Music of the Night

These days I find myself working on my business quite a bit...at night...at midnight....

A song that always flits through my head hails from the famous Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical, "Phantom of the Opera." The lyrics followed by a beautiful performance. Enjoy your midnight retreat!

"Nightime sharpens, heightens each sensation

Darkness stirs, and wakes imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defenses

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor

Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender

Turn your face away from the garish light of day

Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light

And listen to the music of the night...." - Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Richard Stilgoe, Charles Hart

Soñando de España....Dreaming of Spain!

Umbrella with Dangling Faux Pearl ($22)

I listed 15 (yes, 15) pieces of jewelry marked "Spain" in my online shop "Baubles & Beads & Books" today. I have been buying these pieces for the past several years - they simply appealed to me. The colors, patterns, figurals...lots of fun! These jewelry pieces are made to look like Damascene jewelry, and many dealers accidentally label them as genuine Damascene, when in fact, the vast majority of these pieces are correctly termed "Damascene-Style."

Parasol ($25)

Genuine Damascene jewelry is actually an ancient art form which dates back to the middle ages and was used by the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, becoming popular in the 15th Century in Europe.

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Mouse with Swirled Glass Cabochon Belly ($22)

Genuine Damascene jewelry is made with genuine gold and silver wire inlaid into non-precious metal, and then the grooves are blackened in. This process was not only time consuming but costly, so alternatives were developed. Spain began mass-producing jewelry that was made from a piece of stamped metal, and then the raised areas were re-finished in either silver or gold-tone, while the flatter surfaces were finished in black.

Fabulous Dangle Earrings ($17)

Colorful accents can also be found on these items. I have run across a few items with original tags that proclaim they are electroplated in 24k gold - I daresay this doesn't affect the value. It pays to know whether the jewelry you are considering is genuine or costume. Costume is jewelry is great...I LOVE costume jewelry...but I wouldn't want to pay genuine jewelry prices for non-genuine jewelry...and wouldn't want you to either.

Sailboat with Billowed Sail and Lady with Parasol ($20)

Hope the article was helpful and that you enjoy the pictures!

**Most pieces pictured here are Circa 1960's**

Anna Nalick - Breathe (2AM)

This song is such a reminder to relax...take a breath...realize that life is short and you can't go backwards...learn from the past and move forward...let things go....breathe.

The Art of "ART" Signed Vintage Jewelry

Egyptian Revival-Style Two-Tone Pendant ($20)

It has been a busy, busy 6 weeks. Since opening my store "Baubles & Beads & Books...Oh My!" at Ruby Plaza, I have been listing items for sale almost daily...and my shop has over 500 items! My goal is to hit 1000 items by the end of the summer. Sales have been good and I feel very fortunate for that. I really like feeling like I can contribute financially while staying at home with Cameron. Keeping fresh items in a store take a lot of hard work and time - and it takes a lot of inventory. Hard work I can handle, but time and inventory availability are a problem. So I am doing something I never thought I would do. I am raiding my own collection. (O.....M.....G.....)!!!!! My post today will feature a selection of vintage costume jewelry by "ART" of "Mode-Art". This company was founded in 1950 by Arthur Pepper and ceased operation in 1980. "ART" jewelry is a fun designer to collect: they have a variety of styles; lots of whimsical pieces as well as elegant rhinestone beauties. The following pictures are just a few of the pieces by "ART" I am listing for sale at "Baubles & Beads & Books...Oh My!"

So put your feet up, get a glass of sweet tea, and come browse.

Victorian Revival-Style Multi-Chain Dangle Earrings ($25)

Happy Flourescent Flower-Power Pin ($17)

Elegant Faux Pearl Link Bracelet ($20)

Scorpio Zodiac Rhinestone Pin ($38)

Family Update!

Darby, Laura and Cameron; Mother's Day Weekend 2010

In reviewing my recent entries, I realize I have been remiss in posting about my little family! Cameron is almost 20 months old (!!!!) and is incredibly active. He is into everything!

Cameron running - Easter Sunday 2010

It is so neat to watch him try to figure something out...being able to observe the learning process in a child, especially your own, is incredible. Sometimes I think I can actually see little wheels turning in his head! He loves to "help Mama" - he has begun throwing things in the garbage can and trying to clean the floor with a paper towel.

Cameron - Mother's Day Weekend 2010

The caregivers at the church where he attends a 4-hour "Mother's Morning Out" (which is a polite, southern way of saying..."MAMA NEEDS A BREAK - and a coffee - and a manicure - and a massage - and 4 hours of uninterrupted shopping - and a margarita - oh, wait it's too early in the day...just kidding...) twice a week recently told me that Cameron knows what "lovie" (a child's favorite blanket or toy) belongs to each of the other children and if they put it down, he will pick it up and take it to the owner. (how sweet is that!)

Darby and Cameron - Mother's Day Weekend 2010

When I arrived to pick him up the other day (without having had a margarita...) I watched as he ran to greet me, then stop suddenly and go put the toy truck he had been playing with back on the shelf!!! Excuse me was that my child? I am not sure where this "neatness" factor is coming from because it was NOT inherited from yours truly. He is such a joy! Darby and I are doing very well...loving being parents and contemplating #2. The operative word there is "contemplating." :)

Darby and Laura - Mother's Day Weekend 2010 - "Contemplation" (haha)

As for me, well.......I have lost 92 pounds since the day Cameron was born. My goal is another 8 pounds for a grand total of 100 pounds. Wow that's a lot of weight. 100 freaking pounds! That's a whole person! My orthopaedic told me that every pound adds 5 pounds of pressure on your back. No wonder my back got so out of whack! Every day as I toil on my 4.5 mile power walk while pushing Cameron in his jogger - I keep seeing myself being able to say "I lost 100 pounds!" - and then People magazine hears about me, calls me up, and asks to do a feature story on me. Hey...it won't happen - but it is motivation and keeps me trudging over the next hill! I am currently massively plateaued - but trying to hang in there. Will post "before" and "after" photos when I get to my goal. Hope everyone is well!

Laura minus 92 pounds - for the record....April 2010