birthday wishlist

So it's almost my birthday.  Last night, while putting my daughter to bed, I asked her what we should do for mommy's birthday.  She replied, "give you presents, like jewelry.  Like rings... and necklaces."  I started laughing seeing as how my 4 year old daughter knows this so assuredly about her mama.  She asked, "why are you laughing mommy? You like that stuff!"  And with a chuckle I said, "I do baby, I really do."  So here it is, my annual etsy jewelry wishlist... filled with rings and necklaces:
1) Antique patterned yellow gold band- I am still looking for juuuuuuuust the right one, but this one is lovely and at an exceptional pricepoint.
2) Diamond baguette eternity band- This one is lovely and thin and perfect for stacking!
3) North Star necklace- I am really quite obsessed with North Star or starburst designs right now.  I love the pairing of this North Star necklace with the side set moon.
4) Antique Starburst ring- I love, love, love this ring!  Tiny diamond set in a starburst and a scrolling pattern on the sides.  Absolutely exquisite!

so much more

Happy Mother's Day everyone!  Just like most holidays, you shouldn't wait for this one day a year to tell your loved ones they are appreciated and loved, but there is something so incredibly wonderful about a designated day to kick your butt into gear to do just that.  Parenthood is hard and the simple accolade of "you're doing a good job, we see it and appreciate what you do" means so much.  So to all the mamas out there, you are incredible... the moms who love their children unconditionally, the women who love fiercely within their hearts as mothers, the soon-to-be mamas, the mothers who have loved and lost in silence, and the mothers who we have loved and lost but will never forget... you are an inspiration to us all!!!

My Mother's Day this year is commemorated by this beautiful Edwardian two tone gold filigree ring.  Nothing means more to me than receiving a piece of jewelry to mark important days throughout my life and to one day pass down to my own daughter.

up, up and away!

My April baby just turned 3 this past weekend.  She had a very specific list of things she wanted for her birthday, "cake, candles, balloons, presents."  So a hot air balloon-themed party it was!  I can't believe my itty bitty baby has grown up into such a little lady!

baby bracelet

I made Clara her very first piece of jewelry!  Lately, she has been grabbing for one of my bracelets so I asked her if she wanted her own, which she replied yes.  Super excited that she was even interested, I let her pick out what color she wanted from the embroidery floss I had on hand and made her this bracelet for which, once she was presented with the bracelet, she hollered "No," and threw it across the floor.  Spirits dashed, but not entirely squashed, I finally convinced her to just "try it on."  Now she won't let me take it off!  The impossible tininess of it makes me realize that although she is growing up fast, she's still so very little.

happy 5th birthday!!!

This little blog of mine turns 5 years old today!  I cannot believe it has been 5 years already... how time flies!  So many wonderful things have happened in the last 5 years... I finished up my Jewelry studio classes at Moore, I created my online portfolio, I formed many wonderful relationships with local stores, my husband and I became home owners, my pieces were sold through Anthropologie (and worked feverishly on that product while 9 months pregnant!), I had my beautiful baby girl Clara, and I have made some wonderful connections through the online jewelry community!  Thank you so much to my readers and thank you for supporting Villette Jewelry!  It has been a pleasure sharing my passion for jewelry with all of you.

happy 2nd birthday

My apologies for the long overdue post.  I was too busy celebrating this little girl's second birthday!  Happy birthday to my wonderful sweet girl!

love of my life

Today marks my husband's and my 10 year anniversary!  I must say we have made a pretty spectacular life together. This man loves me even at my worst and inspires me to be my best, and that is a rare gift.  And for that, these last 10 years have been the best of my life.  He doesn't like the overly used statement, "I married my best friend," but I really truly have!

happy birthday to my sweet baby girl

Happy first birthday to my sweet daughter, Clara!!!  I know everyone says it, but I cannot believe how fast this year has gone!  Yet, I can barely remember what life felt like before her.  I am in awe of her every day.  She is this sweet, loving, funny, amazing little person... so full of personality!  So happy birthday, my sweet baby girl... the happiness you have brought in to this world is indescribable! 

daydream believer

Daydreaming about going back to school.  In particular, I'd love to get my GIA certificate.  (Second runner up, to learn more about designing fine jewelry.)  If money weren't an issue and there were more than 24 hours in a day, I'd have gone back to school 5 times over by now.  But of late, I have found myself desiring more and more to be surrounded in a world of jewelry.  I love reading about jewelry and teaching myself as much as I can, but as intimidating as it might be, I think it's time to take the plunge and learn a lot more technical jewelry skills.  But fitting this in with the job I already have (and love) and focusing on my family, is very daunting. 

baby time!

I am extremely excited to announce that Clara Violette arrived on Wednesday April 18!  I'll be taking some time away from blogging (just for a little while) to enjoy quality time with my baby girl.  Thank you to my readers... I'll be back soon!

overwhelmed

Feeling a little overwhelmed lately. Between work and preparing for my maternity leave, pressing deadlines with jewelry orders, nursing a sick pet at home, and preparing our house and our lives for our baby girl, I sometimes don't know where to concentrate my thoughts and efforts. I know a lot of these things will be resolved or yield to positive things eventually, but it is a lot to handle right now. I am hoping that once March is over I'll be able to breathe again and focus on our approaching arrival. In the meantime, I am going to chip away at the to do list one line at a time and let go of the things I have no control over. But despite the stress that seems to almost suffocate me at times, I am still appreciative of all the wonderful things in my life right now. I just look forward to that moment, I hope to have soon, when I can breathe a sigh of relief and actually enjoy these wonderful things. (image from here.)

happy birthday to my love

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband! (It's the big 3-0!) Seriously... I am so lucky to be married to this man. He truly is my best friend. Without his support, I don't know how far I would have gotten with this wonderful jewelry business of mine!

smitten

Sorry folks, but I can't think about anything other than babies right now. My niece, Maya Elise, was born yesterday at 7:33pm PST, making me an aunt for the very first time! Now all I can think about are baby clothes, baby toys, baby books, and how I am going to spoil this little girl rotten. I am so smitten, so in love...

spring fever

I have been in a very contemplative mood these last few days and all I really want to do is lay out in the crisp cool breeze and let the sun rays warm me while I think about everything I need to think about until I have thought about it so much, I don't need to think about it anymore. Maybe I am suffering from spring fever... I would love nothing more than to escape into this wild flower field!

flower headbands and family

This past weekend, my husband and I went to visit family in New Jersey and I made a gift for my little cousin, Kleio. I just got this wonderful picture of her modeling the headband I made for her...I wear a lot of headbands, hair combs, scarves, etc. in my hair (I am obsessed with creating hairstyles a la Jane Austen with my curly hair) so naturally I started exploring making hair accessories myself, just like with jewelry. (Kleio makes a much cuter model for my stuff though!) I am working on different designs and different flower patterns but the one Kleio is wearing is one of my favorites.

Speaking of family... I need to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my big brother, Rick! He is such an amazing person and a great source of inspiration to me. Check out his blog site: http://ricksflickspicks.animationblogspot.com/.