Cameos and Monuments

Often when I set out to create jewelry, I don't have a particular theme for all the pieces I want to make in a given week. In fact, I try to offer variety in terms of pendants, colour schemes, and vintage details, which can make it difficult to find a cohesive thread for a blog post. As I study the pieces in front of me now, the predominat images that stand out are those of cameos and monuments - Parisian monuments, mais oui! Here, I share with you my most recent designs, which will be listed in my Etsy shoppe over the next few days.



I'm calling this piece 'victorian garden'. I think the floral pendant, tiny bird charm, and silver heart which reads, 'I Love U' are so sweet.





This next necklace, 'french cross', mixes tarnished brass and sterling silver, along with blue stones, for a combination that I think will go perfectly with a pair of faded jeans. Notice the trio of bracelet links featuring Invalides, Notre Dame and l'Arc de Triumph.





Perhaps Paris' most famous monument of all, these earrings pay tribute to none other than the Eiffel Tower. I think the charms dangling in front of the mother of pearl filigree spheres look like the tower is silhouetted against the moon.



Of course I had to thrown in a sterling silver crown for good measure. This double-wrap necklace features lots of freshwater pearls and gemstones, and a length of oxidized sterling chain. A victorian cameo adds a bit of whimsy.





Finally, this vintage pendant, which resembles a scroll, is one of my favourite souvenir pieces ever! I complemented it with ruby glass beads, rhinestones and more monument bracelet links.





As always, thank you for stopping by. Have a great week! :)

Mid-Summer Tea Party

Before summer draws to a close, I wanted to celebrate its bounty at least once more by showcasing some jewelry designs with floral themes and bright jewel tones.

This necklace features a filigree and enamel sunflower pendant which I got from France, complemented by sparkling aquamarine and vintage bracelet links studded with honey-coloured stones.


These sterling silver filigree flowers carry briolettes in green, blue and taupe quartz, and garnets. They remind me of dew drops falling from petals.



I'm not sure if I really want to part with these next beauties! I draped Victorian sterling filigree and shell cameos from vintage chain with garnets on either side.



This next pair of earrings is sure to bring out the Marie Antoinette in anyone! I love the pastel jewels in these mid-century crowns. Formerly clip-ons, I removed the backs and hung them from vintage chain for modern-day comfort.



Here, an early 20th-century locket featuring a hand-painted romantic scene mixes easily with vintage Parisian souvenir bracelet links, rhinestones and pink glass rosary beads.




Finally, a sterling silver Saint Mary pendant hangs from a double-wrap necklace assembled from chunky ruby zircon, rose quartz, wooden and mother of pearl rosary beads, and a few rhinestones sprinkled in for good measure.



All of these new pieces are currently available in my Etsy shoppe. Merci beaucoup for stopping by! :)

Beads and Bags

Do you ever find that you've accidentally acquired a collection? I never set out to hoard vintage beaded clutch purses, but lo and behold, when searching for an evening bag for my recent trip to Las Vegas, I was pleased to discover that I had a nice little assortment from which to choose, just hiding away in my closet. It occurred to me that these would make a fun little photoshoot, so here you are, mes amies, along with a couple of new necklaces currently available in my Etsy shoppe.












Well, I think that's enough bling for one day. Have a dazzling week! :)

Come Fly With Me

I've had a very busy week, just having returned from Las Vegas for a three-day business symposium. Most of the seminars I attended were motivational in nature and I feel encouraged to dream bigger in both my 'day' job and jewelry business.


The keynote speaker on opening day was none other than Stedman Graham. His story of finding his own identity in the face of prejudice and his relationship with a very famous woman (hint: starts with an 'O') was powerful and I was compelled to buy his book, You Can Make it Happen, which earned me the privilege of meeting him at the book signing afterward! A former basketball player, he sure is tall!

Between this trip and my upcoming holiday in Paris, I guess I've had travel and flight on my mind, both literally and figuratively. I started thinking about what 'flight' means and came to the conclusion that is the ultimate feeling of liberation. To soar, glide, reach heightened goals, explore, go on an adventure, experience freedom. So, with this idea in mind, I've created three new necklaces, two of which feature birds, and the other a compass. Come fly with me, won't you?



OK, I know chickens don't fly, but you get the idea:
















What does 'flight' mean to you?