A Gathering of Tearful Beauties

More Musings - France April 2011

  Un Beau Soir à Paris

This is the only nighttime photograph I took while in France, don't ask me why.  I should have taken many more but in hind sight we weren't out alot in the evenings as we were so exhausted from our daytime activities.  My cousin had me hopping with visiting two and three museums during the day and spending our fair share of time sitting in the sidewalk cafes watching people go by - a national passtime in France. 

  "Au Printemps, nous avons des vêtements!" - Grand Magasin Printemps, Paris

Besides people watching, we spent time window shopping or window "ogling" as I call it.   When you can't afford what's in the store you appreciate it from outside the store.  I was really more fascinated with the bouquet "heads" than the clothing in this window.  The "Printemps" Department Store is a national landmark in Paris and has been in business since 1865. "Au Printemps, nous avons des vêtements!" was one of their original advertising slogans. 

The spectacular stained glass cupola in the tearoom in Printemps

My picture doesn't nearly do this iconic structure justice.  This stained glass dome is more belonging in a cathédrale or château than in a busy downtown department store.  One more reason why people visit Printemps more to "ogle" than to shop. 

One of the many ceilings of "Fontainebleau"

My physiotherapist became my best friend upon my return from France.  Taking pictures of the ceilings at Fontainebleau and the other chateaux et cathédrales certainly wasn't the best thing for my neck, but it was well worth the headaches.  Take a few minutes and just stare at this picture, take it all in and then try to put it into words............an impossible task. 

  French Flea Market Find - Antique Beaded Trim - black bugle beads

I am still posting items from my french flea market days in my Etsy shoppes. This beaded trim is in my ParisPerfection Etsy Shoppe .

Authentic French Post Card

I also returned with a large quantity of authentic french post cards, some dating back to the late 1890's and early 1900's.  I am posting these lovelies in my BeJoyfulVintage Etsy Shoppe .  All include handwritten notes in french.  I am trying to provide translations in the descriptions for each post card. 

Je suis épuiser. Cela est temps d'aller au lit.  Bon Soir! 

Right Before My Eyes....Punctuation Pantyhose.....What Next!

I was visiting my daughter in Kitchener this weekend and, yes, okay, I did some antiquing too. So, when I was driving over to King St. I saw this woman, I would say in her 70's, walking down the street wearing these Punctuation Pantyhose. These pantyhose were part of her total package - vintage fur trimmed black pill box hat, 50's black jumper and white blouse and red, yes, red leather gloves in August.

I had to google the pantyhose as soon as I got home - couldn't get them out of my mind. They're made by American Apparel and available online for $30 plus $8 shipping. Headturners for sure.

While you're at it, wear these with vintage punctuation brooches that can be found at my vintage jewelry shoppe on Etsy http://www.blissquest.etsy.com and other Etsy vintage jewelry sellers. Search for a "question mark brooch" in my shoppe and then search the rest of Etsy for "exclamation marks, colons, semi-colons, apostrophes, brackets......" you get it. Wear them on your jacket lapel, hat brim or wherever else strikes your fancy.

 

Exclamation Mark Brooch from http://www.LorenzoMele.etsy.com

Check Mark Brooch from http://www.homeygirl.etsy.com

Double up for double fun!

BeJoyful today and always!

A Collector's Prayer - My Silly Time

  
 
Art Deco Milk Glass Spice Jars

Every once in a frequent while I get silly and decide to write some poetry.  I wrote this Collector's Prayer this evening and posted it on Twitter.  Who knows if anyone read it, and even if they did, did they understand it?  You'd have to be a collector of some kind, right?

A Collector's Prayer

Vintage near, Ever dear, Quells my fears of night's dark tears, and Wipes away to see new day arrive, Rejoice, Collect anew!

 
Engraved Loving Cup

 
Vintage Boyd and Bond Brooch

 
"My Dog Collar Pearls" Vintage Faux Pearl and Brass Necklace

Having my online Etsy vintage shoppes allows me to collect a bit of everything, but never fear becoming a hoarder as I can always find a new home for my treasures with people that love them just as much as I do. 

Sweet dreams my dears.

BeJoyFul!

