French at hArt

An Antique Photograph Color Corrected and Colorized in Photoshop

2011-04-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

Currently, I'm taking an Adobe Photoshop and an Adobe Illustrator class. Sometimes I think I am one who just never grew up. I am still taking college courses at 51. But there's just so much I "need to know" about how things work.

I posted an old photograph of my husbands great-grandmother, Georgietta and her sister, Nina last October. This is a "warm and fuzzy" story about how my mother-in-law gave my husband a diamond ring that belonged to his great-grandmother and he gave it to me as my engagement ring.

Now I feel quite connected to Georgietta as I am reminded of her when I look at my ring everyday. I decided to use the picture of Georgietta, that my mother-in-law loaned to me, in one of my projects for my Photoshop class.

This is an exercise in color correction. I don't know if you can tell because the quality of images on the web is poor but I did correct the overall tonality on this image before I "colorized" it. Colorization is an age old procedure that was done to black and white photographs because of course, at one time, there was no color photography. The images were painstakingly colored by hand. Photoshop changes all this, but not very much. The process of colorization can still be painstaking. The first image is a photograph that I took of the original black and white image which had been sepia toned over 100 years ago. The second image is my version, cropped and color corrected to make it visibly more acceptable, and then colorized by painting color over specific portions of the original image, one at a time.

If you want to talk Photoshop, color correction, or colorization, find the button in the right sidebar that says: "Le Clic Pour Emai Moi" and talk baby, talk! I'm here for ya.

Until we meet again, my very fondest,

Reconstructed Vintage and Antique Jewelry...My New Etsy Store

2011-03-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

Everything I do in life seems to be about as easy as a cow having a breech birth. No kidding. I don't want to complain (only because I'm sure nobody wants to hear it) but blogging is not easy for me. Hence, my long term absence. I am too much of a perfectionist and I don't have the skills to make my website how I think it should be. Evidently I'm not alone. Few sites I see are really slick and flawless. Enough of my negativity but I do hope to someday make blogging easier.

I opened a new Etsy store today called French at hArt. The one I opened in November, 2009, Embellissez la Reine, was supposed to be for my handmade items but as it turned out, I went off on a tangent when I realized that vintage jewelry making supplies sell way more than my own "art to wear."

What I know now is that one of the few times when life is not difficult for me is when I am designing and creating. I vow now that I will stock my new store, French at hArt, weather or not anyone patronizes it. I have to be creative, especially now that I am "middle aged." I no longer have time to waste doing what I should do or what I "have" to do in lieu of what I want to do. Anyway, being an artist is no longer what I want to do. Over the years I've learned that it is what I "have" to do. I hope someone out there, maybe you, enjoys these pictures of the first one of a kind piece I made for my new store. I call it Girlish Romance. It marks the beginning of a long term and lovely journey...

Is anyone familiar with Miriam Haskell? She has long since passed away but her company, Miriam Haskell Jewelry is still in tact. They used to sell jewelry that featured a lot of beaded filigree. The pendant on this piece was beaded, by moi, in the same style.

3 Different Banner Graphics Created in Photoshop For Etsy and Artfire Shops

2010-12-27T12:05:00.000-08:00

I've been away, way too long. I had some surgery and illnesses to deal with and other than that, I just let too many things get in the way of my blogging. There is so much I want to do with my blog, but I'm on a learning curve with designing web pages. One of the first things I want to work on is to get my blog to load faster. Being that it's heavy on images, like most blogs, it loads very slowly and that drives me nuts! If you have problems with seeing the images, please take time to reload the page. Nevertheless, I thought you might like to see some images I've been designing and redesigning for my stores. They look very blurry here but you can click on the images if you want to see them at my store sites where they show much better. They look best in Photoshop, where I created them and if you have any Photoshop questions I can help with, don't be afraid to emal moi by clicking on the appropriate button on the right.

I went from this:

To this:

My store, Embellissez la Reine, has a theme of French Royalty, so I decided to change the colors from the colors of the French flag, red, white, and blue, to pinks and mauves, to go with my business theme.

I'll tell you about the exquisite ladies in my banner from left to right: First, we have every francophile's dream girl, the last queen of France, Marie Antointte. She was the wife of King Louis the XVI. Next, I put the Empress Eugenie. She was married to Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. Next, I put the infamous, Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. The last little lady is Queen Maria Theresa. She was the sovereign of Austria and mother of Marie Antoinette.

This next banner is for my new Etsy store, to begin in 2011:

It features an image of a Joan of Arc medal. I have created this store, French at hArt, exclusively to display and sell my own designs of reconstructed French and Victorian, antique jewelry. I sell antique jewelry and vintage jewelry making and design supplies in the store I opened last year, Embellissez la Reine. This store has turned out to be fairly popular and I hope to increase my customer base this year as I add new items and advertise in anyway possible. Also, I am hoping that my new store French at hArt, turns out to be popular as well. There is nothing I would love more than making a living as I satisfy my desire to work with and design beautiful, dreamy, adornments.

A few months ago, the art ecommerce site, Artfire, was selling lifetime memberships for $5.95 per month. I took advantage of that deal and plan to make it a duplicate of my Etsy shop, French at hArt.

Here is the banner I designed for my Artfire shop. It looks great on the actual site so click on the image:

Arts & Crafts or Nouveau "Cymric" by Liberty & Co., London, 1905

2010-10-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

I have an anecdote about a synchronistic transaction that took place at my Etsy Store, Embellessez la Reine:
It starts with a sterling silver and enamel brooch that I bought from a dealer in France. It had distinct hallmarks on the back and appeared to me, to be Art Nouveau in style. I decided to do a little research and put it for sale in my store. I found that it was made by Liberty & Co. of London under the name, "Cymric" in about 1905. Art Nouveau is a movement that evolved in France between 1890 and 1905. This brooch is more correctly Arts and Crafts, as it was made in England. Arts and Crafts is a movement that grew there between 1880 and 1910. Without further ado, I took my pictures and listed it for sale. Here's what happened next:

My 20 year old son and I were on the deck "chillin' " one day when I came in to check my email. I had a nice correspondence from a lady in England who was interested in the brooch. She asked if I could lower my price. I emailed her back right away, saying that it was nice to hear from her and I would entertain any serious offer. No sooner did I hit "send" when I received another email, she had already purchased the brooch. I started another email back to her, telling her that I see she decided it was worth full price. Another email came into my box. She sounded a bit distressed. She received my email saying I would take an offer and now she had already paid full price! I then offered her a percentage refund and she said she'd take it. Everyone was happy and I packed up the brooch and sent it off. Next day, I received another email from her. It just so happened she had woken up with the knowledge that she had an original catalog from 1905 showing the exact, sterling silver and enamel brooch for sale at 7 shillings. See my pictures of the brooch below plus a copy of her catalog page.

My picture (above, left) is upside down but it's there, in the catalog picture, on the bottom row, in the middle.

This amazing little sterling silver and enamel brooch was made in England, somehow made its way to France where I bought it and brought it to the United States of America. Now it's gone home again to England, perhaps for good :)

2010-10-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

When my husband asked me to marry him, about 8 years ago now, it was the good, old-fashioned way, at the fanciest, Italian restaurant in town. I remember him being kind of nervous and shaky when he pulled this beautiful diamond ring out of his pocket. He told me he wasn't sure what it was, his mother had given it to him. Thinking back on it now, of course I thought he was adorable, and still do.

More than 5 years after we were married, I was wearing my ring and bumped my hand into a railing on the elevator where we live. I remember the diamond went flying out of the setting, across the elevator, onto the floor. My mother-in-law and I took the pieces to a very reputable jeweler here in Palo Alto, California. She told me that after many, many years of wear, the prongs that held the ring in place had completely worn away. She reset the stone by replacing the prongs and was able to tell us a little more about the ring:

The setting is 18 kt gold. Apparently, the diamond itself is called an old miner's cut. She said it was cut from the original rock in such a way that the very largest stone could be harvested from the rough diamond. Therefore, one of the sides of the diamond is from the outer most portion of the original, found stone. The finished, cut diamond is 1.1 carats.

