The Last-Minute Gift Guide 2024

This holiday season is officially a week shorter than the last… which may explain why we all seem to be buzzing around like bees that lost their hive, desperately trying to gather our sh*t. Or maybe that’s just me… No matter, Talisman has you covered with some no-fail, in-stock gifts that are timeless, heirloom and handmade - all crowd-pleasers that are sure to be a hit. Do note that while the deadline has already passed for made-to-order purchases to be received in time for Xmas, there are plenty of ready-to-ship goodies that await, which I’m highlighting here. Read on for my cheeky little gift guide of favorites that are certain to win friends and lovers…

Classic cuties love timeless, everyday staples like (clockwise from top left) the Freyja Necklace, Orbit Bracelet, Linear Y Necklace and the Petite Plane Earrings

Artsy fartsy creative folks are bound to love unique, artful pieces like the Spiral Stud, Wave Theory Ring, Held Necklace, and Sirius C Ring

Minimalist mavens prefer the bold, clean lines of styles like the Rollo Band, Flow Chain, Infinite Ring Stack, and the Sanguine Drop Earrings

Maximalist masterminds like big, bold, layerable jewels that they can pile on… Think pieces like the Shroom Necklace, Linear Threader, the weighty Conjunct Cigar Band and XL Infinite Hoops with Diamonds

Spirit junkie types love meaningful, energetically-charged talismans like the Protective Eye Y Necklace, Ouroboros Ring, Michael Amulet Necklace, and Peace Stud

Good Company Austin Holiday Trunk Show

I’m reuniting with my friends at Good Company shop in Austin, Texas for a special holiday trunk show! Join me IRL and shop the FW24 collection, with a selection of ready-to-take-home gifts and newly-released creations.

Even better, we’ve paired up with Bre Stings piercing for an in-house piercing party too! This is gonna be a fun one, don’t miss out.

Friday, Dec 13th + Saturday, Dec 14th

@ Good Company on 12th Street

Holiday Market with Recital Boutique

Join Talisman along with a beautiful assortment of designers for a holiday market at Recital boutique in the RiNo neighborhood of Denver. Some of my favorite artisans will be there - Oxbow, Animal Handmade, Goodluck Handmade, Recollect Records and more.

Saturday, Dec 7th

3 - 8pm

@ Recital’s upstairs loft

Fall Trunk Show with Eleanor Boutique

Join Talisman Fine Jewelry and our friends at Eleanor boutique in Louisville, CO for a fall trunk show, where we will be launching the new FW24 collection IRL! Come shop with designer Vanessa Barcus all day on Thursday, October 24th. The full collection will remain in-sore for the weekend that follows.

Thursday, October 24

10am - 6pm

@ Eleanor boutique

For Your Ears: Fall 2024 Playlist, aka Music for Mermaids

What would a mermaid listen to these days? Well, allow this mermaid to provide your imagination with some possibilities…

For your ears only, I rounded up a little playlist of the songs I’ve been jamming to in my mermaid cave - aka the studio - as I designed the fall/winter 2024 collection. In true spooky season spirit, it’s full of a lot of darkwave synth pop, ambient electronic, angsty riot grrrl vibes, and even some moody blues thrown in for good measure. I suppose you could say this mermaid is a bit on the dark side. Enjoy!

For Your Ears: Summer 2024 Playlist

Dunno about you, but these warmer temps are calling me to the dance floor (or, at least the dance floor of my studio lol). I came up with a little playlist for you accordingly, filled with summer-y, joyful jams that include African psych, house, synth rock, disco, and more…

While visiting Portland recently, I happened to stumble upon the absolute gem that is Passenger Seat Records. Some groovy beats down a hallway and around the corner from Proud Mary coffee called to me, and I had to follow. Inside was one of the most well-curated record shops I’ve seen to date. The owner was a super friendly lad who had plenty of reccos for me, and I’ve added a few of those tracks here too. Enjoy!