One Orphaned Earring and "Thinking Outside of the Jewelry Box"

 
 One Orphaned Earring Necklace and Earring Set

An orphaned earring was all I received from my super friend Betty along with her request to turn it into a necklace.  Oh and could I make some matching earrings?  I think she's going to be pleased with the results, don't you?  The earring is now part of the focal point of this necklace, it's not an earring anymore!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three 1 1/8" vintage rhinestone and metal buttons, snippets of gunmetal chain and three 1/4" rhinestone buttons were added to the graduated circle earring component to create this stunning jewelry set. 

This is why I keep telling you "DON'T THROW OUT YOUR OLD AND BROKEN JEWELRY!" Bring these pieces to me and let's see what we can do with them. 

It's always an adventure with a surprise destination at the end!

"Thinking Outside of the Jewelry Box"

Oh and I'm thinking "outside of the jewelry box" again.  I just posted this romantic covered dish in my BlissQuest Vintage Jewelry Shoppe to be used as a jewelry holder.  This dove crowned silverplate dish is too good for butter or even cheese - it needs to be protecting and displaying your vintage jewelry pieces on your bedside table or dresser.  So shabby chic and a truly original, "off the wall" use!

 Vintage Sheffield Reproduction Silverplate Covered Butter Dish

BEJOYFUL my dears!

 

Layering - The Sky's the Limit!

 
Vintage Carved Celluloid and Goldtone Chain Necklace layered with ethnic inspired Bone Dagger and Bead Necklace

There's been alot of press over the last few years about the flexibility and flair behind layering clothing pieces.  Stores like Old Navy and H&M offer a wide array of light weight knits and sheer fabrics for this purpose and to save the wearer from "baking" like a hot potato.  Now comes the new trend of layering jewelry pieces to create a more interesting, in depth jewelry statement.  New with Vintage, multiple metal chains with ceramic beads, bohemian or ethnic styles with victorian cameos.  The sky's the limit!

The Bone Dagger and Bead Necklace above and Red Wafer and Round Bead and Brass Bead Necklace below are both currently offered in my BlissQuest Etsy Shoppe .

 
Mid-Century Celluloid and Brass Floral Choker over a Damascene Coin Necklace and anchored by an ethnic inspired Dyed Wood Wafer and Round Bead and Brass Bead Necklace - all vintage 

Not only can you layer these beauties on yourself, but display them in your bedroom or dressing room on these nifty jewelry forms.  Readily available at Michaels and other craft stores for around $12 CAD usually in black and white.  Or online at shoppes like  www.notablenotions.etsy.com or www.displaydiva.etsy.com . 

www.displaydiva.etsy.com

www.notablenotions.etsy.com

 
Silverplate Tidbit Tray Repurposed as a Jewelry Holder

I wasn't kidding when I said "the sky's the limit".  Repurpose a diminutive silverplate tiered tidbit tray (oh it's that layering thing again) as a bedside or vanity table jewelry holder.  The tray above is currently for sale in my Blissquest Etsy Shoppe along with oodles of vintage jewelry pieces. 

 
 

Repurposed Vintage Dishes - "Garden Variety" OOAK Jewelry Holder from Etsy Shoppe RestNot

You can't have this beauty as I just purchased it from my friend Jennifer at RestNot and she's  working on a custom order OOAK jewelry holder for me right now!  Why not get her working on a special order for you too?

'Nuff said about "layering". 

BeJoyful mes amis!

Long Standing Love Affair and BlissQuest's JewelryNest Shoppe

 
 
 
My husband.....L.....O.....V.....E.....S....trains.  Model trains or full grown trains, he absolutely adores them, hence this long standing love affair.  Needless to say, our home during the Christmas season is decorated to a certain extent with train ornaments.

 

 

One year he actually decided to put the traditional model train set around the bottom of the tree after all the presents were open.  But then he discovered the potential for the train cars to become kid and cat toys (we have 2 children and four cats) to be a little too high.  No more tree train.  So we roll with the ornamentals like the one above. 

