My Boutique Bijou

Just Added....

2012-02-12T13:29:00.001-05:00

Here are some jewels I just added to my Etsy Shop and my website. My inspirations seem to be coming in surge's these days. Here is a sampling of what my "surge's" produced:

A spectacular Art nouveau brooch for a centerpiece

Rose cluster enamel pendant, a Victorian watch fob chain and French Pink Rosaries

A Victorian Czech pin serves as a connector

A little bit of color...A little bit of neutral!

Tracey

Snow Storm Creations

2012-01-22T12:57:00.002-05:00

We had a winter storm over the weekend. Friday into Saturday. Snow and heavy accumulations of ice...all kinds of precipitation was heaped on us. By Tuesday, it will be melted and turned into a nice sloppy mess. Anyway, since we stayed put Saturday and didn't venture out...besides, cars + ice = ditches and tow trucks, I made myself useful and put some jewelry designs together. Without interruption! Yes. I could take my time and bang out some new jewels without watching the clock. And I love days like that. They are so few and far between. These lovelies will be listed in my ETSY shop and my WEBSITE in the coming week.

A floating cherub showing off a filigree finding and blue stone. Notice remnants of old ribbon still apparent. Possibly an award, medal or old choker?

A statement brass cuff with a marriage of rhinestones and fabric

Earrings with sterling wires, white rosaries, vintage french connectors, tiny vintage rhinestone connectors and stacks of glass pearls in pastels

Romantic red stands out with vintage red, ivory and grey glass pearls from a vintage necklace, a red religious medal with a precious bow, and a portion of an art deco rhinestone buckle.

Pretty baubles of old....

See what happens when you lock yourself in? Stay warm if your in my neck of the snow covered woods!

Tracey

xoxo

A Matched Set

2012-01-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

My boyfriend's holiday party is this weekend. His employer decided it was better to wait until after the holiday rush to have it in January. Not a bad idea, really. But for me...that means shopping for a dress. Can I just say this?.....UUUGGGH!!!

First...I hate clothes shopping. Let me repeat that: HATE. I am not shaped like a telephone pole with nipples. Nope. I have a figure, people. I have been blessed with boobs an a butt. The 1950's figure. I really shouldn't complain. But it is impossible to find clothes that don't make me look like I'm 9 months pregnant and shouldn't be too far from the nearest hospital. So shopping for a dress for this upcoming party wasn't the most pleasant experience.

After trying on over a dozen dresses, I narrowed it down to three. And of course the one I felt fit and looked the best was NOT on sale. 12 dresses. 11 on sale. Not mine. Perfect. Here it is:

At least I already had shoes to match. Not having to shop for the perfect pair of shoes only to find the one's I love are only in sizes 5 1/2 and 12, was a total score. I then realized I needed jewelry to match too. Wait! Hey...I AM a jewelry designer. Right? So why not make my own jewelry for this soiree? Great advertising too.

So...here are the crown jewels:

Aurora boealis rhinestones, vintage rosaries, shell beads, faceted black glass bead chain, and a centerpiece featuring a goldtone circle brooch with a floral spray.

Oh, and by the way, the bracelet and earrings are listed in my ETSY shop and my WEBSITE. You'll be able to spot me at the party by the tags dangling from my jewelry, ala Minnie Pearl.

Lavaliere and Porcelain Cameo Necklace Design

2011-12-10T16:14:00.000-05:00

Just listed in my ETSY shop....

Assemblage necklace featuring a rare Nov-E-Line lavaliere and beautiful West Germany porcelain cameo

Pretty emerald green and purple faceted beads

Art Deco paste links

Paste crown serves as a clasp

It also features seafoam freshwater pearls and a sterling silver crown charm at the back neckline. The necklace is meant to be worn at a shorter length as the drop of the lavaliere is a little over 4". I think this is my new favorite!

My New Design Assistant!