SS24 Trunk Show with Tula Boutique

Fort Collins friends! Did you know that Talisman can now be found at Tula boutique? I’ll be there in the flesh this Thursday, with the full SS24 collection in tow. Please join us - there will be champagne, good vibes, and lots of gold to peruse (obviously).

Thursday, March 21st

12-6pm

@ Tula boutique - 1 Old Town Square, Suite 105, Fort Collins, CO

For Your Ears: Talisman SS24 Playlist

You know I love a good playlist! For those curious about what I’ve been listening to here at the studio as I work on your orders, I’ve conveniently rounded it all up into one handy-dandy bitesize set. Overall it’s a lowkey vibe, made for lounging hard, but don’t be fooled - there are some thumping dance numbers thrown in for good measure too. Think atmospheric electronic, psychedelic jazz (hey, I’m getting old, ok?), a little hip hop, and some of what I consider to be the classics… Yunno, Tom Tom Club, 90s era Air… Speaking of, did you hear that for the first time in almost a decade, the band Air is going on tour?! I, for one, cannot wait. Maybe I’ll catch you there. Until then, I hope you enjoy what I made below <3

BTS at the Spring/Summer 2024 Lookbook Shoot

Shooting outside of Charles Haertling’s 1960s “Boulder Eye Clinic” building with Matt Nager and Erika Rodriguez

Ideating on our SS24 campaign concept left me searching yet again for the perfect 1960s/1970s “bubble structure” for a location. I guess it’s a thing for Talisman. Luckily architect Charles Haertling left us with plenty of options in the Boulder area, and we were fortunate to have some connections (thanks Erica Simon!) to his iconic “Boulder Eye Clinic” building on Broadway. What I especially love about this building is the way its sculptural curves mimic the sculptural nature of Talisman’s jewelry. They seemed to be in conversation throughout our shoot, though this wasn’t the only storyline we had going…

Working with my trusty photographer Matt Nager, and our model Erika Rodriguez from Wilhelmina, we reimagined the office building as a crash landed space ship of sorts, with Erika graciously playing the part of our extraterrestrial being… decked out in lots of gold, of course. The result was, dare I say, otherworldly (ha).

Special shout outs are due to my friend Katie Miner, who helped me with styling day-of, as well as to Max clothing stores, Recital boutique, Common Threads Boulder, and COS for wardrobe.

Fun BTS fact: there was an active chiropractor’s office behind this mirrored window. Luckily they didn’t protest us shooting outside. Thanks guys!

Peep some behind-the-scenes footage of this super fun shoot, and then check out our final product here, along with all the newly released SS24 designs!

The jewels

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide 2023

We see you, procrastinators, and we are here for you. While the deadline to receive any made-to-order items in time for Xmas has passed, there’s still a slew of goodies on the website that are in-stock and ready-to-ship. Here’s a roundup of some of my personal favs, which are guaranteed to please even the pickiest of folk.

The Conjunct Ring

The Conjunct Ring was a new addition this season, and I love its ergonomic, fluid asymmetry. It’s wonderful alone, but also works well in a stack, which makes it an easy gift for those who like to add to their collection of stacked bands.

The Skinny Flow Chain

Hands-down, a shimmering gold herringbone chain looks elegant draped over a bare collarbone. While I love the full-size and mid-size versions too, the Skinny Flow Chain is a perfect everyday piece that adds a lovely amount of shine to your look without being over the top, even at the gym. Also perfect layered with multiple necklaces, making it a no-brainer gift.

The Aphrodite Hugs

These are, in all honesty, my everyday earrings. The Aphrodite Hugs are comfortable enough to leave in for weeks on end, but statement-making enough to make me feel dressed up in just a t-shirt and jeans. I just love them, and I think your recipient will too.

