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L.C. Van Houten
Saying So Long to Antique Buttons (mostly)

Saying So Long to Antique Buttons (mostly)

I am focusing on small joys. Perhaps it is just adulthood or perhaps some collective fatigue of living through the pandemic, but it feels hard to get ahead, to feel rested and restored. So I am finding a place to exist in simple joys. I accompanied Phoebe's 2nd grade class to a farm for a field trip yesterday. The calming delight of holding a warm chicken egg, petting a newborn sheep, dipping empty yogurt containers into a pond to look for damselfly larvae. It was good. (Though I truly could not survive as a 2nd grade teacher. My word, we...

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L.C. Van Houten
New Fine Jewelry: Rubies and Pink Sapphires

New Fine Jewelry: Rubies and Pink Sapphires

Add a luscious pop of color to your collection with our newest fine jewelry designs! My favorites talismans, made from antique buttons and teaspoons and charms in sterling silver adorned with glowing rubies and sapphires in shades of plum blossom pink and deep magenta.  The stars of this collection are our California Poppy Teaspoon necklace, an elegant marquis pendant with blossoms overflowing with rubies and sapphires. Our favorite Meiji Era Camellia sings with two large rubies set at the center of each flower. Shop Fine Jewelry

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L.C. Van Houten
DIY Backyard Makeover on a Budget!

DIY Backyard Makeover on a Budget!

Our yard has been a perplexing dust lot for a while now. We have never wanted expansive lawns, what with living in California. This weekend we finally deployed the magic of mulch and created a lovely sitting area. We used broken flagstone from around the garden and with 5 bags of mulch and a few bags of gravel... BAM!  Johnny and I got the upcycled junk dodo bird at the Mendocino Arts Center on one of our first trips as an engaged couple, my cousin made the burl bowl-turned-succulent planter. The wine barrel sphere, placed ever so specifically by Phoebe, was...

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L.C. Van Houten
New Riveted Collection Preview!!

New Riveted Collection Preview!!

The NEW Collection is launching in September! I am tremendously chuffed to be introducing this next collection. I have long been in the business of curation and In this process, I've distilled my own design language and perspective. You'll see many pieces that I have made from scratch using sterling silver, wax and 19th century rivets. Here are the new Profile Hoop Earrings - they'll be available in sterling silver, bronze and 14k gold (pre-order). I made a hammered version and a version with rivets, shown here.  LOOK!!! The charms are interchangeable! You will be able to reuse your hoops...

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