Thursday Throwback. The Marie Louise Diadem

The birthstone of December is turquoise, so keeping this in mind I went searching for a topic for this weeks post. I found a diadem given to Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria as a wedding gift from her husband Napoleon I, who included it in a full parure. The wedding gift included a comb, necklace and earrings, all created by Parisian jeweller Etienne Nitot et Fils and made of emeralds and diamonds set in silver and gold.

The diadem had 79 emeralds and more then a 1000 diamonds.

When empress Marie Louise died she left her pieces to a relative( her aunt archduchess Elise, according to the smithsonian or her cousin Leopold II according to the Louvre) In 1953 the collection was sold to Van Cleef and Arpels with a document attesting to provenance.

 

Van Cleef and Arpels went on to take out all the emeralds from the diadem and mounted them into new pieces which where sold on and described as 'an emerald for you from the historic Napoleonic Tiara.' Some time later turquoise was added in place of the emeralds. As much as I love turquoise, I must admit in pictures at least I prefer the emeralds but I've read you have to see it in person to appreciate the turquoises beauty. There is nothing wrong with the turquoise but I think the emeralds look better as royalty then turquoise. Maybe it's the sparkle?

 

In 1962 the collection was displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris as part of a special exhibition on Empress Marie Louise.

The new look tiara caught the eye of Marjorie Merriweather Post, an American collector who brought it from Van Cleef and Arpels and donated the piece to the Smithsonian in 1971, which is where it remains today.

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish all my customers past, present and future a very Merry Christmas!!!

Also to those receiving Fashion Magpie Jewellery gifts today I hope you love them.

 

Happy New Year

Just a quick message of goodwill today.

Thank you all for making this blog successful in 2014 and helping it reach people around the globe.
I've enjoyed every minute of it and I'm now looking forward to 2015 and wondering what this year will bring.

Hope you all have a very happy and prosperous New Year and 2015 is everything you hoped for!

Fashion Magpie Jewellery.

Folksy Friday. When in doubt add glitter!

If you're ever in doubt add glitter! I saw this on a cushion the other day and immediately thought of a few friends who use this motto daily.
This weeks Count down is for those of you who love a bit of sparkle!

My house is in need of lampshades at the moment so the last few weeks I've been browsing to see what is available on Folksy. That was when I found this gorgeous Drum Lampshade in Matt Black With Heavy Beaded Fringe, unfortunately it won't fit in with any of my rooms deco but I'd be tempted to chance a whole room to fit it in! It's by Silkworm and Cottontails (reminds me of Beatrix Potter names) who also do lots of other, equally beautiful pieces.

The next design is a simple one I've thought about making in the past. It's by Shine On who have applied nail varnish to the back of a domed glass cabochon to create these sparkling Blue Glitter Bobby Pins.

I love this next piece, it's similar to the pieces I make in my own shop. It called Vintage Feel Handmade Heart & Bow Bracelet (that's the shorten version of the name) and although the glittery hearts look brown in this picture they actually react to the light and can shine, gold or orange as well the brown. This lovely bracelet is made by The Mucky Pup Gallery who as well as jewellery also make bunting, original artwork and merino wool artwork.

 

With all the excitement of Christmas and New Year sometimes people with birthdays this time of year can be a little forgotten. So help cheer them up and show a little sparkle with this Unicorn Glitter Acrylic Cake Topper. Glamglass Gifts and Supplies do a little of everything and are a one stop shop to buy all your party gear and maybe pick up a few craft supplies too!

 

The last piece is Winter Solitude- Kestrel Winter scene - original painting by Cerysanne. This artist also known as WirelifeArt does some truly stunning drawings.
I love kestrels, and often see them when I'm out and about. Just one of the perks of being a country girls! The way this bird is sitting is the way I see them when I'm, just sitting surveying their territory. I like the little added detail of glitter to the branches to.

 If you would like to buy any of the items listed above just click on their coloured links and you'll be taken over to them.
To share this post don't forget the links below.

Featured Item. Red Art Nouveau Inspired Lady. Bracelet and Earrings set

Today is my Birthday and I've decided to feature a item this week which I love more then the other pieces in my shop. My featured item this week is Red Art Nouveau inspired Lady. Bracelet and Earrings set.

