Gettin' married?

A girl on her wedding day: oh the drama. It's often forgotten that the wedding day is a celebration of the beautiful blessing of marriage rather than the hoopla of wedding festivities.

Having said that, I am a Southern girl that searched high and low for the elements that represent all things true to the taste of Andrew and me. And I enjoyed doing it. (For the most part.) One of the best compliments that I received after the wedding was that the atmosphere really exuded my personal style! I worked so hard for that sentiment to be there; I worked so hard for this day to be beautiful; I just wanted everything to go perfectly. Well it didn't, but that's another story.

You can't control the mishaps that happen on your wedding day, but my theory was that I could control the elements that encompass the wedding before the big day.

I had what I call an "elegant garden" wedding. So I wanted the details to be represented in this theme. Having a love for all things vintage, I started looking for brooches to give the final touch to my wedding dress ensemble. I really searched far and wide for the right antique brooch. We scrounged together lots of grandmothers brooches from mom's friends, and I even had a pair from a shirt that I bought in college! I looked in every jewelry store in Baton Rouge. Nothing would do. Well my momma finally found one on a trip that was just what I was looking for. It was actually fun to search for the perfect piece. (You'd think I would have realized my calling then, but it still took a few more months for that epiphany.)

So I had the brooch, and I was all set on my wedding day. As we were all getting our hair done on the big day, I saw that my hairdresser put the sweetest dainty flowers in both of my sister's hair! Well I had to do the same, but instead of the flowers, I pulled out my brooches from the shirt I got in college, and we put those in my hair! It was complete! I needed a unanimous consensus, though, that it was "just right" from all the girls.

It's funny how I tried to plan it all, but little sparks of creativity just happen when you least expect it.

I've had several inquiries from brides about brooches in particular. Here are some that I have for sale.

I'd love to help you look for the perfect piece of jewelry that represents you for your special day!

I love this vintage pearl and rhinestone brooch. Very "wedding day."

This is a gold tone pearl brooch. It has been beautifully preserved. It's a heavy piece that would be great with a wedding that is similar to mine: garden-y.

This gold filled brooch is sweet and dainty for the bride that is both of those things as well. The pearls are in excellent condition.

Owls, Hummingbirds, and Fireflies

So there are a few things out there in the world that I always seem to be searching for, and it happens to be non-jewelry related. (It's my blog, so I can talk about whatever I want, right?)

A few months ago, my mom and I were in the Highlands, NC driving down a back road when an owl flew past our windshield. It was the largest wingspan I'd ever seen! It was so regal! So we stopped, and I rolled down the window to take a picture of this beautiful animal. It was like he was posing for me. I've always searched for owls ever since I could remember. My Nana collected them, and we were always looking for owl collectables for my Chi Omega sisters until I became a Chi O myself. After that, I just got hand-me-down owls. But this owl experience is all mine. (I must add, and so is my witness of a full grown black bear about 5 yards from me in that same trip. I wasn't in a stable enough state to snap a picture.)

Now a few weeks ago, Andrew and I went with some of his family to his cousin, Paul's farm. The boys did "man stuff" (it's so funny how Southern men love land) and I hung out with Paul's wife, Lauren, and talked all things jewelry. The times I did go outside, I was so fascinated with the hummingbirds. There were probably 30 hummingbirds on the front porch! I've come to search around for them after seeing a few at Andrew's parents house. (They seem to like the back porch flowers in Auburn.) I love God's beautiful design in birds. The form is so pretty. Andrew took some of these pics, and we both commented on how amazing God is to design such an animal where it is nearly impossible to capture through photography. We took a video, the humming is almost like music. Hopefully, I'll learn how to post video's soon.

There's one last thing that I search for: fireflies. (Not the liquor, but I do enjoy the occassional firefly sweet tea vodka.) I'm talking about the real ones; lightening bugs. I've seen some around in the mountains, but I never saw any growing up. I thought they were like mermaids or unicorns. I thought they were part of a fairy tale until I saw one for the first time in Chattanooga, TN in 2005. I've been told that south Louisiana doesn't have them any more because of the chemicals the farmer's use to preserve the sugar cane.

Andrew told me the cutest story when he was growing up in Auburn, AL where they had real fireflies! His mom would allow the kids to catch the bugs and put them in mason jars. So as soon as they caught them, she'd let the kids go to bed where they could use the bugs as a night light. Clever! I sure hope I have lightening bugs around when I have kids.

"I sing for JOY at the works of Your hands." Psalm 92:4

A few rings.

I just loved searching for these next pieces: Rings! Click on the pictures to see the details in these beautiful settings. Let me know if you would like a price on anything you've seen!

This is a sweet wedding set! It contains 3 tiny diamonds in the engagement ring, and 3 in the band. It is white and yellow gold. Please note I've put a temporary ring sizer on this piece. You may see it in the picture.

I'm calling all Chi O's to this piece! It's a 24k gold coin ring with a wise owl and inscription meaning "of Athens."

