The Elegant Muse Blog

A trip without a great read would be like a romantic dinner without great wine - unthinkable! Before my husband and I headed on our trip to Alaska to celebrate our anniversary, I had my checklist: gas station, bank, dog instructions, mandatory Covid test, and a trip to our local bookshop, Bespoke Books and Archives. I knew the owner, Beverly, would have some solid personal recommendations (a perk of an in-person local bookshop!)  I promise I won't bore you with a book review but here's a short comment of each book: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - If you enjoy an atmosphere of elegant...

I love a custom request - especially when it sends me on a treasure hunt for lovely things like this vintage sterling silver treble clef. But I also love working with a client to create an heirloom piece for someone they love - a gift the receiver will cherish for many years to come. This necklace was made for a daughter who is a concert pianist (see @Shanda Evans and her violinist daughter, Caitlyn in photo below). So of course, in my overactive imagination, a part of me will be traveling to each concert and venue with her, enjoying the...

When I first found a cache of antique buttons in a small shop in rural Iowa I knew they were something special. Since then I've collected many more antique buttons - each a tiny work of art. The Victorians loved their flora and fauna so there are many birds, plants, flowers, deer, and even spiders! (more on those later!) After creating petite button necklaces and earrings it just made sense to add antique button bracelets to the collection, too. I always have more in the works so if you'd like a particular figure please contact me (suzanne@theelegantmuse.com) and I'll do my...

I've made many custom military necklaces over the years, and am thrilled to finally be able to include a limited selection in my online shop. Each one is made with an actual vintage military uniform button - either Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines - then handstitched onto a cream or silvery grey pearl chain. I've also done the U. S. Coast Guard (though not yet on my website) and perhaps Space Force may be next! These necklaces are some of the most rewarding to create - sometimes they're to honor someone who's currently serving, sometimes to someone who has served,...

“Can you make me a necklace from a sand dollar?” I knew my client was asking this from her vacation in the Bahamas, and I knew the sand dollar was from her trip, but little did I know she had just gotten married on that vacation! And I’m so very glad I did NOT know this at the time, as things got a bit sticky with her one-and-only-sand dollar from her vacation wedding.  First of all, I’d never attempted to make a sand dollar necklace (and yes, I did share this fact with her!) But I do love a challenge....