2011-12-04T09:18:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday! Before we run out to the Steeler game this afternoon (YAY!...I LOVE going to the games!), I wanted to show off my new "assistant" I found over the weekend. I have been looking for an old mannequin for a long time. And, of course, the one's I fall in love with are hundreds of dollars. While shopping for something totally different, I ran across this fabulous find at Kirklands! Yep. Kirklands!!

All ready had the french stampings too!!

I couldn't believe my eyes! I have found others but really not what I wanted. SO glad I was patient! She is so pretty and a great size too!

with a maiden looking on.........

She will be perfect for jewelry displays and photo's for necklaces and belts! Which brings me to my newest creations....

This piece is so versatile! As a belt.....

.....a necklace LONG or wrapped SHORT.....

.....or as a wrap bracelet........

It is loaded up with charms of rosary cross's, victorian jeweled findings, religious medals, hand beaded stones and beads...all suspended from a vintage rhinestone belt, rosary, and brass chain! It will be listed on my website and my Etsy shop this week.

Well...off to the game! GO STEELERS!

Give or Receive?

2011-11-28T19:50:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving holiday was filling and fulfilling! Unfortunately, I was side tracked by a cold that came over me very quickly. And what I thought was going to be 4 glorious days of working on my jewelry designs and playing catch up....instead I ended up in bed for 2 full days. But as John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans". So. True.

The Christmas shopping season is under way. Both Etsy shops, My Boutique Bijou and Bone Pile Bijou, are stocked and ready. All packages come to you gift wrapped ready for giving, even if the recipient is yourself! Here's a little example of the wrapping..........

Should your purchase be a gift for someone special, I can send it directly to them....already wrapped and will include a card with your message as well. Just drop me a note in the note section at checkout.

Until next time...happy shopping. I'm heading for some more Vicks and tissues!

Tracey ♥

Victorian Brass Hardware Shines In a New Light

2011-11-21T22:04:00.000-05:00

Browsing the pages of Etsy, I'm always seeking out different elements to use in my jewelry design. During a recent search, I stumbled upon a wonderful shop called FOUNDLINGS. The shops owner, Shelley, carries gorgeous authentic Victorian brass hardware and the most unique found objects from her travels.

One of the pieces I purchased is a Victorian brass escutcheon which is the focal point of this necklace:

I mounted a tiny paste rhinestone crown to the center of the escutcheon

A crystal rosary, brass chain and a splash of red glass beads for color

The cross of the rosary was relocated as a charm dangling from the hardware focal point

I gave it an antique watch fob swivel clasp. And voila! It's one of my favorites. It has a very "old world" look. It is listed at my Etsy shop! Wouldn't this be a great holiday gift for that someone special?

Flea Market Daze

2011-11-14T20:59:00.000-05:00

Our flea markets here in the 'Burg are winding down. The cold weather is looming and weekend treasure hunts will be dwindling to a few estate sales here and there. So I have to stock up when I can. The weather lately has been unseasonably beautiful. So dealers are still hanging their shingle.

This past weekend I went to our local flea market. And although it is all year 'round, some dealers can't handle the cold. Walking through the treasure hunt is one thing...standing in the cold waiting for customers and sales is another. I know. Been there, done that. But since it was 60 degrees, there was a nice crowd. Even though I had to make a few appetizers to take to a friend's house for the 1PM kick off, after all...it's Steeler Sunday, folks...I can always find time to go to the flea market! For the short time I was there, I managed to score pretty awesome things.......

Gorgeous Art Deco pieces...the necklace is my favorite and will certainly end up in one of my designs

I just LOVE the vintage charm reciting the Ten Commandments!

Some Victorian pieces including a brass repousse cameo....

Not too bad for a quick flea market dash! Now...what to do with them.....!

Hair-do BLING!

2011-11-12T23:33:00.000-05:00

I have had a pile of empty headbands laying around for a while. So I figured it was time to do something with them. Here is one I finished. There are a few more in the works. This one screams "flapper"! Perfect for upcoming holiday parties or a lovely Christmas wedding!

