Listening to...

Currently, I'm loving the upbeat vintagey vibe that Camera Obscura's "French Navy" brings to the studio...so fun!

A Cinematographic Wonder

I just finished watching a short film that left me with my head shaking in awe and disbelief.  Alex Roman is some kind of genius for creating such a thing of beauty and I wanted to share it with you.  From the color palettes, cinematography, timeless modern architecture, artistic compositions, vintage cameras...I could go on and on....this piece is truly breathtaking in that it is all CG! I was lucky to see some of these places in person, and Roman's rendition is, dare I say, even more beautiful because he shows it through such an ethereal lens. Enjoy it in full screen and speakers on!

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

Bises,
Julie

Lovely Hair Adornments

The Fall wedding season is here and one of my friends from college, who
is getting married in November,  asked me to design a beautiful hair piece
to go with her blue dress (so cool, so her). She envisioned something in ivory
and warm greys... so here are some of concepts I thought I would share...

An ivory bloom with rustic, natural elements like winterberries:

A hand-made ivory and grey bloom with natural elements:

A hand-made ivory and grey bloom with feathers:

This project is still in the works, but I love the way these concepts are headed
and was excited to share Some of these beauties will be making it into the Poési
Collection for sure!


bises,
Julie

Revamped website! (Behind the scenes)

Hi there, I'm so thrilled to announce the official GRAND OPENING of our newly revamped (and e-commerced) website: www.ilovepoesi.com! It took much effort, especially on the part of our resident graphic designer, Carol, but it is finally ready for it's launch!  To celebrate, we're offering 25% off all orders placed during our first week :)

Although it was hard work, I also had so much fun planning the look and feel of everything... especially the splash page. It will be my virtual storefront, where I will be designing and changing out the display windows seasonally and also where I make any announcements.  Sketching the building exterior took me back to my former life as an architect for a moment-feeling like I was back in Paris on a sketch assignment.

My favorite part, however, was playing around with the interior element: what the future brick-and-mortar boutique could look like someday... and since this part did not make it onto the website (except as a line drawing), I thought it would be nice to show it here...

Who knows how my vision will evolve, but as of now, that is my little dream shop :)

bises,
Julie

Introducing the Études Collection...

I'm very excited to announce a new era for Poési with cast pieces!  Although all of our designs begin with ideas put onto paper through many many sketches, now there is a sculptural aspect where I create my designs in three-dimensional wax (the blue below) and then cast it in metal. Here is a little peek at the process for a custom 14k necklace designed for a new mother (the peridot is the birthstone of the baby and the branch symbolizes the beginning of their family tree... we'll be adding on more gems as their family grows.  This design will be named after them and is christened the Dean Twig Necklace.

This new process means that so many of my sketched ideas can now become a reality - a thrill for me! Here is one concept that lived only as a drawing for years...and now is finally a beautiful reality as the Raphaëlle Branch Necklace. It is one of my favorite names...ever since I was introduced to a girl named Raphaëlle in France while studying abroad.  This piece is my pièce de résistance thus far, and it just felt right to call it a name that references the great Raphael, renown for the perfection and grace of his work. )

These will be a part of a new collection that will be called the Études Collection, which is based on studies of natural forms that inspire me with their simple beauty. I hope you enjoy these pieces as much as I love creating them!

bises,
Julie

Delightful Display Ideas

Now that you have a nice collection of jewelry you love, where do you put it all, or more importantly, how should you do it? I've come across some creative jewelry display ideas over the years and wanted to share some of the ones that would be charming (and practical) in your home. For me, the most important function is to showcase the pieces so that you can easily assess what you have and pick the piece(s) you want to wear for the day, but also important is to keep the jewelry relatively separated so that chains don't tangle, etc.  I love the idea of creating a stylish and imaginative accent for the room with it, like these...

{clock-wise from top-left: Vintage cups and saucers in jewelry drawer via Martha Stewart, Rustic jewelry display frames by Pottery Barn,  Shadowbox frame via Martha Stewart, Antique velvet-lined boxes via Martha Stewart}

You'll have to use your imagination for the next few, but they are gorgeous and have lots of wiring to hang earrings off or drawer/shelves to set your jewelry on. I've always loved the look and feel of antique card catalogs and finding new purposes for them :)

{clock-wise from top-left: Aviary Castle from Anthropologie, wire teacup via homespunforte, antique display cabinet via Haute Home,  vintage card catalog via Red Jet Whistle}

The next couple jewelry storage ideas are even more unconventional, but fun and very practical...