The Petite Linear Stud

You literally cannot go wrong with bar studs. Everyone needs a pair - they’re easy, great for multiple piercings, and convey a certain sense of geometric, minimalist elegance. The Petite Linear Stud is my latest version for FW23, in a slightly more micro size than its full-size Linear Stud sibling. An excellent choice for anyone on a budget who still prefers to gift heirloom-quality pieces.

The Orbit Bracelet

The Orbit Bracelet is another newbie for FW23, and has already been wildly popular. The interlocking hook clasp means it stays securely on the wrist, and I find that many like to leave it on, and/or stack it with their existing arm candy. It’s truly the perfect everyday bracelet.

Infinite Hoops

A budget-friendly no-brainer, the Infinite Hoops are a fool-proof gift option in heirloom-quality 14k gold. Wearers can leave these puppies in for months and never take them out. Pro tip for those with multiple piercings: stack with the mid-size and huggie versions ascending up the earlobe for an ultra 90s punk look.

The Held Necklace

Last but definitely not least, I decided to make one of my personal favorites - the Held Necklace - for last-minute holiday gifting. Juuuuust in case the one you love has been really deserving this year. This piece is all about being reminded that the universe is always holding us, through all the trials and tribulations. What better year to have a reminder of that, no?

Austin Trunk Show with Good Company

We’re back with our favorite Austinites: the aptly-named Good Company shop, of course. This is the last opportunity of the year to shop Talisman IRL, and I’ll have OOAK pieces, brand new items, and all the best-sellers. If you’re in the Austin, Texas area, please come see us:

Friday, December 15th, 11am - 6pm @ Good Company on 12th Street

Saturday, December 16th, 11am - 6pm @ Good Company on South Congress

Field Trip: LA

The centerpiece of “Queen Califia’s Magical Circle” by artist Niki de Saint Phalle - Queen Califia herself atop her griffin.

This October I had the opportunity to spend some time in Los Angeles - a town that was at one time my home, many moons ago. The trip was equal parts vacation, inspiration, and work. Joined by a couple of my besties who live in the area, I made the most of my 9 days there with a busy schedule of art, beach, nature hikes, architecture, music and more.

Among many things, I had the chance to view the opening of my friend Tomashi Jackson’s art show “Minute by Minute” at Night Gallery, which incorporated hand-embroidered and tatted textiles made by my own grandmother, Carrie Barcus, which I had gifted to the artist. Truly a special moment to see these complex, multi-layered (quite literally and figuratively), collaged works in person - they are POWERFUL! I could feel my grandmother’s utter awe and delight raining down on that gallery as well. You can read more about Tomashi’s show in this wonderful LA Times interview.

A piece from Tomashi Jackson’s “Minute by Minute,” which incorporated hand embroidery by my grandmother as the foundation for her canvas

Detail of hand tatting done by my grandmother Carrie Barcus, used in Tomashi Jackson’s piece

Another work by Tomashi Jackson in “Minute by Minute” at Night Gallery. This incorporates Carrie’s embroidery, as well as Tomashi’s mother’s photography, and the shapes of redlined districts in LA.

Embroidery detail by my grandmother

Tomashi Jackson’s piece, incorporating photography from her mother, and my grandmother’s embroidery at the bottom edge.

There is a wildly coincidental story from the day when I gifted Tomashi this textile… as we were chatting about my goldsmithing work and Tomashi’s collection of gold chains, we noticed that the edge of this pillowcase read “Cloth of Gold.” Funny how life works! I love that Tomashi then incorporated gold paint into the piece, as well as another piece that utilized Grandma Carrie’s handiwork.

Tomashi in the midst of performance art at Night Gallery

I also made a pilgrimage with my dear friend Tamara, to see my hero Niki de Saint Phalle’s installation “Queen Califia’s Magical Circle” in Escondido - one of the few existing sites of her art in the US. Magical indeed! I cannot even fathom the amount of time it took to cover this entire area in mosaics - much of which was made from semiprecious gemstones! The docent at the site told us that Niki and her team went to the Tucson gem show to buy the stones. I imagine they must have cleared out a lot of dealers’ bins to make this work!

