The Salon of Marie Antoinette

One thing that you can say about my home is that it’s always filled with music. Especially when I am working in the studio, there is always beautiful music playing in the background.

I recently discovered a fabulous CD that I wanted to share with those of you who enjoy historical music….chamber music, light opera, a touch of baroque…if you have an appreciation for the beautiful aspects of 18th century France, perhaps you would like to join me in a small recreation of what that time might have felt like. As I am always studying, researching and reading anything related to Marie Antoinette, I recently added this wonderful music to my collection….

Le Salon de Musique de Marie Antoinette

…translated – The Music Room of Marie Antoinette – This is a new release CD by Sandrine Chatron and features music that was played in the theatres of Versailles, the Petite Trianon, Fontainebleau or wherever the court traveled. The music on this CD is by Marie Antoinette's favorite musicians, including Gluck and two of her personal music teachers, Saint-Georges and Andre Gretry who enjoyed her favor at Versailles. This is the music Marie enjoyed, played or sang in her Salon.

And all this beautiful music is performed on a period French harp that was first heard centuries ago. The tone and sound aesthetic of this rare instrument takes you right back in time to Marie’s music room where you can just image the beautiful gowns, sparkling jewels, candlelight and the mesmerizing sounds being performed live for your pleasure. The CD even includes the song written by Marie Antoinette – C’est mon ami –

I purchased this CD over at Amazon.com and since it is a French import, there are limited quantities in stock. If you would like to recreate an evening of music with Marie Antoinette, go HERE to order a copy. For under $20 it’s the next best thing to a trip to the Salons of 18th century France!

Oooh…and before I dash back to the studio…a little tease….I have some truly exciting news to share with you soon….but not yet…it’s too early to let the cat out of the bag so to speak…but two clues…..one has to do with the subject of this post….and the other clue can be found on my right hand sidebar…..stay tuned : )

Vintage Silver Spoon Bracelets

I am working as fast as my little fingers can between orders to finish up a few more spoon bracelets with broken china charms.

These were added to the website last night….

The detail work on the handles of these vintage spoons is just amazing. I never get tired of creating these pretty and romantic bracelets. They go fast when I list then, so please pop over HERE if you have an interest. Merci ~ xo Joy

Antique Embroidery Monograms

I just wanted to share a custom order I recently completed for a sweet customer who has become a dear friend.

These beautiful, turn-of-the-century delicate monograms were made into romantic pendants and customized with sterling silver charms that Sherry purchased on her own and sent to me for use in this project. She selected each charm with her gift recipient in mind and requested birthstones crystals and creamy Swarovski pearls for a little extra sparkle.

The loveliness of these pendants is so hard to capture with my camera and they are truly beautiful. These rare Swiss monograms are imported directly from a European source and were originally manufactured for use in personalizing clothing, napkins, table linens and bedding.

Sherry’s box of sparkling treasure is zooming across the country right now and I am slowly stocking my website with these special treasures as they arrive from Europe. For those of you who have an interest in this pretty jewelry, zoom over to the Antique Lace page on my website…..

I’ve just listed 3 of these very special monograms and if your initials are “C”, “K” or “W”, you’re in luck!

My Featured Item Of The Week!

Just a quick post today to announce my Featured Item of the Week…. Antoinette’s Heart.

Save 20% this week only! I create this charming trinket using original snips of paper from a vintage book of French Love Poems, circa 1920 and then I layer the paper with a hand-cut heart image, which was originally created from a section of vintage French wallpaper. Touches of fairy dust add the perfect sparkle to this Marie Antoinette-worthy charm necklace!

On Sale for just $14.40 and includes a FREE ball chain and FREE First Class shipping. Click HERE to place your order for this little treat!

Easy Valentine Craft Project

I thought I would share this fun (and sparkling!) craft project with you. On a recent visit to Michaels, I found a stack of cardboard paper mache heart boxes and thought they would be the perfect size for a glammed up gift box. And at only .99 cents, it was a great deal to boot!

First I painted the box a soft ivory color and then I glued left over or broken pieces of jewelry all over the top. I also added some sparkling silver glitter around the rim of the top. Here is what it looks like now!

Super easy and it’s a great project for recycling broken pieces of jewelry into something useful. I tucked a pretty pink cloth napkin in the box and then nestled in a silver glass heart ornament inside.

I think this would make a sweet gift to give…or keep…for Valentines Day!

~ xoxo ~ Joy

Romantic Cameos & Vintage Rhinestones

Just listed in my Couture Collection on the website.... and just in time for last minute Valentines shopping too!

I must admit that I am smitten with the classic romance of cameo jewelry and my newest pieces include pretty vintage rhinestone bezels. I love working with my stash of vintage rhinestone chain because the rhinestones are tarnished to perfection - that perfect soft patina that comes with age and the grayish/white sparkle of the aged rhinestones - totally romantic!

If you would like to come visit and see my newest pieces, please click HERE.

xoxo ~ Joy

Studio Snap

When I turn around from my workbench, this is a small bit of what I see….

…the top of a small bookshelf laden with racks of chains, bowls of “in-progress” jewels, jewelry boxes with sparkling bits and storage containers full of vintage what-nots, all begging for their turn on the workbench.

For pieces that I am almost ready to work on or for those pieces I am still mulling about for their design style, I leave these out in plain view. I tend to forget about the pieces that are hidden away in baskets, boxes or in any of the multitude of storage containers that fill my shelves. Out of sight, out of mind they say. I think those of us who like to create also like to see the items we create with, out in the open. Free-Range crafting I call it…

With Mr. Cupid engrossed in football this weekend, I think I’ll spend some creative time in the studio attending to these jewels. Whatever your craft may be, I hope your weekend will be full of creative ideas and beautiful inspiration too. xo ~ Joy

Spoon Bracelets & Exciting News!

Hi everyone! I am still under a small mountain of orders due to my blog’s mention in Romantic Homes magazine (thank you everyone who came by to order!) – I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but I wanted to pop out of the studio to share a bit of exciting news!

First, I want to let everyone know that I’ve also been trying to complete more Silver Spoon Bracelets for the website whenever I can snatch a few moments here and there. I was able to list 2 this afternoon that are ready to ship. Both are made with vintage spoons, antique china from the late 1890's and 1900 and are really beautiful.

They always go fast, so for all of you who have been sending me email requests about these bracelets, please go HERE if you have an interest.

And now for the exciting news part…..I am thrilled and honored to be featured in 2 different articles this month in Get Creative magazine! This is a fabulous magazine that features a fun array of crafts and projects. I am in the February 2010 issue dedicated as “The Joy & Jewellery Issue”…and no, this issue was not named after me, LOL, but rather this issue focuses on creative jewelry making.

I was asked by the editors to contribute an article about Charm Bracelets and my spoon bracelets made the issue! Since this is an Australian magazine and not readily available here, I’ve scanned a copy of the article if you would like to read it. Click HERE.

I was also humbled to be one of 3 jewelry designers featured in the article “Making A Career Out Of It”. I’ll blog about that later for those of you who would like to read about making a living from your crafts. Until then, I hope you have a beautiful and creative week! xo ~ Joy