An assemblage of a red rosette, a large Deco Rhinestone brooch along with a combination of antique buttons....

I love the rhinestone "fringe" on the brooch! Definitely a statement piece!

Vintage Romance

2011-11-10T23:11:00.001-05:00

There are certain jewels that always have a romantic quality about them. A Cameo. Pearls. Diamonds...in my case, vintage rhinestones are a girls best friend. Here is some jewelry I have recently designed that whispers vintage romance.....

A gorgeous pink shell cameo bracelet

Vintage pearls and Art Deco embellishments

Romance with Glamour

Pink freshwater pearls and Art Deco

These lovelies can be found at my Etsy Shop or my Website. Don't you just those romantic vintage gems?

Lend Me Your Ears

2011-11-06T16:07:00.000-05:00

I have always been focused on designing necklaces and bracelets. For some reason, I was neglecting my favorite accessory: Earrings! Lately, I find that it's also my favorite accessory to design. Maybe because of the intracacy. After all...you can't hang huge brooches from your earlobes. Besides, I've tried it. It doesn't work. Smaller, more delicate findings are called for...along with a few swear words with a jump ring flying across the room. (!!)

Here are some creations I just listed in my Etsy shop. They will also be listed on my website within the next few days....

Dangles and posts. Old PINK (!) rosaries; crystal rosaries; paste rhinestone embellishments; pink, black and gold; Asian Intaglio... So pretty and all ready to turn heads!

FleaMarket Gems

2011-06-23T07:17:00.000-04:00

Today we leave on a camping expedition for the next four days with a bunch of our lunatic friends. "Expedition" because we have never been to this campground and I heard it's "wild"...whatever that means. "Lunatic friends" because they are...well...crazy. And we fit right in...ha. I figured I'd better post this before we left because I know when we get back on Sunday, I will be too exhausted and will need a vacation from our mini-vacation!

I wanted to show you my latest finds at my last fleamarket treasure hunt. And, boy, did I find some fabulous pieces. Feast the ol' peepers:

This beautiful rosary is old and tarnished, no markings. But I love it just the way it is.

The bracelet is sterling!

This FANTASTIC flower once adorned a dress or gown. It is absolutely stunning!

And my favorite (!!) is this huge paste brooch of a peacock. OMG...it stopped me in my tracks! I already have a necklace design in mind and will show you when completed:

I will miss the fleamarket this weekend end. Buy noon Sunday, I will have the sweats and shakes because of it. That's called an addition, folks. And I got it bad!

Have a wonderful weekend and happy hunting if you're out flea-ing or estate sale-ing!

xoxo,

Tracey

Bead Swap Inspirations

2011-06-19T11:44:00.000-04:00

My last post was the reveal of the Bead Swap hosted by Sarah over at My So Called Junky Life. Showing off all the baubles and beads I received from my partner who was actually Sarah. This week, after much deliberation, I decided to make several pieces rather than try to use everything in one project. Here is the first of many. Using white fresh water pears, gold filigree beads, rosary beads, rhinestone disco ball bead and a little gold crown.......

The only thing I used out of my own stash were the white flower bead caps and the aurora beads. Don't you just love the little crown? Fit for a queen! Since I am the queen (in this household!), I think I'll sport it around a while!

Bead Swap Blog Hop

2011-06-15T19:48:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! It has been ages since I have posted on my blog...as you can see. This is a great way for me to get back on track.

I recently participated in the Bead Swap hosted by the lovely Sarah of My So Called Junk Life fame. It was my first time and, like the first day of school, I had some jitters. After all, I am sending beads and findings to someone I have never really met. I was going for the "OMG!" reaction as opposed to the "What the???" reaction. But since Sarah and I have pretty much the same taste in the beads/findings/jewelry area, I felt I was safe. I sent her jewels in a fabulous vintage box I stumbled upon from Vickie at http://www.visualsbyvickie.com/ Forgive me though...remember, I'm a newbie...I did not photograph what I sent to Sarah and post it....(cue the eye roll). I'll do better next time, really! Ok, enough blabbing, more beads.....

