Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Keepsakes

 
Happy August, mes amis!  In these last weeks of summer, I have put together some very special pieces to preserve the fond memories of a tropical vacation, long lost love or some keepsakes of faith and devotion. 
 
 
These etched gold-filed heart lockets are just gorgeous in their detail.
 
 
And I've included some handsome men inside!  ;)
 
 
Another lovely heart locket, this one is paired with a vintage prayer card image and text and an old relic.
 
 
I felt so fortunate to find these rare genuine seahorse charms!  These little guys are so cute, all dressed up with their Art Deco rhinestone links!  :)
 
 
Here a beautiful filigree frame pendant houses a vintage prayer card image which I sealed behind resin.  I accented the black and white image with London blue quartz and stacks of chunky aquamarine.
 
 
These antique shell cameos are worthy of being passed down from mother to daughter.
 
 
Thank you for stopping by!  Next time I will be sharing with you a magical day I recently spent with friends and family touring an historic farm!  Enjoy your weekend!  <3 Robyn 
 

Friday, July 26, 2013

Thomas L. Mott Miniature Portraits

 
I recently discovered and fell in love with the miniature hand painted portrait pendants and brooches from the Thomas L. Mott Company of Birmingham, England.  Established in the 1870s, but most popular during the 1920s, the TLM Co. was perhaps most notably known for its work on butterfly wings.
 
 
I was lucky enough to find two beautiful examples of his portrait pendants, a magnificent and rare ocean scene, and a sweet image of a Georgian lady.
 
 
It is said that artists in the TLM studio sometimes painted with brushes that only had one hair, such was the fine detailing on these petite treasures.
 
 
What's not to love?  ;)
 
 
I've also been busy as a 'bee' designing and re-stocking inventory in my Etsy shoppe since I was dangerously low, after shipping some items off to The Spa at Windsor Court in New Orleans.  Happily, they have been doing great with my jewelry and were nearly sold out!  ;)
 
 
I'll be back in the studio in just a few days dreaming up even more goodies.  Thank you for stopping by!  x o Robyn
 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Mozo's Antique Search and Rescue

 
My friends Moe Munroe and Lisa Brady just opened a hip new antiques store (no, that's not an oxymoron!) called Mozo's Antique Search and Rescue in my neighborhood.
 
 
This place is not your grandmother's antiques store, as their business cards clearly indicate.  'If you enjoy shows like... American Pickers, Oddities... Pawn Stars, this is the store for you!', the cards accurately exclaim!
 
 
Here is Lisa in front of the store's original safe, and behind the uber cool antique cash register.
 
 
On offer are fabulous old typewriters,
 
 
painted screens and equestrian fare,
 
 
religious icons,
 
 
decorative mirrors,
 
 
an old doctor's bag,
 
 
kitchy Lucy and Ricky statues,
 
 
 
ship models and nautical knick knacks,
 
 
some French accessories (mais oui!),
 
 
jewels(!),
 
 
marble grapes,
 
 
compasses, doorknobs, seltzer bottles,
 
 
creepy anatomy charts,
 
 
mannequins wearing Moe's cashmere gloves,
 
 
or pink wigs and vintage hats,
 
 
an original mosaic sculpture of Moe's,
 
 
pop art,
 
 
and much, much more!  This back room currently serves as a warehouse, but will soon be staged for shopping and Lisa's interior design business.
 
 
The light in here is magical!
 
 
Happily, Mozo's will soon be carrying some of my jewelry designs, so I'm excited to bring them some of my edgier pieces!
 
I will also be listing new items in both of my Etsy shoppes tomorrow, so please stop by The French Circus for my hand assembled jewelry, and The Paris Carousel for your vintage jewelry and supplies needs.  I think there's a little 'search and rescue' in us all!  ;)