I loved this necklace by Ninh Wysocan so much that I had to make my own version. I enjoyed selecting various different chain styles and it has definitely inspired me to branch out a little more on my chain selections in the future. I especially love how this necklace can get all twisted and tangled and it still looks beautiful.
Possibly the prettiest, most perfect, simple diamond necklace. Definitely fits the bill when it comes to item #1 on my holiday wish list!
This is my kind of icicle! Mizuki's diamond icicle necklace is extraordinary. Simple, modern, and sleak, not to mention, super sexy when draping down the decolletage.
For every gift giving holiday my husband asks me, "what do you want?" And like a broken record I say, "jewelry!" I have said this so much he has finally stopped asking. This Christmas we have decided not to exchange gifts with one another, but I always have a running wish list when it comes to jewelry. Here are my top 4 of the moment:
Tonight is my company's holiday party and the theme this year is Masquerade. Our last holiday party was the Roaring 20's, which is a hard theme to beat, but everyone seems to be all abuzz about the masks they made. I'm excited to see all the variations. Just google antique masquerade masks and the imagery that pops up is breathtaking. I especially love this designer Venetian silver mask. So beautiful and a far cry from the traditional porcelain masks you are used to seeing! (In case you are curious, my mask is composed of black feathers with a pop of teal and green on one side with small silver flecks at the corner of the eyes. Very mysterious!)
Seriously, Ninh Wysocan is the queen of organic design! Her chain draping is pure perfection. This necklace may look "thrown together" but the intentional placement of every chain layer and small metal detail is what makes this piece exceptionally beautiful. She never fails at being my jewelry soul mate!
Holy moly, Brooke Gregson, you have done it again! Another knock-out! LOVE IT! What I wouldn't give to own something as magnificent as this in all it's splendor...
There is something about amber that is so fitting for fall. The rich colors of this stone (or rather fossilized tree resin) literally seem to glow from within. I love this amber necklace that Ginnifer Goodwin is wearing, especially against her wonderful rusty orange dress. So beautiful. (P.S. Have you been watching Once Upon a Time, starring Goodwin? I was hesitant about it at first but it is really starting to get good. Besides, it is worth watching just to see Ginnifer. Love her!)
I just got a new iphone (I know, I am REALLY late to the game) and now I am OBSESSED with finding the perfect iphone case! I have decided a damask print is the way to go, but with so many great options, I am having a really hard time deciding. Which one do you like? (All of these and other great designs are offered on Zazzle.)
Bringing back the antique hair combs! My messy updo today looks instantly put together with just the addition of one of my antique hair combs. Personally, I am a sucker for the faux tortoise shell ones with intricate carvings but I would love to expand my collection. How beautiful is this antique Edwardian hair comb?! I absolutely love the metal detailing.
I love this pendant by Ten Thousand Things, especially the pin through the pearl. It adds just a little bit of quirkiness to an otherwise refined pendant. (I also love that this necklace comes in silver and with different stone options.)
I am literally dumbfounded that I have not written a post about this before! For almost a year now, I have been on the search for an antique locket (inspired by a necklace Romola Garai wore in the ballroom scene of Emma). To be even more specific, I'd love to find a lavalier antique locket, similar to this one on ebay. I love the extra drop of a lavalier style... it creates such a beautiful shape along the neckline. (P.S. In case you haven't noticed, I love having ridiculously specific antique items to search for... the hunt is half the fun!)
It breaks my heart to say this, but later this month JKarma Boutique will be closing. This store has been near and dear to my heart for years and the relationship I have built with this store, and the owner, over the last two years has been so important to me. This boutique's well edited jewelry collection and reasonable prices is what brought me back time and time again, going back to when it was Ethnics Jewelry on South Street. Philadelphia is losing a true jewelry treasure! And there will always be a place in my heart for this wonderful store that gave this budding jewelry designer a chance. J. Karma, you will be greatly missed! Take advantage of the amazing sales while you can and say a fond farewell to this magnificent store.
Happy Halloween! I love this holiday, if only for the excuse to eat a serious amount of chocolate and watch marathons of scary movies. But I miss the days of the kid-like excitement of planning my Halloween costume for months and dressing up with spookie make-up and all. These vampire teeth rings would be the perfect, subtle way to show my love for this holiday while still maintaining my adult status.
I am excited to announce that Villette Jewelry will now be sold at select Anthropologie stores! Above will be two of the styles offered (coming in November)... two of my favorite styles with a little twist, my Alchemy necklace with a bezel set solar quartz and my Enraptured earrings with gold wire and oxidized silver earwires. Other styles include my traditional Alchemy necklace and one of a kind Watchcase lockets. I couldn't be happier with how all the product turned out and I am so excited about this new partnership with Anthropologie.
I love the look of antique etched or engraved wedding bands. If you are not one who wants a ton of diamonds in your wedding ring set, this is a wonderful alternative that still has a lot of visual interest. And even better, they make the perfect additional stacking ring for a wedding set too! (Above ring found here.)
I took a trip to NYC for work and had some free time to stop by ABC Carpet & Home, possibly one of my favorite places to look for jewelry in the city. Although their website offers some jewelry, their in-store selections are far better and worth the visit to the retail space. Once again, I was introduced to a new, amazing jewelry designer, Danielle Welmond. Her stone settings are beautifully organic and I love her mix of semi-precious stones with a sprinkle of diamonds. (This piece can be found on Twist.)
