Flea Market Adventures

I was able to snatch a few hours this weekend and visit one of my favorite flea markets. I hadn’t been in awhile and I was a little shocked by the abundance of merchandise to choose from. Usually I have a hard time finding the items on my list, but not this weekend. Everywhere I looked were piles of treasures! And that’s a good thing…and a bad thing.

Our flea market has a field where people can drive in and sell their stuff…sort of like a garage sale without the garage. In the past, this part of the field had only a few rows of drive-in vendors. But this weekend the field was FULL…at first, I was really excited…whooo hooooo….more stuff!!! But as I walked the rows, it became a little sad. I realized that so many vendors were there because the economy is so bad. There were so many first time sellers and many of them had real treasures…things you could tell they had loved and collected over the years. And now, here they were selling their items not because they wanted to, but because they HAD too.

Here is a perfect example of what I mean… I have been searching for months for a working vintage clock. The ones I had been finding were running $65 and up, and most of them did not work.

I saw this little clock sitting by a ladies car. I loved the floral bouquet on it and it was working!!! When I asked her the price, she said $5 and I know I gave her a shocked look. All at once my mind was thinking…WOW you can buy this! Where am I going to put it? The studio or bathroom…or perhaps the kitchen….and then before I could answer YES…SOLD!!….I’LL TAKE IT, she jumped in and said…I’ll make that $4. For that split second or so that my mind was spinning about the $5 dollar price….she jumped in and lowered the price!!! I was not trying to get her to take LESS money….it was NOT a bargaining technique. So I reached in my pocket, paid for the clock and walked away a bit dazed. So now I am feeling very happy about my $4 find but also a little sad that she sold it for so little. Do you ever feel guilty about any of your best deals???

I also usually have a hard time finding the vintage rhinestone pieces I like to purchase. And if I do find them, they can be very pricey. But this weekend, it looked like so many folks unloaded their jewelry boxes. I found TONS of sparkling jewels. I really had to restrain myself, but I did manage to come home with a bag full of these….

Most of these will be used to make my jeweled picture frames, like here. And the more perfect pieces will be worked into my jewelry designs.

So I guess I did my part for economic recovery this weekend. I hope your weekend was filled with beauty and treasures too!

Jewelry Fit For A Queen

One thing I love to do is research jewelry. Especially the history of jewelry during the Victorian era and also the history of jewelry {and tiara’s} worn by Queens throughout the centuries.

I just have to share with you a pair of earrings I recently won on auction…

These sparkling beauties are to die for! Too bad they are not the real deal. If they were, I would NOT be blogging to you right now because I’d be rich enough to be living in a European castle somewhere. These are reproductions of a pair of earrings owned by Marie Antoinette! The originals are on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution and reproductions of these earrings were produced to celebrate a Marie Antoinette exhibit in the mid-90’s. These copies are no longer available in the museum catalog, which is why I was so tickled to win them on auction.

These earrings were a gift from her husband, King Louis XVI and they were reported to be her favorites and she wore them often. Now, I on the other hand, cannot imagine wearing them often. The center stones are very large, approx. 20 carats each. I just can’t imagine strolling the aisles of my local grocery store decked out in these sparklers….although don’t put it past me! Right now, I think they’d be cute with skinny jeans, crisp white shirt and strappy high heels. Now that would be a sassy look!

The history is interesting on these earrings too. When the royal family was arrested trying to flee the revolution, a box of royal jewels was confiscated. Many of the jewels disappeared after that. The earrings were later acquired by the Grand Duchess Tatiana of Russia and stayed with her family until 1928. They were then purchased by the jewel house, Cartier and sold to the American heiress, Marjorie Merriweather Post (of the Post cereal family). Her daughter donated the earrings to the Smithsonian in 1964.


Here’s another set of reproduction jewelry I that wear pretty often….

This necklace and earring set was designed after the jewelry Princess Diana wore on her wedding day. Her actual set was larger, with more layers of jewels. This set represents the center design from her necklace and earrings. This jewelry is officially produced and authenticated by her family.

Several years ago, my mom and I attended the traveling Diana Celebration Exhibit that her family produces for her charity foundation.

We saw so many of her dresses up close. We were so close to her beautiful clothes that you could see actual stitches!

It was a little sad to see her beautiful wedding dress, especially since we all know how the fairy tale ended.

Here are photos from the exhibit catalog of the jewelry I purchased.

You can still purchase this jewelry from the official exhibit site. Here is a link: Diana Celebration

Thank you so much for coming along to play in my jewelry box! I wish you all were here right now so we could take turns wearing Marie's earrings! Now just where did I put my tiara?????

Preserving The Past

I want to share a custom order project with you that I just completed!

My sweet customer, Laura, contacted me about this pillowcase that her aunt found when cleaning out a closet. This pillowcase belonged to her GREAT-Grandmother. It’s completely handmade with a delicate Irish lace trim. The case was in very poor shape with stains that could not be removed and sections of torn lace. Unable to use this treasure in the way it was intended, she commissioned me to create jewelry using the lace edging. These jewels will be Christmas gifts for her aunt and her daughters.

