SALE Notice!

Click HERE to come shop for your favorites! Also, FREE shipping within the United States, but hurry, sale ends April 3, 2011.

Studio Snap....

...a quick snap from the studio of pieces of damaged china I selected from my stash to start working with today...

Lot's of pretty new Broken China Jewelry pieces coming soon for spring! ~ xoxo ~ Joy

Celebrating 5

Our little boy is growing up…Barkley is celebrating his 5th birthday…

Lots of new toys, an extra long walk to the dog park and a vanilla cupcake are sure to bring extra tail wags today!

Marie Antoinette Reproduction Earrings

This week, my MCP Project 52 Photography Group on Flickr, had the assignment to submit a photograph with the theme: From The Jewelry Box ….a challenge right up my alley!

This is the photo I submitted of a favorite pair of earrings from my jewelry box.

These gorgeous pear-shaped faux-diamond earrings weigh 14.25 and 20.34 carats respectively and are replicas of the original diamond pair that belonged to Marie Antoinette which are now part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection. These earrings were reported to be her favorites and that she wore them often. These beautiful earrings were taken from her during the royal family’s capture after a failed attempt to flee France during the revolution. They were later acquired by a Russian Grand Duchess and then eventually sold to Cartier in 1928, who in turn sold them to Marjorie Merriweather Post (of the Post cereal family). After her death, her daughter donated them to the Smithsonian.

They are truly stunning earrings. I’ve seen the originals at the Smithsonian and I love that I have a sparkling copy of my own to enjoy and I’ve even been known to wear them on occasion while soldering jewelry. A girl can use all the sparkle she can get sometimes and I am sure Marie Antoinette would agree. ~ xoxo ~ Joy

Welcome Spring!

Today is the first day of spring and my studio is bursting with colorful blooms in celebration!

The weather was gorgeous here in Florida this weekend and I was inspired to visit a favorite flower market. I LOVE fresh flowers in the house and especially in my studio where I work all day.

For fun, I added single Carnations as flower stoppers in these old vintage bottles......

...and I love using vintage sugar bowls as little pots for flowers.....

.... and I filled a favorite Marie Antoinette coffee mug with colorful blooms to keep next to my computer as I work. Simple touches that don't cost a lot but they add so much beauty and enjoyment to my day.

I hope you have beautiful weather too and a chance to enjoy all the beauty Spring has to offer. xoxo ~ Joy

New This Week...a few more sparklies!

Happy Friday! Just listed in the shop....

....a number of vintage and new crystal rhinestone earrings to add a little sparkle to your day. For more info, please click HERE. Merci Beaucoup ~ xo ~ Joy

Silver Spoon Bracelets

Just listed! My handcrafted Vintage Silver Spoon Bracelets with Antique and Vintage Broken China Charms…

…these are just a few of the One-of-a-Kinds available. Please click HERE to come see more. ~ Merci ~ xoxo ~ Joy

Wedding Memories…

…a tiny stone chapel, just big enough for two, on the edge of a snow topped mountain...

...classical music…candles….loving eyes filled with tears of happiness…

…holding hands and promising forever…

…a romantic lakeside honeymoon to start our journey through life together….

….side by side we’ve walked for 14 years now. This week we are celebrating our anniversary and I feel even more blessed today to be loved by this wonderful man. Happy Anniversary Baby! I Love you and am so happy I married you!

Childhood Toys...

This week, my MCP Project 52 Photography Group on Flickr, had the challenge to submit a photograph with the theme "Childhood Toys"....

If there is one thing I’ve loved since childhood, besides sparkling jewelry, it’s MONKEY’S! Sock Monkeys are a particular favorite and the sock monkey in this photograph happens to be one that my husband had as a little boy. This little sweetie has a place of honor on a studio shelf and supervises all the monkey business that goes on around here on a daily basis. His cute monkey face always makes me smile : )

Studio Snap...

...sorting and cleaning pieces from my vintage silverware collection today.....

...can you guess what's coming soon to my website? I'll be in the studio this weekend creating and I hope your weekend is full of beauty and creativity too! ~ xoxo ~ Joy

Express Yourself...

This week, my MCP Project 52 Photography Group on Flickr, had the challenge to submit a photograph with the theme "Express Yourself"....

I think the best description to express myself would be that I am *blessed*. I am blessed with a beautiful family, a kind & loving husband and the opportunity to do what I love, create special jewelry, as my business. It’s a simple life and a rather “small” life since I am working alone in a studio all day, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I am truly grateful for each and every blessing in my life.