Sneak Peek

I thought I'd share some sneak peeks of new designs which I'm saving to debut at Mayfest. The first necklace above is one design of many that will be made in this same style. I will be offering this design in 14K gold-fill (as shown) as well as sterling silver in various color combinations. Different color roses will be paired with beautiful freshwater pearls in a few different shades. The chocolaty brown freshwater pearls used in this particular necklace are so rich and warm and gorgeous! I think this particular color combination would be so dreamy on someone with a golden complexion.

This next design is one of my luxe pieces featuring freshwater pearls and gemstones. I have paired a gorgeous smokey quartz briolette with a gorgeous cluster of freshwater keishi pearls. I have meticulously connected each and every keishi pearl to the delicate sterling silver chain with handmade (by me) fine silver head pins. Each pearl is securely connected so this beautiful cluster will last a lifetime and beyond.

I really love this design as it pairs two of my favorite materials to work with: smokey quartz and freshwater keishi pearls. The bridal earrings I designed for my wedding featured a gorgeous cascade of these same keishi pearls, so they have a special place in my heart. I adore the way center-cut keishi pearls are like little abstract flowers. When they are top drilled, they look like little rose petals. I am crazy about their uniquely organic shape and their gorgeous nacre.

I'm am planning on designing a pair of matching earrings to make the necklace part of a set. I think it would make a beautiful, sophisticated gift for Mother's Day.

Vintage China Love

As promised, I'm back to share photos of the gorgeous vintage china and napkins I purchased at Street Scene yesterday. This set of eight cups and saucers (with matching lace-edged napkins no less!) caught my eye immediately and I was hooked. I would have been heart broken had I not purchased the set. And the price was fantastic! I love the unusually large size of the cups, they would be perfect to serve everything from coffee to soup to ice cream to homemade granola, in this case. Honestly, I will be eating anything and everything possible out of these gorgeous cups! I am absolutely crazy about the cheerful blue and green rose pattern. It's feminine without being overly sweet, if you know what I mean. This set really makes me want to have an outdoor dinner party with a table full of gorgeous blue and green and white accents.

The vintage china is always my biggest weakness when I visit Street Scene. With my current kitchen situation (we hardly have ANY cabinet space), I really shouldn't be building a collection of vintage china. However, sometimes there are some pieces that I just can't pass up. Thankfully my jewelry has been selling like hot cakes at Street Scene, so I don't feel quite so naughty when I treat myself to a little something when I stop in to replenish my stock.

Unfortunately there are no markings on the china so I have no clue the age or maker of the set. I'd love to know if the pieces were part of a larger set. I would kill to have a whole set of china with this gorgeous rose print. If anyone knows anything about this particular set or knows of any great resources for researching china, do tell!

Ruffled

In the middle of my preparations for upcoming art fairs, I am frantically trying to redesign my booth setup for the season. I created my own fitted tablecloths last year, but after a full show season, they are ready to be retired. This year, I am thinking RUFFLES!

I have been obsessed with the image of the crisp white ruffled tablecloth with sunny yellow accents from Country Living since I first saw it earlier in the month. I love how fresh and cheerful it is while being utterly and perfectly feminine! I'm torn about the white; however, since I'm not sure how practical a white tablecloth would be for one outdoor event after another. Though, on the other hand, I have heard that white is really the best color for items that see a lot of use since they can be easily bleached or OxiCleaned back to their original beauty. I am smitten with the idea of a clean white tent, gorgeous white ruffled tablecloths and various candy-colored pastel accents. I currently have all my display pieces colored bright white, but it would be so fun to change a few to sunny yellow or aqua or petal pink for a bit of playful interest.

The next tablecloth inspiration was handmade by Andrea Singarella of Everyday Beauty. She repurposed a ruffled shower curtain to create this adorable tea-stained tablecloth. The more ruffled tablecloths I see, the more convinced I am that this is the look I am going for this year with my display. I have a feeling it is going to be a real pain to sew two six-foot by three-foot floor-length ruffled tablecloths entirely from scratch. I'm afraid sewing them from scratch is my only option to keep the cost low and to get the perfect fit I desire. If anyone has any cost-effect yet time saving tricks, please send them my way!