On the Dark Side

 

Happy Autumn, mes amis!  With October just around the corner, this week I wanted to feature some slightly darker, more macabre themes in the way of antique mourning jewelry.

 

I've been playing with Victorian photo brooches and cameo lockets, as well vintage black rosaries and deeper stone colours.  I love the sapphire-coloured rhinestones below.

 

This antique pendant is made of gutta percha, often used for mourning jewelry in the late 1800s / early 1900s.

 

Here, an old cameo locket is filled with an original photograph and lock of braided hair!

 

This old swivel brooch features images of well-coiffed women on both sides - possibly sisters.

 

These cameo earrings get dressed up with Art Deco rhinestone drops.

 

Another century-old photo brooch takes center stage in this whimsical bracelet.

 

And for something a little more delicate, these sterling silver orchid earrings are perfect for that transition from summer into fall.

 

Thank you for stopping by and indulging my 'dark side'!  I will be back soon with some pre-Christmas holiday designs!  :)

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! :)