A view of Queen Califia’s Magical Circle

Fragmented selfie at Queen Califia’s Magical Circle

Detail from Queen Califia’s Magical Circle, with mosaic malachite and what looks to be chrysoprase

There were so many details to discover around every turn at Queen Califia’s Magical Circle. Each one tells a story.

Back in LA proper, I had the chance to visit the Neutra VDL House in Silverlake with my friend Symantha. This onetime home and studio of architect Richard Neutra is a place I’ve long wanted to see in person, as a huge fan of mid-century modernism and Neutra in particular. Neutra shares a particular history with my mother’s lineage, who were Austrian Jews. While it may not seem so unusual today, the fact that the original structure for this building was made in 1932 is pretty mind-blowing.

Living room at the Neutra VDL House in Silverlake

Exterior of the Neutra VDL House

Another interior angle at Neutra VDL

Details at the Neutra VDL House - this color palette echoes my recent FW23 lookbook

Last but not least, the trip was capped off by a trunk show at the beautiful Kinship Station boutique in Topanga. I loved hanging with the shop staff, and getting to know their customers more. They’ve got such a gorgeous curation of decor, clothing and jewelry - definitely worth a visit.

Talisman jewels at Kinship Station in Topanga

Symantha and her mug at Kinship Station - a beautifully curated boutique of decor, clothing, jewelry and more

Shopgirl Nadia dons the Ra Signet at the Kinship Station trunk show

That’s a wrap! Until next time LA <3

For Your Ears: Talisman FW23 Playlist

Coming in hot with a little taste of the latest and greatest in music that I’ve been jamming out to while I work in the studio this season… In the true spirit of fall, this playlist is a little moodier, and a little more introverted - perfect for a cozy night in, or a chilly, bundled-up evening out. As per usual, a mashup of rock, synth pop, shoegaze, and electronic, along with some purely vibey, instrumental tracks thrown in. Enjoy!

Pop-Up Holiday Market at Cherry Hills Country Club

Photo by Alex Medvick

Hard to believe it’s already “that time of year” again, but here we are, first snowstorm and all! I’m thrilled to be participating in a Holiday Pop-Up Market at the Cherry Hills Country Club, hosted by Helm Weaver Helm, benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association. This market will have a wide assortment of giftable, artisan goods, including handmade heirloom jewels from yours truly. 10% of our sales will go to Alzheimer’s research. Details are as follows:

Wednesday, November 29th

1-6pm

Free and open to all - not just members of the club!

Please help spread the word, and invite friends… I hope to see all my Denver folks there! Please also note there is a dress code at the country club, and no blue jeans are permitted.

XX,

Vanessa

BTS at the Talisman FW23 Lookbook Photoshoot: The Evans School

An open, and mostly vacant, stairway at the Evans School building in Denver. Currently home to artists and creatives, for now.

Photographer Matt Nager and model Vanessa Luka getting a close-up ear shot at the Evans School studio of Sam Grabowska and Erin McAllister

Deciding on the location for Talisman’s next lookbook photoshoot is always an exciting creative challenge. Each season the look and feel of the brand is greatly influenced by our campaign concept, composition and color palette, and thus, by extension, where that campaign was shot. For FW23, the idea struck me to ask some artist friends about taking over their studio space at the Evans School in Denver for an afternoon… I had spent some time in this incredibly special, once-abandoned school building, and was immediately struck by the energy of the place. Having only recently been offered to a handful of artists for use as studio rentals, this glorious building - full of tall windows and insanely intricate copper railings - sat empty since the 1970s, quietly falling into decay just across the street from the Denver Art Museum. These days, however, the vibe at the Evans School is something else. Sculptors, painters, photographers and the like are using the classrooms - heck, even the old auditorium - to ideate, create and collaborate with one another. Tiny DIY galleries have popped up to showcase the work of folks making art next door. In my estimation, one of the most beautiful things about this space, aside from the building itself, seems to be the fact that there is a definite ambiance of - dare I use the cliched word - synergy and co-inspiration happening among the artists at work there.

