Tuesday, February 4, 2014

New Website and Blog Location!

 
 
Bonjour, mes amis!  Today I'm excited to announce that my blog has MOVED to a new website!  The French Circus will now have a one-stop home for my handmade jewelry, supplies, as well as blog updates and tutorials!  This will make it much easier for you to find me in one place, and you can now purchase items directly on a beautiful, simple-to-use format!
 
The new blog location is The French Circus Vintage Jewelry!
 
As I make a bittersweet farewell here on Blogger, I want to thank each and every one of you who have stopped by, left comments, or ordered items from my Etsy shoppes.  (Please note I will remain on Etsy!)  I encourage you to please visit the new site frequently, since I will be making regular blog updates there from now on, and promise to offer more informational posts and tutorials.  In fact, I welcome your ideas and questions and will answer them on the new blog!
 
 

I have had a lovely time here over the past few years and am really looking forward to what the future holds.  Please join me!  x o Robyn
 

Friday, January 31, 2014

Baby, It's Cold Outside

 
You know it's cold outside when even the trees are wearing sweaters!  Actually, we can't complain here in northern California, but I couldn't help but smile (and snap a few pics) when I saw these yarn-bombed trees while lunching downtown with my parents earlier this week.
 
 
Back in my warm and cozy studio, I whipped up a few new necklaces and a pair of earrings now listed in my Etsy shoppe.
 
 
Have a wonderful Superbowl weekend!  x o
 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A Breath of Fresh Air

 
Living in Northern California has its virtues (despite the astronomical price of real estate!), and this time of year is a good reminder.  While many parts of the country are freezing, I've been hearing birds chirping in the early mornings, and a family of deer likes to trot by my dining room window in the sunny afternoons.
 
 
These happenings have really put me in the mood for spring, so this week's designs have a lighter energy, with a nod toward natural and organic imagery, as favoured by the stylings of the Art Nouveau movement in the early part of the 20th century.
 
 
This beautiful medal hangs from a web of crystal bezels.
 
 
 
Rough cut 'robyn's egg' blue amazonite nuggets are juxtaposed against sparkly vintage rhinestones.
 
 
Orchids and calla lilies float among rhinestones, a Victorian shell cameo and citrine in this delicate choker.
 
 
Here I've accented vintage silver medals with pale aqua chalcedony briolettes.
 
 
And finally, this necklace, entitled 'promise of spring' features antique lace and verdigris brass birds set inside a vintage watch case. 
 
 
I hope these designs will put a little 'spring' in your step, regardless of your current weather conditions, with the knowledge that clear skies and bright blooms are just around the corner.  Thank you for stopping by!  :)
 
 


 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Take Heart

 
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I've had hearts and romantic themes on my mind lately.  Here's a quick peek at some of the new items listed in The French Circus this evening.
 
 
Have a love-ly weekend, mes amis!  <3 Robyn
 

Monday, January 13, 2014

Feeding the Geese

 
My parents recently downsized to a new apartment overlooking a small lake.  This weekend we took my niece to feed breadcrumbs to the geese who inhabit the area.
 
 
They all look so graceful on the water,
 
 
but once a few breadcrumbs are dropped, they start waddling over by the dozens!
 
 
Here is a lone mallard duck among the crowd.
 
 
It was such a nice afternoon here in sunny California!  I hope everyone else is thawing out (or cooling off for my friends in Argentina and Australia!) this week.  Thank you so for stopping by.  :)
 

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

I've Got the Blues

 
 
Well, not literally, but have you ever noticed a collection emerge when you weren't looking?  After some lucky visits to the local flea markets recently, it occurred to me that I had been unknowingly gathering up a small ransom of cobalt and aqua blue glass from the 1920s.  I guess I've got the blues after all!  ;)
 
 
Here's a peek at my inadvertent stash, as well as some new pieces that will be coming to my Etsy shoppe this evening.
 
 
 
Thank you for stopping by!  :) Robyn