It's Spring for Rosetta Stone Gallerie

This means a major spring cleaning.  I love making jewellery.  They call me a prolific earring maker (after I declared it myself).  But I need to slow down the pace, otherwise my home looks like a volcano erupted with semi-precious stones and ribbon.

I always get a kick out of people's reaction to my creations.  When I make new things, I freak out because of how nice everything is.  But sometimes, I wonder, will people get it?  Luckily, they do. It's not Vogue US (Anna Wintour).  It's not Paris Vogue (Carine Roitfeld).  It's Italian Vogue (Think Anna Dello Russo). 

Some recent comments:  "It's like art."  Why thank you! "This reminds me of what the queen wears around her neck." EXACTLY! When I travel, I like to visit museums and collect postcards.  I read a lot of magazines and scrapbook clippings I think are interesting.  When I am having a creative spurt, I do a few sketches.  Recently, I started making fascinating fascinators - giant frayed Dupioni silk rosettes or tulle and sequin embellished headbands. 

This past weekend, I organized Creative Heart Collective.  I had a MAJOR statement necklace sale so I could start some fresh new goodies for Spring/Summer 2011.  Thanks to all who wiped out my table.  Guaranteed, people will be paying you plenty of compliments!!

Photos Courtesy: Timothy Li.  Find more about his work at http://www.timinyli.com/

Crochet Obsession: This Might Look Like a Doily...

Of late, I have a strange fascination with perusing books on macrame and crochet.  While right now I am not in posession of this fine craft skill (yet), I will dig on bended knee through dusty fabric stores, through spools heaped upon spools of ribbons to find the right crochet.  There is something endearing about crochet.  It has a very 'grandma' quality when translated correctly can look very modern vintage.  Strangely reminiscent of an episode of Hoarders, I have also begun digging through dollar bins at vintage stores to collect antique doilies.  My girlfriend came over and asked, "Why do you have a pile of doilies?"  To which I shook the doily in the air and emphatically exclaimed, "This might look like a doily.  But when I'm done with it, it's going to be something AMAZING!" We laughed.

For more on the wonderful world of Crochet, check out my blog post on The Love Collage Crochet is Waifs, Allure, 1994.

I made miniature pinwheels with a crochet ribbon and accented them with tiny crystals.  Then I strung pretty turquoise beads to give the necklace weight.

I loved the spidery, webby texture of this doily.  It's going to be a shirt for my friend A. I promise it won't be tacky. Very high fashion.

Crochet doily & ribbon patiently waiting for transformation.

Rosetta Stone Giveaway on The Love Collage

I'm currently doing a Rosetta Stone necklace giveaway on my fashion, art, beauty, music, travel & culture blog, The Love Collage.  The LC is approaching its 1st Anniversary, so I thought it would be a nice gesture for avid readers and to welcome new ones.

Please visit my website for more details: The Love Collage http://www.thelovecollage.com/

Rosetta Stone at Tampered Press - Part 2

Part of the enjoyment from trunk shows (besides selling) is socializing.  Early in my career, I dibble-dabbled in PR but alas it was not for me.  In these informal settings, I get to connect with friends, meet new ones and talk about my process, the materials I use and discuss my inspiration.

The late afternoon gave way to a heavy rain but we were snug in the cafe trying on necklaces and catching up.  Tampered Press has that vibe - very cozy with antique window panes, bookshelves bustling with well loved books and a few boardgames for trivial enthusiasts.  It's a swell neighbourhood haunt.  Besides, have you heard?  Dundas West is the new Ossington.

More photos from the trunk show: 

Photos Courtesy of:  Patrick Tea, Pixel Pills http://www.pixelpills.com/

Rosetta Stone at Tampered Press - Part 1

Despite the chaos of G20 and the torrential downpours, a few brave souls came to the quaint and welcoming cafe, The Tampered Press (256 Crawford Street).  It was a very low-key late afternoon affair where people warmed up with chai lattes, had a few sips of refreshing green tea lemonade and noshed on homemade white chocolate biscotti while trying on statement necklaces and perusing the earring racks. 

Here are a few images from the Rosetta Stone Trunk Show:

Photos courtesy of: Patrick Tea, Pixel Pills http://www.pixelpills.com/

Made You Look

For my display at Made You Look you will find some of the more romantic pieces (a lot of lace, pearls and gold chains) from my Spring and Summer collection.  I also did a few very fashion-forward open lace lariats with hand-stitched mega chain links.  They are ridiculous and somewhat editorial.  Kind of aristocrat ruff meets hip hop rapper, but very classy and French.  There is also a series of very sweet Mother of Pearl with lace necklaces with names like Camille and Eloise.  

Rosetta Stone Summer Trunk Show & Sale

I have been receiving amazing and overwhelming positive feedback about the statement necklaces and earrings. They are all guaranteed high ROC (return on compliment):  "OMG, where did you get that?" As exciting as the creative process is, it's always nice to hear that people enjoy what you do.  And it's even better to hear that people are showering your passion project with enthusiastic praise.  Love!


For anyone in the Toronto area, I am having a Summer Trunk Show & Sale for Rosetta Stone at The Tampered Press, a new espresso bar and community lounge on Dundas West. One-of-a-kind artisan jewellery at 40% off retail price. It's fun to support Local. Hope to see you there!


Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: The Tampered Press
256 Crawford St. Unit B
(entrance facing Dundas St. West)
Toronto, Ontario

A Piece of Me

Pretty In Pink - A plethora of blush pinks, bright agate, purple chandeliers and fabric roses to choose from.  $50-$60. 

Romance Me - Earrings in black & white.  18k plated with glass pearls, Mother of Pearl, facetted glass beads or tassles. $50-$60

Almost Too Gorgeous to Eat - The beautiful red velvet cupcakes, decorated with mauve buttercream petals and topped with a silver dragee that Christine baked.  Talent!

This past weekend, I hostessed a Jewellery Party for my friends to get a first glimpse into my creative mastermind *haha* and shop exclusively before my 'pretty's' went off to market.  I was extremely pleased with the reception as many were impressed with the assortment of baubles, stiletto earrings and statement necklaces in the richest hues.  I am often told that my home is merchandised like a boutique (see/ Anthropologie or Emilie & Lola in Montreal) with birdcages, shabby chic baskets and romantic fabrics draped meticulously.  Each girl struggled to select what to buy because she loved everything so much.  Yay! 


I was often asked, "Does it make you sad to see everyone buying your jewellery?"  While I do marvel at my 'pretty's' as any mother should, I don't have ownership issues over them.  For me, the excitement lies in going to curio stores, searching for interesting findings, looking at fabric and gems and ultimately putting them together in a creative way.  The creative process is where my passion burns the brightest.  If anything, it overjoys me to see other people appreciating my tiny works of art. 

The earrings that started it all.  My nimble fingers made these earrings for the Corsage Girls http://www.corsageproject.ca/

While fundraising for a charity I work on, I was asked to attend an "Earring Bee" (similar to a quilting circle where women meet up and create) to support the cause.  Although anxious because I had no previous experience making earrings, I surprised myself with my innate ability.  Who knew?  After that, I have been on a rampage to make the most dazzling drop earrings, the most whimsical stilettos and the sparkliest of chandeliers.  Fashioning unique, vintage style earrings is my newest OBSESSION.