Utilizing raw materials from artist Sam Grabowska’s sculpture work as a backdrop for Talisman’s new FW23 designs

None of the residents know how long this gem will last… word has it that the building may be purchased by developers to be remade into a luxury hotel in the near future. And, as sad as that may be (although it has the makings for a beautiful hotel, no doubt), somehow the limited-time aspect of the whole scene - this permeating feeling of uncertainty - lends it a bit of Chelsea Hotel-type magic. Something that is at once almost outside of time and space itself, and yet is entirely ephemeral. To be certain, it is a Time and a Place, in Denver, Colorado, 2023.

Knowing that the opportunity to do something in this magical space might be limited, then, it seemed that the time was right for a photoshoot there. The goal for the shoot, as far as I could see it, was simply to capture some of the magic that is happening behind closed doors at 1115 Acoma Street, and by extension, to delve into the raw materials and processes of some of the artists at play there. A statement, if you will, about how creative imagination can turn raw, even seemingly strange objects into entire worlds of beauty.

Matt Nager shoots a still life scene on Sam Grabowska’s desk. Styling and creative direction by myself, Vanessa Barcus.

Thankfully for Talisman, my dear friend Erin McAllister and her Evans School studio mate, Sam Grabowska, were happy to oblige. So my trusty photog Matt Nager and I were given access to their studio, and all of its gloriously weird objects and supplies. Erin is a fiber and textile artist who also paints on occasion. Her work is as vibrant and colorful and explosive as she is. Sam is a sculptor and multi-media artist whose highly-conceptual work speaks to themes of creating space, in both a literal and psychological sense, as well as themes of safety, trauma healing, and care. Through both artists we found a rich assortment of tactile, textural raw materials to use as a backdrop for Talisman’s latest designs. Another friend, Vanessa Luka, graciously lent her beautiful ears and hands to be photographed in what was otherwise a mostly still-life shoot.

Take a peek behind the scenes here of our day at the Evans School… In the near future, you may just see the scraps and materials we used in our photos come together in one of these two artists’ upcoming work.

Artist Erin McAllister shows us around the studio

XX,

Vanessa

See Talisman at The Found Collective on Saturday

It’s that time of year again… the fall Found Collective market is happening in Boulder on Saturday, September 9th at the Dairy Arts Center. As per usual, I’m super excited not only to hang with so many of my friends in one place - who also happen to be some of the most talented designers and artisans in Colorado, no less - but I also can’t wait to finally unveil some of the new fall pieces I’ve been hard at work on. Come see me and scope out designs like my brand new, entirely handmade Anchored Chain, the Orbit Collar and Orbit Bracelet, the wonderfully chunky new Conjunct Cigar Band and its pair the Conjunct Ring, and so much more. Entry is $5, but is SO worth it, between the amazing food, music, and the best curation of vendors this side of the front range. See you there!

Sneak Peek at Fall/Winter 2023

July and August are the months in which I’m busy dreaming up new designs to be unveiled in the fall. What begins as a sketch, and then a wax carving, slowly morphs into solid gold. You’ll have to use your imagination to picture these rough models as the final product in glistening 14k, but I still thought it might be fun to give my clients a little sneak peek into what I’ve been working on. This is by no means a comprehensive group… there are a few more tricks up my sleeve that will be released when they’re ready, for the record.

The Conjunct Cigar Band and Conjunct Ring are designed to pair together, but can just as easily be worn separately. I’m absolutely in love with them… it took a bit of trial and error to get the asymmetry and leaning angles just right.

