Exciting News!

A HUGE dream has come true for me…to appear within the pages of my #1 fav magazine, Romantic Homes! You can find me in the ultra-romantic, February 2010 issue, which is just now hitting newsstands everywhere.

Several months ago, I received an email from Jacqueline deMontravel, the delightful editor of Romantic Homes, informing me that they wanted to include my blog in their Sites We Are Loving section. When I saw her email in my inbox, I knew immediately who she was and my heart has not stopped beating with excitement since! I’ve been jumping around like a girl with ants in her pants, wanting to share this joyful news, but I dared not until I had the actual issue in hand.

I am truly grateful, honored…and a little astounded, that I was even on their radar. Sharing this blog with you has really brought a lot of joy and gratitude into my life. Thank you to everyone who comes by to visit, whether you leave a comment or not, your interest and friendship here on this little blog means so much to me. And thank you Jacqueline for including me in what I consider one of the most beautiful and inspiring magazines out there! Merci xo ~ Joy

The Christmas Eve Package

A package came on Christmas Eve. A package from France. Can you guess how big my smile was when I saw it peeping at me from inside our mailbox?

A whole package full of beautiful vintage and antique lace, ribbon and trim, personally gathered by sweet Corey during her various brocante adventures throughout France.

I’ve been counting the days since I placed my request with her for these special notions and how special it was to receive them on Christmas Eve….proof that there really is a Santa Claus…or should I say Papa Noel?

I carefully placed the bundles of lace, the yards of ribbon in fanciful Marie Antoinette colors and cards of elegant trim, inside a favorite box in my studio. And I swear, I can hear them whispering to me…in French….calling out to me to create something wonderful and romantic with them…just in time for Valentines Day….and so, the creation process begins…..

Soldered Charms & Jewelry 2010 Workshops

Would you like to learn to make soldered charms and jewelry?

I’ve just scheduled a number of classes through April 2010 ~ all to be held at Grand Central Stained Glass & Graphics, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

I’ve added several new classes that include making Broken China Jewelry, Salvaged & Soldered Jewelry and a fun Vintage Lace & Antique Papers Jewelry class. All the classes are great for beginners and also fun for those who already know how to solder.

I would love to meet you! So find a class that interests you, make your reservation and come on down to warm, sunny Florida and let’s spend the day together making sparkling jewelry!

Click HERE for class schedules and more info.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a beautiful Christmas

filled with peace, love, joy

and an abundance of sparkle.

~ xo Joy ~

Easy Buckeyes in the Pan!

One of my favorite holiday treats when growing up was the yummy goodness of a Buckeye - those chocolate covered peanut butter balls that tasted like a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup but they took Mom forever to make. Rolling all those little balls by hand and then dipping each one, with a toothpick, into a vat of melted chocolate and paraffin wax.

Although I loved the taste, I thought they were too much trouble to deal with during the busy holiday season…until I came across this recipe in our local newspaper and knew I had to give it a try.

Hallelujah!!! Buckeyes are back in my life!! It’s been years since I’ve had one of my mothers Buckeyes, so tasting this delicious treat brought back a flood of memories. This recipe tastes great and making it in a pan makes it super easy and fast to whip up…


Buckeyes In The Pan

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar

For the top layer:
1 bag (12 oz size) semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoons vegetable oil


Mix the softened butter with the peanut butter until creamy. Add graham cracker crumbs and confectioners’ sugar. Combine well then pat into a 9 x 13-inch pan.

Melt the chocolate chips over low heat with 6 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Pour over top of peanut butter mix and refrigerate until set.

* Makes about 35 squares.

A Fun Artbeads Project!

I am very happy to be part of the blogging team for Artbeads.com and every now and then, I am invited to create beaded jewelry using their products and also provide a review of the components I’ve used. I was recently invited to select a number of Cubic Zirconia beads and I was intrigued because I had never worked with these beads before.

I selected a number of pretty colors and cuts with the idea of making simple beaded earrings. I am an earring gal and love to wear dangly beaded earrings…everyday!

When the beads arrived I was really impressed with the crisp facets on the beads.

I loved the Rectangle CZ Beads! The beads are cut like precious stones and it really releases the sparkle. They really do have the appearance of genuine stones!

I thought the Oval CZ beads were very elegant. The unique shape and also the color of the beads are truly lovely and I was really impressed with the quality. I added CZ Bezel Set drops to the bottom for a little extra sparkle and they really catch the light!

I liked working with these beads so much that I plan to incorporate these pretties into my line.

The Round CZ beads were just as lovely. The facets on the beads add a little more twinkle than your typical plain, round, crystal bead.

I had so much fun making these earrings that I was inspired to continue and create a number of pairs to add to the shop. It’s been awhile since I’ve had earrings available so please check back over the next week or so.