BLISSQUEST'S JEWELRYNEST ETSY SHOPPE

I have resurrected my Etsy BlissQuest shoppe this week.   Previously it was the home for BarbaraDoone's current trend jewelry line.  For 2011, at least, it's becoming the JEWELRYNEST.  I will be offering wearable vintage jewelry, excess glass and other beads and tools for your crafting pleasure, and destash lots of broken jewelry and other such neat stuff.  Oh and I'll be throwing in some display and packaging items as well.  Great prices as I gotta get rid of some crafting stuff!

 
Vintage Cloisonnee Bangles $9 US

 
Funky and Chunky Necklace $12.50 US

 
Crystal Cross Pendant Necklace $21 US

BOGO pricing.  Buy one higher priced item at full price and receive the second item 50% off, buy the third item full price and the 4th 50% off, you get it.    Just e-mail or convo me through Etsy the items you want and I will adjust the pricing accordingly.  OR, buy them and I will process a refund through your Paypal account. 

 
Coffee and Cream Clip-On Earrings $15 US

I will be moving the lower priced vintage jewelry pieces currently offered in my BeJoyfulVintage Etsy Shoppe to the JewelryNest over the next few days.  I may even take the liberty of adding chain and ribbon etc. to some pieces to do a little makeover but the prices will stay low, low, low and BOGO will drive them even lower. 

 
Boho Chic Mother of Pearl Pendant Necklace $16 US

This is a stunning mother of pearl hibiscus pendant.  I've added some multi-hued sari ribbon, antiqued brass chain and a antiqued brass lobster claw.  Ready to wear or remove from the ribbon and put the pendant on another chain. 

There you have it. 

Christmas is coming fast.  the BarbaraDoone Etsy Shoppe  BeJoyfulVintage Etsy Shoppe and BlissQuest's JewelryNest Etsy Shoppe  still have lots of goodies on hand to help with your Christmas list, at least locally.  E-mail me at bejoyful@barbaradoone.com if you need help with deciding on what to give that special someone for Christmas and New Year's. 

This truly is the season to BeJoyful!  Give it a try, it's catching!

 

 

 

BeJoyfulVintage in Blogland and Vintage Lace Pendant Necklace Giveaway

 
"Coeur et la Tete" Pendant Necklace

I've begun doing some online advertising of late.  The BeJoyfulVintage avatar and link now appears in the VintageIndie Blog and CityofDionne Blog . 

Both blogs are run by dynamic, trend setting women, putting themselves "out there" to brand great artisan made and vintage wares and sharing bits and pieces of their daily lives with the masses.  Take a moment and check these blogs out - you'll enjoy some great reads and pix. 

I am contributing my vintage lace pendant necklace, "Coeur et la Tete", to a giveaway that will be held on the CityofDionne Blog in the near future.  The necklace features a vintage lace snippet and vintage french dictionary phrase sandwiched between two glass slides.  A freshwater pearl and heart charm add more spice.  And, a vintage ribbon bow bedecks the simple silvertone bead chain.   

Keep watch on Dionne's blog for the giveaway details.  There will be several different gift bags to be won and the pendant will be in one of them. 

 
I will be making more of these necklaces, each OOAK, and offering them through my BeJoyfulVintage Etsy Shoppe . Keep a watch for them. I continue to offer my OOAK Art Jewelry History Collection pieces through my BarbaraDoone Etsy Shoppe .

Oh, BTW, I'm also offering a 15% discount on all items in the shoppe from now 'til the end of January, 2011.  Use discount code XMASJOY2010 at checkout time to ensure the discount is processed automatically. 

BJF and Merry Christmas!

Repurposing with Love

 
Electric Light Fixture or Candleholder or Planter

 
Egg Dipper or Picture/Card Holder or Table Centerpiece

 
Condiment Dish or Pet Water and Food Station or Planter

It's no wonder that the love of vintage things has surfaced, with bravado, in the artistic community of late.  The creative and artistic mind sees usefulness in the damaged, cast-off, time worn pieces from the past.  The creative mind sees beauty and whimsy where others see trash and darkened, sad images.  The creative mind wants to parade and display these lovelies so that others can learn to see the same usefulness, beauty and whimsy, pride and passion that we see.    

Is there still hope?

BJF!

