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I was talking about crystal AB glass beads recently (see post here and realized I hadn’t added my newest style! I am totally in love with these 🙂
They’re wonderful used with other AB beads – make dangling earrings by combining them with teardrops, for example. But they’are also wonderful with any tiny bead or pearl added to the bottom ring – lightweight and comfy and also totally adorable! I’m going to post some examples soon (stay tuned!)
The sparkle and tiny glints of color are so pretty!
I’m trying a little experiment over in my Etsy jewelry supplies shop. I’ve made a listing where you can pick any three pairs of “cushion cut” glass beads or jewels in one listing – and you get to choose the color(s).
I want to see, over say a month’s time, how many times people want three pairs of the same color, or all pastels, or all warm colors, or – well, you get the idea.
And of course I’m offering a little extra incentive – a sale price 🙂
That’s called a win for me, because I learn stuff (and maybe make a few extra sales), and a win for you the customer, because you get just what you want, and you get a really good deal. See? Win!
We’re going for simple today. Pink glass beads – cabochon jewels, if you want to be technical about it 🙂 I’m getting more pink jewels in lately – people are wanting them. And it’s such a pretty color!
Use them “as is” with dangling pearls or jewels. Or buy the settings with only one ring, on top of the stone – add earwires and you’re done. Or with no rings at all, you just glue on earring posts – and again, done. A classier pair of stud earrings, you are just not going to find!
Well – you might be looking for other colors, which is totally doable. Check out the other “cushion cut” glass beads in my Etsy shop.
DIY earrings are easy, they’re super affordable, they’re fun, and they will totally match your new outfit. This is a win!
When you hear someone referring to an “AB” finish on their beads, they’re talking about an “aurora borealis” coating. It’s a treatment that gives glints of many colors over what would otherwise be clear glass. I think it might have originated with Swarovski but by now, most reputable manufacturers have their own version.
Add just a bit of glam to your day – don’t spend a lot of money – you know the deal. Try it – I think you’ll like it 😉
And just a quick peek at some of the jonquil yellow glass cabochon jewels I’ve got in stock right now. Jonquil is such a lovely crystal!
There are a few I haven’t got listed yet, too – so if you’re looking for a particular size or shape, and don’t see it? Please do ask!
I’ve been playing with color combos again – you know I like to do that. And these just struck me as really fun.
Of course we think of Christmas when we put red and green together, but that’s way more limited than it needs to be. Imagine these jewels, used together to make a pendant or pair of earrings, worn with a white sundress with a red and green cherry design (I saw one recently and now I can’t find it – when I locate the pic I’ll post it!)
Or a bright red and white tank top and a bright emerald green short skirt. Flipflop sandals, a bangle bracelet, and these fun earrings. With a summer tan.
Very fun!
P.S. And okay, yes, they’d be great at Christmas 🙂
Now don’t get me wrong – I love fine gemstones. Amethyst and jonquil (or citrine) can be truly beautiful. But, you know, if they have good clarity and faceting (the way we love them) they’re also really expensive.
But we can find a lovely alternative, easy peasy 🙂
Good clarity? That’s what glass does! Good faceting? Just look: These glass gems (pointed back cabochons) have wonderful faceting. And history (some of these are 60 years old – of course, some are about 6 months old, too.)
Once I got over my snobbishness and realized how beautiful cabochons and glass jewels could be, I never looked back. These are gorgeous. And affordable. That’s a win.
Just a little comparison I did this morning. I placed montana sapphire (navy blue) round rivoli jewels near some teardrops, one of them opaque black, one vivid aqua blue. It’s just interesting how the eye perceives these.
The combo on the left, with the opaque black teardrops, feels a little more Goth. The combo on the right, a little more fun and frivolous. That’s before we think about it. After we take time to reflect, we simply see the colors that match the definitions of “navy”, “black”, “aqua” (or turquoise).
But at first? Goth. Somber. And frivolous.
The brain is an interesting organ, yknow?
You know I’m a convert to glass cabochons and jewels. I had to learn that good jewelry didn’t have to be made with “precious” gemstones or cost a fortune. This pic below is just another example of how glass jewels can be lovely 🙂
These were jewels that were on my worktable from a couple different projects – and you know how I do sometimes – I just fiddle with different combos. These are all strong colors – golden topaz navettes, peridot green round rivoli jewels, and deep aqua glass octagons. Any of them could be used alone, as is, for earrings or necklace jewels.
And when you put them together? Stunning. Fun. Fab. Easy to make, easy to wear, easy on the wallet. You see what I mean? This is a win 😉
I’ve talked about these adorable sparrow connectors before but I just wanted to take a moment to show you how pretty the golden (raw) brass birds are:
They really do make terrific earring links or dangles – or connectors for your necklace or bracelet. They’re versatile and work with so many styles.
But – small tip – you can also clip off one ring, file the ends gently, and use them “as is” for earrings. Pretty little golden birds, just a touch whimsical, and of course as earrings they go with practically everything. Plus, they’re lightweight and inexpensive. This really is a win!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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