The gorgeous presentation box!

As I open it up...imagine my surprise....LOOK at these little nests...too cute for words!!

PLUS..my favorite color of the moment...an AQUA bag full of jewels!

Here's the bagful.....

A closer look....Some Bling...of course!!

Freshwater Pearls in white, grey, and black....stunning!

Black glass beads. Quartz beads which were my favorite! I must find more...

Brass beads, rosary connectors and a length of rosary beads.

Check out the little crown!!

A fabulous cameo and flower button along with wonderful cabochons...

The Cameo button is my other favorite!!

I think I made out like a bandit, as my mother would say...what do you think? When I received my package I emptied everything out onto my dining room table. I'd walk by several times a day and just stop and stare at all the jewels. Planning my strategy of what to create with it. Do you do that?....come home from the fleamarket, amass everything in one pile and just sit there and look at it?

As soon as I create something very special with all the beautiful trinkets Sarah sent me, I will post it. Of course, I also may just "look" at it a while first and savor.

Etsy Treasury

2010-08-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

I am honored to be included in PamMade's "Courture Trashion" Treasury at Etsy with the theme of:

"Elegantly upcycled, chic refashioned finds that look rich but are kind to the earth and your wallet!"

She chose my refashioned bracelet - Rhinestone Twist - that features a gorgeous antique rhinestone buckle, old rosary elements and black freshwater pearls:

I have included the link to you can browse the stunning works of all talented artists she chose for her Treasury as well as PamMade's link to view her beautiful works:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c6eb645f0796d9121c8925e/couture-trashion

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PamMade

Thank you, Pam, for your wonderful discoveries!

....Tracey
.....xoxo

Weekend Gatherings

2010-08-01T18:52:00.000-04:00

Saturday morning at 6:30AM I am standing in line at an estate sale about a half hour away from my home. I had no idea the surprise that awaited me when I walked through the door. Apparently, the estate belonged to a 90 year old man who was a hoarder. And from what I saw, he kept everything! The house was packed from floor to ceiling. I think I went into each room five or six times and still found something I hadn't seen the time before. There were so many things I passed up as I was trying to stay focused in my search for old jewelry and trinkets for my creations. Here is just a sampling of what I found!!

Look at all these Deco pieces!! I was is in hog heaven! And I got it all for a song!

And there's more...........!!

Beautiful necklace with an amethyst colored stone and an 1930's Deco dress clip! So pretty!

My two favorite finds of the day...an old rose dish and mother of pearl rosaries!

Can't wait to start creating new designs!!

................What a great day I had!

........Happy Hunting!!

........Tracey

Starting Over

2010-07-27T20:38:00.000-04:00

Everyone has done it one time or another....starting over. It was back to the drawing board for me as I wanted my blog to have a new appearance and feel. So I though it best just to start anew!

So many things have happened recently. I just launched my website www.myboutiquebijou.com for my jewelry designs. One of a kind refashioned antique and vintage jewelry.....a chic collection of salvaged treasures! Here are some of my creations........

What do you think? I just love creating each and every piece. I usually have several pieces started at once...waiting for the finishing touches. Idea's run rampant through my mind so I start putting my jewels together as soon as the light bulb goes off!

I have also listed some pieces on www.etsy.com, store name "My Boutique Bijou" and joined some wonderful sites that promote creative women... www.frenchcupboard.com and www.lollishops.com. I have been completely blown away by the talent and creativity of you all out there. Amazing.

Hopefully, I will meet each and every one of you through our blogs or these wonderful websites!

Until next time........

Love what you do and do what you love!

.................Tracey