I think this is such a lovely way to take a broken or unusable treasure from the past (often buried in the back of a drawer or closet) and create something new from it, so it can be worn and loved in a new way. Here is a photo of the jewelry I created for Laura…..

The lace was handmade and so very delicate. As I snipped the lace to fit between the glass, I had to be so careful because the stitches wanted to unravel into a mess of threads. I designed the necklaces so that some of the pillow edge showed. There are very tiny stitches along the edge where the case was sewn and I wanted to feature as much of the pillowcase as possible. These pieces are more beautiful in person. It’s so hard to capture the tiny details with a camera.


I hope Laura and her family will enjoy this jewelry as much as I enjoyed creating these special pieces for her!

A Little Gift For You....

I was playing around on the computer today and created this button for my blog sidebar to show my love for all things Marie Antoinette.

I know there are many Marie lovers out there in blog land, so please feel free to take a copy of this graphic to add on your side bar too!! It does NOT link back to me or to any special event. It’s just a little graphic to share the love!! Enjoy!

P.S. ~ And for extra fun, please do a post like this one, on YOUR blog inviting your visitors to take a copy too! I would love to see Marie take a trip around the world!

Scenting Your Home – Almost For Free!!

How many of you adore scented candles and home fragrance? I love scenting our home, especially with scents that represent the season. I use jar candles and warmers, reed diffusers, tart warmers, votives and even a night-light that has a hidden well to hold scented oil.

In my kitchen I particularly love the scents of autumn….pumpkin pie, cinnamon and apples, being among my favorites. I really like to melt “tarts” and always seem to have one burning. But between purchasing tarts and the votive candles needed for the warmer, I was spending a small fortune. They say necessity is the mother of invention and this week I discovered how true that statement is!

While reorganizing a cabinet I came across the “Little Dipper” by Rival. I got this as a free gift when I purchased a new Rival crock-pot. It’s like a mini crock-pot that you use to keep dips and sauces warm. A light clicked in my brain with an idea….huummmmm…I wonder if I could use this to scent the kitchen in a new way???

I put it on the counter and added two cups of water, which filled it up. I then opened my spice cabinet and starting adding teaspoons of my favorite spices…..in went cinnamon, orange peel, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, bay leaves, all spice and even a teaspoon of vanilla!

I plugged in the Little Dipper and before long my kitchen had the most wonderful scent…almost like I had been baking pumpkin and apple pies all day!!! Since it is a low watt warmer, I leave it plugged in all day. So far, it’s been scenting my kitchen for over a week and all I’ve had to do is add a little water to it each day to account for what has evaporated.

The only expense is a little bit of spice which most of us already have in our cabinets. I’m sure that other spices would make interesting combinations too. I think I’ll save a fortune in scented candles!! And for the price of one of those expensive jar candles, you could purchase this Little Dipper and scent your kitchen forever with what’s in your spice cabinet! But shhhhhh……don’t let Yankee Candle know about this little secret!!!

Vizcaya - Part 2

Here we are on the final stop of our tour of Vizcaya. It was late in the afternoon when Mr. Cupid and I arrived in these gardens. I had already walked MILES by this point and my fashion shoes were begging for a break (my husband can’t understand why I won’t wear sneakers when we travel….I will only consider that if we happen to be visiting a tennis court…until then, fashion shoes rule because sneakers ruin my cute outfits!)

The gardens represented a beautiful example of classical European landscaping planted in a tropical climate.

There were plenty of stones, statues and water features consisting of fountains, pools and cascades, with plenty of greenery all around.

This is a partial view of the back of the house. Can you imagine a beautiful wedding here?

Don't you feel like you are visiting an old European Estate???

I loved this old statue! Poor thing, she has a broken arm and is all pink because of the weather and she is showing her age....I could only hope to look so good after being around for hundreds of years! No Botox here!!!

I hope you enjoyed our visit to Vizcaya. It was really a lovely surprise to visit this estate and if you have a chance to visit this beautiful museum home, please plan a visit. I promise you won’t be disappointed!! Thanks for coming along with the tour!

A Tour of Vizcaya - Part I

I’d like to take you with me to visit the beautiful historic mansion, Vizcaya, that we toured last week in Miami! Put your comfy shoes on because it's a BIG house.....

This is a great old postcard image of Vizcaya, which was built between 1914-1916 by James Derring, as his winter home. Mr. Derrings family business was International Harvester. The home was designed as a centuries old Italian Renaissance villa and is full of the most amazing, museum worthy antiques.

Unfortunately, they do not allow photographs, so I can only share these photos with you from their website. I was able to photograph the beautiful gardens and I will share those photos with you later in the week. But right now, lets go inside for a peek!

THE ENTRANCE LOGGIA - As a guest, the butler would have greeted you here, surrounded by 2nd century marble statues and Roman designed marble floors.