I know I have talked about Boardwalk Empire before but I still am in awe of their costume design, especially the jewelry. I was immediately struck by the jade earrings Gillian (Gretchen Mol) seems to be wearing often this season (apologies for the small photo, I couldn't find a larger photo of her wearing the earrings). I have now become obsessed with tracking down art deco jade filigree earrings. I found these which are pretty spectacular!
I love the combination of high/low on this necklace by Margaret Solow. Beautiful labradorite and sapphire are bezel set in 14K gold and placed on a simple silk cord. (I also love the addition of the off-center gold bead.) The combination makes this necklace feel wearable but slightly decadent.
I love Gabriela Artigas' Raven collection, especially her geometrical stud bracelet. These wear everyday pieces are a departure from Artigas' classic styles that are much bigger statement pieces. But I seem to be more drawn to this new, simpler aesthetic. I just can't get enough of these wispy, delicate styles!
Probably one of the most feminine ring collections I have seen. This ring by Rust Wedding has all the perfect embellishments for an ultra feminine ring... delicate setting, dainty band, elegant scrollwork and floral design. And even better yet, it's all made by hand!
Made this simple piece last night. (I just can't get enough of mixing gold and oxidized silver!) 20 gauge wire is steadily becoming one of my favorite materials. It's the perfect size for delicate pendants, like above, and dainty rings.
Did you know that Villette Jewelry is on Facebook? It's a great way to keep up with new happenings and to spread the love for Villette Jewelry.
Fall is in the air! I plan to enjoy the weather and spend some quality time outside on Saturday but, as for Sunday, I plan to wrap myself in a cozy blanket with a hot cup of tea and catch up on Downton Abbey. A very delightful prospect! Have a fun-filled fall weekend!
I love these frame-set earrings by Pippa Small (available at Barney's). One, rutilated quartz is one of my favorite stones. Two, I am loving the simplicity and perfection of frame-set stones. I have a feeling these earrings would make many of my other earrings jealous!
The organic settings of Ken + Dana Designs are unbelieveable. Their sculptural approach to design is breathtaking and ensures a one of a kind, unique ring.
Finally took the plunge and signed up for Pinterest. This has been a constant go-to site for inspiration for me for awhile so I thought it was about time to start sharing my own inspiration. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with all of these social networks I am venturing into! Check out my first inspiration board on Pinterest!
Now that's one impressive bracelet! (P.S. Kind of obsessed with this new website Twist. Not only does it have an impressive line-up of designers, but also some of those designers most covetable designs!)
I know I am late to the game on this one, as I do not really follow celebrity gossip (although I AM a huge Trueblood fan), but I am totally in love with Anna Paquin's ring by Cathy Waterman. It is gorgeous and a brilliant example of how wonderful Waterman's work is.
I was finally able to give my friend, Alexis, her bridal jewelry this weekend! I was very excited (and honored) to be asked to do this for her and I am really happy how the pieces turned out. I love the mix of quartz and organic pearls in the earrings and the multiple layers of pearls drape beautifully on this bracelet. I love collaborating with people on custom work.... it's amazing what collaboration can generate! And I'm looking forward to working on more bridal jewelry in the future.
I am obsessed with krinkle chain (or what some people call paperclip chain). I love that this chain doesn't take a back seat to a pendant. It's beautiful in its own right. I have been searching high and low for an antique krinkle chain necklace with no luck. But it seems antique chains (without additions or a pendant) are hard to come by. If you have any good sources, let me know! (This oxidized version is available on etsy.)
Seriously... these earrings by Nina Bukvic are OUTRAGEOUS! (Look at the detail shot! I love the gold wire holding the black diamonds.) I don't think you would need to wear a single piece of jewelry other than these earrings (especially with their 4" drop). I would love to wear these with a little black dress with my hair pinned back in a messy bun and let the earrings get all the attention.
Loving this necklace by Ariel Gordon! (I'd love to get it in Iolite!) It layers so nicely with other necklaces and I love the look of it trailing down the collarbone.
I am literally speechless about this necklace designed by the famous artist, Alphonse Mucha. The detail of this necklace is breathtaking and each inch of the necklace is better than the last. I can't even imagine how spectacular it probably is in person.
On the hunt for an antique elongated navette ring. This one is pure perfection from Ruby Lane. I also love the cluster of diamonds in the center... something else I have been recently coveting!
Here are 2 examples of why I adore Robert Lance Jewelers! The craftsmanship is impeccable and you can't beat his pricing. These 2 beautiful custom-made rings are part of my wedding ring set and go wonderfully with my antique engagement ring and wedding band. (left: shared prong sapphire ring, right: bead set diamond ring with milgrain edges and engraved sides.)
Figs + Ginger's stud earrings are as cute as cute can be! I love their child-like whimsy. And if you are having a hard time choosing your favorite, don't worry, they are only $25 a pair! (p.s. I am also totally enamored with their lovebirds necklace!)
Persimmon is one of my favorite jewelry sites which offers an array of designs by different designers (seriously... it seems like this site was created just for me!). Right now, I am obsessing over Mizuki's bezel set diamond necklace. I so want to be the kind of girl that can wear a diamond necklace everyday!
I am super excited about the start of Season 2 of Boardwalk Empire in September. The show is visually stunning to say the least! I found this old Vanity Fair photo shoot of the ladies of Boardwalk Empire and just got a little more excited for new episodes. Can't wait!
Loving this necklace by Kiersten Crowley. The layered tiers make quite an impact while the small details maintain a pure simplicity. I love the organic hand wrought feel of each of Crowley's pieces.
