Strung Out

 

I've been having fun playing with stringing chunky gems mixed with rhinestones.  Here's a quick peek...

 

 

Yummy!  :)

 

 

Please stay tuned next time for some new designs featuring pearls!  Have a wonderful weekend!  :)

 

Ardenwood Farm

 

Last weekend my family and our good friends enjoyed a magical day at Ardenwood Farm in Fremont, California to celebrate their little boy's third birthday.

 

 

This is an historic working farm, built in the late 19th century, now open to the public for picnics and tours.  We ate deli sandwiches and gourmet cupcakes (I'm talking flavours like jalapeno cornbread, French onion soup and strawberry daiquiri!) at this idyllic spot.

 

 

My niece Tilly hadn't had her nap, so she wasn't too impressed with the festivities,

 

 

but the birthday boy had a blast opening his toy garbage truck!

 

 

We saw roosters...

 

 

and peacocks!

 

 

On the lawn of the property's Victorian mansion where the founding family lived is this gazebo, another perfect place to while away a summer afternoon.

 

 

Just look at these pretty ladies dressed all in white!  My mother and I walked over and learned that they are all former docents of the mansion's tour and now get together on weekends to drink tea and play croquet!

 

 

They were so friendly and invited me to join them for a photo.  (Hint:  I'm the one not wearing white!)

 

 

The mansion's exterior...

 

 

Once inside, guests are treated to a 45-minute tour of the interior, which boasts most of its original furnishings, right down to the 1889 toile wallpaper.

 

 

Here our docent is show us a bustle!  (Looks like a beehive to me!)

 

 

This is my mom in her favourite part of any house - the kitchen!

 

 

I loved this grand parlour...

 

 

Dad even enjoyed the tour!

 

 

The whole bunch of us under the gazebo!

 

 

We then walked around the grounds some more and saw goats,

 

 

pigs,

 

 

farmers doing something with hay,

 

 

an exotic bird house,

 

 

and giant sunflowers!

 

 

Refreshed from our day at the farm, I was busy in the studio this week and whipped up a few more pieces for my Etsy shoppe.

 

 

Thank you for visiting Ardenwood Farm with me!  I hope everyone is enjoying their summer weekend!  x o Robyn

 

Keepsakes

 

Happy August, mes amis!  In these last weeks of summer, I have put together some very special pieces to preserve the fond memories of a tropical vacation, long lost love or some keepsakes of faith and devotion. 

 

 

These etched gold-filed heart lockets are just gorgeous in their detail.

 

 

And I've included some handsome men inside!  ;)

 

 

Another lovely heart locket, this one is paired with a vintage prayer card image and text and an old relic.

 

 

I felt so fortunate to find these rare genuine seahorse charms!  These little guys are so cute, all dressed up with their Art Deco rhinestone links!  :)

 

 

Here a beautiful filigree frame pendant houses a vintage prayer card image which I sealed behind resin.  I accented the black and white image with London blue quartz and stacks of chunky aquamarine.

 

 

These antique shell cameos are worthy of being passed down from mother to daughter.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by!  Next time I will be sharing with you a magical day I recently spent with friends and family touring an historic farm!  Enjoy your weekend!  <3 Robyn