{glass Ikea spice jars via Mochatini,  rotating nuts&bolts organizer via Re-nest}

That's all for now, but  there's more to come for jewelry storage and cleaning tips soon!

bises,
Julie

p.s. Please note that any jewelry that is prone to tarnish (such as sterling silver and gold-filled pieces) is best in kept air-tight bags/containers for long-term storage, unless you are ok with polishing them every couple months or so.  Also, it's best to keep any colored gemstones out of direct sunlight, as continuous strong exposure can cause fading.

i heart succulents

Something that I hope to acquire someday is my mother's green thumb. She reminds me of the pie-maker in Pushing Daisies who magically brings dying plants to life and even makes them thrive.  One of her (and my) favorite plants is the adorable succulent...she grows huge planters of them, while I admire from afar (for now). Here are some photos I came across while browsing wedding planner and home blogs...a past-time I never get tired of. I love the plump rosette forms (particularly the 'Echeveria' variety) and the subdued color palettes...perfect for summer weddings. On top of everything, they can be a green alternative to cut flowers since they are potted and will last for a very long time! They look beautiful used alone:

{images via Living Arrangments)




































{images via yes, please}

(images via Succulent Love}

.....or they can be mixed in with other florals for a luscious effect....

{images via erinheartscourt}

{image credit unknown...my apologies- I found this before I started keeping track!}

{image credit unknown...my apologies- I found this before I started keeping track!}

{images from Kuga Designs and Martha Stewart}

A Poesi Wedding

I apologize for the long delay since my last post- this summer has been quite filled with out-of town weddings for me! Well, one of those such weddings, as mentioned in the previous post, was my good friend, Angie's, and I wanted to share some photos of the lovelies I was happy to design for her.  With having made her earrings, hair pin, the bridesmaid's jewelry and the flower girls' headbands, it was a truly a Poési wedding. The bride was so beautiful and radiant- even after knowing her for almost 20 years, I can honestly say that I have never seen her lovelier!

New additions for bridal occasions

While working with my childhood friend, Angie (who is tying the knot in a month!), on her bridal earrings,  I've been inspired to create some new designs for the Special Occasions line (I like to categorize it as that because although I sometimes refer to it as bridal, the pieces really can stand on their own and complement any formal occasion).

I must say... I'm really happy with the way they turned out! I tried to compose them organically while still keeping a sense of elegance and timeless proportion. (note: the photography doesn't do justice to the lively sparkle of these gemstones and crystals.... I'm saving up for a nice digital SLR to capture better images :).  I have yet to name these lovelies, but here they are...

These are not on my website yet, but you can simply email me if you would like to place and order.

-Julie

L'Art de la Photographie

I think I just discovered a new favorite photographer! Irene Suckocki is a self-taught photographer from Montréal and her work is so evocative and simply beautiful.  She shoots gorgeous wedding photos, but my favorite is her fine art photography- particularly her interpretations of Paris and botanicals.  I feel like the images take me back to a special memory... be it a dreamy summer day or my year studying abroad.

Here are a some that especially made an impression on me:

You can purchase prints through her Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/irenesuchocki

An ombre effect...

Oh how I love these soft & lovely gradients!

{Photo by Jim Franco}

{Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings}

And the softest and loveliest one of all...

{Jorge Terra Dress via Ruffled}

And my interpretation into gemstones using various shades of rose & cherry quartz, glass and crystals:

Another, created with white topaz, rose quartz, pink chalcedony, peach moonstone and carnelian:

I just got my hands on some similarly hued tulle the other weekend and have some hair adornment ideas in mind....will post photos of them as soon as I get a chance to make them- can't wait!

-Julie

Lovely Spring Palettes

Is there anything better than that first golden day after a bleak winter that warms the air and brings on a smile? It seems that spring is finally here to stay and any fellow Chicagoan (or visitor) must feel this excitement too! I just had to share the lovely colors that are inspiring me and may make an appearance in the pieces I am working on this week...

 {Photo by Kallie Brynn Buckmaster via the The Sweetest Occasion}

 {Photo by Kathryn V. Photography}

{Photo by Louis Beche via Pure Entertainment Group}

And I especially love the soft spring green against charcoal grey...

{Inspiration board via Snippet & Ink}

Poetically Inspired

Bonjour ~ Poesi is thrilled to introduce our very own blog!  As the designer behind the line (I'm Julie, very nice to meet you), I get asked about my sources of inspiration quite often, so I thought it would be a wonderful idea to share them directly with you here :)  Although Poesi is currently focused on creating delicate, whimsical and beautiful jewelry, we look forward to branching out to include lines of other beautifully handmade things...hair adornments, wedding accessories, paper lovelies, etc...I love them all!

I'm excited to embark on this new (for me) kind of journey and look forward to the many fun and happy things to peek at along the path... and away we go!

...and the film version by one of my favorite directors, Sofia Coppola:




(Photo Credit: Miss Dior Cherie)
(Film Credit: Sofia Coppola for Miss Dior Cherie)