At some point, my mother-in-law, being one who never throws anything away (bless her heart), appeared with this picture of the original owner of my ring. Her name was Georgietta E. (on the left). In this photograph she was accompanied by her sister, Nina. Georgietta was born in Wyoming in 1872 and married, with my ring on her finger in Massachusetts in 1895. She was my husband Kingsley's maternal, great-grandmother. I'd like to say thank you to Georgietta. It's wonderful to have an antique diamond ring with provenance too. Who would have known?

Soon, I'll show a picture of Georgietta's mother and some of her beautiful jewelry. Until next time, my very fondest,

3 Important factors in dSLR Jewelry Photography for My Etsy Shop

2010-09-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

Photographing jewelry is also known as close-up or macro photography. My new Nikon D5000 can be used as an automatic point and shoot but also has more settings that give it a slightly more professional capability.

My other digital camera, a 3.2 megapixel, Toshiba, Costco special just wasn't giving me enough options. Yesterday I was hating a couple of the pictures of jewelry I had taken for my Etsy Store, Embellissez la Reine. Even though I am not comfortable with my new camera yet (an understatement), I decided to give it a shot and try to improve two of the pictures in my shop. By the way, dSLR is an acronym that describes any digital camera that is not fully automatic. SLR cameras have been around for many years, the "d" in front is what's fairly new. It stands for digital. SLR means "single-lens reflex." If you'd like to know more about these professional level cameras, here is the Wikipedia article.

Now, let me define the three factors I'm learning:
ISO + Shutter Speed + Aperture = Exposure
These are the settings I changed yesterday in an attempt to improve my shots.

ISO, another acronym, stands for International Organization Standardization but has evolved to be used as a number, e.g., 200, 400, 600 which represents the level of sensitivity (of the sensor inside the camera's lens) to light. The higher the number you use in your photography, the higher the sensitivity of your camera becomes to light. Therefore, if your photography session is on a very bright, sunny day, outdoors, you will probably use ISO 100. On a dark night you'll probably want to use ISO 800.
Shutter Speed: Shutter speed is the amount of time that the shutter on your lens stays open and exposes the same sensor to light. Shutter speed can range from about as little as 1/40,000th of a second, all the way up to 30 seconds.
Aperture, also referred to as f-stop, is the diameter of the opening (the same opening I talked about with regards to shutter speed) to the same sensor located inside the lens.

Entire books have been written about exposure.

Now I'll show the pictures I was hating and the newer versions. Keep in mind, I am just barely starting to learn. If anyone wants to talk about this in more depth, don't be afraid to email me by clicking on the button in my right sidebar that reads "le click pour email moi."

I thought the first picture of this Porcelain Paris Souvenir Brooch was washed out, in fact the color is not as rich and doesn't describe the true essence of the piece as well as my new shot which is on the right. If you're wondering, the monument on this brooch is The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris.

I like the first picture, taken with my 8 year old Toshiba, but not for the opening photograph of the listing to sell these Handmade Heart Earrings in my Etsy Shop. It is just way too boring because I didn't have anything else in the composition. The picture is also kind of washed out in terms of color. I am not entirely happy with the new shot, on the right. At the top of the earrings, above the hearts and below the ear wires, there isn't enough detail; it's too dark to see. So back to the drawing board at some point, but for now I've spruced up my shop a bit. As always, your comments are cherished. Until next time, my very fondest,

3 Pairs of Earrings; Royal Religiousity; Sterling, Crystal and Rhinestones

2010-09-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Hi and welcome to my tiny corner of the web,
I listed 3 pairs of earrings in my Etsy shop today that I designed and made myself from vintage parts. I have been searching out the components for a long time and purchased quite a supply, more than I may ever need. Nevertheless, I am fairly happy with the way these first pieces turned out. They were designed as if they were found in the jewelry box of Napoleon's Josephine after she died. Each piece is just over 3 inches (9 cm) long. I have wrapped the crystal beads and crown rondelles with 20 gauge, sterling silver, square wire. Be on the lookout for handmade rosary chain wrought from some of these same components. I plan to make it soon and sell by the foot in my shop. I would love your comments on my handmade jewelry, photos, shop, blog, etc...with love,

P.S. My pictures are zoom-able :)

3 Pristine Lots of Vintage Beads For Sale in My Etsy Shop

2010-09-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

I am fortunate to have access to a reserve of vintage beads and jewelry findings. As soon as I can afford to, I purchase small quantities for my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine. I've photographed three varieties today and listed them in my store so I thought I'd share them:

The above picture shows all the beads in one shot. The beads I have for sale are the brass ones. I added the red, glass beads for color. The top string are fluted rondelles that are 10 mm diameter X 6 mm wide. The second string shows some fluted brass tube beads, 10 mm long X 3 mm diameter. Then there are some tiny, 4 mm diameter, rhinestone rondelles.

This is the picture I used to show the Tube beads in my store. I hope people don't get confused because I have the 4 mm rondelles in the same picture. I just couldn't resist putting them in because I think they look delicious together!

I used the above picture to show the brass, fluted rondelles. Again, I hope customers don't get confused because I have two other varieties of beads in the same shot. I am just trying to make my store look great and offer a little inspiration on how to use the beads. I'll see how this strategy works.

The last picture is of my older sister and my niece. This past weekend, my younger sister and I drove to Sacramento with my niece for a sleepover at my older sister's house. It was especially fun as we even had a man servant! This was taken during a little fishing excursion we took on the Sacramento Delta. Can you believe I have a sister with bright red hair? We really have the same parents and a lot in common, just not our coloring. I hope you've enjoyed my little post!

7 Antiques--Micro Mosaic Beaded Bag, Guilloché Enamel, Rouge Compacts, Leather & Sterling

2010-08-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

I have major blogging guilt going on because I've been away so long. I don't want you to think I haven't posted because I love you who read this blog any less. I am actually working behind the scenes on some more sophisticated posts. I've decided I need to offer some real, useful information and I've been doing some reading and research. My lovely mother in law, has agreed to assist me and I should have some articles for you shortly. In the meantime, I thought you might want to see some of my antique eye candy. These pieces are all from my personal collections.

This is a micro-mosaic beaded bag. It is very old, from the late 1800's. It's made from tiny, glass, seed beads, size 18/0 or 1.1 millimeters. The drawstrings, top band and lining are all forest green silk. It was given to me by my mother-in-law in excellent condition with no issues of missing beads or tears to the silk. This will be with me for the rest of my days.

These are two sterling and guilloché enamel compacts. The first one is chased (hand engraved) and was a gift from my husband for our first anniversary. Looking at it now, I have to remember to guilt my husband into doing this kind of thing more often. This year he bought me a hand painted Limoges from France but that's for another post. I bought the second piece from an on-line auction.

The first two pictures above show some antique, French, cardboard, rouge compacts. The rouge is still inside. One is labeled "theatrical" but I have a feeling that these were what average ladies used, or maybe they were just used by your average tart! The third picture shows three leather cases from Italy. These are not antique but are vintage because I happen to know they came from a trip to Italy in 1953. There must have been a bracelet or watch that came in the long box but I have never seen it. The little one with the gold, embossed fleur de lys is a change purse. The green one with a fleur de lys is an eyeglass case. None of the three were ever used and as can be expected from Italy, the finish is perfect. I have a craving for beautifully made leather goods in mint condition (and any other condition too).

This is a beautiful sterling silver mesh bag. The plated cap is on a hinge and when opened the top of the bag expands to the same diameter as the bottom. I have had this since I was about 10 years old, so for about 40 years. It was given to me by my maternal grandmother who was an avid thrift store shopper so I'm sure that's where it came from. I don't think it is a real antique because it's probably not 100 years or older. It is still a very lovely piece.

This is a beautiful, glass, perfume bottle with sterling silver overlay. It was given to me by my paternal grandmother, Hazel. She is my favorite dead relative and I talk to her everyday. I know she loves me the way I love my son and it's a very deep love. I appreciate her for that reason and for all she did for me. Hazel didn't own any luxury items but she did some work as a practical nurse; she took care of old people in their homes. One of her clients, a lady lawyer, probably one of the first, who lived in a glorious high rise in San Francisco gave her two of these for me and my sister. Of course, I cherish mine.

