Mesh Chatelaine Purses

From the last two trips I made to Paris, I have been fortunate enough to find small mesh chatelaine purses at the Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves. 

A very nice vendor indicated three boar's heads on the frame of one of the mesh purses I wanted to purchase.....I knew little about them but loved the look and feel of them.  The boar's heads indicated the fineness of 800 or more on on the purse.  I did a little research and came up with the following.

Taken from www.modernsilver.com  

On French silver jewelry, the most often-seen mark is the boar’s head, the mark of the Paris Assay Office, indicating a fineness of 800 or higher on small articles (such as jewelry). This mark was in use from 1838 to 1961. Outside of Paris, the crab mark was used from 1838 to 1961, and since 1962, has also been used by the Paris Assay Office.

After 1838, a maker’s mark in a lozenge (diamond shape with four equal sides) was also required on French gold, silver and platinum. According to Tardy, the lozenge shape itself was introduced in 1797, but it is not clear if there were any regulations about its use at that time.

I also have a purse with the lozenge and three boar's heads. The frame's on these mesh purses can have beautiful and interesting designs. Some have a "kiss clasp" inside.

I was finally inspired to make a necklace from one of my purses when I saw Christine Wallace's beautiful piece in the Autumn 2011 Jewelry Affaire magazine. 



I would love to know the women who used these small purses....what stories they could probably tell us.

Until then.....stay inspired!

Jewelry Affaire Magazine, Autumn 2012 and Winter 2013......REALLY???

Once again, I was thrilled  
(I just can't come up with another word....
anyone have a suggestion?) to be published in  the Autumn 2012 and Winter 2013 Jewelry Affaire magazines.


I wonder what their process is for selecting jewelry pieces for publication. 
I can't imagine it being an easy task. 



If you are so inclined, purchase  a copy of Jewelry Affaire magazine and become inspired by creative artists such as Kathy Menasco, and her Tattered Dream Cuffs (Winter 2013 issue);  Brooke VanDerzee,and her very French necklace "Magestically" (Autumn 2012); and Tina Shiefer,  and her Vintage Drift necklace (Winter 2013).

Until then......Happy Creating!!!

How Long do I want to Keep Doing This?

That's the question mon husband keeps asking me about submitting my jewelry to Jewelry Affaire magazine.

I was thrilled, once again, to have some of my jewelry published in the Summer 2012 issue of Jewelry Affaire magazine.

Answer:  As long as it gives me a challenge.  It will always be gratifying....no doubt about it.  If some of my designs to not make it to the pages of Jewelry Affaire, it will become an even greater challenge for me.

Please enjoy all the beautiful designs in the Summer 2012 issue that so many artists have chosen to share with you!

Until then............Happy Beading!

It Happened Again.................!!!!

Once again......there's that thrill that goes through you when you see an e-mail from Beth Livesay, Managing Editor of Jewelry Affaire magazine.

Could it be?  Then you see the word "Congratulations, your jewelry piece has been accepted!!!"  (OK, Beth only used one exclamation point).

Check out the Spring, 2012 issue.....it's filled with inspiration.
















Happy Beading!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!! It's Jewelry Affaire Magazine

What am I so excited about???? 

The new issue of Jewelry Affaire magazine is out and my submission, Jazzymyn's Secret was selected for publication!  When I received an e-mail from Managing Editor, Beth Livesay that my necklace had been chosen, I wanted to jump up and down but I also had a feeling of accomplishment....that a goal had been attained.  Seeing your work and name in print in a premiere magazine was definitely an exciting event for me.  But don't get me wrong....I still have more goals to accomplish. 

 
For those of us that create jewelry (and there's so many mediums), any goal you set for yourself will help you grow and keep your creative spirit exciting!

Until then..........Happy Beading!

I Must Have Gotten Busy........

because I totally forgot to tell you when the Primrose Lane Spring Show is going to take place.  Mark your calendars for April 28, 29, 30 in Coburg Oregon (just north of Eugene).  It's quite the Spring Affaire!

So grab a friend.................

  

   Until then...............Happy Beading!