buy handmade this Christmas... because you're worth it

 

 

Unique, one-of-a-kind and made with love...

a mendlbarr creation is sure to please!

 

HANDMADE...

because you're worth it

 

Sit back, grab a cup of tea and...

 

take a peek at our earrings, bracelets and necklaces...

 

enjoy! :)

 

 

Houston, TX... our new adventure :)

Hello from Houston, TX... our new home!

Thanks for your business and we hope that you are enjoying your purchases!

 

Now that we've arrived on Texas soil, there's so much to get used to... like having a car :)
We never needed to own a vehicle in NYC... subways, trains, buses and if we needed a vehicle, we had access to HertzOnDemand and could walk up to any type of car we wanted to rent!   Another large change is the climate... we left cold, snowy NYC and arrived to swimsuit and flip-flop weather!

Many opportunities have presented themselves in the short time we've been here... exciting new venues to show at... stay tuned...

Our upcycled furniture creations will be so much easier to do in Texas... more room for sanding, painting and waxing the pieces... dedicated space for our shipping department and for mendlbarr jewelry, too! 

 

 

 As always, you'll find everything we've created in our Etsy, Artfire and eBay shops.   Take a peek... we are creating new items just for you!

Handmade... because you're worth it!

FRENCH BOUDOIR ART DOLLS... ooh laa laa



handcrafted and handpainted



romantic details



gorgeous profile 

"Unlike most dolls from the mid 20th century, which were made for children, boudoir dolls were made to grace the beds of grown ladies. The dolls today are sought after because of their classic artistic styling and, often, their art deco look." 

As we unpacked boxes of treasures from days gone by... we came across our wonderful two French Boudoir Art Dolls that were handmade by an elderly French gentleman in the early 1980s.  One-of-a-kind and definitely art pieces for the collector. 

Our 34" cloth boudoir dolls were extremely expensive 30 years ago and have seemed to become more valuable since this type of craftmanship is hard to find. 

"These are generally large dolls, made to sit on their owner's bed. You can find dolls as small as 20 to 24 inches, although the vast majority of the dolls are over 26 inches in size. Boudoir dolls in the larger sizes seem to be in favor with collectors."

Here are some pictures of our second doll, with her "school marm" look... she appears bolder and more confident than her elegant counterpart.

hand sculpted features

 

soft cloth construction

 

period clothing with petticoat

This particular doll designer lived in France and started his career as a tailor before finding his true calling as a boudoir art doll maker.  We eagerly seek more information and welcome any tidbits you may have...

These dolls are available for purchase.  If you're interested, please click on any of the photos for more information :)

1991... our first necklace inspired by a movie...

 

Found a picture of the necklace Patricia Wettig wore in "City Slickers"!  I'm shocked... who would have thought it would be so easy... I was ready to rent the movie and take stills off the television.  The internet is awesome! 

 

Back in 1991, I had to rely on my memory to design a necklace like hers.   Now that I see what it originally looked like, I am amazed at how similar it turned out... I didn't remember the length quite right as mine is not long enough... LOL!

Funny how things come back to us in time... I now know how our jewelry business began!  Inspired by a necklace in a movie... it's the little things...

musical influences...

There are times when a certain song or melody takes you back in time... you experience those same sights and sounds while being transferred to a different place and time!

Musical influences are magical...

perks to buying handmade...

 

 

i just found this quote and had to share... how true it is :)

 

 

dreaming of a white Christmas...

Designing this mini collection for our client has been so fulfilling!  We usually create an item individually and when it's complete, we move on to something entirely different. 

For this collection, we imagined a cohesive grouping of bright sterling silver and ice crystals... the mood is so appropriate for this time of year... we're dreaming of a white Christmas :)

What a neat idea... offer up the gifts and allow them to pick their favorite... each similar in presentation but unique in composition... no ear wire or crystal is the same!  Enjoy!

new inspiration... new creations

 

... there is nothing that compares to a soul blessed with time to express itself thru art... may each one of you experience this bliss... be careful it's addicting :)

our favorite time of year...

Back to school... leaves starting to turn colors... crispness in the air... the excitement of the holidays!

I've heard that one always loves the time of year in which they were born.   Maybe that's why I'm ready to put the fall wreath outside our door?    Then I'll bring out the Halloween decorations... which leads to Thanksgiving decorations ... which then leads to Christmas and New Years!!! 

I love this time of year!

The richness of coppers have become a neutral... wear them with anything... enjoy!

copper... so many possibilities :)

We took a little break and now we're back!  Hope all of you have been well!

New designs were put on our ArtFire storefront... many more in the making!  If you have an outfit that needs a special necklace, earrings or bracelet... take a peek... you just might find that perfect piece!