All That Glitters...and Some Other Stuff!

Vintage Now and Then

Merry Christmas to All!

You know how I like to share my favorite things and boy do I have a lot!  I had to narrow my selections down because the season for giving can really make my head spin, but in a good way.  I'm always drawn to fabulous colors and feminine touches.  And who can resist the vintage decor?  Thank you Christopher Radko for all your wonderful glasswork because my tree just wouldn't be the same. 

My Christmas wish is that of good health and shared happiness for all! I hope you all have fabulous holidays.  See you in 2012!

Christmas Cookies

Vintage Greetings

Seasonal Whimsy



Lovely Silk Scarves



Local Art

Fun Flower Boxes

Form, not Function

It's been said that God's in the details.  I realize that saying has more to do with all that's natural but I also have to think there is a lot of divine intervention when it comes to some fabulous man made findings as well.  Looking for some acrylic painting inspiration or really any inspiration, I always refer to all that's simple, yet immensely interesting in my own environment.  Things that are normally overlooked and ignored but are intricate and lovely, all the same.  A candlestick base, the detail in an iron table or some Indian corn. 

My favorite destinations beyond my own home sweet home are local Farmer's Markets, Plant Nurseries and any Specialty Boutique.  These are wonderful locations for embarking upon special and unique treasures and uncovering amazing forms, colors and patterns.  Have you ever ventured out to find some inspiring art or texture?  Take a camera and set a goal.  One hour, 100 photos...or similar.  You'll be surprised what you may find and how you can translate that discovery.  Maybe you need some direction for a painting, room decor, making a birthday cake or a party theme.  Think outside the box, but don't over analyze.  The best ideas are always the most simple ones.  Best of luck in all your creations!

All Knotted Up...part 2 of 3!

My favorite part of the creation process is "the vision".  Sometimes this happens far before I've stepped foot into an actual bead shop and at other times I find myself enamoured by the star quality exuded by a particular bobble.  Shape, color, texture and uniqueness all play an integral part in my personal choices of materials.  Oh, and I love adding interesting vintage pieces to my jewelry.  If you've never done any beading before you have to know that it's easier than you think...just try it sometime.  My personal choice is Chinese macrame and there are both simple and complex types of knotting under this technique.  I also use crocheting at times but have never been able to master it. 

Many shops offer free or inexpensive classes and may also have open house hours weekly for you to come and create amongst others.  It's fun, relaxing, productive and enriching.  My favorite local shop is Fandangle Bead Store in Richmond.  Their website is:  http://www.fandangle-beads.com/  With inspiring creations enveloping you from the time you enter, be prepared to stay for awhile.  Melanie, the fabulously talented owner of Fandangle will both impress and insipire you with her extremely artistic jewelry and her keen eye for thousands of lovely and thoughtful products, ripe for the picking! 

Happy Beading!

Some Fandangle creations

Fandangle Beads

So many beads, so little time.

Keeping it simple...the Mallory Bracelet by bijoubee.

A full beading day!

Who Knew?

Need an escape...how about Fredericksburg, Virginia?  If you don't live in close enough proximity for a quick jaunt then you may want to investigate a new little town in your neck of the woods.  In any case, these photos may just light a fire!  While killing time waiting for some very mundane car maintenance, I coaxed a friend to travel to the quaint and surprisingly artistic Downtown Fredericksburg area.  What a fabulous awakening upon finding lovely boutiques and interesting antique stores that could easily rival many New England shops (yes, really).  Additionally we encountered some cool eateries that are both thoughtful and creative.  Yay for us!  Some of our favorite treasures were beautiful wool overcoats and rockin' rain boots at Monkee's, a fabulous re-mastered vintage chair and well, everything else at Du Jardin, and a super yummy lunch at Foode'.  Love eating in the alley.  Thank you Fredericksburg!  See you soon, luv me

All knotted up!...part 1 of 3

Who doesn't love jewelry?  But...who can really afford it...really?  Some of the loveliest and most thoughtful pieces I've stumbled upon are those that have a story and a presence.  My favorite is anything handmade.  Farmer's Markets and church bazaars are a fantastic place for these kind of finds.  If you have a bigger budget, check out some of your local boutiques to see what regional artist's they carry.  It's so much more fun knowing what you have is unique and labored over. 

My own line of precious bobbles with fellow Powhatan artist, Ramona Sontag, is called Bijou Bee.  Bijou by definition means;  A small, exquisitely wrought trinket.  Delicate, elegant or highly prized.  We adore anything vintage and consider most of our line to possess an earthy-country-vintage feel.  Occasionally we find ourselves drooling over some fabulously colored semi-precious stone and we cannot resist.  As usual, I can easily find myself all over the place when I'm in my "creation zone." 

Here are some of our favorite pieces.

Part two coming up...a "how to" lesson on making these knotted and crocheted pieces.  All Bijou Bee custom jewelry information is available by emailing:  bijoubeejewels@gmail.com.  Some pieces also available at Ciao boutique in Carytown, Richmond, VA. 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Gardening 101...I'm not teaching it, I need to sign up!  Within my list of my top five hobbies or "imaginary" hobbies, gardening has got to be #2 or #3.  Yes, my grandparents were lifelong farmers and professional gardeners (all four of them).  So, you think I would know a thing or two about when to snip and how much acid to add to the soil etc....well, you'd be right.  I do know a thing or two about the details of the plantings but when it comes to the garden I foresee in my future, I am a bit of a dreamer for now.  Luckily, I take so many fab photos of the things I love because just you wait, one day my garden will rock your world!  For now I have to stick with adding the here and there plantings as the seasons arrive.  But just look at these pics...talk about something to love!







Tri Delta inspired pansies

Orchids, always super sexy!

Seriously...the most perfect blooms ever.

Best non-bloom pattern...and a future acrylic painting!



Best color!

Gorgeous structure

Some Autumn Inspiration

Autumn, it's personally my favorite season!  I can't imagine not experiencing all that this magnificent time of year offers.  Lucky for me, I live in Virginia because as everyone knows, Virginia is for Lovers!  The lushness of the heavy foliage and the dense salty, chilled air lifting off the ocean is enough to make you want to curl up with some hot apple cider, an amazing novel and a hand knit blanket.  I have yet to delve into all of my own ritualistic fall projects but I definitely know where I'm headed.  Below are some of my favorite encounters so far....




Pumpkins with personality



Sweet little stone dragon

Secret potions



Garden meets Halloween





Recycled softball and baseball

 ...be sure to check back in a few weeks

to see some of my own autumn creations!