Gift Ideas from Around the World

 

One of the many things I love about Etsy is that you can find and purchase artisan and vintage items from around the world with the click of a few buttons.  While recently feeding my craving for all things lilac, I stumbled upon these goodies that were too beautiful not to share.

 

Above:  felted acorns by Fairyfolk, made in California.

 

 

 

Above:  felted owl ornament by Naughty Pig Studios, Illinois.

 

Below:  woodland hair wreath by my dear friend Coralie of Velvet Teacup, Australia.

 

 

Above:  lavender heart sachets by Handy Happy Hearts, Ukraine.

 

Below:  small clay bowl by Jo Patton Pottery, Canada.

 

 

Above:  paper mulberry flowers by butterflies661, Thailand.

 

Below:  Union Jack heart ornament by Apple Door Studios, United Kingdom.

 

 

 

Above:  lilac soap by Sweet Pea in Winter, Ohio.

 

Below:  wrap it all up with vintage lilac seam binding from Fini Ribbon, USA.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this sampler of gifts from around the world.  Please stay tuned for some new jewelry designs of my own coming later this week!  x o Robyn

Holiday Chic

 

When my good friend Sharon recently sent me a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble, I ran right out and got the new Rachel Ashwell book, 'Couture Prairie and Flea Market Treasures'.  A long time fan of the queen of Shabby Chic, I never miss one of her books and this volume does not disappoint!  My heart nearly skipped a beat as I turned each glorious page!

 

Filled with her usual vintage romantic prettiness, soft pastels and chippy furniture, but this time mixed with a nod to the Texas cowboy culture including rough barn wood and antlers on the walls, it was just the inspiration I needed to dream up some new holiday chic designs!

 

I took a cue from Rachel while at a local gem show last weekend, and stocked up on a winter palette of stones in lavenders, blues, silvers and a hint of red.

 

 

Rachel reminded me to always juxtapose a little sparkle against more somber elements,

 

 

that the classics never go out of style,

 

 

and that I still swoon over dainty florals.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, and a special thanks to Rachel Ashwell for providing me decades of design fantasies.  x o

 

Fun with Briolettes

 

Happy November, mes amis!  With only 52 more shopping days before Christmas, I've been busy in the studio, stocking up both The French Circus and The Paris Carousel with holiday goodies. 

 

 

I had a particularly good time this week playing with briolettes... those little teardrop-shaped gemstones that drip with colour and luxury when added to earrings and even necklaces.

 

 

Here little bundles of brios punctuate a classic cameo piece...

 

 

... and I've created hoops of briolettes in some new earrings, just listed this evening.

 

 

Emeralds, pyrite and quartz... oh my!  ;)

 

 

If I could own just one pair of earrings this holiday season, it would be these!  Victorian shell cameos, vintage rhinestone dress clips, rubies and garnets.  Need I say more?  ;)

 

 

Thank you for stopping by!  Have a beautiful week!  <3 Robyn

 

Very Special Pieces

 

In anticipation of the holidays, I've been playing with some very special pieces this week... pendants I'd been collecting for a few years and have finally wanted to share this season.

 

 

I found this antique St. Vincent de Paul relic at a Paris flea market... I'll never forget haggling with the old woman who sold it to me.  She wouldn't budge on the price - ha, ha!

 

 

I created this next pendant by assembling a vintage Sacred Heart scapular inside a rhinestone frame, then backing it with an old tintype of a bearded man.

 

 

This carved bone piece, formerly a brooch, is really gorgeous and unique!  Perfect for anyone who loves nature!

 

 

Victorian love knots carry glass cameos in these one-of-a-kind beauties...

 

 

And finally, this necklace features a hand-painted portrait brooch of the Virgin Mary, set in a silver and turquoise filigree frame.  I hung her from layers of gemstones, mother of pearl rosary beads and crystal bezel chain.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, mes amis!  I'll be back soon with more holiday gift ideas!  :)