What can I say about the final picture? This is my darling husband, Kingsley. He is not an antique but a very fine vintage. He caught a lovely trout on his last fishing trip!

I would be thoroughly enraptured by any comments or suggestions for my blog or either of my Etsy Stores, Embellissez la Reine or The Passé Purse

As always, my blessings go out to those who read this blog, and a very fond,

A Noteable Find: Rhinestone Beads

2010-08-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

I have a definite theme for my store, Embellissez la Reine: I sell jewelry that is designed and handmade by moi. I use all antique or vintage components in my designs, which have a Christian, Victorian, French, Imperial or élégant bent. In addition, I look for vintage or antique jewelry making supplies along the same lines because I know people love to create their own work. I have fun sourcing supplies for myself and others to use and it is usually a challenge. In the future, I hope my work becomes more popular and I sell many more of my original pieces. I hope you enjoy the supplies offerings I have for today nearly as much as I do. They are for sale in my Etsy store.

These rhinestone bead balls are enormous, 20mm. On the right, vintage rosary, mother mary 2 to 1 connectors.

The glass pearls are new, I just threw them in for a little color. Then, this is my son Julian's girlfriend, Jessica, modeling the earrings I made in my last post. Bless you for stopping by and visiting my little blog :)

Mother and Daughter of Pearl Earrings

2010-08-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

I love things. Have you ever heard the term, "she is a people person?" I have. My mother is a people person and I honor that wonderful quality in others but I've known for a long time that I am a "things" person. I just love things. I want to be with things and indulge in things and collect things, beautiful, old things, all the time.

I call these earrings mother and daughter of pearl in honor of my relationship with my mom (who turned 70 last week). The central, chandelier portion of the earrings is vintage, hand carved mother of pearl and the strands contain the offspring, genuine, freshwater pearls. My mom and I have been on this earth together for a long time as she was just a teenager when my sister and I were born. I think our relationship is as beautiful, functional and durable as these. My designs are fully intended to become heirlooms and last at least 100 years. These have been created from only a few, natural elements: mother of pearl, freshwater pearls, brass and pure silk.

This design took a month to come into being. Sometimes ideas have to roll around in my head for what seems like eons before I can make them become real. And then they don't necessarily take on the character I invisioned but usually develop in their own image. I, of course wish I could be more prolific and generate new designs all the time. I believe that someday I will be, but for now, I just settle for what I can get out of myself.

Thank you deeply for visiting my blog and if you'd like to go a step further, these are for sale in my Etsy Store, take a look.

24 Hours with Dirt and Bugs...

2010-08-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

View of Gold Lake as we're heading up to Mills Peak in The Sierra Nevada Mountains

View of Sierra Valley from Mills Peak in The Sierra Nevada Mountains

I am afraid I have more questions than answers today. My husband and I left home last Thursday morning to go camping. My desire for camping is such that, if I never camped again for the rest of my life, I’d be quite content I’m sure. In fact, the thought of camping evokes grave anxiety within me. So much so, that the first night we had to spend at a bed and breakfast. I am the type who loves a bed and breakfast, in fact the more luxurious, the better. Kingsley says, “we can’t afford that.” He thinks I’m just soft. I know he’s just a rock.

The next morning, while driving around, looking for a camp site, I decided that camping is for people who really just wanted to be homeless. Where did that term "happy camper" come from anyway? Who could be happy living with dirt and bugs? If you’re a camper, no offense, really, but it just looks like middle class squaller to me. I only went in the first place because it is soooooo important to him.

I see other couples with things in common and it scares me that we are not that way. We both have the feeling that we have to start getting everything we can from life before it’s too late. That’s where our similarities end. His idea of getting everything from life is to go single track mountain biking, mine is to collect fine art. I told him, “why do you think they call it single track? It is for people who are not married.” Do you think he has any desire to own an oil painting? NOT. What’s sad is that he honestly thinks that mountain bike riding is vastly more important than collecting art or decorating. At least, being a woman, I am able to accept that mountain bike riding is just as important as art collecting, it’s just not to me. Why do men think that what they think is vastly more important in life, is vastly more important in life? Believe me, our dissimilarities don’t end there, that’s where they start.

About seven years ago, a couple months after we were married, I started hearing television commercials for eharmony.com. I had a sinking feeling that I had done something terribly wrong in marrying him. They advertised that you must have something like 9 out of 10 things in common with your mate. How scary because we don’t have anything in common.

Oh I know I love him because he’s honest, reliable, kind, gentle, tender and loves animals and children. On top of that, I’m wildly attracted to him. But is that enough? Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it when I am in the middle of walking 4 miles uphill in the 90 degree heat because he wants to go to the top of another mountain. One might think I should not have married anyone so vastly different than me (sigh). Perhaps I'll learn to love him also for his adventurous spirit and his endless endurance, or for introducing me to new and wonderful things I would have been quite content to live without. Any ideas? ;)

My Preoccupation with Pavé Set Paste in Pot Metal Continues...

2010-07-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

I've written about this before but bear with me; I have some interesting pieces to show. Since being introduced to this material in Amy Hanna's wonderful book, Rejuvenated Jewels, I've developed a little preoccupation for pavé set paste stones. The word pavé is French, pronounced, pah-vay, meaning to pave as in a street. Somehow, the idea of streets, paved with jewels appeals to me, how about you? So literally, these pieces are paved with sparkling stones. According to Judith Miller in her book, Costume Jewelry, paste stones were originally created in Bohemia, now The Czech Republic, during the 17th century in order to simulate diamonds. As time went on they became more and more popular, higher quality and available in different colors. All the pieces below are pavé set paste that I've recently listed for sale in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine.

I believe the example above is from the late 19th or early 20th century. It has some rust and corrosion to the metal. Many artists are finding these kinds of "imperfections" that show age to be desirable. A wonderful example of an artist who uses many aged components in her work is Joanna Pierotti at Moss Hill Studio. Or, check out my favorite jewelry designer, Lis DesJardins at The Cobweb Palace. I must give you fair warning though, if your taste is anything like mine, you may find yourself yearning to own a piece of her work.

I suspect this brooch has been repaired. The clasp on the back is newer and was more recently added. Updating costume jewelry was common in the past even though it is not now. Today we live in a more "throw away" society that is slowly changing back to being more sustainable. It is a pleasure to be part of a movement to continue to preserve and appreciate beautiful old items.

A pair of dress clips accented with stones that simulate blue sapphires.

I call the above brooch "angel wings." I had another exactly like this which I sold in my store earlier this year for $75.

I think this chain is completely crazy. Take a look at it in my store to see more amazing pictures.

A tiny, little, old elephant.

Kingsley and I had the privilege of seeing the Cartier and America jewelry exhibit earlier this year at the Legion of Honor museum in San Francisco. According to the book, Cartier and America by Martin Chapman, during the Art Deco period, 1918-1937, the exotic influence of India became quite popular among the affluent. I think that the pendant above shows the same exotic influence in paste and pot metal instead of platinum and diamonds.

Until next time, I bid you my very fondest,

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

2010-07-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've been gone a long time going through whatever it is that I go through. Besides that, as I've mentioned, I have a new camera. As it turns out, I'm terrified of it. I know nothing of aperture, shutter speed and etc. but I decided to bite the bullet and shoot. I took more pics today than in the last month since I bought it. They came out okay but I'm just a little disappointed in the color. The pinks and blues are not right. I am sure it is just a matter of one of the million possible adjustments on this camera.

Below are some of my favorite beads that I've collected over the last 20 years. As I've mentioned, I am organizing my very first, very own, artist's studio. I decided to incorporate all my jewelry parts that I bought when I was younger with my stuff that I use now for my business. Most of these are lamp work beads.

