Springtime Luncheon

This past weekend I showed my jewelry at a middle school PTA fund-raising luncheon. In the school's library, round dining tables were decked out in various themes by participating moms, including 'Flea Market Chic', 'Eggstravaganza', 'Giants' (we are near San Francisco, after all!), 'Sweet Shoppe' and, bien sur, 'Springtime in Paris'. Here are a few photos of some of my favourite table top displays: < Back in the studio, I've been busy dreaming up some springtime themes myself, including working with some beautiful and very old pendants... an Art Nouveau repousse dance card book, camphor glass basket, lithograph portrait, and a remarkable hand-embroidered heart-shaped scapular, likely from the late 19th century. Thank you so much for stopping by! Here's wishing everyone a happy weekend filled with spring-like weather! :)

The Classics

Bonjour, mes amis! I've been busy in the studio this week, refreshing my Etsy shoppe inventory, as well as getting some items ready to ship off to a new account in New Orleans I just acquired! I've kept the new pieces true blue, with classic themes such as a cameo, vintage mourning brooch, Virgin Mary prayer card locket and, bien sur, Joan of Arc, a fleur de lis and Eiffel Tower! Isn't this antique enamel violin adorable? I hope you've enjoyed these classics with me! Have a beautiful week (with longer days)! Yay! :)

Tribute to Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria, whose reign defines the Victorian era, was born in 1819. She was crowned in 1837 and married her first cousin, Prince Albert, three years later. The couple had nine children before Albert died in 1861, throwing the queen into a long period of mourning. We often think of her as a somber woman, dressed in black, and who popularized mourning jewelry, still associated with Victorian times. Upon her own death in 1901, the era came to a close, but its history, traditions and beautifully detailed fashions, furniture, and of course jewelry live on. Won't you please join me in paying tribute to this special lady? God save the queen!