artist inspiration

Oh how time flies, my lovelies!  While I have been absent from my blog (my apologies!), I have been looking for inspiration, just a little something that could help jump start my design process again.  And then I found Yeesookyung.  I am so incredibly inspired by this artist's work Translated Vase series, from inspiration to execution.  Now I am obsessed with integrating kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending ceramics with gold, into my design.  Although this is certainly not a new idea (check out jewelry artist Jamie Joseph's stunning pieces), I am excited at testing my own take on this beautiful method.

Barnes ignited collection

A few weeks ago, my coworkers and I visited the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia.  I don't think I could love a museum more!  I won't go into too much detail and history about the museum (you can get all that information here), but beyond the stunning works of art, I was captivated by the way all of the art was curated and displayed along with metal objects, like skeleton keys, hinges, and escutcheons (a decorative plate to cover a functioning item).  I have always loved skeleton keys but this trip has ignited a desire to start an antique escutcheon collection along with my keys to display as wall decor!  Here are some beautiful ones I have found on ebay...

A Victorian brass escutcheon salvaged from a remodeling project. A small piece at only 1 1/2" high but with beautiful ornate detail!

A beautiful, rare Victorian keyhole cover with swing plate!

An Art Deco plate with a beautiful aged patina!

as seen on TV: earring search

Do you watch Once Upon a Time on ABC?  I can't really explain why but I am in love with this show... I am hooked with the storyline, woven from many different fairy tales we all know and love but are twisted in surprising ways.  One thing that has caught my eye (other than Colin O'Donoghue!) are the earrings Tinkerbell wears in every episode.  They look like a gold bezel set pear shaped opaque green stone, suspended from a gold hook and chain, that has a row of gold chains dangling from the bottom.  I have searched high and low for the designer of these wonderful earrings with no luck.  Any leads, please comment them below!

sketching

I have long wanted to learn how to properly sketch jewelry design ideas.  I have never been very good at traditional art (sketching, painting, etc.) and sadly my jewelry sketch book looks like nothing more than doodles.  Even more of a tragedy is that some ideas I "doodled" years ago are now lost in my inefficient way of capturing my ideas.  I've bought some books on the subject but get lost after the first couple of pages, which leads me to think I need to take a class or learn in a more visual way.  I can only wish that one day my jewelry sketches look like works of art on their own!

color dream

Newly obsessed with this site Design Seeds!  The combination of design and color is stunning and so inspiring.  This particular image was found based on my palette search for the middle color.  This is going to be such an amazing tool when I want to repaint some rooms in my house!

clothing collection of my dreams

It's like Christmas!!!!!!!!  A Downton Abbey clothing collection is going to launch later this year!!!  Brilliant!  Simply brilliant!

happy 200, P&P

Happy 200th Anniversary, Pride & Prejudice!  Hands down, if I was stuck on a desert island, this is the one book I would want with me.  I could read this book over and over again, and it is just as entertaining the 50th time as the 1st.

My favorite P&P movie is the BBC version with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.  Almost a 6 hour miniseries, it is just long enough to satisfy my craving for P&P!

Out of Print Clothing has some amazing P&P products!  I am wearing the sweatshirt today in celebration, but I would also love this tote for everyday use and to buy my daughter, Clara, the kid's tee!

And in case you too would like to turn your daughter into an Austen-ite, there's a kid's version of P&P to spark the love affair with this novel early on!

wooden hearts

At my job (at Anthropologie's home office) we have an art gallery space that rotates an artist's series every month.  This month is a series by artist Todd Quarles who also happens to be a fellow employee at Urban Outfitters.  I am so in love with these wooden hearts (no pun intended)!  Sadly all the ones I would love to buy (seen above) have already sold.  Some of my most treasured posessions are wooden vases my grandfather made.  The way the artist embraces the unique qualities of wood reminds me of my grandfather's work.  These pieces transport me to a moment in time, creating a deep emotional reaction in me.  I think that is one of the greatest accomplishments an artist can achieve. 

name necklace

Have you been watching Up All Night? (I highly recommend it.) I love the name necklace Reagan (Christina Applegate) wears in every episode with her daughter's name. This jewelry trend skyrocketed with the "Carrie" necklace in Sex and the City but I find myself wanting a necklace like this even more with someone I love's name instead. Such a great idea for a new mommy gift! (For a more subtle approach, you could have the child's name engraved on a ring like St Kilda's Loved Ring.)

masquerade

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!)

fall amber

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!)

damask

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.)

P.S. A new iphone means more Villette communication opportunities... Yay!

weekend plans

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!

100 years of fashion

Saw this on A Cup of Jo and had to repost. It is amazing!

Villette on pinterest

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!

mucha necklace

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.

P.S. How unbelievable is this Mucha inspired tattoo?!

boardwalk empire

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!

blue and white

There is something so classic and inherently antique-feeling about the combination of blue and white. I especially love sapphires and diamonds combined in jewelry (hence my obsessive love of the Art Deco period). New or old this color combination seems to lend an old world charm to any design. (photos from left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4.)

black and white

I love black and white photos, especially of flowers. I love that color is not a factor in the beauty of these photos and you can focus on the stunning formation of the flower itself. And I love black and white color combinations in jewelry. I love the black inclusions in quartz that make each piece unique and the pop of light stones against oxidized silver. Black and white is classic for a reason! (photos from left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4)

turquoise and gray

I have very strong reactions to color (both positive and negative). I love incorporating color into my jewelry and I am often inspired by the colors of gemstones. So I thought... why not start posting about color palettes?! This color story was inspired by the top left picture from an amazing blog called Color Collective. It reminded me of the wonderful gray matrix patterns and perfect blue green color of turquoise. (photos from left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4.)