Vintage Rhinestone Earrings Just Listed!

....only a few of my favorites, just added to the website...

Earrings at Cupids Charm

Before and After Project…

I wanted to share a makeover project that I just completed this morning! I found this candelabra at a local shop recently. I loved the lines but not the green metal base. I also thought it needed a little more bling.

Here is what I started with…

..there were also pretty roses around where the candles go, but it was hard to see them since the metal was all the same color.

…and here is the “after”….







I started by painting the base a creamy white….








I decided to paint the roses an antiqued bronze color so they would stand out a bit more…









I also added multiple layers of vintage pearl beaded chain that I purchased from eBay years ago.





I also added antiqued brass chain that I beaded with extra crystals and vintage pearls.

I think it looks much better and certainly more “romantic” than what I started with. Now if I can only make up my mind to keep it in my studio or move it to our bedroom as I had originally planned. But as easy as this project was, maybe I should just go buy second one!

The View From Here...

This week, my MCP Project 52 photography group on Flickr, had the challenge to submit a photograph with the theme "The View from Here"....

This is what I see as I look out the window from my computer desk. I love to rotate romantic flowers in different vintage McCoy pots that I keep on my windowsill. Spending as much time as I do in the studio, having fresh flowers or plants is a simple treat that makes my heart happy.

Wedding Lace Charms

Recently I was contacted by a sweet blog reader who was in the process of organizing and decluttering her home. When she came across her wedding gown from 38 years ago, she discovered that it was yellowed and stained after many years of being packed away. Because of the condition and the room it took to store, she decided it was time to let go of the dress. But before doing that, she saved some of the lace and decided to create something sentimental with the pieces.

Shari loved one of my vintage broken china bracelets that had lace charms and contacted me to see if I would be willing to create charms from her wedding dress lace and swap them out with the bracelet I had in stock. ABSOLUTLEY! I LOVE working on projects like this and here is the final result…

This pretty bracelet is on the way to Shari and I am thrilled to have helped her create something sentimental which she can now wear and treasure in a whole new way.

Open Your Heart...

This week, my MCP Project 52 photography group on Flickr, had the challenge to submit a photograph with the theme "Open Your Heart".

I photographed a little trinket box I made from a simple craft store cardboard box which I painted and then covered the top with pieces of broken vintage jewelry. Inside is a small fragile glass heart. This was a very easy project to do and a great way to recycle left over jewelry!

Marie Antoinette News!

Today has been a Marie Antoinette kind of day in the studio! For weeks now, I’ve been working on the side between filling orders, to update my Marie Antoinette line. I was finally able to list a number of new charm designs this afternoon…

Here are just a few...

I’ll have Couture one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets and earrings coming soon too…

In other exciting Marie Antoinette news….have you heard? A new Marie Antoinette movie is about to start production and is based on the novel, Farwell, My Queen by Chantal Thomas. Actress Diane Kruger has been signed to play Marie Antoinette…

Click HERE for the movie press release.

I have not read this book but I jumped right over to Amazon to order a copy. Here is a description of the novel as reviewed on Amazon:

“As revolution rages outside the palace walls, inside the court of Versailles--the court of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI--denial reigns before giving way to alarm, which in turn degenerates into panic and chaos. Thomas spins the familiar events of the 1789 French Revolution into a compelling novel, with the central character less the famously ill-fated queen than the insular and ritualized society of the palace. The story is told by a woman looking back 30 years, to when it was her job to read books aloud to Marie Antoinette. Her status as courtier makes her the best kind of narrator--at once an insider and an observer of the royals. She describes the final days before revolution engulfs the palace with insight and surprising slices of humor. Some passages read almost like satire, as the indulged inhabitants of Versailles cling to the privileges that have defined their now-threatened lives--royals are reluctant to leave the palace without proper traveling attire, courtiers try to flee while lugging heavy possessions. Thomas' formidable skills as a researcher give the book authenticity, and her keen eye for human behavior and talent for storytelling make it sing.”

I can't wait!!! Until then, if you adore all things Marie Antoinette as I do, please come visit me HERE to order charms and stayed tuned for more treasures coming! Merci ~ xoxo ~ Joy

Words of Love...

This week, my MCP Project 52 photography group on Flickr, had the challenge to submit a photograph with the theme "Words".

I adore French words, especially ones written in beautiful old script with faded brown ink. I have a collection of old letters, diary pages, maps, telephone pages, prayer book pages and old magazines and photos, all in French and collected throughout Brocantes in France. Most date from around the turn-of-the century, but I have a few that go back as far as 1784. A time when Marie Antoinette was Queen of France and that just blows my mind! The more precious ones are scanned so I have a forever digital image to use for art work.

For this weeks MCP challenge, I took a favorite word from a 1913 book "Amour" - the French word for Love - and layered it over a charming crochet heart I received in the mail this week from a dear friend for Valentines Day. I thought it was perfect to combine a special word, clipped from my stash of vintage French words, with her special gift.

I send you wishes that "Amour" fills your life each and everyday and especially this year on Valentines Day. xoxo ~ Joy

Just Listed...

....sparkling new and vintage stone earrings... each a one-of-a-kind jewel, in stock and ready to ship!

Click HERE to see all the new additions and please come shop before your favorites are gone.

~ Merci ~ xo ~ Joy

Sneak Peek.....

...just a few of the new jewels coming to the website soon! Each pair created with beautiful vintage glass hearts. Yummy......

Finding Your Muse...

This week, my MCP Project 52 photography group on Flickr, had the challenge to submit a photograph with the theme "Muse".

Most things vintage inspire me to create, especially when it comes to broken china, old lace, rhinestone jewelry pieces, old books and photos.

I surround myself with these items in my studio and only have to look on a shelf or cabinet for inspiration. My problem is that it's not only one thing that inspires me, but toooooo many things that inspire me, which is why my mind is always twirling around with ideas and thoughts for creating. I often wish days had more than 24-hours or that I could grow an extra set of hands!