And the Winner is...

Just a quick note, as promised, to announce the winner of my Valentine earring give-away drawing. Let me first thank each and every one of you who participated by either sharing my blog with a loved one and / or ordering my jewelry during the contest period. I put all of your names into a 'hat' (OK, it was a cereal bowl), closed my eyes, and the winner is... (drumroll)... Melissa Pepple! Congratulations, Melissa! Please send me your mailing address to either frenchcircus@gmail.com, or through a private Facebook message and I will send the earrings right off to you.

Thank you again, everyone! <3 Robyn

Be My Valentine

One of my favourite holidays has always been Valentine's Day with its pretty colour palette, romantic imagery and... chocolate! :) Fortunately, as a jewelry designer, I get to start celebrating early by dreaming up some Valentine-themed pieces, now on offer to you in my Etsy shoppe.

These simply sweet bronze cherub earrings feature gorgeous faceted ruby briolettes and the most delicate chains.

I was delighted when I found this vintage sterling silver Reed and Barton heart pendant, still in its original 1950s box and felt pouch at the flea market last weekend!

It makes for a show-stopper of a passionate necklace, accented with sterling floral and rhinestone bracelet links, garnets, rubelite, rock crystal and book chain.

And now for the softer side of romance, this sweet mother of pearl and pink opal confection will take you from a winter white wardrobe straight through to summer.

Mmm... candy! ;)

This pair of glass French lithograph earrings is going to be really hard to part with! I just love the soft blues in the portraits and tried to echo the shade with heavenly faceted aqua chalcedony briolettes. (Swoon.)

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for... (obligatory drumroll)... I invite you to be my Valentine with my new give-away! One lucky winner will receive the double heart and ruby hoop earrings below!

All you have to do to enter is share my blog with someone you love (and whom you think might love The French Circus) by February 5! Then please comment here and tell me who you chose and why you love them. (Example: 'My Aunt Sally because she makes the best oatmeal cookies.') The winner will be drawn at random and announced no later than February 7. Easy, peasy! ;)

While we're sharing the love, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the new readers I've been seeing recently, as well as those who are following and re-pinning my designs on Pinterest and have become Facebook fans. Not to mention those who have ordered my jewelry! All of you are helping to make my dreams come true and I couldn't have this life without you! In a sense, you are all my Valentines! Good luck to everyone who particpates in the give-away! <3 Robyn

In the Boudoir

The recent Downton Abbey frenzy has got me thinking a lot about how much time and care women used to spend getting dressed each day, often several times a day to accomodate different activities.

I've also been pondering the life of those people behind the glamorous scenes, from a couturier at the finest fashion house in Paris, to a private lady's maid, like the sweet Anna or conniving O'Brien.

These necklaces pay homage to all such women, and the preparation that goes on in the boudoir...

from the simple mending of a button,

to creating the latest coiffure, and all without the modern technology we rely on today.

Thank you for stopping by and please stay tuned next time when I announce my upcoming give-away! :)

Tough and Tender

This year, rather than making strict resolutions with myself, I've decided to actually have more fun! I know that sounds counter-productive, but when your trade is to be creative, it kind of starts to make sense.

Right now I'm embracing the idea of incorporating more 'found' objects into my jewelry, such as the scapular earrings that sold in about five minutes last week. I'm loving the juxtaposition of tough and tender, rough and shiny.

This double cross necklace mixes some old military badge findings (marking the hours of time invested) with rhinestones and sparkling clear glass and mother of pearl rosary beads.

These Joan of Arc tribute earrings also remind me that as women may be sweet and tender on the outside, but often must have a warrior's resolve on the inside to get through life's challenges.

Finally, this bracelet calls to mind the story of a captain's daughter; I imagine a young girl carrying her father's pocket watch while he is away at sea. I love the slight edge the antique leather watch strap gives this lovely repousse cameo buckle.

Well, that's it for today, but please stay tuned for a give-away coming up soon. I'm so happy to see many new followers (thanks to Pinterest!) and would like to show my gratitude by offering a little prize. Happy New Year, mes amis! :)

Freedom!

This weekend I have four reasons to celebrate! Of course, we're all enjoying America's Independence Day.


It's also my one-year Etsyversary! Starting my own jewelry business has given me the freedom to balance my work schedule and be creative in a way I've never known before. I wanted all my friends and customers to enjoy a piece of the 'gateaux' so to speak, by offering 10% off all items in my shoppe through Monday.


I'm also on vacation from my 'day job' this week! (More freedom!) Along with visiting a local museum, spending time with friends and family, and hopefully squeezing in Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris', I plan to make lots of new jewelry!


And finally my fourth reason to celebrate is that I'm announcing the winner of these earrings! The lucky gal is Susanne! Please send me your address so I can ship these lovelies off to you right away! Many, many thanks to all of you who left comments (even those on Facebook - I know Blogger can be tricky sometimes) - your support really means a lot to me.


So Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! Let freedom ring!

Sunday Offerings

Bonjour, mes amis! I hope you're all enjoying as lovely a Sunday afternoon as we're having in the Bay Area! Just a short post today to show you some new things just listed in my Etsy shoppe.

This necklace is called 'vive la france' because it proudly features a sterling silver fleur de lis pendant, vintage cameo, Notre Dame souvenir bracelet link, and all the delicous colours of France.


And I'm calling this versatile little number 'fragments' since it's made from fragments of several vintage rosaries and chains.


'fragments' can be worn doubled or tripled and looks great layered with other pieces.






But, of course my favourite kind of Sunday, er sundae, would be that of the frozen yogurt variety:



Please also remember to leave a comment telling me what you'd like to see more of on the blog (or in jewelry designs) for an entry to win these earrings. I will draw a name at random to be announced on July 4. :)