The large brown ones are my absolute favorites. They are handmade Venetian lamp work beads. I bought a long string of them at a bead show around 20 years ago. The only reason I am into browns is because of my coloring. Years ago we use to "get our colors done," only I did my own by reading the book Color Me Beautiful. I am from the autumn color palate and I took this all very seriously. I used to love these beads with the faceted, carnelian beads shown.

Look at these enormous, rhinestone bead balls. The large one is about 20mm. I don't think you can get these anymore. I took them from an old necklace. I don't know if they are from the 50's, maybe even 40's. I think they're fabulous!

These crystals were from the same old necklace. I don't remember what it looked like but it was quite a mélange.

More lamp work beads. I don't know if these are Venetian or Czech. The main places where lamp work beads are manufactured are the island of Murano in Venice, Italy, The Czech Republic and China. These are very long, about 1 1/2." They would make fabulous earrings. The only problem with using lamp work beads for earrings is that they are solid glass and therefore very heavy. The reason I have a lot of mauves in my collection is that according to Color Me Beautiful, it is the only pink I can wear successfully.

More lampwork beads. These are some of the highest quality beads I could find. I used to pay an arm and a leg for these, now I'm a little more savvy and with the internet, you can shop around.

These are all lamp work too, although these are not in my autumn color pallet. The ones in the back have foil in them. They have been making lamp work beads in Venice for 500 years and used to use real, pounded down, gold or silver foil. Now of course they can use imitation gold or silver foil successfully but the quality of the glass is still better in Venetian beads (IMHO).

The beads with the copper inside are more lamp work beads. These were quite a find as they are periwinkle blue which is the only blue I can really wear well. I also cheat a little and wear royal, like the lapis lazuli in this Chinese pendant, and I feel pretty good in cobalt too.

I used to love buying these discs that were made in China. Some of the materials here are gold stone, tiger eye and malachite. I don't remember what the others are. I used to love buying from the Chinese dealers at the bead shows. As far as I can tell, when Chinese people speak Engilsh, everything circular is referred to as a donut. I can get into that.

I used to love doing this kind of thing with my donuts.

Here are some more carved pieces from China. I am sorry; I don't remember what material this is. I do love it though, it is something natural. The ones on the left may be carnelian. Does anybody know?

Here are one of my little projects from about 15 years ago that went awry. This is what used to happen to me when I was working a full time job as a mechanical designer, raising a 5 year old and running my own household, a combination of occupations that I don't recommend as it leaves no time for craft projects. Look at these cloisonné beads. They really are to die for. I love China as they are good at making stuff! My fondest,

Immense Problems Over at Ebay: Will the Big Gun Go Down?

2010-07-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I read a post on Antique Trader Blog, The web is alive about eBays traffic woes, about a discussion forum thread on Ebay, entitled: 5 DAYS STRAIGHT, NOT 1 SALES. SELLING FOR 10 YRS. WHAT THE IS GOING ON HERE! At the time, there were over 5000 posts to the thread, now there are over 6000. The Antique Trader Blog post was precipitated by this post: eBay Noise: '5 days straight and not 1 sale,' Sellers rant by Monique Stout at the blog, Examiner.com San Francisco.

This blog, my blog is not about politics and it's not about business per se, but it is about me and my business. At the moment, I'm going to use it to put forth some of my ideas on this topic. Then, I'm going to attempt to link to the aforementioned blog posts and the discussion forum in an attempt to generate traffic to this blog. Attracting viewers to this blog is not the main purpose of this post. My aim is to enlighten those who read this and to vent my own anger and frustration about the megalith, Ebay.

The first thing I did yesterday, after reading the post on Antique Trader Blog was to run over to the discussion forum on Ebay and try to enlighten everyone there: big mistake. I enraged several individual sellers and ended up getting my post pulled by Ebay for being malicious. Fortunately or unfortunately, my original post still lives on as several people quoted it in entirety in their efforts to attack me back. I've never been the most diplomatic person in the world and I think I started out my post in the discussion forum by asserting that selling on Ebay is for clueless losers or something like that.

I joined Ebay in 2001 and have at least 3 different user id's, used for buying and selling with a total of well over 800 positive feedbacks. As of yesterday when I started posting on the forum, I think I had a total of 8 posts to previous discussions under my belt, not a whole lot of experience there. They pretty much chewed me up and spit me out but what I was unable to get across to them was that I was on their side!

Here's why, and what I plan to do now is run through a couple of the major points I find to be true about Ebay as a venue for online sales. When Ebay started it was a phenom, no question about it. It was the premier (meaning first), online auction site. There were no others. Sales, in the form of auctions, took off like a runaway train going downhill. I won't go into the numbers; I don't know what they are. What I do know is that even my little sister bought things on Ebay, for God's sake, she's a physician who's always got her face in a book; she'd never bought a thing before in her life. How many people do you know who have never bought anything off Ebay? I can think of one. How many people do you know who have never bought multiple items on Ebay? Again, I can only think of one. Over the years, the site has changed the way "we" (that means all of us on the planet) buy, what we buy and what is available to us to buy.

A little on Meg Whittman: I don't mind bashing her on-line and this is what I think she did: She took advantage of the "good thing" that Ebay was by exploiting its sellers. Ebay gets all their profit from sellers; their profit doesn't come from anywhere else. Under her auspices Ebay developed so many programs and fee structures designed to leach profits out of sellers that when she quit (while she was ahead), she took her personal billions of dollars with her. Billion with a b is equal to one million, one thousand times. That number, I do know. Evidently she's got more than just one billion and it all came from one contiguous place: A very large pool of very small (sorry for the lack of diplomacy) Ebay sellers.

I left Ebay as a seller when she was there and I saw what was going on. As it seemed to me, Ebay kept designing more and more elaborate ways to take profits from the many sellers and put it into the pockets of the few Ebay executives at the top. It doesn't seem hard to figure out. And it is obvious that when she left, whoever took over, continued the tradition of biting the hands that feed them. How many ebay sellers do you know who are happy with Ebay? How many Ebay sellers do you know who got rich like she did? That is right, zero. We are at the bottom rung of the ladder, usually just eeking out a meager existence whether you want to admit it or not.

Now, "Meg," as she refers to herself, is taking her very large personal fortune, gained off the backs of Ebay sellers, and attempting to buy her way into the governorship of California. What I say to California voters, in my very undiplomatic way, is: If you are stupid enough to vote he into office, you deserve exactly what you get. I am sure she will use the same methodology in California that she used at Ebay. There are a lot of people who live in this state and I doubt she would mind exploiting them.

What's the answer to all this? I think there's only one: I am calling out to all Ebay sellers. Don't let Ebay be your only source for online commerce. It won't be easy but please try to take your business elsewhere. Be creative and ingenious. I know this may be your only living and therefore you are unable to just pick up and go but do make an attempt to reach out and put your wares for sale on other sites. Send the message to Ebay executives that you aren't going to be milked any longer. Let the megalith fall. Don't contribute to people like "Meg" getting into politics and buying important offices with your hard earned money.

While I've discontinued my selling on Ebay years ago, I have continued buying there. Well, with writing these words, I think I've had it. I am going to make a commitment here and now. It will be more difficult to get what I want, I feel for the sellers on Ebay, but I just don't want to contribute to people like "Meg." I'm not going to shop there anymore.

The following images are from my Etsy Store.

Lady Guinevere Comes Home to Nest

2010-07-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

In between affairs with Sir Lancelot, racing around on her bare backed stallion and trying to make it up with her angry husband, King Arthur, the queen consort has decided to move in with us! She and I will be fast friends, probably setting up infernal plots against my husband when he least expects it.

Seeing that I've been sewing since I was eleven and I've wanted a dress form since 1981, I've finally decided to make my dream come true. She can be my model for sewing, especially since she's the exact size that I used to be (hmm...), and I can also use her to take pictures of the necklaces I make for my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine. Amy Hanna has one, Rebecca3030 has one, and I've decided I'm going to have one too! I am a little surprised she's not French, but I've named her Guinevere.

