The Elegant Muse Blog

You may have noticed that I'm obsessed with scarves. I usually pick one up as a souvenir from a trip (the one in the photo is from a visitor center in the Redwood Forest). Sometimes I choose one as a less expensive alternative in an upscale store. I've also found many lovely scarves while scouring the consignment shops! Some think scarves and necklaces are like fighting siblings, but I strongly disagree. I say go ahead - wear what you love! And if you're like me who is rarely seen without a scarf and one of my necklaces, enjoy every minute of it! Learn...

Who is always there to greet you at the end of the day with adoration, unconditional love, and perpetual tail wagging? The popularity of having a pet dog first rose in the 19th century due to a growing interest in homemaking and domestic life. The Victorians dearly loved their pets, and artists of that time created buttons like these to demonstrate their admiration. Can you imagine one of these golden beauties on a dress at a high tea and the conversation it would spark? Honor your own four-legged love with one of these unique antique button hand-stitched pearl necklaces. After all, you deserve...

I confess, I’ve never once found a 4-leaf clover in spite of searching whenever I’ve spotted a cluster of clover! Three-leaf, three-leaf, three-leaf - that’s all I find! But I have a friend whose daughter finds a 4-leaf clover every time she searches. Now that’s lucky! The wearer of this one-of-a-kind necklace, created using a vintage brooch piece, will feel lucky each and every time it’s worn. See more photos and learn more about Clover here.  

I've gotten several compliments wearing this repurposed vintage ring out and about lately (as the world slowly reopens after the pandemic). The ebony centerpiece dotted with a single rhinestone was originally a vintage earring - way too large for most of us - and would have likely dragged my earlobe down to my shoulder! But the weight of it was perfect for a cocktail ring, so I added more sparkly bits and voila! What once was an old earring tucked away in the back of a drawer was repurposed into a ring and now regularly attends Happy Hours and other festive...

When the members of a local book club asked me to design a special collection of jewelry for its members, I had no idea how I'd do it. But I do love a challenge! First, I searched and found a tiny book to include. Then I added some filigree and a swirl of rhinestones and pearls. When I showed the book club members the necklace, they were thrilled - but I kept feeling it wasn't quite right. Something was missing. One night when I was sleeping I suddenly woke up with the answer (these solutions often come to me in the middle...