Even fine gold

"Riches and honor are with me, 

enduring wealth and righteousness. 

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, 

and my yield than choice silver. 

I walk in the way of righteousness, 

in the paths of justice, 

granting an inheritance to those who love me, 

and filling their treasuries."

PROVERBS 8:18-21

What's the first thing that people notice about you?

"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; 

*bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 

So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man."

PROVERBS 3:3-4

* Even though I have really cute jewelry, I want love and faithfulness to be the first thing that people notice about me. I'd like to work towards that. 

Jumping the gun

Today, I stumbled across the most adorable mink cape {with pockets!}, but it was too damn hot to purchase. If you're anything like me, you're looking for cooler days ahead.

Let me know if you're a weirdo like me and find yourself purchasing swim suits in February and mink capes in July! 

I don't hate

I do not discriminate when it comes to my liking jewelry. The newer designs need some lovin' too. Enter Kybele Sterling jewelry. Check it out. 

"I'm walking to New Orleans" with my earrings on

You know what I love?

I love going to New Orleans. I love the style, I love the eclectic feel, and I love Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino, among other things.  I am about to experience something about New Orleans that I've never been a part of: White Linen Night.

 

Here's an excerpt from neworleansonline.com about White Linen: 

"It's a free block party and everyone is invited!

Actually, it's a five-block party and, since it's the middle of the summer, partiers are invited to beat the heat in their coolest white outfits. It's the 16th Annual White Linen Night on Saturday evening, August 7. From 6-9 p.m. in the 300-800 blocks of Julia Street and along adjacent side streets, more than twenty art galleries will open their doors for casual strollers and art aficionados alike to browse and hopefully buy the works of some of New Orleans' finest artists. Since its founding in 1994, White Linen Night has become one of the highlights of the summer bringing in close to 20,000 people to the city's "Soho of the South." every first Saturday of August..."

Don't forget your accessories when packing for White Linen Night!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite doodles from A.Lee. We were eating dinner at a restaurant last year, and Andrew started sketching on the paper table cloth at my request. "Make me a jazz musician!" I think he did a pretty good job. I kept it all this while. 

"The moonlight on the bayou, a Creole tune, that fills the air. I dream of magnolias in bloom, and soon I'm wishing that you were there."

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans. Louis Armstrong.

Jewelry show recap

My show on Thursday was so much fun! I couldn't have asked for better hostesses. 

They gave out favors...

...and serenaded a few of the lucky ones who stayed till the end!

Thank you, girls. You are the best! I'm lucky to know such sweet people in Anderson!

I promise I did not pay her to say this....

Check out my new "public service announcement." Enjoy. She is so precious.

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Better than gold

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, 

and the one who gets understanding, 

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold. 

She is more precious than jewels, 

and nothing you desire can compare with her."

PROVERBS 3:13-15

Hidden treasures

"My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you, 

making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding; 

yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding, 

if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures, 

then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God. 

For the LORD gives wisdom; 

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; 

he is a shield to those who walk in integrity."

PROVERBS 2:1-7

Pendants for your neck...

I started reading the Book of Proverbs again every morning, obviously to gain much-needed wisdom in life. I am also reading a book for better understanding on Proverbs: "The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon's Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness" by Steven K. Scott. I've had this book and read it before, but never as a study guide-type book.

 

All of that to say, I've come across several jewelry references in The Word. As I find them, I get excited. And when I get excited about jewelry, I share. (I am completely aware that King Solomon was not writing about jewelry in Proverbs; I know he wasn't a "jewelry blogger." He simply gives analogies for better understanding. I just find it useful and fun for refreshing posts). 

 ⁸ Hear, my son, father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,

⁹ for they are a graceful garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

When Scripture uses the word "pendant", I get the analogy a little bit better for some reason! 

Are bib necklaces "in"?

I heard bib necklaces are "in." I don't know. 

But I do know that I like this one. Maybe you do too...

FAB.

{SOLD}

Stay cool

This gold-filled bangle is perfect for the girl who likes to stack bracelets. There's few things in the world I love more than bangles!

The nautical, rope design makes me think of summer!

Hope you're staying cool this summer. {Pun intended}. 

{SOLD}

Warning: dramatic post about jewelry

I love jewelry. I love learning about jewelry, I love reveling with jewelry, and most of all, I love wearing jewelry.

That's why I've quit my job at the paper. I will be doing some occasional freelance writing, but most of my energy will be spent working at the local jewelry store, reading and learning about jewelry, and of course, tending to Cherche'.

Maybe my post on Ashleigh Brandstetter spawned something in me. I never aspired to be GIA certified, but I must say, there's been a little bug in my consciousness to gain more knowledge in the world of jewelry. So thanks, Dad, for being so adamant that I look up a successful jewelry designer in The Advocate that day. It was inspiring.

Working at the local jewelry store, I have access to endless books on jewelry, jewelry making, jewelry design, findings, mountings, and the list goes on and on. With permission, I took a large stack home a few weeks ago.

One of them being this:

This book retails for well over $100. I am really delving into all 100 dollars-worth! Much of it is over my head (i.e. Acrylic autoclave casting and electroforming a brooch), but my interest in the sociological aspect keeps my attention. 

"Anthropologists tell us that our first ornaments were of animal origin, by-products of the hunt, in which animals were killed for food, their skins, or because they were a threat to human existence. Flesh was eaten and the blood drunk, and those inedible parts- teeth, claws, horns, tusks, and vertebrae- that were not used to make tools and weapons were strung or pierced and worn as ornaments."

 

I hope you're still reading. I promise Cherche' will not turn into "The History of Jewelry 4000." As I learn more on a daily basis, though, I will share. 

I plan on posting more Cherche' images this weekend! (Jewelry show in Anderson on July 22!)

In closing, I leave you with the introduction of my fascinating {borrowed} book:

"Because the motivations for wearing jewelry involve elemental and eternal human concerns, and because jewelry is portable, intimate art that can be worn and constantly enjoyed, it is safe to assume that the use of jewelry will persist, in one form or another for as long as the human race survives."