January 18, 2010

Mes Illusions Baroque



I met Esther from Mes Illusions Baroque through an exchange I participated in earlier this year and have been following her blog ever since, she is a very talented artist and always so supportive and generous in the comments she leaves behind when visiting my blog.  We bloggers really appreciate encouragement.... Otherwise, it's like a lyric snipped from Pink Floyd..."Is there anybody out there?"

While visiting Esther's Etsy shop - Illusions Barock I found these lovely earrings made with French coins and pearls that I fell in love with - it was amor at first sight!  I love the French coins.  I have used Mercury dimes in earrings before, so when I saw the vintage coins from France - I was smitten.  I have also been drawn to the exact shades of blue Esther selected for her earrings and that cinched the deal.  I placed my order right away.

When I purchased the earrings from Esther's shop, she sent me the sweetest thank you note and asked if I would like her to send me anything from France with the earrings.  I couldn't think of a thing, although butter came to mind.... the best butter I have had in my lifetime was from France - it was a glorious thing and I couldn't get enough of it on crusty bread.  I'm not sure what Esther would have thought about a request for butter.....  So, I told her that I couldn't think of anything, but whatever she might send would be considered very special.  I was thinking of a page from a book, a card, something simple.

 

I received my little box from France and excitedly tore it open to see my lovely earrings.   I was speechless....Look at the lovely things Esther sent to me with my earrings - an amazingly generous  bundle of goodies including vintage match boxes, French lace, a skeleton key, porcelain cross,  a chandelier crystal, a tiny pillow charm, more coins and Catholic charms...all the things Esther knew I would love as we follow one another's blogs and have participated in exchanges together.

Esther has such an open heart and I wish we could spend time together sharing lunch, or our favorite haunts with one another.  But, she lives in France and I live here and we make do with our blogs and emails.  If you haven't left comments on blogs that you like to visit, I would encourage you to do so, you'll meet the most wonderful people that way.

So, what will I do with these treasures?  For the time being, I will keep these gifts together in a special container and take them out now and again to hold in my hands and think about the generosity of sweet Esther until I find just the right project to incorporate them into.

It reminds me of when I was a little girl and I kept my special treasures in a small jewelry box that I would open now and again to lovingly caress all of its contents...like a tiny tube of lipstick, a mustard seed pendant, a tiny bottle of perfume, a tooth from my dog when she was a tiny puppy, an arrowhead, my rings from family vacations, a plastic swizzle stick from Sonic, a handblown glass elephant from Silver Dollar City, tiny seashells..... I loved that jewelry box and all the treasures it contained. 


A closer view of the vintage match box, French coin and pillow charm that sweet Esther sent to me.


Catholic charms from France to add to my personal collection - I love the architecture of the buildings on the back of the smaller one....so beautiful and fascinating...  it intrigues me to think about the artist of long ago that carved this coin for production.  It's beautiful work.  I like to think that someday, someone will be holding one of my creations and wonder about the artist who made it... It's all so romantic and mysterious, no?

What friendships have you made via your blogs?  I'd love to hear about them.

Stay warm, my friends and enjoy this calm time of the year that Winter brings...it forces me to go inside and take a break from the hustle and bustle of warmer weather.  I don't know about you, but I need this time of year to regroup, get a handle on house cleaning and other things that get neglected during the warm weather when all I want to do is be outside.  I can't imagine what my house would look like if I lived in a warmer climate...  blessings - Julie

18 comments:

Lori said...

Julie, your earrings from Esther are so beautiful...and all the sweet treasures she included are wonderful, what a generous heart she has...yes, i have made the best friends through blogging too...and lucky that i have been able to meet some of them in person

Oklahoma Granny said...

Esther is indeed a thoughtful, generous person. The treasures she sent you are fascinating and beautiful. The chandelier crystal reminds me of the prisms in "Pollyanna" although the skeleton key has to be my favorite of all.

In the Light of the Moon said...