My favourite era of style I love to draw inspiration from is the Art Nouveau movement of the 40's. I love the flowing lines, the beautiful woman and the colour of the period. I even did a series of posts in honour of the movement and it was during this time I made this set.
Originally it was just going to be earrings and I picked out blood red nugget beads because I love the contrast between silver and red, there a beautiful combination. 

I loved them so much that I decided to make a pair for my self, unfortunately when I looked in my little tray of charms I only had one lady left. However it was this that gave me the idea to make a bracelet to go with it and I set to work on the second half the set. When I was finished I was really glad I went with the decision to make the bracelet, I think they look great together.

I hope one day someone finds this set and gives them a home and loves them as much as I loved making them.

If you think that person is you or know someone who would adore them, they are £12.00 with £3.20 UK post and packaging from www.folksy.com/fashionmagpiejewellery. Of course with all my items I'm also happy to post aboard.


All items come wrapped and in an organza gift bag.

You can find Fashion Magpie Jewellery at the below links

Website www.folksy.com/shops/fashionmagpiejewellery

Facebook www.facebook.com/fashionmagpiejewellery

Pinterest http://uk.pinterest.com/fmjewellery/

Featured Item. Snowflake Earrings

There is just 10 days left until Christmas and keeping with the Christmas theme at the moment, my featured item this week is my Snowflake Earrings.

These fantastic little earrings will have you feeling Christmassy in no time with there sparkly little Swarovski crystal and snowflake charm there just what you need this Christmas. 

There £6 with £1.95 postage and available from www.folksy.com/fashionmagpiejewellery, if you want these before Christmas please order before next Saturday 20th December. Unfortunately if you live aboard I can't get these to you before Christmas now.

 

You can find Fashion Magpie Jewellery at the below links

Website www.folksy.com/shops/fashionmagpiejewellery

Facebook www.facebook.com/fashionmagpiejewellery

Pinterest http://uk.pinterest.com/fmjewellery/

Next Sunday will be my birthday and to celebrate my featured item will be one of my favourites in my shop at the moment.





 

Folksy Friday. What to get for that Secret Santa gift?

You've worked hard you've brought all your gifts for Christmas and you've made it, you've mastered Christmas. Or have you? It's time to pick a name out the hat because it's secret Santa time. You've got one more gift to buy and it can only cost £5. What do you do?

Here's a list to help you. All items are handmade and available on Folksy, if you've spotted your secret Santa gift in this list just click on the coloured link and it'll take you straight there.

What's more Christmassy then a little robin? Maybe these Sterling Silver Robin Earrings for sale over at Worldofcards. These pretty little robins only cost £3.75 and are beautiful enough to wear all year round!

 

 

The weather outside is frightful, so I have something delightful for you. If you're venturing out into the cold this festive season it's best to wrap up warm. So why not do it style with these Hand Knitted Woolen Bead Fingerless Gloves. The perfect present for that person who's always complaining about the cold. There £4 from Dave's Crafts.

I love this next shop, there called L C Handmade and they make beautiful Christmas tree ornaments. If you know someone who loves the traditional side of Christmas and is wishing of a white Christmas, consider this. It's called Christmas Decoration and is painted with acrylics and silver glitter. £3.10

 

We're just past the half way point now in this handmade Secret Santa run down and I just wanted to remind you if there's anything you'd like to buy just click on the coloured links.

The next item is this wonderful Christmas Soup cone. I love these and got one at my last craft fair, there such a easy and great idea. Christmas soup is basically the most luxurious hot chocolate you could ever make all wrapped neatly into a little cone. You have the powder, you have marshmallows, you have chocolate buttons and a candy cane to stir it all up. All that and it's still only £2! Posted to you by Cherrytreeparties.

Lastly something for the men in the office. It's not just women who like to ease down in to a relaxing bath every so often, the men do to!! This gift is especially for those men, it's called Beer Bath Fizz, but don't worry it doesn't leave you smelling as if you've just stumbled out the local brewery. This little bottle when sprinkled in the bath creates a gentle fizzing in the water, creating bubbles.  For £3.75 you can buy this from Gifts By Little Miss.

That concludes this addition of Folksy Friday. Hope I've given you a little inspiration for you Secret Santas
To share this post just use the links below.