NEW The Fallen Engagement

It was 1934, Mary had moved to the Big Apple in hopes of becoming an actress. A couple shows here an there, but nothing big. Over tea at the local coffee shop, she met Henry James, the man she fell in love with. He truly won her over one Sunday morning at their usual spot, only this time an engagement ring was laying at the bottom of the tea cup. They were to be married in December of 1935, but the day never came, he died six months later in a horrible accident on 42nd street on the way to Mary's big opening show of Gypsy Blonde; the one that made her famous.

The Fallen Engagement Necklace

Such a tragic love story for a nostalgic adornment, the ones that I fall for every time. A lonesome ring amongst classic pearls tell the story of Mary. A vintage strand of cream pearls are swooped together with a silver roped chain with a rhinestone and pearl ring features a timeless beauty and decay from over the years.

A fairly old petite sterling silver souvenir spoon from New York, features an ornate engraving in a lovely script. The top of the spoon has splendid flourishes in a decorative handle that makes me want to return for a visit. 

Truly an extravagant necklace with a tale to tell, pearls of whimsy matched with nostalgic souvenirs of a bustling city and romance.

PHOTO OF WOMAN: I recently collaborated my jewelry designs in a fashion editorial photoshoot inspired by the illustrations of Sandra Suy (more to come soon). Photography by Mary Kate Burgess.

heART Show presented by Jinxed & The Toothless Cat

Tomorrow is the group heART show presented by Jinxed & The Toothless Cat Gallery, this year features handmade hearts from an impressive line-up of artists, this year promises to bring you all the amazingness of previous shows with the excitement of being in a new location within the Piazza. The heART show is Saturday, February 13th from 6-????. 

 

Each artist is given a blank wooden heart to create a one of a kind piece of artwork for your valentine. This is my first year doing a heart! For my heart I've done hand drawings mixed with gouache on top of an aged piece of photo album paper that features gold lettering mixed with dark reds and bold inked blacks. Tonight I head down to the gallery to take down my paintings from the Femme Noir show :( and will be hand delivering my heart! {pics, prints and paintings to come to my shop} 

Please check out JinxedPhiladelphia.com for the full list of artists!

Sneak peek of studio, pink walls inspired by Bloodmilk.

Sandra Suy Inspired Photoshoot

SOME FABULOUS NEWS! Recently I was contacted by a local DE photographer Mary Kate Burgess to collaborate in a fine art / editorial  fashion shoot inspired by the illustrations of Sandra Suy! The photos will be submitted for publication to local magazines around the Main Line. Yehhh, the photoshoot is next week, so going to be preparing some pieces for the shoot, two pieces in particular, Room 04 Necklace and The Hands of Time Chandelier Necklace.

Sandra's illustrations feature prominent bold women in beautiful dresses, often the fashions take on a world of their own, engulfing the form. I'm looking forward to working with Mary Kate at the location in Arden, DE. Mary Kate recently worked with another Etsian designer, Katie Reim of Cultivar. The shoot is Feb 8th & 11th, I can't wait to share the experience!

Photo by Mary Kate Burgess, necklace by Katie Reim of Cultivar.

Seabear

I have fallin' in love with the sweet sounds of Seabear. My friend Alison discovered them yesterday by their playful illustrative album cover of a two hand drawn birds and watercolor scripted type. To my surprise magic is in the air when I listen to the sounds of violins, banjos, pianos and harmonicas amongst a whispering voice. The Ghost That Carried Us Away is filled with a soft caress of sweetness, fantasy lyrics and playful plucks of harps. I've been lifted by a hot air balloon; destination la la land. 

Valentine Sweetheart

Almost time for the special time of year, if you're like me I love spending time with my hubby, but that is everyday of the year. Valentine's Day is only two weeks away! I recently just added a new section to my shop called For Your VALENTINE, it is filled with hearts and darling things for that special someone or a sweet gift for yourself, but don't forget any piece of jewelry in shop would make a great gift.

This Valentine's Day Bruce and I are double dating with our good buds Rob and Autumn, we are hitting up the new Wolfman movie and then going to sushi at the Bamboo House. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PLANS?

Gone Sweet, Sultry and Innocent

I'm always in search of finding new ways to offset my jewelry, so recently I was inspired by Jayne Mansfield, she could be sultry or just sweet and innocent. I took a trip to the local thrift store Saturday evening during the snow storm, and went straight to the lingerie section, not for me of course, but for my mannequin bust. I rummaged through the racks and found some lovely vintage darlings: a silk white slip with lace, a pale pink lace top, a gray silk top, a vampress long black slip and a see-through black lace shaw. I think they each have their own personality and really blend well with different styles of my necklaces. I'm also in the midst of vamping my shop for spring, I recently found this vintage white glass vase I've been shooting all my earrings on. Once those pics are complete I'm then going to reshoot everything on my old books in the perfect morning light, so until than please don't mind the mish mash of backgrounds, I've been experimenting lately.

T A K E   A  P E A K   B E L O W

~ Queen Catherine Rosary Necklace: inspired by blackened expelled marriage between Henry VIII and Queen Catherine of Aragon.

~ Through the Mini Looking Glass Necklace, perfect to view the most adored photographs or the fine white rabbit hair inside the heart locket.

~ Minnie Bow Necklace, inspired by the fabulous mouse herself!

~ Black Coral Plastic Pendant Necklace: a delightful arrangement of the sea.

~ Pearls of Wrath Earrings: simple and sweet with but a story of hopelessness. Classic pearls are a lady's best friend even in a drought, hard times and economic hardship.

Trick 'r Treat

My favorite scene from the movie, I just love the vintage handmade masks, so creepy, reminds me a little of John Carpenters' Halloween.

This past weekend I was truly reminded of being a kid again during the Halloween night prowl for candy and mischief. A couple of friends and I sat back Saturday night during the snow storm and watched the film Trick 'r Treat, written and directed by Michael Dougherty, based on his short animated film Season's Greetings <---click for trailer.

It is said that Halloween is the night when the dead rise to walk among us and other unspeakable things roam free. The rituals of All Hallows Eve were written to protect us from the evil that lurks. This horror anthology weaves together four tales on Halloween night, it is a mixture between Creepshow, the whimsy of Hocus Pocus and R.L. Stine's stories from Goosebumps. One thing that ties the stories together is the presence of Sam, a mysterious pint-sized trick-or-treater who wears worn orange onesies with a burlap sack over his head, he is quite charming and creepy all at once. He makes an appearance in all the stories as a friendly reminder to those who break the Halloween traditions; such traditions as to never blowing out a jack-o-lantern and always checking your candy before you take a bite. This whimsical mixture of goons, werewolves, witches and more will be making Dr. Zemo's 31 Days this year; I can't wait to watch it again, I will have to bust out my scizzors and glue for this one.

F O U R   S T O R I E S : a high-school principal who moonlights as a vicious serial killer, a young virgin whose quest for that special someone takes a gruesome turn, a group of teens who carries out a cruel prank with disastrous consequences and a cantankerous old man who battles a mischievous trick-or-treating demon.

~ I'm loving Sam's costume, handmade like it should always be.

~ I want to live here!