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Yes, this is another idea for Mother’s Day gifts. It’s an easy design idea, doesn’t cost a lot of money, and you can choose your mom’s favorite color 🙂
Think about it for a minute – you can make your mom a pair of earrings, choosing the color she loves, hand-set in prong settings in the metal “color” she wears most – golden brass or silver (or antiqued brass). So you really are designing these earrings *for her*.
And the earrings are simple to make – you can make them as complex as you want to suit your creative style, but pretty teardrops on earwires are also gorgeous! Whichever style idea suits you best, this is a win 🙂
And you’ll make your mom super happy!
Mother’s Day is coming up in a few weeks (it’s on May 12, 2024, in case you didn’t have the date already). So yay, this gift idea is *not* last minute!
A gift of jewelry is always welcome – and when it’s for your mom, a gift that *you made yourself* is extra special. That’s why I posted these earring design ideas. The components don’t cost a lot, and you can pick and choose the glass jewels and beads that speak to your sense of design.
So these really are just ideas to percolate. Create your own designs, and make a very special pair of earrings for your mom. She will love them!
You remember we were talking several days ago about diamonds being the birthstone for April. Well of course diamonds are gorgeous – but gemstone diamonds also cost a fortune. Faceted crystal glass “diamonds” are also sparkling, flattering and lovely – and they don’t cost a lot. Take a look at these pretties!
These jewels make a great pendant-and-earrings set “as is”. They really don’t need a lot of embellishment! Slip the larger oval onto a chain with a strong jump ring and your necklace is ready. Add earwires to the medium-size (14x10mm) ovals, and you have fabulous matching earrings. Or decorate them with the beads, chains, and gems you like best. You know: make this idea your own!
P.S. If you want gorgeous, affordable, and EASY jewels for your wedding? These are wonderful bridal jewels!
Diamonds are the birthstone for April. Now if you’re in the market for real diamonds, more power to you and I wish you the joy of shopping! But if you like the sparkle and clarity of diamonds – on a little lower budget (okay a MUCH lower budget) I think you’ll like crystal or glass diamonds.
Take a peek at some of the crystal “diamond” stones available in my shop right now:
Of course this pic only shows a few of the faceted crystal gems I have available, but I specially wanted to show these because you can customize them. The large crystal in each setting is the diamond-like “clear crystal”. The small round stones at the top of each setting can be changed to the color of your choice. So – personalize or customize these!
The light gray “black diamond” glass gems shown in these earrings are cabochons with interesting, ‘checker’ faceting. They look great in these two jewel settings, combining the black diamond pears and tiny round crystals.
And one of the great attributes of these jewels is that you can customize them – you pick the color of the tiny round stone at the top of the setting. Black diamond (gray) with sparkling crystal, as shown, is great – but what about birthstone colors? Or vivid contrast? There are many colors you can choose from – I think you’ll love them!
If you stop to think about it, knowing designated birthstones and birthstone colors can be really handy. Suppose you want to give someone a bit, and you know they love jewelry, and you really don’t want to spend precious – expensive – gemstone money. We all know what that’s like, right?
But knowing the month’s gemstone colors can work. Sometimes it’s not even appropriate to spend big bucks on a gift for a friend, potential girlfriend, cousin, whoever is your giftee. But spending moderate dollars on things that she’ll like, that are a bit personalized – like her birthstone? That’s definitely appropriate.
So we know that the birthstone for March is aquamarine. And the birthstone color… is aqua blue. Here you go – some gorgeous glass gemstones in aqua!
And yes there are more aqua stones in my shop. Go peek!
It’s always cool to see how the faceted glass jewels I sell look when made into actual jewelry! The mannequin I use in these pics is close to life size, so you can get an idea of scale.
The emerald green octagon is 10mm x 8mm (that’s approximately 3/8″ x 1/4″). The peridot green teardrop is 13mm x 8mm, a bit over 1/2″ high x 1/4″. You can see the earring has real presence, large enough to be sparkly and “seen”, but not large and heavy. (Love that they’re really not heavy!)
Of course you’ll choose your own beads and stones – or find some in my shop 🙂 And adapt this idea to your own style!
These lightweight, delicate-seeming earrings are great for every day – and hey, if you need emerald earrings for a special occasion? These have the fabulous color of precious gemstone emeralds – without the high price tag!
These would be great for May birthstone earrings – but they’d also look good with blue jeans. You know: as jewelry ought to. You’ll love them!
I think this picture illustrates one of my favorite jewelry design ideas. No, it isn’t “faceted teardrops on a pearl necklace” (though that idea right there is pretty terrific.) It’s simpler than that. Gorgeous colors in a pendant, combined with pretty (and inexpensive) glass pearls. Presto: a great looking necklace that you’d be proud to wear anytime.
But the real point(s) are even simpler than that. One, you don’t have to spend hours, and learn difficult and time-consuming skills, to make pretty jewelry. Of course those skills are fabulous, and yes you can use them to make fabulous items. But you don’t need to, if you just want fun and lovely jewelry!
And point two is even better: you don’t have to spend a lot of money. You can of course, and there are wonderful (and costly) gems to be found. But if you’re not rich, you can still make gorgeous jewelry!
It’s that simple. Buy a few quality items. Learn to string beads, and work with jump rings. Or just buy a pretty (and once again, inexpensive) chain. Make the jewelry you love. Don’t spend a fortune.
That’s a great way to start the new year!
Hey, just one more reminder of why neutral glass gems can be so terrific! The pendant jewel in this pic is a faceted glass pear or teardrop that measures 25mm x 18mm – about one inch high. The round glass gems shown here are 10mm in diameter, or approximately 3/8″. They’re small enough that they are super lightweight when used as earrings – or as earring components. Imagine them linked to pearls, to small faceted beads, or to a bit of filigree – if you want to make fancier earrings. Yes, I’ll post a couple examples later, maybe next week. Stay tuned!
But even without those pics, you can see how useful these black diamond (gray) round gems could be! Link several together to make a bracelet, or necklace ‘chain’. Pair them with coordinating glass gems, or add rich color to provide contrast. Use your own style to make them work the way you want!
And – I don’t usually do “sales” – but from now through December 31, 2023, if you buy the gems shown in this listing you get a second pendant for free. Just let me know what freebie you want when you order!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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