Paige Nicholson
Owner/Designer
Napoleon's Baubles
The Local Limelight
*Click the pics for more information* 
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BIENVENUE!
Be a Leader of fashion with these delightful baubles designed and crafted with the fanciful air of Josephine's bijoutière. The Napoleon's Baubles Story Twenty years ago, while living in Sumter, South Carolina, I experienced two seemingly unrelated events that would ultimately rise and converge to create Napoleon's Baubles. Working as a realtor for Prudential, I purchased my first home, with an immediate need for a roommate. As a large amount of my business was generated from Shaw Air Force Base, I began my search there. I met an Intelligence Officer who was a recent graduate of the Citadel. She was delightful! Among her possessions were an excellent collection of music and matchbooks, and a well-worn textbook on Napoleon. With little interest in history, I was surprisingly captivated by this book. While flipping through the pages, I came across a reference to "baubles," Napoleon’s description of war medals. Napoleon stated that these baubles are what lead men. (I have my own theories). Later the same year, I took a trip across country to Portland, Oregon with a feisty and adventurous friend (to this day, she keeps me in check). The Powell Bookstore and Jake's oysters were incredible experiences, but it was the Portland Saturday Market hosting tables and tables of loose beads that made me fall in love. I spent as much money at these tables as I did on the plane ticket. My trip continued on to Cannon Beach where I discovered my first bead shop filled with little treasures from around the world. (Sadly, I have lost the name.) After ten years in Sumter, I returned home to Birmingham, Alabama. I began designing jewelry and searching out Napoleonic history amid “real jobs” (consisting of many Camille Claudell feats) and raising my daughter. I married in 2010 and spent my honeymoon in Paris. My husband Jeff and I panted at Malmaison, the home of Napoleon and Josephine. Discovering that Josephine's maiden name was Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie , I took this as a sign to advance my calling. A tattered book and a table of beads now dance on custom wedding veils and tiaras, the shoulders of bridesmaids and prom queens, as well as in boutiques and art shows. And with the relentless effort of my husband, the greatest of jewels since my daughter Amelia, Napoleon's Baubles website is alive. To all Great Leaders of Sass, Class, Indulgence and Whim...Enjoy! And as always, thank you Mommy. Paige |
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