It's A Wrap!

Hello creative friends!!! I just wanted to share a couple of really special pieces with you this post.

I have slowed down just a bit upon my return from a beautiful summer trip and just before I dive into my upcoming project of designing and remodeling my future art room, I've finished two new pieces for Etsy. One of the pieces, going to Etsy tonight, is this cool and really long piece called the " Paris Summer Wrap". It is 42 inches of beautiful goodies and French charms that double wrap around the neck or can be worn long. Here's a closer look...

Here's the necklace lariat style... I am so loving all of the versatility of these fun wraps...

...this piece provides a different look any way you turn it...

I also wanted to share more pictures of this necklace currently in my Etsy shop,

"Victorian Holiday"...

The souvenir photo purse that is the star of this necklace came from France and has the coolest little pictures of Victorian era people on holiday in various places throughout Europe....

....there is an old Victorian ruby glass pendant the purse hangs from...

 ...an old sacred heart cross from a stop in Rome...

...old Victorian watch chain that once held a beautiful timepiece unites all of the souvenir pieces...

...a sweet monogrammed souvenir holy medal from a stop in Paris...

...mother of pearl rosary beads and an old Victorian flower pin finishes the holiday off...

I'll post in the upcoming days on my art room overhaul... stay tuned for all of the fun-filled pictures of that major upcoming project. But in the meantime...

happy creating mes amis!!!!



Birthday Bling...

Well ever since returning from my mini-vacay (wasn't near long enough) I have been full throttle in a horse's saddle!!!! Here are some pieces I have been working on as of late....

Judson ordered three new pieces a couple of weeks ago. One of which is this layered necklace full of color and eye candy for a birthday gift for one of his close friends....

I used lots of fun trinkets and color in this piece. Judson mentioned his friend loved to wear color and was full of wonderful personality so I tailored this piece to match that...

I love that you can wear this necklace all of these fun different ways! If you look at this piece from different angles it looks like a completely different necklace. How much fun is that????

....and Judson's birthday is coming up this weekend... he wanted a "speakeasy" themed brooch that suited his personality, and I came up with this little magical number...

This piece is classy, fun, and elegant in personality just like him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDSON!!!

If you get a chance this week stop by his blog at http://judsonknowsbest.blogspot.com/ and wish him a happy birthday and tell him I sent you, it will definitely make his day!

More art deco and Victorian earrings for my friend Kathleen up in Mississippi....

She has EXQUISITE taste and an great eye for beautiful jewelry...

Some new pieces in my Etsy store....

That marcasite buckle has to be the prettiest one I have ever seen. It is sterling art deco Germany and not missing one stone. The craftsmanship in this piece is top notch! 

Some new earrings that are there also...

 Anyone have any exciting plans for the summer???? Do tell... in the comments below. Just curious to see if anyone is having any fun out there this summer. I, myself, am so yearning to get back
out on the road with our
 fur-babies and new money pit, errr, I mean fun toy. Have a beautiful week mes amis!!!!

Look What I Found...

Before I get to the good stuff, let me begin by showing you some other really good stuff. The picture above and the few below are where we just came back from. The one and only, beautiful, Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Our friends from here in Florida just bought an old hotel last fall right smack dab in the middle of this beautiful place. The weather was fabulous...a gorgeous 70's during the days and a refreshing 60's in the evenings.

That's the old hotel below that he purchased and above is the lovely creek that runs through the middle of his property and  right smack dab in front of the hotel....

This is a little old barn on the property...

A very nostalgic landmark right in front of his property and on the main highway of Maggie Valley is this old bluegrass pickin' building. They say Minnie Pearl, Roy Clark, Little Jimmie Dickens, Roy Acuff and many of legends have performed here....

 Four of these beautiful statues greet you as you come in to his property, they are huge...

Old, old trees grace the property...I bet this one is at least 200 years old!

Our friends LOVE their antiques too!

Our new summer toy we went to pick up while we visited our friends...

We had sold our old airstream years ago, saved up and patiently waited for this sweet baby!!!

We visited this wonderful and historic old place in nearby Asheville....

Grove Park Inn, steeped in American history, has entertained many famous people for the past 100 or so years it has been open. Most every American president from the late 1800's to present have stayed here!

The view from our dinner table, that just so happen to be outside, was breathtaking!!!!!

Here is one of my all time favorite antique shops in the nearby town of Waynesville that I got to re-visit...

The lady that owns this little gem is as crazy about jewelry as I am. Every room in the house is full of old sparkle, glamour and nostalgia. If you are ever in the area you must stop by and say hello to her. Her name is Charliene, she is quite friendly and you will not be disappointed in her selection of antiques and jewelry!!!

Here is what I found in her shop this past visit....

Lots of beautiful old carved ivory...

some neat old glass, rhinestone, enamel and sterling pins...

...gorgeous Victorian Jet dress trim...

I can't ever pass up sweet old tin types and cabinet photos...

One of my most favorite finds...

....an old carved ivory brooch. Check out the awesome detail in this piece....

...this really sweet Victorian butterfly wing pendant....

...and my most favorite thing I found was this beautiful Victorian mother of pearl parasol handle. I already have a neat idea in mind for this really cool old piece....

...the hand tooling and mother of pearl inlay in this piece is phenomenal...

Goodbye summer trip...Thanks for the beautiful memories!!!!!