Archives

Black glass octagons – pendant and earring jewels

We all know that when we aren’t sure what color to wear, what color will work – we can wear black. This goes for jewelry too. How many times is there black in your outfit? So you grab some jewelry or other – how cool is it when you can grab your black jewelry!


These opaque, jet black glass stones make it easy. Easy to have a pendant with the 18mm x 13mm octagon (that’s approximately 3/4″ x 1/2″). Add a chain, maybe an accent color *if you like* – and youn necklace is ready. For earrings – you can make them complex and fussy if you want (what *you* want is the absolutely most important criteria) – but these 14mm x 10mm (5/8″ x 3/8″) black octagons make great earrings. Slip an earwire through the loop at the top of these prong settings, and you’re set.

These can be as dressy as you like – imagine with a spaghetti strap dress with swirly skirt for dancing. And they’re also great with jeans. (Of course most everything is great with jeans). These are easy and inexpensive and there are even more sizes available in my shop.

Save money, have fun, and make great jewelry! That’s the way it’s supposed to be.

Do it yourself – a classic necklace design idea

I think I’ve featured a similar style before, though not with these stones. I think it’s important to show (show off!) a necklace design idea that looks great, can be adapted to any color combination you prefer, and doesn’t take a lot of time or money to accomplish!





Take this basic idea – two beautiful gems or beads in complementary colors – and run with it! Look at the stones and beads you have available (or of course, go shopping at my shop (hey, I have to put in a plug, right?) Pick the colors that match the outfit you love – or the one you want to make for your bff. Use different shapes – use *what works for your style and eye for beauty*.

Make it your own. You’ll love it!

Elegant Neutral Glass Jewels – Customizeable!

Another vote for neutral glass jewels! Yes I love color, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes neutrals – gray, cream, black – speak quietly. But with great panache (love that word). Neutral has power!





And many times you don’t want your earrings (or tiny pendant) to compete with your outfit. You want quiet – but gorgeous. These earring jewels do that.

And – bonus! These are customizeable. You pick the color of the tiny round stone at the top of the setting. Use light gray (black diamond) as shown here. Or sparkling crystal. Or vivid aqua! There’s a whole list of colors to choose from. Go pick the combo that works best with your bridesmaid dresses, or your best Business Suit. Custom jewelry – and affordable. This works!

DIY Earring design idea – red and white!

I was just looking at stones on my worktable, after doing up some new photos and..okay, I was playing. These stones are red, and white. Christmas colors, you know? And Valentine’s Day colors. And, colors that we actually wear.





So yeah, with holidays, this idea comes at a great time. But of course, the design works with any colors you want. And any shapes, for that matter. I think it works well to have a bit of contrast – the larger, opaque white round stones paired with the smaller, sparkling red diamonds. With green – also great. How about black and white?

You get the idea, I know. Play with shapes and colors. Make the design your own!

P.S> No those aren’t actually diamonds! Diamond shape. You know I don’t think we should have to spend big bucks to make jewelry. Diamond shape!!!

Clear glass pendant and earring jewels

I love this set of clear glass “gemstones”. I put quotes around the word “gemstones” because of course these stones are not precious. But they are lovely – and work beautifully for a pendant and coordinating earring jewels. You could use this octagon pendant all alone, “as is” – it makes a lovely pendant. Add the two diamond-shaped glass gems to make a more elaborate necklace. Use the smaller stones in one-ring settings for coordinating earrings, or add other beads and jewels. You can imagine the possibilities!





Part of what I want to focus on here, is that “just” clear glass – (nicely faceted and clear of flaws, well mostly) can make fabulous jewelry. You don’t need to have Bright Flashy Stones, or spend a fortune.

And of course, these go with pretty much everything. Talk about a win!

Rainbow Vitrail Glass Gems

Rainbow stones – often known as “vitrail” in the jewelry trade – are some of the most wonderful and popular glass stone colors available. I should probably say “color combination” because they are never just one color! Take a look at the vitrail gems in this pic:





I’ve just gotten in some new packets – and the colors, as you can see, are rich and varied. Shades of purple and pink, green and gold, blue and aqua. Truly, no two are exactly the same – but they can be closely paired. Just saying – when you buy vitrail rainbow stones in my shop, they’ll be a set that truly works, for earrings, or pendants, or glass connectors – and in my experience they are wonderfully received when made into gifts for friends and family.

I think you’ll love them!

Round Glass Gems with Rivoli Faceting

The round glass jewels in the pic below are a few of the rivoli faceted gems I have available in my shop right now. These 10mm round stones (that’s approximately 3/8″) are great for small pendants, earring jewels, and of course connectors that link design elements.





I’ll post a few pics showing these jewels being used for necklaces and earrings, over the next days. But you know you’ll think of lots of ways to use them – with your own style. That’s the way DIY jewelry is meant to be!

DIY Earring Design with Black Diamond Glass Gems

This pic shows how terrific neutral glass gems can be in jewelry design. The shapes in this particular design are 10x10mm diamonds used as connectors, and faceted 18x13mm ovals. The “black diamond” (gray) color isn’t even an exact match.





And of course that doesn’t matter at all. The colors don’t have to be exact matches – I actually prefer it when they aren’t 🙂 And of course the design showed here is only a suggestion. I really just wanted to point out that “neutral” can still be eye-catching. Use what you have (or buy more from my shop, of course!) Play with the combinations that work best *for you*. And have fun!

Crystal AB Faceted Glass Pears for DIY Jewelry

I’m showing off two more sizes of the crystal AB pears (teardrops) I have in my shop right now. The “crystal AB” (which stands for aurora borealis) is an absolute favorite color/finish with my customers. It’s just beautiful, it sort of glows in the light, and it doesn’t need a whole lot of fussiness to make beautiful jewelry!





You see what I mean! The stones are lovely, and while it’s really true that no two are exactly alike (it depends on reflection and the light they’re in!) they are lovely with many colors, especially pink, lilac, purple, blue, and green. And of course crystal (clear). And pretty terrific with black, too.

So go take a peek. These stones make wonderful earrings and pendants, and are great for gifts. Try them, you’ll see what I mean!

White Glass Stones for DIY Jewelry

Your first thought when you hear “white stones” is summertime, right? But think about it. “Winter white” is a common expression for a reason! And think of all the fall and winter outfits you’ve seen (and own) that are “black and white”, “red and white”, “blue and white”… you get the idea. Adding white to another color can create a beautiful, dramatic, year-round appropriate piece of jewelry.





This pic is really to show the scale of the white 10mm and 12mm white cabochons, especially when used with / compared with, the 18x13mm pears (probably the most popular jewel size). Plus it suggests how we can combine these stones.

Of course you’ll take this idea and use it with your own beads and stones – and make it your own style. That’s the fun of do-it-yourself jewelry!