To digress about my store: I whined when sales were poor so I guess I'd better show my jubilation now that they've improved! Thank you to all my brilliant customers who have made my ability to reinvest in my store (like my purchase of Guinevere) and my creativity possible! I've had two great weeks as far as sales figures. Sometime a while back, I had a hunch that people love to create their own jewelry designs as much as I do, so I started sourcing and selling some vintage supplies. I am now designing some rosary chain that I will hand make out of luscious, citrine, vintage jewels and I hope to sell some in my shop in the near future.

Good-bye for now and God bless.

Just One Little French Paste Brooch to add to my Etsy Store

2010-07-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July to all, although I must say, more and more often, I just don't do holidays. Oh sure, I appreciate that I live in a free country and I know I was lucky to be born into it. I love our country but I just don't like to waste my precious time "doing holidays." Middle age has brought with it, a certain ambition to do all the things I haven't done. I've done plenty of parades and BBQ's and it just feels like a boring waste of time. I want to accomplish something! That's just me.

I got a new camera which was delivered yesterday. It has so many hundreds of settings it's scary and I certainly don't know how to use it yet. I've already proven one of my reasons for buying it to be valid however. I took these shots on fully automatic with minimal indoor lighting and (thank you God) no tripod. These are two of my very first pics and I know I can improve on them when I figure out how to really use it. More on my camera later, way more, I promise.

This is an antique brooch which I have determined to be from the Belle Époque or the turn of the "new" century in France. This was a very exciting time for art and luxury goods. These little paste trinkets were manufactured in order to simulate the diamonds and precious stones of the rich, for the middle class. In England, the Belle Époque would correspond to the Edwardian era. This piece has a distinctively Art-Deco style appearance and dates from about 1900-1910. I have now put this lovely little artifact from days gone by for sale in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine. Take a look if you're so inclined. As always, to those blessed enough to read this blog, my very fondest,

A Noteable Find

2010-06-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

Kingsley went on an overnight kayaking trip this past Friday, so obviously it was "my night to play." I'm working on my studio and I need a small bookcase for some vintage and craft books I want to put in there. I knew just what I had in mind. I wanted walnut. I started out at a thrift store knowing that what I want would in all likelihood not be there. I soon left and as I was driving down the street, I asked myself seriously in a very quiet, thoughtful kind of way, "Who would have what I want?"

I knew I had to drop a few dollars on an antique bookcase and I wanted to be discriminating as to where in the economy I put my money. An older couple, who used to have an absolutely huge antique/junk store located outside town, came to mind . Their store wasn't a high end place but was full to overflowing with treasures of all sorts. They closed that store because the rent was just too high. They had to downsize and move across the street, into a smaller shop on the ground level of an apartment building they own. The husband is a retired post office worker. The wife is the one who is the collector. I've seen her, not infrequently, in thrift stores and at local garage and estate sales with two or three of her grandchildren in tow. She's the type who gets there early and buys up a multitude of items without thinking or batting an eye. She can be loud, brusque and dismissive of anyone who gets in her path. Still, I have a liking for them and I'd remembered that I hadn't been in the newer store for probably five years.

I drove the 10 blocks from the Goodwill to their store. When I arrived, there he was, the husband, sitting behind the counter, a little less life in him than before. I was grateful and relieved that the store was still there and that he was still alive! I looked around a bit, the place chocked-full, floor to ceiling. I asked if he had what I was looking for. He had one the size I wanted for only $75 but it was maple, not what I was looking for. He had another that was lovely, slightly larger, a bit fancier and more expensive than what I wanted to pay but still, being that I'm anxious to get my room done, I probably would have gone for it. Damned, it was on layaway for another customer.

I was out of luck but of course, since I was "free," I had to look around. I probably could have killed at least an hour in there but it was only three minutes and right around a few bends before I found it. The structure is solid oak, well over 5 feet tall and about 3 feet wide. I am not sure what to call it (maybe someone knows?) but I think it's a combination card catalog and scientific storage unit from long ago. For me it will be for my jewelry findings, parts and pieces, sewing notions buttons and art supplies. It is sooooo perfect! I need to be organized if I want to be successful.

I've gone on too long so I can't go into how I got it home, cleaned it up and put it in place, my heart singing the entire time. I'll just say that for the time being, it's the prime focus of my new studio and it's found a permanent home with me! Much love to anyone who is interested enough to read this blog (and to everyone else too)!

P.S. Fourth pic = the fish Kingsley caught on his kayaking trip.

Wayward Teacup & Saucer Collection Found Missing in Action

2010-06-24T17:12:00.000-07:00

To follow my post from the other day, I wanted to show you how my little display turned out. In fact, I found my collection about 30 minutes after my last post, when I was unable find it. I have some beauties in here and I love them. Tomorrow, or there about, I plan to show some of my collection up close and personal. Part of the beauty of teacups is the markings you'll find on the bottom. I want to show those in my next post, along with a bit of the history and provenance. I limit my china collecting to French, German, English, or American (in that order) for the most part. Once in a while I will throw in something Japanese. Actually, I like to collect anything of fine quality and vintage. I just love beautiful things! Until my next post, my very fondest,

Hand Painted Vintage Teacup & Saucer Shelf

2010-06-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hello to anyone who is kind and generous enough to read my blog! It's been way too long since I was here last. My decorating and organizing have been keeping me away. I haven't made any new jewelry pieces but I am busy putting together a studio that will enable me to do just that, and when I do, I plan to blog about it!

I need to start today's post with a little aside. One of the things I've been doing to get myself organized is to paint a vintage (I believe to be 1970's) teacup and saucer display case. That way I can get it out of my studio and into my dining area as planned. I got this display shelf at the Goodwill Thrift Store about 2 years ago and I only spent $18.99. It is solid maple. I wanted to be able to post it today showing the stages of my custom paint finish along with the final version displaying my collection of teacups. Unfortunately, I packed my teacup collection away so well, a few years ago, that I am unable to find it. So, in the final version below, all I can show is a few little items that I found while searching high and low for my collection. I will be posting a new pic showing my antique and vintage teacup and saucer collection as soon as I am able to retrieve it. In the meantime, I just had to post as I've been away too long.

First Picture: Solid wood is good but watch as even the style of this piece changes from 1970's yucky to Italian Florentine yummy.

Second Picture: No less than 5 coats of primer. This is way too much but as I told you before, I am obsessive.

Third Picture: Two coats of antique red, flat, wall paint. In the finishing trade, this coat is called bole.

Fourth Picture: A coat of slightly off white and gold leafing on the trim. Things are starting to get very pretty but one mistake I made is that I layered too much of the white on. I should have let more of the red show through. Oh well I'm all about learning.

Fifth Picture: Several coats of antique glaze which is just varnish mixed with burnt umber paint.

Sixth Picture: This is where I am supposed to say, "Voilà! Here is my new shelf with my elegant teacup and saucer collection." Believe me, I have enough to fill this case at least twice that's why I went to all the trouble to buy this and paint it! I will blog about my collection when I find it. Until next time, my very fondest...

Still Obsessed with My Etsy Store

2010-06-11T15:20:00.000-07:00

Hello to anyone who is kind enough to read this blog ~ :))
Here follows another episode in my journey of being an Etsy Shop owner and a human being. Yesterday I lamented about family commitments taking up too much of my time and energy and detracting, along with my health issues, from my ability to make a success of my business. Today I have a small conquest in that I got over my fear of disappointing others and canceled some commitments in order to do what I wanted to do, which is stay home and work on completing my new studio and listing a few things in my shop. It is funny because right after I was able to decide this for myself, and act on it, my son called me with the exact same problem. Then, I feel like I was able to counsel him well. Does anyone else have this problem? I know most people do. I wish I were able to do what I want all the time but I'm so afraid of not pleasing people! Also, last night my husband told me to keep my blog "professional" and not to share personal stuff. Obviously I am not listening to him either. It's funny, at 50, I still feel like a little kid sometimes, my body has sure changed but there's part of me, that's still the same. Well, I have figured out I want to share this, does that necessarily mean anyone wants to read it? Someone, I don't remember who, once said: "If there's something you really need to say, there's someone who really needs to hear it." I hope that's true. Here are a few, dare I say lovely, wonderful, pieces of jewelry I was able to list in my store today. I made both the pairs of earrings from antique components.

