Friday, August 19, 2011

B&B's Blog Has Moved!!!!!

Things might seem a bit quiet around here . . .

Please check out Bullfinch & Barbury's new blog!!!: http://bullfinchbarbury.wordpress.com


Thank you so much for reading!!!


Monday, November 22, 2010



There's nothing like a little glimpse into the future - especially if it reveals the hauntingly beautiful feel woven together by Sarahbeth Larrimore of Unabashed Apparel!
This snippet of winter's spell is part of the Fall and Winter line for 2011, featuring a completely new collection of Bullfinch and Barbury bangles made to evoke the same lonely, graceful effect as seen in this image. Sarahbeth orchestrated a varied collection of talents to bring this line together - in addition to bangles, Necklaces and Earrings are by Lauren Haupt Jewelry, Handmade Chairs are by Domus Aurea Woodworking Studio, Makeup by Serenity Eyre, Photography by Jana Busbin . . . and of course, clothing by none other than Unabashed Apparel.


The future is looking quite captivating!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Holiday Artisan Fair 2010

My friend Sunny has coordinated a Holiday Fair again this year at her home in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. The emphasis is on hand-made wares and organic edibles for people and pets . . . don't forget pets! Things are still in the organization process, but I plan to be there from 8 AM to 2 PM with all sorts of lovely enameled jewels to try on and check out.



My two planning objectives for the day:




  • Somehow find a way to keep some hot tea on hand all day long

  • Buy a reliable CD/MP3 player and play Edith Paif and Django Reinhardt (and later use it in my studio, so it needs to be one die hard CD player to withstand all of the enamel dust and metal grindings!)


Come and see me :


October 9th 2010 - 8 AM to 2 PM

375 Byers Rd

Chester Springs, PA 19425



POTENTIAL SELLERS: Please contact me if you would like to join us! It's $25 per table/vendor.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Looking Ahead to Autumn







It's still balmy . . . especially when I fire up the kiln on these 90 degree July days . . . but let's talk Autumn anyway.

I have been plotting out some new enameled treats, and ordered some new and unexpected color combinations for Fall for a spin on the classic yellow, orange, red and brown. Here are some of the early ruminations for what's in store for Fall.


























Monday, April 19, 2010

Impressionist Bangles - Van Gogh


I'm very excited about these bangles! Vincent Van Gogh has long been one of my favourite painters and I think that his style translates well into enamel. The saturated tones of his work and the extraordinary use of contrasting color and shape draws an immediate response from the viewer. There is an emotional content in Van Gogh's work that resounds far beyond the subject matter. Who else could make a Cafe seem so charged with tension - or a night sky appear so hopeful and caressing and tranquil?














Van Gogh was actually considered a failure in his lifetime, and suffered from extreme anxiety and mental illness. He was very close with his brother, Theo, and though his letters, much insight into Vincent's life was preserved. Vincent once explained that painting eased his anxiety and relieved his depression - and from looking at his later paintings, it is clear that Vincent was optimistic and concentrating on a healthy outlook. Many of his paintings from this time incorporated swirls - like the clouds in Starry Night.




It was only after his death that Van Gogh's work became recognized as a foundation for modern art. His peers later described his work as "genius", and when you peruse the list of most expensive paintings ever sold, Van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet" is in the top five.





















The Starry Night bangles were made using watercolor enamels and crayon enamels. Both of these are applied like a person would use any other watercolor or pencil, but are fired into the surface just like a powdered enamel. The addition of rutilated quartz cabochons by stone cutter Greg Genovese, brings out the golden, glimmering effect of the 24 Karat gold foil stars.



The next set in the works is Monet's Waterlilies . . . Do you have a favourite Impressionist that you would like to see in bangle-form? Please leave a comment with your suggestions!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Holiday Giveaway Winners!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Bullfinch & Barbury Holiday Giveaway! I have the names of two winners, provided by RANDOM.org's true random number generator.


The winner of the Bit of Merry Giveaway is: Melissa Moore


Melissa was number 81 out of 95 entries - she is getting a set of Wexford enameled bangles and a Cranberry Spice Enamel and Pearl Necklace!







The winner of the Holiday Cache Giveaway is: Jamie Waggoner


Jaime was number 6 out of 29 entries - she is getting the Somerset enameled bangle set and a Somerset Damask Enameled Necklace!





Thank you again to everyone who entered!


Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Swan Lake Winter Scene

This lovely hand-colored swan print from the 1850's caught my eye while browing through Etsy the other day - and suddenly inspired a whole winter scene of elegant clothing, chilly hues and ruffled finery.



Circa 1850 Bewick's Swan, Black Necked Swan Art Engraving







Norma Sequin Headband







Gray Ballerina Series - Part 2







Dreamscape Fine Art Photograph







She-Shells Giftbox







Vintage 1970's Gold Fringe Necklace







Black and Brown Cloche with Two Vintage Buttons







Spiral Pleats Dress







I had to include this custom bangle set designed by Kitty - she asked for a mixture of sage and cream shades, and the result was lovely!