bitsy Miniatures, Crowns & Regalia, J. Getzan Miniatures.
Quartz crystal specimens, sold as real-sized charms, make pleasing display props inside the walnut and glass cases, and on either side of the mantle framing the sign, “Marry Me.” The crystal chandelier and brass desk lamp are battery operated LED lights. 
The end result is a culmination of everything I had envisioned. The variation of jewelry styles, combining metals and multi-colored stones as well as realistic merchandising, adds a depth of realism, evoking the awe of stepping into an actual jewelry store. The viewers are invited to indulge a dream. Who wouldn’t want an entire jewelry store at their fingertips? It is certainly a delightful fantasy!