Where do I find the “findings”?

Caravan of Dreams Jeweled Necklace

People always ask where I find the “findings” that I use to create Dominion of Light Jewels necklaces and earrings.  Well they come from everywhere!  From all over the world — estate sales, the little old lady down the street (a former show girl in New York), the Paris Flea Market, and strange and mysterious out of the way shops, where dust has gathered for decades.  I try to find things that speak to me, that are special in some way.  Everything is designed and created by hand by me — and nearly all the pieces are one of a kind!

Caravan of Dreams—The Gypsies found this necklace in a meadow near the Birch forests on the Russian island of Buian; alongside it was a small locket with a picture of a beautiful lady.  They never found the lady.  Had she met her lover there and had to flee before being caught?  No one ever knew…

Antique enamel brooch with large blue glass, 14k gold window beads and vintage dancing angel.

Edited: October 21st, 2008

Who was the first woman to adorn herself with jewelry?

Sometimes I wonder who that first woman was who put a flower in her hair, or strung shells around her neck.  It’s certainly no secret that women love to adorn themselves with beautiful things — we always have!  Looking back you can find that the ancient Egyptians wore gold and copper diadems set with turquoise, made scarabs out of precious stones, the ancient Greeks adorned themselves with golden wreaths, in the middle ages semi-precious and precious stones and enamel adorned necks, ears and fingers — and on and on for centuries.  But who was the first?  A few years ago it was discovered that women wore tiny shell beads for necklaces — 100,000 years ago!  The oldest jewelry ever discovered.  Who was she, that first lady to make jewelry?

Edited: October 21st, 2008

Beginnings of La Belle et La Bete Collection

Photo from Jean Cocteau's La Belle et La Bete (Beauty and the Beast)

Nocturne de Lyre from Belle et La Bete Collection

Edited: October 3rd, 2008