Free Styling

 

With summer in full swing, I took a little break from blogging last week and spent a bit of extra time with family.  I also enjoyed a (rainy!) Sunday at the flea market hunting for interesting new treasures to play with.  This week I offer you some 'free styling' designs... no particular theme, just some newfound (old) objects upcycled into jewelry that I hope will make you smile.  :)

 

These 'roman chandelier' earrings were quickly snatched up by a local friend of mine!  ;)

 

 

Silver plated sacred heart charms accent vintage rhinestones in these 'corazon' earrings.

 

 

On reserve for a good customer is this vintage prayer card necklace, which I named 'the gift' specifically for her.  ;)

 

 

I just love this vintage Notre Dame brooch I got from a European dealer; I knew it would make the perfect centerpiece for a bracelet when I saw it!

 

 

I designed this tribute to the Arc de Triumph to be worn several different ways, with a removable pendant that can be attached at various points of the necklace, or removed altogether.

 

 

Looove this antique watch chain and its tassel fob!

 

 

And now for some more earrings...!

 

 

Simple yet elegant rhinestone drops.

 

 

A black and white vintage cameo locket with velvet and an old tintype inside reeks of dark sophistication.

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed 'free styling' with me today!  Now it's back to the drawing board to dream up some new ideas for next time... x o

 

Market de Mayo

Hola!  I hope everyone had a fun and safe Cinco de Mayo!  As for me, I was at the flea market bright and early this morning, or not so bright as the case was.  Our bay area weather brought lots of chilly wind and by 11:00 it started raining, so that's when I gave up and ran to the car.  I had planned to take photos at the market for all of you, but it was too grey and the wind kept blowing my hair into the camera lens (and my lipgloss), so I will try again next time.  I did manage to find lots of treasure in a few short hours, and wanted to at least show you my loot.  Now don't worry; I will be listing many of these pieces in The Paris Carousel over next few days, so please stop by!

 

 

 

 

 

(Check out my new boyfriend...)

  

 

Handsome devil!  ;)

 

 

I also managed to whip up a few new necklaces in time for last-minute Mother's Day shopping...

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, mis amigos!  :)

 

 

All in a Day's Work

 

One of the best parts of my job is that I get to go shopping for antiques at least once a month! Sometimes I feel like the guys from American Pickers (love that show!), but of course I look for Victorian lockets, rhinestone bracelets and enamel earrings, rather than the rusy car parts they're into

(mantiques).
 

 

It was a cloudy morning at the flea market today, so I didn't even try to get any photos while I was there, but here's the loot I took home with me. ;)
 

 

 

Not too bad for a day's work, eh? Now the real fun comes in repurposing all of it! If you see anything you like, please let me know and I'm always happy to take a custom request, and some of it will be listed in The Paris Carousel for your own designs. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch the season premier of Mad Men! Martini, anyone? ;)

 

December Palette

I am always looking for creative inspiration, and the holiday season is no exception. As many of you know, I'm generally drawn to soft, cool colours, and yesterday while at the flea market, I thought I would take my cue from some beautiful displays featuring Christmas ornaments and accessories. I thought you might enjoy seeing what influences my current colour palette...

minty greens and sugary whites,

faded gold,

glittering silver,

baby blue,

and, of course, candy pink!

I especially love mixing these pastels with a dose of sepia, to cut the sweetness with a little bit of edge. I was in heaven when I saw this pile of Victorian holiday postcards, each shimmering in its own cellophane envelope.

I then like to translate my colour influences into gemstones and metals. These yummy rocks arrived in my mailbox today from India... moonstone, pink quartz, rubies, labradorite and pink opal. Like an artist with her paints, these will inform my palette as I dream up new designs.

And speaking of designs, here's what I've been up to the past week...

Did you recognize my colour influences put to use?

What are your favourite colours or gems? I'd love to hear from you, and am always happy to take custom orders if you have something special in mind. Have a beautiful week, mes amis! <3