The Elegant Muse Blog

I was recently honored with an invite to set up a table of my jewelry at James Madison’s Montpelier Visitor Center. Though they already carry my work in their museum shop, this was a opportunity to share a larger selection at their Members Only Holiday Candlelight Tour event. I don’t do a lot of shows. But when I do one, I always hear a voice in my mind asking, why don't you do this more often, Suzanne? It was energizing and fun meeting and talking with customers, learning about the area they live in, and sharing my passion for art and vintage...

I think pearls will always be my first love and all of my necklace chains are hand-stitched with them - until now! I recently discovered some beautiful vintage style chain at a local shop and it lit a fire! I began searching for both vintage and new chain (of course, I prefer vintage!) to find just the right style to compliment my antique and vintage pendants. I’ve added a small collection to my online shop that you can take a look at and I hope to add more soon! But for now I need to spend some quality time with...

In my younger days I always wore dangle earrings. I loved the sweep and movement of them, especially when I wore my hair up (which was most of the time as I was a ballet dancer!) As I grew older I just didn’t like the weight of dangle earrings so opted for posts (pearls, of course). But then came the idea for my Belle Earrings. So lightweight I hardly know I have them on! Named after my dear daughter (and not the Disney princess!) I love their movement, their warm antique gold tone, and the pearl or black jasper drops...

It's my favorite time of year - so filled with anticipation of all the holidays packed into a short, three-month span. I'm richly blessed to live in an area where the changing leaves grace each day with their brilliant colors. The variety of hues never cease to amaze me, and I always feel a touch of melancholy as they peak then begin to fall (which means it’s time to rake them up). Then we wait for the first snowfall . . . The Amber necklace reminds me of Autumn though it may, of course, be worn any time of year. It’s...

Though my first love will always be pearls, I’ve decided to mix it up and add some pieces with metal chain in place of my signature hand-stitched pearl chains. A girl can never have too many choices, right? Little did I know the vastness of the world of chains! I've had a ball searching for actual vintage chain, vintage-style chain and everything in between. It’s quite distracting! But in the end, I’ve found a few styles of chain I adore (no doubt making my pearls jealous) and feel blend beautifully with my designs. They’ll be available soon so be sure to...