Local Lookbook Grand Opening Party

I had a great time at the Local Lookbook Grand Opening. It's such a fabulous store featuring only local Chicago designers. From clothing, to jewelry, to hats and accessories, Local Lookbook has it all!
Proud owner Halli Mulei (right) cuts the tape.

Here I am with Jackie, who works at Local Lookbook and is rocking the Victorian Ribbon Necklace by LUCIUS Jewelry!

These two lovely ladies modeled designer outfits all night.


LUCIUS Jewelry at Local Lookbook:






If you're in the Chicago area, check this boutique out!

My Jeweler's Studio

I just love my studio. It may not be big, but I try my best to make sure it has character! I spend a great deal of time here, so it has to be a place that inspires me. I love toys, and my studio is a perfect place to deck out in stuffed animals and little trinkets I find. Admittedly, these things would be pretty ridiculous out in my living room. So with my studio I really get to be a kid again!

Here are some of the tools I use when making my jewelry...and some cupcake key toppers I got creative with. They come in a set of 6, and the other three are on my keys. Aren't they fun?

I love mint and red together, so I painted a mint accent wall and added a red floral arrangement. I know it's a slightly strange combination, but I like it!


This is my inspiration wall, where I pull photos of jewelry I just adore out of magazines. A few of my favorites are Dior Fine Jewelry, Ippolita, Chanel Fine Jewelry, and Stephen Webster.



I had to decorate the studio with some of my husband's work! These three images look great together.

I especially love kitschy pin up pics from the 50s and 60s. I got these at a flea market and discovered they are reproductions from the famed pin-up artist Gil Elvgren. He has literally hundreds of photos like these. I love the expression on the blonde's face. Who is your favorite?

Quote of the Month

I do a job I really, really love and I kind of have fun with. People think you can't be grown up unless you're moaning about your job.
Robert Smith
Who says we need to grow up anyway? Everything in life seems just a little more fun if you approach it with a sense of humor and whimsy. I am trying to live by my own advice, and every day it does seem to get easier. The more I learn about the business, the more fun I have and the less scary it gets. I think that is when really good things happen, when you let go and dive right into the unknown. Granted, being in a creative field helps, because I believe there is nothing more fun than the arts.
I also must say, it's pretty easy for me to remember to have fun with my work when I have such an amazing husband to remind me! He is, after all, the artist behind these creative and incredibly fun prints. You can view his entire collection at his Etsy shop LuciusArt, The Visual Work of Kevin Lucius.

And who is the little fella behind this next print?

It's our cat Tango, and I think he makes quite a dapper young gentleman in a suit. Here he is just hanging out by the bar, apparently he doesn't like to listen to our "no paws on the table" rule.

Here I am with Tango, forcing a snuggle as usual.

Some more prints in the LuciusArt Shop:

I love the use of texture and vintage imagery in each one. It's easy to see that Kevin had a good time making each of these prints! Isn't that what it's all about anyway?

Photographing Jewelry

Lately I've been working on taking better photos of my work. I must admit, however, that photographing my jewelry is one of my least favorite things to do. It's very tedious, and not nearly as fun as making jewelry! I am aware of the importance of a good photo though, especially when it comes to selling work online. I've been told time and time again that my work looks even better in person than it does in my photos. I decided it was time to step it up a notch, so people can get a feel for what my jewelry is really like. Here are a few new shots of my work:

Victorian Ribbon Necklace
Magnolia Blossom Necklace

Greek Isle Earrings

Jewelry is one of the most difficult things to photograph, what with all the strange reflections and shadows it creates. I finally decided to try a light box - and wow, does it make a difference. I'd searched for light boxes in the past, and thought they looked like a waste of money. Luckily, my husband decided to take it on himself to create one for me and it works great! The tissue paper diffuses the light on the sides and the round light clipped to the wall makes the piece sparkle. Here is a pic of my setup:

Yes, I could probably use better light than these flood lights, but when I have my camera on the Tungsten setting it looks just fine! With some little color adjustments in Photoshop, I am able to get it looking close to the real thing.

Here is the Sweet Cupcake Necklace I was photographing in the above shots:

I am in in the process of adding these new images to the website. I know I still have a ways to go with photographing my work, and I hope to keep getting better in the process. I think I've come a long way though, as you can see in these before and after photos below!

Biergarten Necklace

Angel Falls Necklace

Phoenix Wing Earrings

Things I Love: Mignonne

I just adore these handmade lovelies by Mignonne. I'd feel like a little forest fairy in one of these whimsical pieces. They are perfect for a wedding or special occasion. Although I would probably just wear it around the streets of Chicago, while pretending I was skipping around in a lush meadow...


Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair...
Susan Polis Shutz

Photography by Sloan photographers. Beautiful gowns are by ktjean.etsy.com. Handmade flowers by Mignonne.

Chicago Sidewalk Sale

I had a great time last week at the Chicago Sidewalk Sale. Despite talks of storms on Tuesday, the weather stayed beautiful! I was also pretty excited that it wasn't insanely hot like it has been recently. There was a great mix of local businesspeople shopping on their lunch break, and tourists checking out the area.They even had a fashion show at noon each day, so much fun!
Here are some images of the jewelry in our booth:
It was so much fun to be working outside downtown, and I met some wonderful people who stopped by my booth. All and all, it was a fantastic show and I look forward to doing more like it!

Old Hollywood Starlets

It's difficult to deny the class and sophistication of the old silver screen movie stars. They had so much poise and charisma. I find myself utterly mesmerized when I watch them! I found these beautiful images here, and was inspired pull out my sketchbook.I think most of the inspiration for my sketches came from this fantastic ruffled ensemble worn by Audrey Hepburn:
I am very excited to begin this next piece, though I have fallen behind a bit on making new designs. I will have more time to work on these new ideas after my next show! I want to create something very feminine and beautiful, something reminiscent of Old Hollywood. I think it would make a very gorgeous necklace, and perhaps I could even make a smaller version for earrings. Here are the sketches I came up with:
I also love these necklaces worn by Rita Hayworth and Ingrid Bergman. Look at the coy looks on their faces. There truly is something enchanting about the women of this era.
And what's a throwback to Old Hollywood glamour without Marilyn Monroe? She was such a fascinating and beautiful woman.If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere.
Marilyn Monroe