Sterling equestrian necklace

As promised, here is a sterling piece. I love this piece that I got at an antique show while I was 38 weeks pregnant. Go me.

I think it's stunning, but it's also plain enough to wear "everyday." Pair with a stack of sterling bangles, and you'll be on your way. 

I'm back!

So I had the most precious baby 6 weeks ago this Wednesday! Boy, does time fly when you're busy...and having fun!

I'm so glad that I have this little side venture to myself when the days of motherhood seem difficult. So far everything has been pure joy. Really. But I know there will be a day when I need an outlet. Enter Cherche'.

I went to antique shows up until my 38th week of pregnancy. The only day I felt uncomfortable was my due date. It makes sense that I felt uncomfortable since I went into labor that evening.

Having an easy pregnancy lends itself to keeping up with a business. Or in this case, continuing to buy inventory! (My favorite thing.)

Today, I'm featuring a gold filled knot necklace with 3 turquoise stones. The "smooth" turquoise dates the piece to the late 1800s/early 1900s. The more "veiny" turquoise is more modern but still pretty in my opinion. This is just something I've learned while scouting out jewelry. Hope it helps if scouting is your thing too.

STERLING pieces coming up next...

Black onyx mourning jewelry

I seem to love Victorian mourning pieces of jewelry. There's something about black onyx that I love. It's so rich looking.

I hate calling it "mourning" jewelry, even though that's what it is. I opt to call it The Onyx Collection. It seems less morbid.

I have more in my stash, but these pieces are a beautiful start to my onyx collection for sale!

More to show!

I wanted to give a big thank you for those of you that came to my Baton Rouge show last week. It was my best show yet! The benefits of shows like that keep me going!

I sold lots of great things, but I have tons to showcase still! I'm getting better at keeping up a thriving inventory.

This is an antique gold filled knot that I just love. It looks so rich. I kept the pin on the back, but it can be easily removed if desired, though I find the luxury of having the pin and bale multi-functional, which is nice.  The bale is soldered on the back and sits on an 18 inch gold filled chain.

A silver piece

I thought I'd squeeze in one more bauble before Easter break.

Earlier this week, I had a blog post titled "Bauble of the week." I suppose I should have suggested "Bauble of the day" because I've been on a jewelry blog post roll!

I knew this piece was extremely old when I bought it. It's been cleaned, and a chain has been added to make it current. The back shows that this is in fact a pin, but I've added the long, sterling chain and sits well past the collar bone. I don't come across too many silver pieces, so necklaces like this are often sought after. 

The stones are amber even though they appear more red-like in color. 

Fob pieces turned necklace

Here's a necklace that I pieced together. The chain is a gorgeous gold filled watch fob chain and the dangle charm is from a separate fob piece.

It's quite interesting and beautiful. I have a thing for old turquoise. It seems I have a "thing" for old turquoise, coral, gold, silver, opals, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, filigree...

You get the idea.

Even more!

Since I'm on a roll, I'll post more pics of some of the new-old things I have in store. 

This coral knot necklace has already sold, but I thought I'd showcase it anyway. I have more items similar to this. I have an affinity for coral and knots. 

What hasn't sold yet is this wish bone necklace. I love the hand work on this funky little piece. 

Andrew had a second to photograph these, and I had a second to post. There's more coming, but I regret to tell you that there will be another delay in the coming days. My France trip is coming up. I'm sure you understand. 

Uh oh, it matches

I'm so glad to see so many of you liked the bracelet from yesterday. It really is a beauty. 

Not to be outdone is a similar gold filled necklace. It's obviously from the same era, Victorian. It's also gold filled with seed pearls. I think it would be great as a set. 

It's like when you're shopping and you find the perfect shirt, and you can't leave without that matching scarf that you spot at the checkout counter. Darn, you might just have to explain to your husband that you simply can't get one without the other. Hopefully he understands. 

Some new inventory and updated Spring calendar

I had some new inventory floating around, so I put some new items in The Queen Bee. 

It's hard to see, but that's a flat, gold filled bangle with black enamel and a safety chain. Many of you ask for just that criteria. 

I got these crown cufflinks converted to earrings. It's quite appropriate that these sit in The Queen Bee. Also shown is a brass brooch/pendant on a long chain with cabochon stones. 

This is a great right hand ring for someone who loves big statement jewelry. It gorgeous on the hand. 

I'm planning out my spring calendar to get substantial new inventory for those of you who are asking. There's a potential trip in March, and my trip to France is confirmed. We fly out on the 17th of April. I'm going for leisure, but I certainly intend to come home with a stash that is up for purchase. You might have to fight me to keep some of it, though. 

Let's just hope I stumble across the right pieces at the right prices. 

The grand opening

I've been a very busy girl. Pardon my absence.

The grand opening went so well. Thank you to all of you that came to support little ol me. The store looked incredible, and I've said it many times, but I'm so glad that my inventory is surrounded with such elegant decor. Shannon has got some good taste; I'm just glad she's asked me to be a small part of her adventure.

I told you she had good taste. So go check out the inventory at LD Interiors in Southdowns Village on Perkins Road. I'll be putting new stuff in often. Hope to get some good feed back from you! 

LSU game day gems

Now, it's LSU's turn for a jewelry post. 

Purple 1950s earrings converted to pierced. Quite the statement, I would say. 

For a more subtle approach, this "L" gold filled leaf necklace is stunning. 

