Vintage Travel Keepsakes...

Bonjour compagnons de voyage! I have been quite busy this past week gearing up my local locations for the 4th of July, and working on my latest jewelry pieces. My designs this week took on a French travel theme after I started sorting through my extensive collection of vintage travel pieces and souvenir bracelets. I just love the thought of having a momento from the past that represented a special journey that someone took long ago. It seems as though, a once in a lifetime travel journey becomes so much more special as the years pass by. Such as my previous years trips to Europe. I hold such a special place in my heart for those wonderful days of wayfaring and I absolutely cherish my special travel keepsakes that I acquired on my journey.

Here are some newly designed pieces to stir the memory of your own special journey...

Dreaming of Paris Bangle...

...French Compass, Cross, and Cameo Necklace...

Souvenir French Cathedral Earrings...

Souvenir French Crest Earrings...

...and a gorgeous old rhinestone encrusted hammered cuff.  All coming to Etsy tonight.

Does anyone have a special journey coming up in their future plans?

See you back here real soon and

Happy Creating!!!!

English Treasures

I have been so excited lately about my upcoming trip to England, I decided to dig out some of my treasures from last year's trip and get down to business designing some new, one of a kind pieces. These pieces are so inspired by England, I am calling them my "English Treasures" Collection. The star of the collection is this sweet little nineteenth century lithograph tape measure that I have accented with old rhinestones and a fabulous old filigree belt buckle for the necklace clasp...

...the tape measure is so exquisite, it has a different and beautiful lithograph on each side!

And then there was this gorgeous sterling silver watch fob I found...

...in which I thought paired so well with my vintage lace and sterling Jeanne collage watch pendant...

...there are lots of beautiful and fun details in this necklace!

I had also found this gorgeous old enamel Victorian cameo...

...it has a very special secret compartment on the reverse side...

...and look at this beautifully carved Victorian bird bath brooch. Isn't it just divine!!! It reminds me of a beautiful English garden with all of its detailed floral carvings...

You can see and read more about each of these pieces at my Etsy shop tonight and tomorrow!

Have a beautiful weekend my friends!

French Antiquities...

I have been so busy running around lately tending to my shop spaces and trying to procure one more in the next town over. We have had such a busy start to our summer down here and business in the shops has been booming! (thank you, sweet Jesus!!!). Today, when I happened by Antiques on Holiday (one of my current jewelry locations), the ladies had just received their summer shipment of French Antiques. The whole shop smelled of France and instantly you felt like you had been transported to a European castle brimming with treasures. Here is a peek at what Ms. Ann, "antiquer extraordinaire", brought back from her recent French countryside treasure hunt....

...yes...that is a rustic and shabby old beehive! How cool is that? 

Because everyone needs a beehive for their home.

...there were lots and lots of beautiful antique French mirrors laced with ribbon frames...

....huge architectural fragments...

...large doors and door frames from French estates...

....a child's cast iron bath tub... (so precious!)

....many pieces of  GORGEOUS artwork!...

...I just loved this old vintage fencing mask!!! I may have to spring for it...it would make a fabulous jewelry prop, don't you think?

...and lots and lots of beautiful religious statuary...(my personal favorites)...

Here are a few fun pieces that I am currently working on...

...French mother of pearl links accenting a rhinestone buckle ...

...an antique French lithograph tape measure which will make a darling little necklace...

...a pendant watch locket piece that will pay homage to our favorite French female heroine...

...and an antique carved ivory bird bath brooch that will make an exquisite one of a kind necklace...

..stay tuned, will have pictures of these precious pieces turned into very special pieces of jewelry... and will show you what the ladies brought me back from their French treasure hunt in the days to come. 

Au Revoir mes amis!!!!