Alive and Well and Living in Whitby and Studio BarbaraDoone Open House Update

 
This winsome darling is frantically trying to figure out how to get back in her garden on this book cover.  Somehow she fell out or off and desperately needs to return to finish putting her garden to bed for the winter.  I couldn't resist listing this item in The Shoppe using this picture.  It screams that there's "a mystical story to be told".  The story would most certainly involve flitting wood nymphs and an ogre or two. 

It's been a while since my last posting so I thought I better let you know that I am alive and well and still living in Whitby.  This past month and a half has been a whirlwind with another family wedding in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, which I will be doing a post on, and a family visit/buying trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Also, commitments have been made for BarbaraDoone to show her Art Jewelry History Collection at two artisan shows in November.  Details to follow.

I have also been errant with the next "What Is This?" contest.  Stay tuned and keep checking the blog around the first of the month.  I've got a doozy for you!

Studio BarbaraDoone Open House - NOW Thursday, October 21, 2010

The original date of October 14th for the first annual Open House has been changed to Thursday, October 21st.  Our return from Minneapolis was delayed by several days due to Triple M contracting the flu - 2 days in bed and a very miserable man child.  No one likes being sick and being sick AND away from home is the absolute worst. 

I hope I can get to the few friends and customers that I've already given the original date to so please make a point of passing this change to those you know who want to attend. 

Further details and e-mails to follow asap this week. 

So glad to be home and I have been missing all of you!

BJF!

My Tearful Beauties Tell Amazing Stories

Amazing things have been happening to me and my Etsy shoppe lately and I'd like to take some time and blog space to tell you a couple of stories that have touched my heart and just confirmed for me that this is where I'm meant to be and this is what I'm meant to be doing right now.

The Poodles Adore Pastries oil painting by Janet Hill

I have a new Etsy friend, Janet Hill, a very talented oil painter and print maker.  Above is one of her latest oil paintings.  Here is her Etsy shoppe  JanetHillStudio  where she sells her original oils and prints and her blog Janet Hill's blog . 

The reason this painting is so special is that Janet purchased the poodle salt and pepper shakers used in the painting from my Etsy shoppe BeJoyfulVintage .   What also makes this an amazing story is that when she purchased the shakers my daughter and I were just about to leave for her town for some antiquing and to see Kiss Me Kate at the Stratford Festival Theatre.  I was able to hand deliver the poodles to her husband at his bookstore on the main street in Stratford, Ontario.  Unfortunately, Janet was out of town and I could not meet her in person but that too will happen some day soon.  We've been e-mail kibbitzing back and forth since then, great fun!  Now, how would I have met Janet otherwise?

BTW she posted the painting in her Etsy shoppe earlier today and I just saw that it has already sold.  Congrats Janet! 

Here's a picture of the original shakers.  So, my final word is that if Janet painted a sliding glass door and propped it against a wall, there's no doubt in my mind that I would try to walk through it.  That's how talented she is and how utterly silly I can be!

I'll share one more amazing story with you in today's posting. 

Songs of the Ettrick Shepherd

This is a beautiful, gentle book of Scottish brogue poetry and songs penned by Jame Hogg who was actually considered to be, by many, "The Ettrick Shepherd".  There are 5 mystical colour drawings included in this book by Jesse M. King.  Stunning pictures.  A lovely lady in Santa Cruz, California purchased this book and asked me to ship it to a dear relative in Scotland.  Not a problem, we ship just about anywhere around the world. 

But the reason she purchased the book is the the "icing on this cake".  The Scottish relative lives on the same street as the illustrator does, or did, in Scotland, at the time that she did the drawings for this book.  How amazing is that?  What are the odds of me posting this book for sale and her finding it to give as a gift to the Scottish relative?

 
 
My tag line for the BeJoyfulVintage shoppe is "A Gathering of Tearful Beauties" which grew out of a self penned phrase -  "beauty can bring one to tears as easily as to joy". 

The items I sell in my vintage shoppe are my "tearful beauties" and when I can tell you stories like these two, I believe the relationship to tears is moreso appropriate.  Some would say these are coincidences.  I like to believe that these happenings were meant to be therefore I am meant to be here on Etsy, selling my wares so that these wonderful coincidences can occur.   Very poetic, very lovely, very mystical, don't you think?

BEJOYFUL today and always!