These mock-fleur de lis, 1970s brass earrings are so fun. 

And just because it's pretty, I threw in this Victorian onyx gold filled pendant with a seed pearl. 

Enjoy this 2011 College Football Season! Yes, it deserves to be capitalized.

Brass fleur de lis

Some of you have asked to see more fleur de lis items.

Here's a brass one that I found with a long chain.

The colors are a bit messed up; gorgeous in person!

As you can tell, I don't feel much like writing today. 

Title: Brass fleur de lis. Sorry for the blunt nature, "here it is", "look at it" post. I might have an awesome story for you another day. 

Sometimes, days running an antique jewelry business aren't that exciting. And sometimes there are no stories to tell. 

But when I have a story, boy does that make my day interesting. And that keeps me going. Until then...

Coral love

Got coral?

That ad campaign seemed to work pretty well for milk.

I think I'll use it for Cherche'!

Fall....where are you?

Fall is just around the corner. I feel like it can't get here soon enough.

To inspire your fall wardrobe, I have paired classic pieces from any woman's closet with some statement jewelry from my collection.

Think of it as my fall uniform. This is how I like to live: crisp, white shirt, awesome fitting jeans, boots, and fantastic, one of a kind jewelry.

And last but not least:

If you're as ready for October as I am....this one's for you. 

Gorgeous gold filled

I rarely keep old jewelry in the Cherche' collection for myself. I've kept maybe 3 or 4 pieces since I started this little hobby almost two years ago. 

Often, I am tempted to keep them, but at the end of the day, I'd rather see it go. I'm always curious to see who likes what; who buys for whom. This piece is no exception. 

I am tempted to keep it, but I'd rather see who really wants it. Isn't this Victorian piece just stunning?

It's show-stopping. It's one of my most favorite finds. 

Ohh la la

"Abondance de biens ne nuit pas." 

Translation: An abundance of goods does no harm. 

I'd say that's a good little phrase to use as the owner of a jewelry business. Let's face it, no one really needs these pieces that I feature. But that sure don't cause any harm, now do they?

In keeping with my French phrase, I'm showing this French medallion with a long chain from the 60s. I love how regal and simple it is. 

It will get an "ohh la la" for sure. 

Fancy

The women of the 1950s delighted themselves with crystals, aurora borealis crystals, to be exact. It was Christian Dior that teamed up with Manfred Swarovski when creating the "new look" for women of the 50s. Shortly after, crystals became even more popular.

I would give anything to be "a woman of the 50s." But since Back to the Future "science" is not possible, I'll take a slice of the era with jewelry.

Here's the latest crystal piece I've acquired. I call it the crystal fan necklace.

Blue

"America! America! God shed His grace on thee."

Boy, did God pour out His splendor on our country.

And I'll pour out my slendid blue jewelry finds today! Not nearly the same thing, but you get the picture: I love my country. I love my jewelry.

Learn about necklaces!

Hello again! Andrew says that he's going to photograph some jewelry soon, so I hope to be back with some stunning baubles!

In the mean time, I found this cute little diagram on pinterest. Enjoy!

A professional photographer makes all the difference

It's true. Having a sister who is a photographer doesn't hurt. I'm so glad she snapped some of these photos from last week's show. Many of you expressed interest in the show but weren't able to attend. Take heart! I plan on doing another show in the Baton Rouge area again soon. It was very impromptu this last time. I promise to be more intentional for the next. 

Take a look at some of the collection. You may recognize many of these images from previous posts. Here they are again. 

Remember Miss Sally? These were her "scatter pins" that were popular in the 1950s. I made them into french hooks for pierced ears. 

This was the "backward necklace" that Andrew photographed a few weeks back. This is a very old piece, early 1900s with a paste stone set in gold filled. 

My inspiration for a write-up I'm doing. More on that later. 

This piece may get the most attention. I know why: it's gorgeous.

Small 14k pendants. Will be getting the chains soon. I realize people would like to buy the piece "ready to wear." Those 14k chains can be pricy for me, but I will bite the bullet and do it. 

Gold filled love knot pendant; love knots have unintentionally become a staple in my collection. 

A 1960s piece: mother of pearl leaves with 14k hooks. 

White gold filled with emerald. 

1950s turquoise studs set in 14k gold. From an estate in Arizona. 

A show stopper! 1920s art deco 14k white gold with diamonds and 2 sapphire stones! It was a stick pin converted into a pendant.  

Maybe it's because I just watched Oprah interview Ralph Lauren this afternoon, but I think this "good photography" thing has a lot to do with the picture ol' Ralph Lipschitz {original name} paints in his story telling, brand identity, and persona. His creation of classic style is genius, but good photography tells such a beautiful story. His ads are inspiring. I'm inspired by beautiful things. Who isn't, really? 

Sometimes you need a morale booster; a success story to keep you going. I know my husband needs inspiring on daily basis to create something wonderful. I need it too. 

Bottom line: don't give up. I tell myself that. I tell my husband that. And I know I'll tell my kids that. You know, I was thinking of the changes in life: the paramount events and how parents watch their kids graduate from kindergarden and make the sports team, or not, and so on. But no one really talks about the progress of the 20-something year old: the successful dinner party, the 2nd wedding anniversary celebration, the nutritional supper you cooked for your husband, recovering from the bad day at work. They all sound trivial, but it's those things that matter in our life, and sometimes we need encouragement. We need encouragement to keep going. 

So let's keep going.