This season I found myself increasingly called to create more streamlined, simple shapes that felt like the daily essentials that the collection was missing. Really, I was just getting back to the core of what Talisman Fine Jewelry is all about - everyday heirloom jewelry that still feels sacred and sculptural. Ok, maybe with a wilder piece or two mixed in, because I’m still an artist and I have to express myself as such. Scroll on for a taste of what’s to come.

More views of the Conjunct Cigar Band and Conjunct Ring in wax, before casting into solid, recycled 14k gold.

The conjunction of the Conjunct Cigar Band and Conjunct Ring, hehe

A very pudgy Delphi Ear Cuff. I imagined this as something the Oracle of Delphi would wear while she divinates for her patrons.

Soon to be a hoop… a pair for the Helix Ring.

This piece is artful and a little wild, called the Central Sun Ring… it’s a piece that’s been a long time coming, swimming in my head as a possibility for a year or more. She pairs with the Central Sun Earrings.

Almost finished… these are the Orbit Collar and the Orbit Bracelet, getting ready for final polishing. They’re truly everyday, heirloom pieces. Add charms if you desire, or just wear them alone for a minimalist statement in solid 14k gold. The hooks click shut when you put them on - a sound that I find to be very satisfying.

Turning Your Old Gold Into New Treasure

Custom 18k gold ring, handmade using the client’s own melted gold.

When three different clients approach you within a one month span, all asking if you can melt their old family jewelry down to make something new, you know it’s something you need to look into. While melting scrap gold might sound simple enough, in actuality it’s a little more complicated, and not all jewelers will do it. Most gold refiners won’t return you with the exact same gold you gave them - they’re far too busy for such “small” requests. And simply melting down aunt Judy’s ring in the crucible and throwing it into the new casting is both risky and very costly: not only can that metal become brittle and a little unpredictable, but when done this way, the jeweler needs to come up with enough gold to fill the entire “tree” and “sprue” in the casting (the lines through which the molten gold travels to get to your new ring)… aka that requires thousands of dollars more gold than is needed for the individual piece itself. Hence my earlier statement that many jewelers simply won’t do it.

Pre-casting, the ring is first carved in wax. I wanted this weighty cigar band to have a subtle asymmetry to it, playing on offset angles.

By happenstance, though, I discovered that I actually have a special connection to a gold refiner who WILL return your own precious family gold to you, in a chunk of solid, pure 24k. Luck? Coincidence? Maybe a bit of both. But all of this is to say, that after some time and research, I finally got the process down, and have been able to make these customers new gold jewelry that they’ll love and wear everyday, out of their old gold jewelry that, while heirloom, was wasting away in a box. So why not transform your old 10k, 14k and 18k gold pieces that you don’t love, into something that you do? Nothing more alchemical than that, I’d say. To inquire, just shoot me an email at vanessa@talismanfinejewelry.co.

Fresh out of casting, the ring still has bits of “sprues” attached to it that must be ground off, followed by multiple steps of sanding and polishing to get to the final product.

The finished product! Solid 18k refined heirloom gold. It will forever hold the energy of the client’s family heirlooms.

Another pic of the finished product.

Field Trip: Cote d'Azur

A sculpture by Germaine Richier is surrounded by sailboats outside of the Picasso Museum in Antibes, France.

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of traveling to one of the most enchanting places I’ve seen on Earth (truly). It was a long-awaited trip, having been postponed several times during the pandemic. So when my mother and I finally set foot upon the stunning Cote d’Azur of France, to say that I was thrilled is an understatement. And y’all, it truly lived up to the hype. Every day I was blown away by the beauty in all directions, both in the natural landscape, as well as the architecture, art, and culture that surrounded me. I was hoping for a trip to really inspire and reset me, and I most certainly got just that.

The stunning medieval village of Eze, which sits upon a mountaintop between Nice and Monaco along the Mediterranean. The village is now home to many artists who sell their wares to tourists.

