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This is a classic necklace design idea – use interesting beads or gems, linked together, to form a necklace chain. Add a fabulous pendant. Voila: great necklace design, easy to make and flattering to wear!
It’s also classic to use black and white stones or gems. How many times are we wearing black to work – jacket, dress, pants and shirt – and we need something to complement that black without seeming all dark and gloomy? Like I said – black and white, a great combo that adds interest and looks great!
P.S. I think this just needs to be said once in a while. Great jewelry does not have to be made with diamonds, gold, and pearls. Yes those can be wonderful. But so is individuality, personal style, and affordability. And feeling happy with your jewelry. And loving that you made it yourself (or gave it as a gift!) and did NOT have to spend your rent money to do it. Make your jewelry. Love your jewelry!
I just tried out a new earrings design idea, deliberately using glass jewels that were similar in size, and trying to find colors that had glam without being huge and heavy. I think these earrings work!
The glass gems here are sapphire blue glass octagons that measure 14mm x 10mm – that’s about 5/8″ x 3/8″. I paired them with peridot green vintage glass ovals that are 12mm x 10mm (close to 1/2″ x 3/8″). Blue and green are colors I wear together lots of times, and I think other women do too, I’m not just being weird. Yes, I like to try more unusual color combinations sometimes… but here, blue and green. Totally work together!
You can change the sizes and shapes of the jewels, of course – this design is just a suggestion of jewels to combine. You’ll use your own color style, and design choices. And not have to spend a huge amount of money, and have *exactly* what you want. That’s the way it’s supposed to work!
The flower shaped, silver plated brass filigree in this earring design idea is one of my favorite filigrees. Right now I have it in my shop in golden raw brass – note that I do have a few silver pairs left, so just drop me a note if you want to see some!
The combination of glass teardrops and flower shaped filigree really works here I think! And since most of my jewels are available in golden raw brass as well as silver plated settings, you can match whichever metal settings color you prefer. I do have a limited quantity of the filigrees in silver – just drop me a note if you’re interested! And I do have more on the way.
Delicate, feminine brass filigrees combined with glass gems – this is a winning combo that you can customize with your favorite colors and shapes. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money. This is a win!
Yes, this is a classic necklace design: a faceted pear or teardrop shaped pendant on a simple silver(ish) chain. This works year round but the ruby red color is especially appropriate right now, since the birthstone color for July is ruby red.
Of course this design works with your favorite color, too. I just wanted to show you the sample in ruby red! It will look great worn over a tee shirt, or with a cocktail dress for dinner. It’s known as classic for a reason – this works!
Sapphire blue is one of the most popular glass jewel colors in my Etsy shop. It’s a beautiful, rich color, flattering to most skin tones, and really works in year-round jewelry.
This earring design idea features two shapes of sapphire glass jewels – 12mm x 12mm cushion cut octagons (a classic faceted square octagon with rounded corners) paired with 18mm x 13mm faceted teardrops. These earrings would be approximately 2″ long – large enough to have real presence, but not super heavy. And sapphire blue is the birthstone color for September. Just in case that’s useful to remember…
Easy DIY earrings to make, that are also easy and flattering to wear!
This oval crystal necklace is a classic. It’s a simple design – find a beautiful faceted oval glass gem, add a sturdy jump ring to the loop at the top of the setting, and slide the oval pendant on a chain.
And that’s it! Of course you need to use a beautiful pendant – you want something that will be a star on its own, without needing a lot of embellishment. The chain helps too – in this case, I used simple plated cable chain but I used two strands. It adds something extra without a lot of work.
Really I wanted to illustrate that good design – and beautiful jewelry – doesn’t have to be time consuming, or fussy. Simple and classic works.
Think how beautiful this necklace would be on a bride! (And you know, whether it’s a gift to the bride, or she makes her own jewelry, she isn’t going to mind saving some money!)
Really it would be more accurate to say a “new version” of the cluster necklace design I featured a few days ago. This time I used crystal clear glass stones in three sizes – a 26x13mm teardrop, 10mm round glass gems, and 8mm rounds as well. The gems are handset in silver plated brass settings, and I added sturdy silver plated jump rings to slide the jewels over the chain. They’re free to move around, tumble a bit, and create a new cluster every time you move. It makes the necklace design a bit more organic!
Of course this version, with all crystal clear stones, would be perfect for a bride! But also for prom, for New Year’s, for any special occasion where you want sparkle. Actually this design is versatile enough that you could use it with a formal gown – or a scoop neck longsleeve tee. As always, style it to work for * you*.
Sparkle with affordable jewelry components – take this design idea, adapt it to your own special creative ideas. I think you’ll love it!
Since my red glass gems are on BOGO sale right now, I thought it would be fun to show one recent earrings style I made to show off just two of the red gem shapes I have available right now.
Of course this is just one design idea – it does show the relative scale and size of these jewels (the mannequin is close to life size). The earrings have some length, and real presence – but they’re not overpowering and heavy.
You’ll style your own ideas, of course – and I’d love to see your creations! But meantime, it never hurts to remember the BOGO sale good through May 14, 2022. Just saying!
A lot of times I play with random stones on my workbench – I don’t let myself choose from my whole stash – it has to be on the table already. This can get creative (okay sometimes). But this time I wanted to illustrate how deliberately using stones in the same color, gathered simply on a chain, can be a gorgeous piece of jewelry.
Of course this necklace design idea is just one example. Use your favorite colors. Use jewels in your own stash – or choose any style in the colors you love. Be random – or not. I think I’ll try that soon – a classic, simple idea like this, with different shapes and colors.
But in the meantime? I think this is a wonderful illustration that good design doesn’t have to cost a lot, or take a lot of work. Go for it!
This ‘do it yourself’ earring idea is a classic one. Combine faceted glass jewels with charms to make fun dangling earrings. I used two different colors of glass jewels here. One, to show that even similar shapes and colors do create a slightly different look. And actually, I love the idea of deliberately using two different color stones. Maybe the birthstone colors of you and your significant other. Or have several earrings in this style, and coordinate the colors you wear today, with the outfit you wear today!
Of course you can take this idea in your own creative direction (always!). Combine different colors, different charms and jewels, and maybe use more jewels. Play with this idea – you’ll come up with your own interpretation. And make them *yours*!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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