Vintage Glass Jewels

Jewelry design – mixed metals. Mixed colors.

I know, I’ve said this before – it’s worth repeating. Mix up your colors. Mix your metals. Mix clay and glass. Mix plastic and metal – why not? (Okay, not if you’re paying real gemstone prices.) But for fun stuff – why not?

Here’s another peek at some of the combos I found on my worktable:

mixed jewel colors and mixed metals - DIY earring ideas

The point here is, you don’t have to Match. Copper and silver together? Sure. Brass, copper, silver…. they can all look good. You’re the one who decides. If you like it – it works. If you decide you need those colors – it works.

You’re in charge. You like it? It works.

The fun of neutral glass jewels

And why do I say “Fun”? Because when you find something you like, and it’s a good price, and then you realize you can wear it all year round, with practically any outfit, because it’s neutral in color?

hematite or charcoal glass beads at etsy.com/shop/weekendjewelry1

Now that’s fun. Economical, and smart, and feel-good-fun. We should all find a few little pleasures like this – and it costs you $3.59 plus the earwires? You’re going to beat that? Yeah, I don’t think so.

P.S. By the way – that’s me and my camera, reflected in the charcoal gray cabochons. Now that’s highly polished!

Peach and melon glass jewels

And what makes these a little bit unusual, is using sparkly (or sheer) jewels paired with opaque ones. It’s like having a new visual “texture” – it’s fun, it’s interesting, and when the colors are beautifully coordinated like these, it really works.

They’re not exactly the same shade of peach – which doesn’t strike me as a bad thing. They’re gorgeous together. And will look good all summer. And winter.

Which is what you want your (DIY, inexpensive, wearable) jewelry to do 🙂

Upcycled dress. The best kind of fashion!

I saw this adorable dress on Etsy and loved the casual style. Then I noticed it’s made from upcycled components, and appreciate it even more. This is so smart!

boho upcycled dress from Revival boutique on Etsy

Isn’t it great? Casual – funky – and kind of sexy/fun. I found it at Revival boutique on Etsy. The designer said it beautifully: “What better way to be kind to the planet and create something unique, classic and timeless?”

So: kinder to the planet. Ecologically smart. Original stylish dress. One-of-a-kind, well-made, affordable garments you’re going to love.

This is what I call a win. Go shopping – you’ll thank me!

Red glass jewels, part 2

And this is the pic I mentioned earlier. Here we have a darling summer dress (vintage of course). And the red jewels – just for comparison’s sake, with a couple other colors that could work.

vintage green dress and coordinating glass earring jewels

Any of these could work (even the green ones, which aren’t quite the kelly green that would be perfect). But the red vintage jewels, well, I just think they’d be the most fun 😉

Red glass jewels :-)

I just wanted to show you how a simple little jewel can totally work for you. You’ll remember that pretty green summer dress I featured the other day – well it has calico trim with red in it. Think how pretty these vintage oval jewels would be as earrings with that dress 🙂

I’m going to post a pic in a little while, showing the dress – and the jewels (wish I could do it on a model! Oh well). Just so you can get the idea. Contrasts work. Simple works.

Color works 🙂

Vintage green summer dress

I saw this adorable kelly green vintage dress and it just popped into my head, how I would wear it. And I totally fell in love.

Now first, it’s a cute dress. Next: add bright red hoop earrings. Big ones. And really high heeled sandals. Yes, just this once, because they would so totally rock. In red, or green, or black. Black patent. That’s the ticket.

I don’t know if I’d leave the length “as is”, or shorten it to one of the calico bands around the bottom – would have to try it on to see.

I found this terrific garment while visiting Topanga Hidden T on Etsy. Darrell and Mary Bee, the owner and curator, have a great eye, super values – and a brick and mortar shop as well! So in person, or online, you definitely want to Go Shopping here 🙂

And this dress – cute, cotton, and even comfy – and it’s a “large” (yay! not a size 2!) And fun? Yes.

The bright red hoops are optional 🙂

P.S. Plus – this is important. They have a dinosaur on the roof of their brick-and-mortar. I mean, it’s worth the trip to LA!

Vintage white jewels

I think of these pretty oval duos as “wedding jewels”. Of course you can wear them for other occasions, but they are so graceful, simple, and feminine, that I think they are perfect for brides:

The little sparkle of color at the top of the setting can be matched to your wedding colors – or of course can be clear, sparkling, bridal crystal. Hmm. You could use crystal for your earrings – and a color stone for your bridesmaids 🙂

DIY. Save money. Sparkling, pretty, bridal jewels. This is all to the good!

Vintage turquoise sandals

Oh my goodness! Look at these gorgeous shoes. The shop has them listed as “mules” – I’d have said, “Slides”. They’re backless heels, they’re sandals, whatever you call them, they are wonderful!

Actually I think I like the name “mules”. It’s vintage too. And these are that super combo of vintage style – that looks totally great today.

I found these hot shoes at Vogue Vintage boutique at Etsy, and this woman has a great eye (and great prices!) Check out her orange crocheted sundress, or purple mod 1960s swimsuit, or Hawaiian batik dress, or – well, you get the idea. And right now, she’s got a “Christmas in July” sale.

Check it out – you’ll love it!

Stud earring jewels – these are back!

I mentioned cushion cut jewels the other day – one of the other major trends I’m seeing lately is stud earrings. Small, pretty earrings that don’t shout out loud – but look great.

Like these pretty glass octagons:

aqua stud earring jewels in my jewelry supplies shop

Those little jewels can be placed in one-ring, two-ring or no-ring settings. I think people are liking the no-ring, button earring styles lately because they don’t get in the way, they look girly and pretty, and sometimes it’s nice to have a change from big dangle earrings.

Which we will talk about later. Because they’re still wonderful. But the little earrings? They’re fun too 🙂

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Jewelry design – mixed metals. Mixed colors.

The fun of neutral glass jewels

Peach and melon glass jewels

Upcycled dress. The best kind of fashion!

Red glass jewels, part 2

Red glass jewels :-)

Vintage green summer dress

Vintage white jewels

Vintage turquoise sandals

Stud earring jewels – these are back!

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