My pictures are zoom-able so click away!

The King & Queen of Heaven: Antique, enameled religious charms fashioned into earrings.

Art-Deco, Gold toned Locket

Two antique Crucifixes are now a pair of earrings.

Just a Few Little Charms for Sale in my Etsy Store

2010-06-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I don't know where the time goes. My Etsy store and my business are the most important things to me and sometimes this greatest love takes a back seat, mainly to family. I can tell that this is a time in life (age 50) that I need to devote more of my energy to "me" and what I want to accomplish (I am only going to be here so long). I am intent on making myself and my business a success. I am doing some things behind the scenes to make my work and creativity flow more smoothly. That being said, all I have to show at the moment are four pendants that I've been able to list in my store, Embellissez la Reine over the past few days. My hope is that someone will be moved by these little delicacies, my only contributions for the time being :)

Left: A Victorian, brass, enameled fleur de lys pendant

Right: An antique, sterling locket with guilloché enamel

Left: A vintage, lucite cameo surrounded with clear and black rhinestones

Right: A vintage, mother of pearl charm with brass accouterments

A Day at The Botanical Gardens in Berkeley, California

2010-06-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Bonjour et Bienvenue à Mon Blog,

My husband and I decided to take his step-mother, Gudren on a little outing today to the Botanical Gardens on the University of California, Berkeley Campus. I didn't get any pictures of downtown Berkeley which can be fascinating itself, but the last time I saw flora that was comparable to this was on Maui. The weather was typical of a summer day in Northern California. I hope you had a great weekend!

The Very Best Pieces I've Sold From My Etsy Shop

2010-06-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

Bonjour!
I am not sure why I said I would post pictures of my successful sales on Etsy but I did so I am. I have actually sold a number of other items that I've made but these are the ones that I'd consider art pieces. I've made and sold these since I developed the theme for my new shop, Embellissez la Reine. In general I find that it's not easy to sell handmade pieces but I am sure I'll never stop refining my business plan until I am as famous (and as rich) as Louis Comfort Tiffany. I'll have many new things coming soon so bear with me. I promise a compelling journey.

If you'd like to know more about any of these, email me :)

All My Art-to-Wear Jewelry From my Etsy Shop

2010-06-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

Blessed are the ones who read this blog...that means you!

I've been thinking about my Etsy shop, well actually I'm obsessed with it. Sales have not been good for the past several days (I hate to say it). I guess that could get me motivated to do more. To tell you the truth, I am striving and I am dying to be one of the popular ones who put's her artwork in her shop and it sells out just as fast. You know, like Moss Hill Studio. The poor thing can't even keep three items in her shop. I shouldn't even mention one of my favorite favorites,
La Comtesse de Talaru. She just got back from Paris (arrgh)!

Oh well, I guess I should be satisfied with just being me. I don't want to seem like I'm sad and feeling sorry for myself. That's so unattractive but I guess I am. If someone knows the secret to success and popularity, can you please clue me in? You can email me by clicking on the link to the right.

I have one hopeful outlook on the horizon: My husband and I will finish painting my studio tomorrow. I've never had one before. It is pretty amazing, I'll have a whole room, with a closet, to call my own. It will be solely dedicated to my work. I am painting it robin's egg blue. Since I read this post on Jackie's blog, Good Grief Girdie, I determined this to be one of my very favorite colors.

My goal is to create and sell art-to-wear jewelry from antique elements. I like to work with pieces that were made in the 1930's or earlier. I only have six handmade pieces for sale in my shop right now and I have posted their pictures below, (most of which I've already posted before). I am going to create many more, especially when my studio is finished. One thing I don't want to do is to make many pieces that no one buys. I don't want to create heirlooms to be tossed aside and never loved, appreciated, or admired. The thought is terrifying!

I suppose in an ideal world one would only create for the joy of it, with no mind to whether someone buys it or not. I would certainly feel that way in my ideal world. Maybe I'll be able to trick myself into feeling that way someday, but I keep thinking: "honey you gotta be real. A woman's gotta live! You can't just sit around making art with no green coming in!" Have I got the wrong attitude?

If you've come this far in reading this, thank you. These pieces are all for sale in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine, on the off chance you or anyone you know is interested. Tomorrow I will post the pieces that I have sold :) I'll also post the before and after pictures of my new, robin's egg blue studio when we're finished.

All my pictures are zoom-able, it's easy, just click!

Etsy Shop Customer Service: The Story of a Gucci Bag and a Fleur de Lys

2010-05-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hi, and happy Friday!

This is a story about how I was able to offer great customer service in my Etsy Store, Embellissez la Reine.

It begins 25 years ago, when Etsy wasn't even a twinkle in my eye. I was getting ready and it was a big day: my younger brother was getting married. I was all dressed up in a beautiful dress with lace stockings. Having received a cash gift the day before, I thought it would be nice to use it to go get that Gucci bag I had my eye on at Macy's. Then, I planned, I could take it to the wedding and show it off. The bag was $250 + tax which was very expensive at the time but I am a bagofile. I dashed down to Macy's and back to the little apartment where my fiancee and I were living. I walked in carrying the bag and set it down on the ironing board where he had been ironing his shirt. Being that the Gucci bag's main body was made of a cotton vinyl mix, it melted instantly when I put it up against that hot iron. I was devastated. Practically in tears, as the emotions of a young woman would dictate, I took it back to Macy's to show the saleswoman what had happened. I had hoped it could be repaired. Without question, and completely against store policy, she took the bag from me and took another from under the counter and handed it to me. Well, I still have that bag today, it's in immaculate condition, and I want to share it with you (first pic).

How does this tie in with a fleur de lys and my Etsy store? Well, a little over a month ago, a delightful young woman from Alabama bought an antique fleur de lys pendant from me. I knew from our communications how important it was to her. It just so happens she contacted me the other day telling me she was "sick" over loosing it. Evidently, the jump ring had given way and it had come off the chain without her knowing. Well, being me, I happened to have more than one of those pendants. I had purchased a small lot of them. Even though I didn't have to replace it (she'd already left positive feedback for me), I decided I would be happy to send her one.

Later, I remembered the story of my Gucci bag and needless to say, everybody's happy. I have my Gucci and she has her fleur de lys. I thought this story might be a good example for anyone who runs into a similar situation. It's always worth taking a little loss to make a customer extremely happy.

Another one of my claims to fame: I once bought an authentic Louis Vuitton at a garage sale for $5. I sold it for $350...

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Adieu,
♥Danette

Glamorous Heart Dangle Earrings

2010-05-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

Bonjour and thank you for reading my blog...
I made these wonderful earrings yesterday and listed them in my Etsy shop, Embellissez la Reine. They are made from an old pair of pewter, enameled, clip-back earrings, some rhodium plated, pot metal and paste drops, some opaque, purple, glass beads, some little, tiny, vintage rhinestone drops with sterling silver ear wires and wire wrapping. One comment I've heard from other Etsy artisans is that these pieces are equally as comfortable with an evening dress or jeans. Well, I can make that same claim for these but I must say, no tennis shoes please!
Au Revoir,
♥Danette

My Pavé Set Paste and Pot Metal Obsession

2010-05-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

I want to show some pictures of some antique pot metal and paste pieces. I have developed an obsession for it ever since reading Amy Hanna's book, Rejuvenated Jewels. It's just so junquie and wonderful. These pieces will be for sale in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine by tomorrow. Thank you (and God bless you) for checking out my blog.

Isn't the pot metal bird crazy? it's enormous...

The heart has pavé set stones.

These are two small matching pins with large paste stones.
♥Danette

I've Been Away for a While; Busy Painting our Bedroom

2010-05-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to post for some time but have been busy helping my husband paint our bedroom. The color is a medium peach. I decided that I wanted all warm colors for our room. I have included some pictures which I may update later. I couldn't show all the areas because of the mess but have staged a few areas for you. We live in a condo which was built in the 1970's. In California, you have to be happy just to have a place to hang your hat because of the prices, especially the SF bay area. This job was fairly large because the entire room was covered in 35 year old wallpaper and there was "cottage cheese" on the ceiling (both of which are thankfully gone). We bought this place in 2005 and paid a king's ransom.

