Monday, May 30, 2011

My Grandpa Is My Hero...


Today, as I was driving home after restocking one of my jewelry cases, I heard the most touching story on NPR radio. I absolutely love NPR radio, because I try to stay enlightened on all of our wordly issues and plus it makes me feel smart when I listen to it. (heehee). But anyway, while I was listening today, I heard a British man telling the story of his father, World War II, and what Memorial Day had meant to him. He had said that during the war his father, a British soldier, had been captured in Europe by the enemy and had become a prisoner of war for several years. That is, until American troops had set foot in Europe and freed him from captivity. He said his father had always felt liberated by our American soldiers and that Memorial Day had always been a very special day for him too. I was so moved upon hearing this, became a little teary-eyed and immediately thought of my grandpa. That's him in the picture above, he was not a fighter-pilot, kamikaze war hero or anything extreme like that, but he did serve our great country for years and he is the hero of my family. Last year about this time, I made this in his honor...


...I called this necklace, "My Grandpa Is My Hero", and to this day it still holds a special place in my heart, right next to the man it was inspired by, my Grandpa!


So this Memorial Day I salute him, all of our fallen heros and the ones still serving today...


...THANK YOU, for keeping us free!!!

Happy Memorial Day!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Captain Of My Heart...

Meet the star of my latest necklace entitled 'The Captain Of My Heart"...isn't he the coolest? His name is
Captain Christophe and he is an explorer, lover, and a world-class sailor. You can read more about him and the symbolism of the necklace at Etsy tonight. Ahoy, mes amis, there he will be!!!!







I am just in love, love, love with jewelry that tells a story.I feel the 'The Captain of My Heart' necklace does just that in it's three luscious layers of vintage charm. Alot like the piece I made last summer entitled 'Coming to America' and pictured below. 

With the piece below I tried to tell a story of a European family immigrating to America with the sweet little charms and vintage souvenir picture book dangling from the exquisiteVictorian mesh chain. Look for more of these story-telling pieces to come in the days and months ahead....





Yesterday was such a great, productive day for me! I finally buttoned up my taxes (yes I know, I am runnung way behind) and personally hand delivered them into my accountants hands. What a great feeling, because doing taxes or anything tax related can just drain the creativity out of everyday life. As a reward for finishing, (because we all know how we deserve it after enduring that kind of stress) I took a quick peek into one of my favorite little antique stores in the next town over. I would provide a link to her store here if the little 90 something year old lady that owned it had a website, but she does not. And with all the years of her buying and selling some of the finest vintage jewels around, I doubt she has the time or even needs one. Ha! But looky, looky what I found in her shop! The Holy Grail in a jewelry maker's world...That would be the little gem below...
...I could hear angels singing when I first laid eyes upon it....
It's a Victorian, hand-carved, ivory perfume bottle, and isn't it quite fabulous??? I think a screamed when I found it!!! I can't remember, because I was lost in a cloud of jewelry euphoria. hee hee!

I also found the gorgeous, turn of the century shell and silver filagree cameo below....



...and these two wonderful pieces!! Yes that is mother of pearl (my fave) on both pieces....

So despite the taxes, yesterday didn't turn out so bad after all!!!

One last thing my friends....
...don't forget about my blog giveaway of this sweet and elegant vintage mother of pearl necklace that I will be bestowing upon one of you in mid-June. All you have to do is leave a comment anywhere on my blog about anything you want, and I will then put you in the old-fashioned  hat-drawing coming up in two weeks. Merci mes amis... have a beautiful holiday weekend and be safe!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Francois...

Meet Francois! He is the star of my latest vintage assembled jewelry box...




I'm really loving these little treasure chests filled with old goodies and special mementos from the past. And they are functional too! They make excellent gifts for the hard to buy for jewelry lovers. Don't ya think???

...that sweet old souvenir Eiffel Tower makes an excellent ring holder...


and you can bet Francois will take great care of your jewels. He is so debonair!!!

 You can read more about the Francois assemblage at Etsy, he will be there tonight.

Some new jeweled creations, to be found at Etsy also...
"An Elegant Specimen"



"Divine Love"




"Love Locks"





Bonne journee, mes amis!!!!



Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Summer's Palette...


A new piece I designed going to California this week....

I'll explain all about why it's going to Cali in a future post!
 It's a very special and exciting circumstance.




I'm just loving these pieces with all of the versatility of the different ways to wear them...








This summer's color palette....
elegant faceted peach pearls, czech glass faces, carved bone, golden pyrite....


....lovely faceted mother of pearl and interesting ammonites...



 ...all making for some beautiful summery tones for the upcoming months!


One more thing I wanted to share with you is this stunning and incredible piece of history...
It belongs to the girl with the incredible eye...Misty, of course. She has that great eye for fabulous!
I borrowed if from her for a photo shoot because it has so much personality. It is from the 1700's, from France, and one of the oldest male dress forms she's ever had. You can visit her store's website, Antiques on Holiday and see more gorgeous French finds there.


  Perhaps Napolean's uniform could have been designed on it???

...only history knows the answer to this....and
oh the stories this dress form could tell...


See you in a few days, mes amis, and
have a beautiful week!


Saturday, May 14, 2011

A New Adventure...

Meet Johann....

He lives here....





He's the keeper of all things lovely and beautiful....


He is the care taker of dreams...


...and he watches over your jewelry too!!!


 


I am so excited to debut my new adventure... vintage assembled jewelry chests.
Perfect for your budoir, vanity, or any special place where you like to keep your treasures!
Johann is coming to Etsy tonight, read more about him and the assemblage there.

Some new ear baubles coming also...




Victorian Butterflies...



Ladies in Waiting...



French Crosses...



Sparkling Starlings...

Mes Amis, which earrings are your favorites???