La Belle Brocante

Waiting in the Wings

Baroque pearls, faceted quartz, antique French silver filigree medal, antique German porcelain doll body, additional French religious medals.

A work in progress ... though aren't we all?

 

Sepia

A darling friend stopped by this weekend. In amongst the artwork and copious quantities of home baking, she helped sort out the studio. Filed here. Organized there. Made little arrangements and vignettes. Things have been shuffling into place. It's once again a serene space. Comfortable. Quiet. And happy.

Merci, dear friend.

xoxo

Brocante Pendants on Etsy

Some Brocante pendants on Etsy today.

Enjoy!

 

xoxo

 

Sacred Heart

May you be loved and cared for, and find peace in your own heart.

 

British keys, from Best Friend and other sources. 

Sizes extra tiny to smallish, medium to extra medium.

Perfect for pendants and other gatherings of antique bits.

 

There are some new French papers in the shop today, and I hope to add some pendants at the weekend.

Wishing you happiness.

xoxo

 

A Splash of Red

A custom pendant for someone's special someone for Christmas.

Red 'Sea Bamboo' coral, quartz, sterling, and vintage treasures. The charm is double sided, with a woman's profile sporting a turn of the century coif on the reverse.

While this pendant is already sold, The aquamarine pendant and danglies will be available soon on etsy.

xoxo

 

Jetons {a conclusion}

Congratulations to Georges of Brooklyn, who guessed correctly!

Game chips, or Jetons, these are very very old, very very thin, and very very French.

The pips are etched and coloured by hand, with an assortment of trèfles, carreaux, and cœurs, but no piques.

The prize? Three of these beautiful jetons, one of each suit. Georges, please forward your address.

Thank you to all who played ... another guessing game coming up in the New Year!

 

xoxo

 

p.s. for those of you who are feeling covetous, a very few of these jetons will be for sale at a later date.

 

Bijoux

Playing with icy winter blues. 

Aquamarine and quartz. Antique medailles religieux. Sterling wire and findings. 

Guessing game update below.

xoxo

Guesses Galore!

Is it a hand-stitched animal in a frame? No.

Is it a handmade animal? No.

Is it a lovely timeworn vintage reindeer figure, carved wood or bone, to add to the holiday mantle decor? No. No. Yes! No.

Any hints? Well, we know it's small. It's animal related. It's handmade. It's bone. Those ideas are pretty hinty, so don't give up. It's worth it, you'll see!

xoxo

 

Is it a carved egg? No.

Could it be a carved bone "person"? No.

Would it be a carved bone letter opener to open all of your Christmas cards? No.

Is it a skeleton of an animal put together by a human? No.

Is it a serving piece made with a bone handle? No.

Is it a bone button? No.

Is it purely decorative or does it serve a function? Intended specifically for a man, or woman? No. Yes, a function. No.

Is its function intended for work? Play? No. Yes.

Is it a game piece? Bone dominoes? Sort of. No.

Would this object normally be found in a kitchen? Or would this object normally be found in a bedroom? Or a living room? Or the basement? Or an outbuilding? No. No. Yes, perhaps. No. No.

Is it a bone whistle? No.

To play a game of chess, A chess piece? No.

a small hand-carved nativity from bone or ivory? No.

Is it a part of a game? Like dice or pins? Yes, though it might apply to more than one. No.

Would this object belong to a child? A woman? A man? No. Yes. Yes.

Is it bone dice? No.

Is it a chip made out of bone that could be used in backgammon or checkers? Yes. No. No.

...a poker chip made out of bone? Oui! Oui! OUI!!!

 

 

In Progress

Today it rained from start to finish. Grey, greyer, and greyest.

I twisted wire around tiny smoky quartz rondelles until I had 30" of chain. Until my fingers hurt. Delightful as this creating is, it is very hard on the fingers. 

Next I am adding the brocante treasures. A rosary piece and a mourning pendant. Then other small findings as they fall into place.

Your guesses are coming along nicely. Do keep trying - the prize is petite, but very lovely indeed.

 

xoxo