I bought this little shelf on a skiing road trip we took this past winter. I bought it at a little antique shop in Auburn, California. The second picture shows it full of my crapque. That is a sink to the left of it. The set up is kind of odd but we have a sink in our bedroom. Behind that door on the right is a bath/shower and toilet. This is my personal bathroom. My husband and I refer to it as my boudoir. He has his own bathroom down the hall because I refuse to share the bathroom part of my boudoir with him.

That's my bookcase on the left. This one goes floor to ceiling and I have three this size and my husband has one in our two bedroom apartment. This one probably holds about one, one-hundreth the amount of information that the hard drive on my laptop holds. To quote Bob Dylan, "The times, they are a changn'." That's my nightstand in the photo on the right with a lamp I bought at local church rummage sale. The shade is newer but I got it at the thrift store. I think they look fine together.

This is my dresser, my bookcase and a partial view from our bedroom window. The thing I like about this blogging: It's all about me :) Not much of the rest of my life feels that way. I hope to show more later.
Adieu,
♥Danette

Dark Night of the Soul: Black Rosary Necklace

2010-05-03T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hi, and if you are reading this blog, my blessings go out to you:
I was able to get some good pictures today as there was so much natural light streaming in through my window. I am a photographically challenged perfectionist which means I spend hours and hours at it. Today was a day where I was able to get enough pictures to list five items in my Etsy Stores, Embellissez la Reine and The Passé Purse. I made the necklace below out of an old black, bakelite rosary that was broken and had been tossed aside. I bought it with a pile of junque from and antique shop in Auburn, California. I have now loved it for some time and breathed new life into it through my work. The black bakelite beads were native to the original rosary. I have added the enameled black on brass filigree beads and some antique chain. The other item shown is a rhodium plated, pot metal, paste buckle that I bought on another of our little road trips to Cayucos in Southern California. I will be listing it as well. Both pieces are good examples of the antique jewelry I carry. Of course you'll never know exactly what I carry until you go there...
♥Danette

If you'd like to see The Dark Night of the Soul Necklace in my store, click here.
If you'd like to see the antique belt buckle in my store, click here.

Robbin's Egg Blue French Rosary Necklace; A Synthesis of Antique Artifacts

2010-04-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

If you look at this post on Good Grief Girdie's Blog, I think she calls this color robbin's egg blue, it may be more of a turquoise but it's close. I put this necklace together and took it apart and put it together again, a few times recently. Then I took about 1000 pictures of it. It is finally for sale in my Etsy Store, Embellissez la Reine and I am very happy with the way it turned out. This is one of my few favorite colors (cuz I only have a few). I hope you like it...
♥Danette

Found: Marie Antoinette's Bracelet; A Fine Example of French History

2010-04-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hi, and bless you if your reading this blog ~
As it came to life through my hands, this bracelet developed the belief that it was once a piece of the collection of the late Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. Because of it's uncanny resemblance to what she may have worn, it imagines that she loved the way the antique, green, hand blown glass cabochon and the genuine carnelian beads compliment each other. It imagines that she loved the freshwater pearls, admired the precise craftsmanship and delighted in the way it jangled on her thin wrist. Perhaps this bracelet is having a memory from a past life? It's generally a secret, but now you or one you love can own this distinguished piece of "French History." It's for sale here in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine. But please don't tell it that it really didn't belong to the Queen, I wouldn't want to destroy its dignity.
♥Danette

Marie Antoinette's Mourning Jewelry French Royal Earrings

2010-04-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

I fashioned these earrings from vintage brass filigree crosses that are set with 6 X 3 mm black onyx stones. I added french fleur de lys and crown charms with some jet beads and vintage rhinestone rondelles. If we lived long ago: Marie Antoinette may have worn these as mourning jewelry after King Louis XVI was beheaded. She would have worn them, not out of love for Louis, but out of reverence for her royal position. She'd of worn them for about a year, until she met with her own brutal demise. You can own Marie's (would have been) last pair of earrings; they are for sale in my Etsy store. Bless you for reading this blog!
♥Danette

Our Little Ski Trip Last Week - Lake Tahoe, California

2010-04-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

My husband took my son and I skiing last Wednesday. He picked this day a week in advance as he had to request the time off from work. He knew it would be a good day for skiing in Lake Tahoe. He has a very keen sense of weather and geography. I have no idea how he does it but when we got there, there it was, fresh snow and the most beautiful day of the year. We were lucky to have our (almost) 20 year old son, Julian, along who was a perfect gentleman the entire time. I have been skiing three times this season as my husband, Kingsley, was finally able to get me interested. Before that, I have not been skiing since I was a teenager which was over 30 years ago. I never took skiing very seriously or had much practice, but I must say I did okay and had a great time. The first picture shows (left to right) Julian, Kingsley and me at the top of a very high mountain. As soon as we got to the resort, we had to take two lifts to get up there on Kingsley's insistence. It was too steep for me with my lack of experience and it took me forever to get down.

My "little boy," Julian Klein, is primarily a skateboarder. You can see him on You Tube under the ID, 52mmrevolution. He is also featured on many other websites and stars in a full length Skateboard movie called Symmetry. On the slopes, he's an excellent snowboarder.

I told my husband, Kingsley, he looks like a gazelle prancing across the snow when he skies. He didn't like that because it didn't sound very macho but he telemark skies and it is very graceful and beautiful. He is an excellent skier, having skied every year since he was a child. Hope you like the pics. I love my men!

I'll have more of my handmade jewelry for my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine, (that's French in the imperative tense for "Embellish the Queen") coming in the next few days, or maybe as late as early next week. It seems I am designing 5 things at one time instead of 1 thing at one time. I finally broke my loosing streak with a sale this morning. I have had a few sales on at my original store, The Passé Purse but that store has never done very well in terms of generating income. I've had 283 sales to date and been open for about 22 months. I am not complaining though. Its Just that I want to be the next Louis Vuitton, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Peter Carl Fabergé and Cartier all wrapped up into one! I guess I'd better get to work. I have a lot create and a lot to learn. If you are reading this you are an angel to me and I want to thank you for joining me in my creative journey.

♥Danette

Vintage Cherub Heart Charms on a Dark & Rainy Day (Photo Replacement)

2010-04-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone who is precious enough to read this blog! It is a very dark and rainy day here in California. Dare I say the truth? This is my favorite kind of day. I love storms, wind, rain, fog and treacherous surf. I don't only like it once in a while; I like it all the time. I've been known to go for very long walks in it and even 8 mile runs (years ago). The only problem the storm brings today is I am completely unable to get any decent pictures of my stuff. I had two things to list in my Etsy Store today but I gave up after listing only one. I'll have to wait for the sun to come out. I will probably replace the pictures below of the mother of pearl, cherub, heart charms when I can get some pics that aren't so dark. I need one of my walks in the rain right now as I am feeling very Arghh! I haven't had a sale in my store since March 28th, about 13 days ago and I feel like the store that I love has been condemned! I have to go over everything and figure out what I need to change. I always welcome your comments, even if you have to be brutally honest, I know it will help. What is it about my store that needs improvement that I'm not seeing? I know these photos are poor. I need a new camera and there just isn't enough sun. BTW, these are for sale here.
Adieu,
♥Danette

On April 23, 2010 I replaced the above pictures with the pictures below. The pictures above were very dark and I tried to "expose" them further in iphoto. I found that they still looked like crap but at times it is almost impossible to get enough natural light indoors to take decent pictures. I have been doing this since 2003 and I still have a hard time. The pictures below were taken in the same place at a different time, with more natural light coming in through the window. If anyone has any suggestions for me that would be great. I am only a photographer by necessity. Occasionally I get some photos that I LOVE, but that's only once in a while.

