Happy Thanksgiving!

Regardless of what life may throw our way, this is a day to slow down and practice gratitude for all that we have.  This year I am thankful that my family and close friends will be together, that I have turned my passion into a sustainable business, for good health, a home I love, the abundance we have in this country, good hair days, The Paradise (who else is watching this?), and Trader Joe's chocolate-covered peppermint cookies.  What are you thankful for?

Wishing each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!  x o

A Trip Down Ruby Lane

 

As promised, I wanted to offer you some very sparkly pieces this week, just in time for those holiday parties!  I don't think I've ever met a rhinestone I didn't like!  Lol!  ;)

 

 

It's also time for me to announce another endeavor I've been working on busily for the past few weeks... I have opened another shoppe on Ruby Lane!  For those of you who may not yet be familiar with this website, please take a look!  It is a collective of sellers, with a strong focus on vintage and antique items, as well as artisan jewelry.  Lots to swoon over!

 

 

I LOVE Etsy and don't plan to leave it any time soon, but after a year of doing this jewelry thing full-time, I feel ready to expand my business and wanted to try an additional avenue for sharing my designs with the public.

 

 

Getting to play with jewels and gems every day is a dream come true, but I will not kid you that making a living on a cottage business is not for the faint of heart.  ;) 

 

 

As we draw closer to year's end, and Thanksgiving, I wish to offer my sincere gratitude to each and every customer, Facebook fan, newsletter subscriber, Pinterest follower, and blog reader who has helped encourage me - or pay my rent - along the way! 

 

 

I am always searching for new ways to develop my craft, update my business, and offer that little something extra special to each of you.  I welcome your suggestions and ideas as I plan and plot a few new things for the coming months.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, and please take a trip down Ruby Lane while you're at it!  ;)

 

All That Glitters

 

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner?  This year is flying by, and there have been lots of changes in my life, but one thing remains constant:  my love of vintage jewelry!  Lol!

 

 

This week I've been inspired by the rich golden hues of autumn and have incorporated lots of gold and warm silvers into the mix.  This gorgeous mourning cameo heart pendant is actually a clay reproduction of an original Victorian gutta percha piece, created by my good friend Danette Darbonne of French Queen's Ransom.  She has this and other fabulous supplies in her shoppe, so please check it out!  Danette was gracious enough to allow me to create a necklace using one of her first castings...

 

 

I am always taken in by pendants featuring historical women, such as Joan of Arc and the Virgin Mary!

 

 

Gold, anyone?  ;)

 

 

Please stay tuned next time for a very sparkly new collection I'm dreaming up, perfect for the holidays, and news of another project I'm working on.  (Fingers crossed that it goes as planned!)  :)  Have a beautiful week, mes amis!  :)

 

Practicing Gratitude

This Thanksgiving I am making an extra special effort to practice gratitude. I have been so fortunate over the past few years to finally be able to pursue something I love doing.

My new life (without the day job) almost seems too good to be true and I don't take it for granted for one minute. This year I especially have much to be thankful for, including but not limited to:

my supportive parents, sister and bro-in-law, and their adorable baby Tilly;

good friends who have either gotten me started on the creative path or pushed me further along by mentoring and providing me with invaluable opportunities;

my cozy apartment and a kind landlord;

good health and the presence of mind to follow my heart;

flea markets;

Pinterest and all the inspirational blogs out there that provide free eye candy, 24 / 7;

and last but not least, all my lovely customers without whom none of this would be possible! You know who you are and I appreciate each and every one of you for allowing me to do what I love. I hope I have brought a few smiles to your lives as well. What are you grateful for?

Now for a bit of a tease... coming next time... my special Christmas collection!

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Holiday Gift Ideas

'Twas the weekend before Thanksgiving, and I've been busy in the studio creating some holiday gift ideas for you and yours.

Here are the first few necklaces I've designed with this magical season in mind, all priced affordably to help make gift giving easier on your stress level, and wallet. ;)

More holiday designs coming soon, including very special meerschaum and relic pendants. Until then, I'm wishing all of you a most Happy Thanksgiving! :)