I think my favorite beads were the Square Cushion Cut CZ beads! I love the unique shape of these beads....like little sparkling pillows! I was also impressed with the quality of the Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Ear wires and plan to included these in my line as well.


If you are a beader and enjoy creating jewelry too, please visit Artbeads.com because they have hundreds of different Cubic Zirconia elements to choose from. You are sure to find something to add a little sparkle to your beading projects!

And best of all, Artbeads.com is offering a 10% Share the Savings card for my blog readers! It’s good through the end of the year and does not require any minimum purchase. Just enter coupon code SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424. There is also free shipping in the US and $1 shipping to Canada.


FTC Disclaimer: I received the Cubic Zirconia products free of charge from Artbeads.com in exchange for an honest opinion and review of these products. I was not paid nor did I receive any additional compensation for any endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

A Thoughtful Surprise….

I wanted to share with you this lovely surprise I received in the mail from one of my sweet customers!

I’ve been working with Sherry Simmons over the last couple of months, creating custom jewelry pieces for her holiday gift giving, and she has just been such a doll to work with. This has to be one of my favorite reasons for doing what I do… the connections I make through my website and blog have been so meaningful for me.

Sherry is a talented crafter who enjoys crafting from the heart. She created this little book as a surprise for me....

Each page is crafted by hand and included folded pockets where she hid little trinkets.

The attached ribbons, trims and glittered pages added to the beauty of each page…

As I flipped through the book and discovered each treasure, I couldn’t help but let out a few oooohhhhs and aaahhhhhhs!!!!!!




…and Marie Antoinette was all through this little book!





…just look at the pretty details! I felt the love with the turn of each page...

It was so easy to see how she created each page with me in mind.

What a special gift! I will treasure it always.

This beautifully handcrafted book is already displayed in a special place in my studio where I can see it each day and give thanks for the wonderful friendships I have made through this little blog.

My heart if filled with such appreciation for the kindness I have been shown from friends I have yet to meet, but know deep down that the bonds of these unique friendships are true and meaningful.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your lovely generosity Sherry… and thank you to all my customers and blogging friends who take time out of their busy days to send messages and notes of appreciation and encouragement. Your kindness means the world to me. xo ~ Joy

Holiday Orders Update

THANK YOU! To everyone who came by to order sparkling gifts this year! I’ve practically moved into the studio this past week to work hard on completing all your orders.

I’ve schedule the last of the holiday orders to ship by Tuesday, December 15 so everything will arrive to their special destinations in time for the big day. I’ll be back blogging after the last of the holiday orders have shipped, so until then, everyone enjoy all the hustle, bustle and special moments this joyous time of year can bring. xo ~ Joy

Last Call…

Just popped out of the studio to post a quick note that tomorrow at midnight will be my last day to accept custom orders guaranteed for Christmas delivery.

After that, orders can still be placed for holiday delivery, but only for items that are in stock and do not need to be created from scratch. If you have any questions about an item, please feel free to contact me before placing your orders. Things are busy busy busy in the workshop right now and I am doing my very best to make sure that everyone will sparkle and shine on the big day!

A Package From France

When Mr. Cupid poked his head in my studio to announce the arrival of a package from France, I couldn’t get to the front door quick enough!

Yes! There is was….a package of antique and vintage French papers sent to me from dear Corey Amaro of the popular blog Tongue In Cheek. If you already follow her blog, you know how special she is and if you don’t know about Corey, please click my link and add her to your blog roll right this very minute! You won’t be disappointed reading about her life as an American living in France. Her blog will make you laugh, cry and touch your heart with the sweetest of sentiments.

Corey and I are kindred spirits in our love for the old, tattered, neglected, worn and discarded. We both see the beauty in imperfections and things from the past. What others might consider junk (Quelle Horreur!!!) we consider treasure.

An antique French playing card…the Queen of Hearts!!! What a perfect choice for me and Cupids Charm!




The enclosed pieces of vintage ribbon and antique lace & tatting sent my heart racing. Corey is the Brocante Queen of France and knows where all the best treasure is buried…under the tables…inside closed boxes….she has the gift, the eye and the built-in radar system to search and rescue these forgotten treasures.

Antique diary pages, old letters and prayer book pages….all in French! C’est magnifique!

I have a passion for handwritten text and font’s. Just look at the care in which this diary page was written long ago when writing was an art…

I loved these old inventory lists and pages hand stamped to record their importance. Some of the pages go all the way back to 1844. What history I am holding in my hands!

I am thrilled that Corey has agreed to be my shopping assistant in France! Until I can get my glittered heels (think Dorothy here….there’s no place like France…there’s no place like France…) over to Paris and shop for these treasures myself – I am totally confident to send her on a personal reconnaissance mission for me. Her first mission…..antique French lace and trims…stay tuned……