Very Cool Antique Victorian Spectacles

2010-04-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone (like anyone is reading this),
I found this great, unusual pair of magnifying glasses when my husband took me skiing a couple of weeks ago. I bought these from a not so incredibly nice antique dealer (he wasn't into discounts) in Auburn, California. Auburn is a beautiful little town with an old time feel, half way between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. These can be used as a magnifying glass in the position shown in the first picture, or with the touch of a button, they spring open to what I call the opera style. Being that they are magnifiers and not prescription lenses, I figure they could be useful to any number of ladies. They are in incredibly great condition. I put them on a sterling silver curb chain so they can be worn as a pendant and be available for use at any time. Now they are for sale in my Etsy store. Click here if you want to see. If anyone knows more about these, or any of my items, I always love to hear. I just thought these were very high tech for the time they were made and very beautiful which is what I'm all about. I am a self proclaimed aesthetician.
♥Danette

Happy Easter Bunny Rabbit Beads...Joyeuses Pâques Le Lapin

2010-04-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

I just had to show these vintage, handcarved wooden beads I bought for my Etsy shop, Embellissez la Reine. I was able to get 20 pieces. I couldn't resist them because they are so cute and look like real bunny rabbits sitting there munching away in the 2nd picture. If you'd like to know a little more about them, I have them listed for sale, here. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Good Friday and a Happy Easter/Joyeuses Pâques!
♥Danette

Artful Business Cards

2010-03-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

I read on Etsy's blog that one thing you can do to market your store is to hand out business cards to your friends, family and acquaintances. I have a business card for my original Etsy store, The Passé Purse but I didn't have any for my newer store Embellissez la Reine, so I designed one this last weekend. I haven't handed out many cards from my first store (I am a bit shy). But I am going to make a greater effort to hand out more for my new store. Some Etsy artists say you should include a card in each order you ship. I am going to start doing that too.
I have included a picture of my new business card below. It is actually standard size, 3.5 X 2 inches but I am showing it larger. It matches the banner I did for Embellissez la Reine and I am fairly happy with the way it turned out considering I really have no training in Phototshop. This card and my banner are based on an old piece of lace that I took a photograph of one day. I love working with lace in Photoshop and the desire to get interesting images based on lace is how I acquired the sippet of Photoshop skills I have. I also designed the banner for this blog and that took me quite a while. My business is definitely a one woman show and I love it that way. I don't mind doing it all, designing, creating, marketing and labor :) Oh yea, and then there's the buying part, that part is really difficult for me, (lol)!!

More on My New Necklace

2010-03-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

I was able to get some good pictures of the new necklace I have for sale in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine. It has taken me a full week to get the design right. I have put it together and taken it apart three times. I am very happy with the way it turned out in the end. I think I will become faster at these designs the more I work with these types of components. Most everything is very old meaning 1930 or before.
Although the theme of my store is very definite it is still evolving. This particular store has only been opened for 4 months. I have based it mostly on a wonderful book that I read by a woman who I am sure is quite wonderful as well! I am grateful for the direction I got from her. The book is Rejuvenated Jewels by Amy Hanna. I cannot say enough how much I admire (and covet) her work! Now look at the great pics I got in sunny California today.

I Call it Blood is Thicker Than Water

2010-03-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

I put a new necklace in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine today. What a mix of pleasure and anxiety I feel. It is such a pleasure to be able to do what I was meant to do with my time. I am a firm believer in dharma (what you were created to do for livelihood). I always have been but I'm 50, that's half a century, and I've never been able to follow my dharma as much as I am able to now. That's the pleasure part.
Where does the anxiety come from? When I stop to think about it, I am so into my work and I love it so much but I am afraid no one else will. I watch a ton of people's work on Etsy and I love them all but something inside is telling me that I can't be a success. There is that doubt that's making my heart race. I have never been able to take rejection, especially in relationships and now I see that those same feelings are rearing their ugly heads with regards to my work. I am so afraid to list my items for sale and on my blog for fear that someone will complain, find them unpalatable or tell me I can't do that. Just another thing to get over, my life is full of that.
Take a look at my new necklace and please don't tell me you hate it :) More pics tomorrow...

Guilloché Enamel French Perfume Bottle...La Coquetterie

2010-03-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

Bonjour!
I just listed this beautiful little perfume bottle for sale in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine. This is very old and very special and rare. I haven't seen anything like it before. This is from my personal collection but I am listing it because I need to keep listing new items for sale in order to keep traffic to my store and cash flowing. I am currently working on a beautiful, feminine necklace that I have put together and taken apart three times. I finally have the design just right so please look for it to be finished and posted here and on Etsy within the next couple days. Business was slow for me this past week. Has anyone else experienced the same problem?
Au revoir, à bientôt!

To see this listing in my Etsy store, click here.

Shoe Buckle Bracelet...One More Time

2010-03-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

Here I am again with my shoe buckle bracelet. I feel like I'm dragging this out way too long but that's how I am. I take my time with my art. I pay very close attention to details. The functionality is as important to me as the beauty of a piece and they are both extremely important. I finally got this bracelet to the point where I feel it is near perfection yesterday and I am ready to share it. I just had a little photo session with it and I got a whopping 3 decent pictures out of about 100 that I took. The natural lighting is not cooperating with me this morning and I have to go back to it later. I need 5 good pics to list it in my Etsy store, Embellissez la Reine. From all that I have here in the 3 posts I made about this bracelet, I am sure you can get the idea of what it is all about. The good news: My husband and I drove to a wonderful little town about 4 hours south of San Francisco on highway one called Cayucos. They have a thriving antique community and I bought another beautiful shoe buckle. I want to start another bracelet, only problem is, I haven't been able to find it. I hope you enjoy looking at this as much as I do!
xo,
Danette

Now it's for sale in my store: click here to see

My Shoe Buckle Bracelet Continued...

2010-03-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

Well it's been over a week since my last post. I feel kind of guilty. I have been very busy working on my business but I can't exactly say what I've accomplished. As promised, I do want to post some more pics of one of the creations I'm working on, my shoe buckle bracelet. Believe it or not, I completed the whole thing once again and took it apart. This time is the third time and it has been a charm. Once I was 1/4 way through one side of it I knew I had the design right, meaning it would function well and look the way I want it to look (i.e.), b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l (in my opinion). Take a look for yourself and let me know what you think. Keep in mind, I am still not done! I have to add the clasp and a chain so that it can be adjusted to different sizes. It will be for sale in my Etsy Store when I'm through. Please watch out for the finishing touches I add in my next post (which will be soon!) Thanks for l@@king :)
Danette

Pot Metal & Paste Antique Shoe Buckle (Bracelet to Be...)

2010-02-22T14:29:00.000-08:00

I am posting a few pictures of a beautiful antique pot metal and paste shoe buckle that I bought at the Alemany Flea Market in San Francisco. I am making a bracelet out of it for my Etsy store Embellissez La Reine and I have drilled six holes in each side of it (see 2nd picture). As you see, I have assembled all the "ingredients" including (from top left, 1st picture), some crimp beads and jump rings, amber colored crystal beads, authentic Victorian steel cut beads, copper seed beads, 2 six to one connectors, sterling silver wire, a silver hook that I made, a vintage rhinestone cross, gray freshwater pearls and some sterling silver 3mm bead caps. Of course my inspiration piece is the shoe buckle in the center. I have put this bracelet together once already but was dissatisfied, so I've added a few additional ingredients and I'm trying it again. I am hoping this post inspires me to get it finished and post the finished product before I put it up for sale in my store. Please be on the lookout for the finished piece in my next post...

My Blog is Officially Open!

2010-02-18T16:03:00.001-08:00

I am a member of the on-line artisan community called Etsy. The purpose of this blog is to connect with other artists and art aficionados on Etsy and the world wide web, make friends and hopefully to develop a larger following for my two etsy stores: The Passé Purse and Embellissez La Reine.
This blog is professional in the sense that it is directed toward my business, but it's also about me, the real me. For now, I won't separate my personal and professional lives completely because they are one and the same. I am what I do. I can't stand blogs that don't include anything personal, where every picture, title and post are all smiles and sunshine. I just can't believe that's true. My life isn't perfect and I'm into Writing Down the Bones.
Welcome/Bienvenu!