Julie,another wonderful post!!What lovely treasures to receive in the mail,and sent to you from afar,wrapped by hands that have value,a special treat indeed.I too have created wonderful friendships in blogworld and I am grateful to have the time to sit and visit for a while.Blessings,Cat

Esther said...

ohhhhhhhhh!! what a surprise!! THANK you Julie!! you are so kind!!! i don't deserve it!!
Thank you!!!! i have met overseas a lot of kind friends.. always suporting me!! sharon at first.. my dear dear friend, cindy..jan from england,veronique, renate from germany .. pattie..riki..mari,from puertorico you. well.. a lot of friends.. I never think it could be possible.. cause i have my frenchs blogs, my teachs.. well a lot of love here in france.. never thaught that one day hearts from all the worls will appreciate my work.. it's magical.. and my english is so bad.. but evryone do as it is perfect.. so chic!! Why did'n you said that you wanted buter???
7 days on the travel.. it will become a "camenbert".. well!! thanks again sweet Julie!!

Unknown said...

Julie, I too follow Esther's blog, she is such a talented artist! The earrings are fabulous! What great treasures you have received from a land far away. I too have made great friends via blogging. And I'm looking forward to meeting some of them this spring.

Riki Schumacher said...

Oh Julie, Esther is an angel for sure! What beauties she sent, you lucky girl. I can only see one way of you fulfilling your dream....you need to go visit Esther! Why don't we all? Wonder how many bedrooms she has, ha ha. I have met such wonderful ladies, including you, since blogging. I just had my year anniversary, and feel so blessed at the people that have found me. It truly is amazing to have such a close knit group, and so spread out over the world. It just amazes my husband! Stay warm dear one. Riki

Leslie @ Bei Mondi said...

Oh, I remember seeing a picture of these earrings. They are gorgeous. What a sweet surprise with all the goodies in the box. Esther is so kind.

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh my goodness Julie, what gorgeous treasures you received from Esther!!!! I don't blame you for keeping them together to cherish for awhile. What is it about these beautiful old things from another country? They are just beautiful ~ hugs and love, Dawn

Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life said...

What a lovely story. And the earrings and treasures are truly beautiful.

I have met friends through our blogs. I treasure them, know about their lives. We email and earlier this month one of them called me. She has a happy, sweet voice that I now can put with her picture. She has strength that I can draw upon. I truly treasure all the people who comment on my blog. Including you, especially!

Lisa said...

What beautiful work! There's just something about antique keys, wooden boxes, old photos, etc, that strums my heart strings. Esther has a kind heart, as do you for the sharing your post.

Jennifer said...

I have a friend in England who send me stamps for my cardmaking business and I love the little packets she sends! What a nice friend you have! The earring are kool! Jennifer

dewin said...

Hey! Thanks for becoming a follower! Just in time too, cus I just gave you a blog award!

Sissy Sparrows said...

Hi Julie....we both have a lovely friend in Esther....she was the first person to follow our blog and she has been loyal ever since...thanks for the love Esther!

She's a special and kind lady....much like yourself Julie!

Yay! for the blogging world.

Bitte said...

I understand that you love your new earrings, because I do too :-). They are so beautiful and unique! And how sweet of Esther to send you all those charming French items, she seems to be a very generous woman :-).

I have also met many wonderful persons through blogging, but unfortunately never met them in real life, even though we live in the same country. But maybe one day... ;-). We follow eachother's lives in "sickness and in health", and that's what makes this "blogworld" so wonderful :-).

Hugs and blessings,
Beatrice

Lorna said...

Julie, those earrings are gorgeous! Thank you for showing us...and your friend is a total sweetheart! You seem to attract the best people anyway, probably because your heart is so big. What lovely gifts from France she shared with you. Fun post and excited for doing the same thing down the road!

Lee Weber said...

Julie- the earrings are lovely. The gifts are very sweet too. SOmeday we'll meet!

Tara said...

What beautiful treasures you received from France! You must have been so delighted when you opened the package! Thank you for leaving me such a sweet compliment on my blog, Loveleigh Treasures, about my adorable little boy. However I cannot take any credit, he is my nephew, not my son, but it does give me free reign to brag about him and not seem conceited!

Numinosity said...

Goodness, those are some treasures, not to mention the beautiful earrings. Lucky lucky!

Kim