Sweet Anniversary....

“Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day.” ~Gene Perret




I recently had the honor of creating a necklace for a customer, as a gift to her grandmother for her 60th anniversary.

As I thought about this milestone in her life, I was a bit nervous to be the one creating this special keepsake. Would it honor the love and devotion of a 60 year relationship?

So I researched anniversaries, and found the gift and meaning for 60 years. The tradition of celebrating a 60th anniversary came into popularity after Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. The gemstone is a diamond and the color is diamond white.


Here is the piece I made. I used vintage crystals to represent diamonds and antique milk glass beads for some white. I added a small gold heart along with the crystal hanging from a sweet little bird charm.






Happy 6oth to S’s grandmother, may you celebrate many more!

My Nostalgic Summer

To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -
True Poems flee.
~Emily Dickinson~


Since Memorial Day weekend is coming up, and it is the kickoff to summer, I thought I would write a bit about me, and why I named my jewelry line Nostalgic Summer.

When I was three years old my mom and dad purchased a lakeshore lot in Northwestern Minnesota. My dad built a sweet little storybook cabin on the lot, complete with stone fireplace and stone steps. He built it with love, lots of wonderful exotic wood, beamed ceilings, and cork floors perfect for wet, sandy little feet to run across (I am one of 8 children!).


My dad traveled for his job, so every summer, after school was out we packed up and went to “the lake” to live. This was a child’s dream summer! We spent our days swimming, fishing, catching all kinds of critters, and spending our hard earned money at the candy store in town. For me, all my brothers and sisters, and years later my nieces, nephews and my own son this is where our summer memories were formed.


My husband and I were fortunate to purchase the cabin from my mom about 4 years ago, and we hope to carry on this great family legacy for many years to come. When I’m there I am always nostalgic for my childhood summers, and all the great memories of growing up at this wonderful place.


So…Happy Memorial weekend everyone, And I hope you have a summer filled with wonderful new memories!

Here are a few of my new summer pieces, inspired by my summer memories!

"Something Old, Something New"

Spring is here,
theeee sky is blue.
Whooooa! the birds all sing as if they knew.
Today's the day, we'll say, "I do"
and we'll never be lonely anymore.
-Barry,Greenwich,Spector

Pearls, rhinestones, crystals, and jewels. Longing for dreamy vintage inspired bridal accessories? Nostalgic Summer is now offering a bridal line “Something Old, Something New”.



I have taken my passion for finding and re-purposing vintage jewelry with pearls and rhinestones into designing a line of beautiful, unique, one of a kind keepsakes for your big day.




Every item will be custom made for you. These handcrafted made just for you pieces will help you shine on your big day, and last for your happily ever after!




Bells will ring,
theee sun will shine.
Whooooa, I'll be his and he'll be mine.
We'll love until, the end of time
and we'll never be lonely anymore.

May Flowers

"Sweet April showers
Do spring May flowers."
~ Thomas Tusser ~

As a child I remember making little construction paper May Baskets, decorating them with crayons, glue, and lots of glitter. We would fill the little baskets with flowers and candy, then sneak to our neighbors houses, hang them on the door, ring the bell and run.

I was always so excited, wondering what their reaction was to my sweet little glittery treat.



Check out the May Baskets at: http://victoriamag.com/article.aspx?id=5484

Goddess Flora

May Day is an ancient celebration honoring the Roman goddess Flora. Flora was the goddess of all flowering plants.

Although the giving of May baskets has faded in popularity, I am honoring Goddess Flora and placing this “May Day Basket” on your door step today.








Please enjoy. Happy May Day!


"The May-pole is up,
Now give me the cup;
I'll drink to the garlands around it;
But first unto those
Whose hands did compose
The glory of flowers that crown'd it."
~ Robert Herrick, The Maypole, 1660 ~

Earth Day 1970-2011

“There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet.“ ~Brooke Medicine Eagle

Growing up in “The Land Of 10,000 Lakes”, I’ve always been aware of the beauty of nature. I suppose it helped having a father who studied forestry at the University of Minnesota.



My dad loved the outdoors and nature. He also loved sports, fishing, hunting etc… but with a great respect for what he was taking and leaving behind. I think that’s what gave me my respect for our environment.

I think it is also a part of my passion for re-purposing. We have so much, yet we are always looking for the next new thing, ready to discard the old.

So in honor of my father and in respect of this wonderful planet, and all the creatures on it, I am giving 15% of my Etsy sales, from 4/22/11 to 4/22/12 to the World Wildlife Fund.

http://www.worldwildlife.org/home-full.html

Happy Earth Day everyone! ….. remember to take some time to enjoy this beautiful planet!




"It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever." ~Jimmy Carter

Happiness

“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?”
-Albert Einstein

In my case a table, a chair, a pile of trinkets and my imagination.

I belong to an on line blog group, where we submit our humble blogs and our fellow members give valuable input. Another member recently wrote a blog featuring one of my necklaces titled “They key To Happiness, if it were as simple as this re-purposed necklace”

http://jadeluckclub.com/the-key-to-happiness-if-it-were-as-simple-as-this-re-purposed-necklace/#comment-27

This got me to thinking, is happiness that simple? So I made a mental list of when I’m happy and why. Here it is some of the things that make me happy:
1. My family, I have the best supportive family in the world. And we all genuinely LIKE each other.
2. My sweet little puppies

And now for the list of simple happy things,

3. The first snow, (don’t ask me about the 7.8.9…..)
4. Digging in my garden
5. Cookies
6. Finding trinkets to turn into treasures
7. Pearls, glass beads, rhinestones (I do have a bit of crow in me)
8. Candles
9. Flowers
10. Long walks on a cool summer morning

This list could go on, but my point is, yes I do think that happiness is as simple as a re-purposed necklace.

I have a stone on my garden path that is engraved with this saying:
“Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” ~Robert Brault

I think if we don’t try so hard to pursue happiness we will be happier!

Here are a few pieces that make me happy…. I hope you enjoy them also.

“The Legend of the Tulip” …. Part Two

When we last left Granny Grey she was planting tulip bulbs for the Pixies, and I had a pile of stuff.
Well Granny’s tulips have bloomed and so have a few necklaces!

This piece is made from a pretty rhinestone circle pin, antique prism, pearl beads, and a vintage rosary.



The second piece is made from an antique tool tag, two rosaries, and a vintage brass necklace chain.



This next piece is a favorite and custom made for a client using family heirloom pieces.



I have more, but you will have to check out my Etsy shop to see those…. Don’t miss “De Pierre Lapin Necklace”

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and, remember to look for the “Pixie Cradles” in your Tulips!