Lovely Layers...

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July this past week. I had a great time, took the day off and spent most of it at the beach with good friends. It was pure heaven! We ate, drank, laughed, swam (while getting our toes nibbled on by little fish) and had such a wonderful time. The water, weather, and time spent with good friends was just DIVINE! The little flag above was our beach blanket's patriotic marker and reminder that  we actually had a chance to stop and celebrate our country for the day.

My designs this week are all about the beautiful look of layering, which is a look I happen to love when I wear my jewelry.

Layers of sterling chain and rosaries....

...the most beautiful hand-knotted black glass Victorian beads...

....little French souvenirs and rhinestones....

...an art deco locket filled with vintage Parisian pictures..

...exquisite vintage French mother of pearl...

...bits of antique watch chains and garnets....

...an old floral crucifix...

...detailed vintage lovely holy medals....

...sweet little pieces of faceted tourmaline and gold creamy pearls....

...and an antique French souvenir book from Lourdes....

....all make up this weeks delicate 'layers' of wearable precious  relics....

My "Lovely Layers" collection coming tomorrow to my Etsy shop.

And be sure to check out my Cherished Relics store this week, I have just listed some bronze and sterling watch hooks for all you talented jewelry makers out there.

Have a great week ahead my friends!

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!