THE EAST LOGGIA - This beautiful open-air loggia overlooks the water at the back of the house.

THE RECEPTION ROOM - This was my favorite room! The picture does not do it justice because it is full of 18th century French furniture and silk panels on the walls. Designed in the French Rococo style, the room also has a gorgeous tinted plaster ceiling from a palace in Venice.

THE MUSIC ROOM - Decorated in an Italian Rococo style, this room features an antique harpsichord, which is signed and dated circa 1619, and it still works!

THE BANQUET HALL - This room was designed in the Italian Renaissance style with 16th century wall tapestries that were once owned by the poets Robert & Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The dining room chairs are 17th century carved and inlaid.

MAIN STAIRWAY – This stairway is located in the open-air courtyard in the center of the house. This stairway takes you to the 2nd floor bedrooms and living areas

THE CATHAY ROOM - A beautiful and sunny room filled with 18th century Italian furniture and wall silks. Silent movie queen Lillian Gish used this room in 1917.

THE ESPAGNOLETTE GUEST BEDROOM - This room was designed and named after a decorative motif taken from ladies lace collars and includes 18th century French and Italian furnishings.


It was a real treat to wander around this museum house. To be so close to such priceless treasures from the past was a chance one does not often have when touring museums. If you visit the Miami area, I would highly recommend a visit.

Please come back later this week to visit the gardens of Vizcaya with me!

Come With Me To The Soiree!

Please come with me to the BEAUTIFUL blog of Gabriela Delworth as she hosts her Soiree Party Crowns, Gallery Tour and Giveaway this week!

Gabriela is a very talented designer who can be found in media & print and will also be on HGTV this fall. She designs the most beautiful party crowns and tiaras, handmade paper cards, murals & decorative accents and more. I am a big fan of her work and the two of us share a love for all things Marie Antoinette.

Gabriela’s tour starts at Le Chateau de Versailles, right at the front gate of the Petit Trianon. I am sure you will have a wonderful visit. Click HERE to go to the party. But WAIT!!!!

Before you go, to set the mood, please enjoy this quick video “Versailles – A Journey with Marie Antoinette” And turn up the volume on your computer to fall in love with the beautiful and haunting music, “Tristes apprets pales flambeaux” by Jean-Philippe Rameau. To see the inside of Versailles is my dream. I was an Architect and Interior Design major in college and my eyes go right to the crown moldings, floors, paintings, fabrics and design details. My heart aches to go France and spend time at Versailles in person. It is my greatest wish, but until then, I’ll enjoy this video right along with you, Mes Amis!!

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO!

A Quick Trip and A Little Inspiration Too!

Mr. Cupid and I just returned from a quick trip to Miami and South Beach. My hubby attended a planning conference (he’s a City Planner) and I was lucky enough to tag along. We were worried a bit with the possibility of Hurricane Ike coming to visit since Miami and the Keys were close to initial projected paths for the storm.

Here is the view from our room the day we arrived…

And here is the same view the day Hurricane Ike passed several hundred miles away from us.

We experienced wind and rain for most of one day and had to stay put in the hotel. All in all, our prayers were answered for having the storm avoid us and now our prayers go out to all those affected in Texas and Gulf area.

Once the storm passed, we enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere of South Beach and also downtown Miami each evening.

I discovered a couple of new favorite things that I thought I would share with you!!! The tropical climate in Miami really makes for enjoying a cold cocktail at night while dining outside. This is a Lemon Drop Martini with a Sugared Rim. I think this drink was on Oprah’s Favorite list not too long ago. I am not a Martini gal, but I liked this drink!

I also purchased this great CD at Barnes and Nobel. For those of you who like nice background music while you work or relax, you might enjoy this too.

While my husband was busy during the day with his conference, I used this time to sit down, undistracted, and start designing new jewelry. I camped out in our room with piles of books, vintage pictures and my sketch books. I was able to almost completely fill one book with new ideas!

I am back in the studio now, finishing a few orders and starting to work on my new ideas. As an artist, I find that sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone is all you need to recharge your batteries and give a fresh energy to your work. Stay tuned!

Oh...please come back to visit my blog later this week. I was able to tour this historic Miami waterfront mansion and I'd like to take you along with me! Have a beautiful and inspiring week!

Grateful

Dearest Friends,
My heart if overflowing with gratitude and sincere thanks for all the orders and wonderful comments I received this weekend about my 2 year website anniversary!

I was in the studio this morning at 5:30 am…. me, a large pot of coffee and one very confused little dog, putting shipments together. The orders above were just the FIRST group leaving in the mornings mail… anybody see their name on a package? : )

I received so many orders this weekend that most of my website inventory is gone….POOF! For now, I’ve decided to focus on a number of large custom orders I am working on and also restocking my website. I am going to take a little “blog break” while I complete this work, so please come back to visit on Monday, September 15. Until then, THANK YOU my dear ones for your kindness. It means to world to me!!