‘Has this turned into some kind of travel blog?’ you may ask? I’ll spare you the full details of my mother-daughter vacay, but I thought you, dear reader, might enjoy seeing a handful of the things that inspired me creatively on this sojourn. Because lo and behold, you may just see some of these influences come through as I begin working on new pieces for Fall/Winter 2023-2024…

A fisherman in the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer, a small village adjacent to Nice, who mends his net in the early morning sun before heading out to work. The bust at right is of surrealist artist Jean Cocteau, who was a onetime resident of the village.

Chapelle Saint-Pierre, a 13th century church in Villefranche-sur-Mer, re-imagined by Jean Cocteau in the 1950s.

A quick scan of Villefranche-sur-Mer, a 13th century (though settled since prehistoric times) village and fishing port adjacent to Nice. Also onetime home to Jean Cocteau and the Rolling Stones (Villa Nellcote, where Exile on Main Street was recorded, is located here, for those in the know)

The jewels taking a dip in Nice. Pictured here are the Shapeshifter Ring and the Rollo Band.

Late work by Pablo Picasso, at the Picasso Museum in Antibes. Picasso lived here briefly towards the latter part of his life, making works in a studio at a medieval castle that later became the Picasso Museum.

Sculpture work by Picasso. I found myself very drawn to his simplistic representation of faces.

Trekked to the infamous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes for a super-schmancy lunch. You don’t show up to this celeb-favorite spot without dressing the part (literally, they won’t let you in)… So we donned our finest summer attire and threw on some Talisman of course ;) I’m wearing the Alex Amulet Necklace and Linear Studs. Mom wears the Michael Amulet Necklace and Infinite Hoops.

Le Club 55 in Saint-Tropez… onetime play place of Brigitte Bardot, Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin. Located on what was by far the best beach of the whole trip… those stunning turquoise waters refreshed my soul.

Fresh squeezed juices at Le Club 55 in Saint-Tropez, and the Wave Theory Ring.

Onwards to Nice, where I got to see works by one of my all-time favorite artists, Niki de Saint Phalle, at the MAMEC (Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain). This is an early example of one of her “Nanas,” which later became much more stylized with smooth, rounded bodies. Niki’s early feminism and depiction of women, particularly in such a patriarchal area of the world, is something I greatly admire.

Another work by Niki de Saint Phalle. This shirt belonged to a former lover. Wouldn’t want to be that guy ;)

Works by Yves Klein in my favorite blue at the MAMEC in Nice.

All smiles on this trip. I’m wearing the Held Necklace and the Flow Chain, along with the Aphrodite Hugs and the Linear Studs.

The gorgeous medieval village of Saint Paul de Vence. Yet another place where artists thrive to this day.

A contemporary sculpture of cast bronze and natural elements, found at a gallery in Saint Paul de Vence. Artist unknown but I certainly jived with it.

Small swath of the immense gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The Villa was built by Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild when, at age 40, she found herself divorced and longing for a dreamy place to call home. I can relate.

More gardens, this time of the “exotic” variety atop the medieval Eze village. I truly can’t get this enchanting place out of my head.

Spirals abounded on this trip… seen here in some ironwork on a doorway in ancient Eze.

Sailboats in the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Nautical themes were all around in these sleepy fishing towns, and I most certainly soaked it up (pun intended ha). Though I didn’t get a picture, I found myself very attracted to the anchor chain I saw connected to boats in the dock… More to come there.

Janet stands for a photo as we head back to our AirBnB in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

I’m one lucky chica to have been able to visit such an incredible place. If one word could encapsulate this trip, it would have to be “stunning.” Need I say more?

Parlez-vous Francais? A Playlist by Talisman Fine Jewelry

Parlez-vous Francais? I don’t, but I did make a playlist with some bangin French jams to listen to while I attempt to navigate the streets of Nice and Saint-Tropez. I figured I’d share the wealth with you here. It’s a mash up of ‘French touch’ house, mid century classics, psych rock, and a few other gems. Listen along and we can all pretend to be effortlessly cool French folks together. Profitez-vous bien!