The first lady Michelle Obama made quite the entrance on Sunday, December 6, when the Obamas attended the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. These honors have been given annually, since 1978, to those in the performing arts who have influenced American culture during their lifetimes.

This year's honorees include Mel Brooks, jazz musician Dave Brubeck, mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry, actor Robert De Niro, and singer Bruce Springsteen. The event will air live on December 29, 2009 on CBS.

Ms. Obama wore an interesting pleaded purple chiffon gown designed by Peter Soronen. My eyes, of course, were drawn to the fabulous Tom Binns asymmetrical festoon statement necklace which set off the dress beautifully. The necklace is from the Mutiny of Splendor collection. She rounded out the look with her penchant for piles of bangles on her wrist.

What do you think of her look?

Dashing Through the Snow - Christmas Sleigh Pins

I get so nostalgic at Christmas time when I see movies, cards of photographs of snow. I grew up in the Northeast part of the US, and now live in the South, so I miss snow at times.

Christmas sleigh pins remind me of the line from Jingle Bells -

Dashing through the snow

In a one horse open sleigh

So these pretty Christmas Sleigh pins are right up my alley. You can click any of the photos for more details. The prices range from $8.75 to about $20. Perhaps one will be just right for you too!

Are you a snow lover at Christmas time?

Metal Inclinations 2 - Jewelry Design Contest now Accepting Submissions

Hauser and Miller Company has been a major supporter of the Society for Midwest Metalsmith's, exhibitions and programs since 1999. The company is currently accepting submissions for the jewelry category.

METAL Inclinations 2 opened on the Internet October 31, 2010 - and will remain online until October 31, 2011

The exhibition for 2010-11 will include selections of the most exemplary fine metal art jewelry created by metalsmiths, silversmiths, goldsmiths and jewelers all over the world. The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths is a not-for-profit organization.

If you are a jewelry designer and would like to enter the program, you can download an entry form here. The exhibition will done completely online. The deadline is June 30, 2010.

There are several cash prizes for the winners, and these individuals will also have their jewelry showcased in gallery web pages on the Exhibition Web Site. The site also has a gallery from last year's metal work's exhibition.

Sotheby's to Auction The Magnificent Jewels Collection

On Wednesday, December 9, 2009, Sotheby's of New York will have an auction called Magnificent Jewels. The auction is unique in that it reveals the collections of three fabulous women and the jewels that they wore - Lucia Moreira Salles, Linda Porter and Princess Nathalie Paley.

The jewels of the late Brazilian fashion model and philanthropist Lucia Moreira Salles are featured among a superb collection of natural pearls, precious stones. It includes timeless pieces Salles wore from Van Cleef & Arpels, Verdura, Cartier and Boucheron. Salles was Coco Chanel's exclusive house model in the 1960s.

One of the jewels from the collection of Linda Porter (Mrs. Cole Porter) is this fabulous turquoise and lapis lazuli belt buckle commissioned to Cartier and then gifted to her friend Princess Nathalie Paley.
Sotheby's has a wonderful video which discusses the history behind the jewels in this Magnificent Jewels collection. It is well worth the time to view and shows some photos of the jewels included in the upcoming auction.

The Most Collectible of all Christmas Jewelry - Vintage Christmas Tree Pins

Browsing through offerings of vintage Christmas pins in various online shops begs the question: How many different ways can metal and stones be combined to form the shape of a Christmas tree? There appears to be no limit to this creative endeavor.

Not only are there endless designs from vintage designers, each year contemporary designers come up with another idea not yet thought of.

Christmas tree pins are, without doubt, the most collectible of all forms of Christmas jewelry. True vintage Christmas tree pins are not always that easy to find and are copied by modern designers, so the buyer should be somewhat cautios when purchasing. As usual, be sure to purchase from a reliable source.

My online stores all have a wonderful selection of both vintage and contemporary Christmas tree pins. Here are a few selections to whet your appetite. You can click the pictures for more details. Prices of my trees range from about $10 to approximately $50.

Do you have room in your Christmas tree pin collection for another new design this year?

Are you a person who follows contemporary high end jewelry? Do you know of a magnificent jewelry line that has pieces that are to die for?

If you have thoughts about who the best designers of luxury jewelry items are, The Luxist Readers Choice Awards would like to hear from you!. They are currently seeking nominations for the best-of-designs in the following categories:

• Best Jewelry Line
• Best Watch Line
• Best Leather Goods Line
• Best Department Store or Boutique
• Best Clothing Line

You can submit your comments and nominations on this page of the Luxist site about your favorite luxury goods. Once the nominations are done, they will compile a list of those that are the most popular. Submissions can be filed until December 15th, 2009.

Vintage Jewelry Find of the Week - Pink Christmas Tree Pin

Since Christmas is just a few weeks away (good heavens where has the year gone!), I thought it appropriate that my jewelry find of the week would be a lovely Christmas tree pin.

There are so many different styles in my stores that it was hard to choose just one, but this one has always appealed to me. It combines a very traditional shape with a soft and femine color to make it a very special pin.

This fabulous pin is set in silvertone metal and has a two layer design with translucent pale pink marquis glass stones which are each surrounded by prong set clear diamante rhinestones. It has so much sparkle and fire! A small emerald cut clear rhinestone completes the design by forming a lovely base.

The pin is 1 7/8 x 1 1/2" in size. This pin is from a purchase of old unsold old dealer Christmas stock and has never been worn. Perfect Christmas gift! The lovely pink rhinestone Christmas tree pin is available in on both Vintage Jewelry Lane or The Finishing Touch at Ruby Lane for only $35. What a perfect Christmas gift it would make!