This is a dark sapphire; it's so dark, it almost looks like onyx. I thought it was until I cleaned it! It is set in a sterling silver filigree setting.

I love the filigree work on this ring as well! It holds a 2k blue topaz, also set in sterling silver.

This gorgeous sterling silver ring contains 2 sapphires and 2 diamonds on either side.

Copy cat

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." It really is. I say this because I am so amused by the searching I've been doing. I caught myself looking for items that women in my life already own.

The black crystals in the previous post are something that I found at an estate sale, and I was so thrilled to find them because they look just like my mom's Miriam Haskell crystals that I wore to Andrew and I's engagement party (Picture posted below. Also, vintage designs by the great Miriam Haskell coming soon to a blog post.) I've been copying my mom forever. Before I was in school, I would watch my mom get ready, and then go find the most similar thing in my closet and put it on. I could dress myself at age 3 because I had a mom and 2 sisters to learn from. I've even copied my mom when I registered for wedding gifts. (I have the same bath towels as she does.) Good thing she has good taste because I copied it.

I don't have a great pic of my mom and I, but I'll try to find one. In the meantime, I have a picture of another "someone" that I copied, Mrs. Glenda.

My mom's friend, Mrs. Glenda, has such style and personality. I find myself trying to be like her. So when I saw her wearing her sterling silver bangles she got in Mexico (I believe), I knew they were stylish. I've been searching for these about a year! Well I found them, and I posted them on the previous blog. If someone buys them, I know they'll have taste like Mrs. Glenda: good taste.

Found

I'm proud to show some of my "findings!" Here is a set of black crystals that looks great with all black or jewel-tones or anything really. The necklace clasp is made of vintage rhinestones.

So here is the collection of sterling silver bangle bracelets. Some of them go as a set but can be purchased separately. Note: the bangle to the far left has 3 sapphires in the etching, the 4th bangle holds a turquoise stone, and the small hammered bangle contains an amethyst. Click for a larger view!

Also note, this jewelry display is actually an old Chinese boot scraper which is also up for purchase!

I'll be posting a few stories on these items later today. I hope you care to know more about my search!

What's in a name?

You must know by now that the name of my business is Cherche. You may ask how I got to choosing that name. I wrote down a list of things that I like: all things southern, birds (not real ones, just decorative), magnolias, lemons, love knots, Ivy, charms etc. The list went on and on. Andrew was determined that I stick with something that was true to me and my heritage. He thought it would be fitting to choose something French, so he suggested "The Bayou Iris." I said, "No!" But he got me thinking about French words, so I called my momma.

Mom had a couple of favorite words in French. I love words, so I was very willing to hear what she had in mind. The first word she suggested was "chercher" which means to seek, to search, to hunt after. This, I loved since it suited what my business is all about "searching!" I really warmed up to this "French word idea" for my business, but I wanted non-French speaking people (like myself) to be able to spell and say the word without intimidation. So I dropped the "r", and I went with past participle, "Cherche", meaning to have searched for.

I must confess that I have a greater passion than shopping: I love to write. I always have, but I've had "writer's block" for a while now; about 2 years! This "Cherche" word couldn't be more fitting for what my business is all about, but more than that, it allows me to write about all things that we search for: a perfect center piece for a table, the right dress for the right party, the Civil War print, the perfect lipstick shade. The ultimate search, though, that I feel tugging at my heart is the search to seek the face of God.

Being the owner of a vintage and antique jewelry business, I am supposed to tell you that you need a one-of-a-kind piece from Cherche'. I've got some really neat stuff, and I hope you'd want a piece for you, your sister, your mom, or your wife. But you really don't need it. I hope my business conveys what we really need to be searching for.

Bonjour!

Bonjour, y'all. So I've started a business: I search for vintage and antique jewelry! The past month and a half has been most rewarding; being newly married during this time has been pretty special part of that too.

I am not the "career girl" type, but I wanted to start a business. Ironic? It started with me feeling no purpose, feeling sorry for myself, and envious of other's success. Great Christian qualities, I know. I decided to do something about it. I searched high and low for a job in Anderson, SC and couldn't find one in this small town. A little over a month ago, my mom and her friend, Ms. Karen, were coming up to the area and told me to meet them in the mountains. We did some serious antiquing, something I could do forever. I used to go to flea markets with my grandmother, Nana, and I'd search through junk for a treasure; I decided to try and make a career out of doing just that. Searching. Seeking. "Cherche-ing."

My Nana lived in Dade City, Florida and when we'd visit her, I'd go straight to her costume jewelry box. Everyone would laugh at how entertained I could be with clip on earrings and necklaces with missing stones. Well here's the box, and I still use it for my jewelry when I travel. It is just so sweet to me. Sounds silly but this little box has inspired me more than I ever thought. It is a representation of my long time interest, but newly discovered passion: vintage jewelry.

More info coming soon regarding my jewelry and shows!