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Today I’m highlighting some of the glass connectors in my shop. These can be the start – or focus – of so many jewelry designs. Link ovals together to make a bracelet, or an elegant necklace “chain” of jewels. Create earrings or intricate pendants with dangling, linked jewels. The possibilities really are endless!
Really I should say right off that most of the glass jewels in my shop can be used as connectors. There are a few (mostly pendants) that aren’t available in two-ring “connector” settings, but still… the majority of stones can be sent in the two ring settings.
Figure out what shapes and colors you like best, and let your imagination loose. Play with ideas! And as always, if there’s a shape and color of glass jewel you want, and can’t find – let me know, I might have some!
I wanted to highlight some of the gorgeous 14mm x 10mm pears I’ve got available in my shop right now.
My customers love teardrops (what can I say, so do I!) Teardrops are always wearable, and it’s a flattering, feminine shape. The 14x10mm size is just really useful. It’s lightweight for earrings, but still has presence. And it makes great glass connectors, and lovely pendants. Check them out, you’ll love these!
P.S. Click on the pic to see even more colors (and if you don’t see the color you want, just ask, I might have some stashed!)
Emerald green is the May birthstone color. This is a good reason to be shopping for emerald glass gems. But even more? Emerald is so flattering!
Some greens can be, let’s say challenging. Loden green, olivine, lime green, all have undertones that are sometimes difficult for some people to love. But emerald? Is one of the easiest colors to wear. It’s flattering to pale skin, to dark skin, to redheads, to gray hair, to… well you name it. It’s rich and wearable and flattering.
And a customer favorite. Check out the gems I have available right now (click on the pic above). And if there’s a shape you’re looking for and don’t see? Send me a note – I might have some stashed!
Okay, first off, correction – the floral centerpiece in this necklace design idea is not silver – not sterling, I mean. It’s silver color – plated over brass I think. It’s pretty – not precious. And that’s just fine. Good design doesn’t have to be priceless!
In this design, I’ve linked the floral centerpiece with faceted black diamond glass gems.
Truly, the idea here is to prompt all of us to play with the stones and charms we have, or can find easily that don’t cost a fortune. We’re not talking costly gemstones here. We’re talking fun, pretty trinkiets that you can wear every day, just because you like them.
You don’t need to spend a fortune. Find what you like, or make it. Have fun with it. That’s kinda that point, you know?
Crystal earrings are always a great choice! The sparkle is flattering. The color goes with everything. And of course, for prom, or weddings, or any special occasion – crystal always works!
With this pair of earrings, I used 12x12mm (1/2″) cushion cut octagons – that’s a classic octagon shape with rounded corners, paired with 18x13mm ovals. These are well facected – and large enough to give great sparkle, without being too heavy.
Link them with sturdy jump rings, add earwires, and your jewelry is ready to wear!
Blue zircon glass gems – close to teal blue in color – are a customer favorite. Here are three sizes of blue zircon glass octagons I have available right now:
This is a gorgeous color that works all year round. These gems are wonderful for pendants and earrings – also glass connectors. You’ll love them!
I’ve used this necklace design in the past – but I don’t think I ever described what I think is a very important design element. The pendant is removeable!
imagine using other colors or shapes, just for example…
So. With this particular pendant, you have a red-and-silver necklace, featuring an oval pendant on multiple layers of chain. But you could also remove the pendant, and have a silver multi-chain necklace that’ll go with half the outfits in your closet.
The extra cool idea is that you could buy – or create – other pendants to slip on the chain. Presto – multiple necklaces!
Now that’s a win 😉
I put these earrings together using components I had on my worktable – and I’m really loving them! The shapes are similar – but that third glass jewel takes it to another level with a slightly larger size. And the colors are kind of what this is all about 😉
Of course this picture just illustrates an idea. Find the colors you like best, or personalize them using colors your customer requests – either way, you’ll make the design your own!
I deliberately made a point to show different colors here, of the amethyst purple beads and jewels in my glass gem collection. (And actually there are more!) Amethyst purple jewels can be sheer with no foil back, they can be a lighter warmer purple, or deep rich dark purple. And this is only a partial sample of the different amethyst colors you can find in glass gems.
Of course you can find closely-matching colors – if you click on the pic you’ll see many examles. But sometimes it’s more fun to use various shades of one color, or one color family.
That way you don’t have to worry if your earrings aren’t exactly the same shade as your skirt. That’s kind of the point. Colors can look great – and they don’t have to match!
I wanted to show another earring design featuring aqua glass jewels – this time with another color added. This is just a small but deliberate way to show that we don’t have to limit ourselves using color!
This idea shows small(ish) glass gems, so these earrings would be super lightweight and comfortable. The colors are strong enough to be a great element, and the faceting adds quiet sparkle. Sometimes that’s just what we want our jewelry to do!
And, of course, this is more a suggestion than a specific. Explore your own color choices, and try different combinations of jewel shapes. Add round beads, octagons, you name it. That’s the fun of do it yourself jewelry – you can take this idea and make it your own!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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