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Your first thought when you hear “white stones” is summertime, right? But think about it. “Winter white” is a common expression for a reason! And think of all the fall and winter outfits you’ve seen (and own) that are “black and white”, “red and white”, “blue and white”… you get the idea. Adding white to another color can create a beautiful, dramatic, year-round appropriate piece of jewelry.
This pic is really to show the scale of the white 10mm and 12mm white cabochons, especially when used with / compared with, the 18x13mm pears (probably the most popular jewel size). Plus it suggests how we can combine these stones.
Of course you’ll take this idea and use it with your own beads and stones – and make it your own style. That’s the fun of do-it-yourself jewelry!
Another example of how wonderful these vitrail glass gems are when paired with contrasting beads, stones, or charms. The golden brass flowers in this earring design work beautifully with the faceted rainbow vitrail glass diamonds.
Really I wanted to show another example, another style, showing how pretty (and fun!) these multi colored glass gems can be. They have variations in tone, some with more pink, or purple, or green, so if you have some charms or glass gems you want to coordinate with these stones, just let me know. We’ll find a great pair for you!
This simple, fun earring design has two main components: silver plated leaf charms that are a bit under 1″ long, and 10mm rivoli faceted, emerald green glass stones, linked to hang from a large ring. The elements complement each other beautifully!
Of course you can choose any color glass jewel that you love (or that you have on your work table!) I do think the 10mm round stones are a pretty contrast to the slightly longer silver leaf charms. But as always, you’ll adapt this idea using your favorite stones and shapes.
Will love to see what designs you come up with!
A new, personalized earring design idea – I wanted to show off one way to use the heart-shaped, brass stamping tags. It’s such a wonderful – and easy – way to personalize your jewelry!
Stamping tags are pretty great. It’s not hard to find the steel letters to make the stamped impressions (let me know if you need help finding some). And with two heart tags, you can add initials to any jewelry item. Or use several and spell out your child’s name, or your favorite word, or the name of a team you love, or… well just anything you think would be fun to wear and share with the world!
The glass jewels I use here are 12x12mm “cushion cut” octagons (a classic square octagon shape with rounded corners). Of course you could use whatever jewels you love the most. Add the tags with jump rings, slip on some earwires, and you’re good to go! Personalized jewelry – that’s easy to make and doesn’t cost a lot. The best kind of DIY!
It’s always useful to know what the birthstones (and birthstone colors!) are for the upcoming months. I’ve put together a few examples of birthstone color glass jewels that I have availble right now!
You’ll notice I didn’t even pick the showiest, largest stones. Those are wonderful of course – but sometimes you want small(er), less in-your-face jewelry. Or you want to combine glass jewels with other elements in your designs.
The thing is, this totally works. Use what you have, combine your elements with birthstone colors, and DIY some special custom jewelry for yourself and your friends!
The 18mm x 13mm (approx. 3/4″ x 1/2″) faceted glass octagon pendant featured in this necklace design idea is the color known as “light colorado topaz”. It’s a golden tan, fairly neutral, and super flattering. I’ve paired it with silver chain and small handwired beads in a complementary colors.
The small irregular beads I used here are genuine turquoise, but honestly any vivid beads would work here – the rich color is a striking complement to the golden tan pendant. But of course, you could use any colors with this design.
That’s what’s so fun about do it yourself jewelry. Take a look at the beads and stones on your worktable – I bet you could make some terrific combinations, interpreting this design in your own unique way. Make gifts for your friends – and for yourself!
The birthstone color for February is amethyst – so I wanted to show you guys some of the rich amethyst glass stones I’ve got in my shop right now. A couple of these are vintage resupply (yay!) but honestly, I’m pretty fond of each of these. And more that you’ll see if you peek in my shop!
Amethyst is actually one of the most popular colors anyway. What can I say, people love purple! And it’s not really limited to one season. Amethyst is gorgeous for romantic holidays like Valentine’s Day of course (hey, not everything needs to be red!) but it looks good all year round. Great with a tan. Great with winter pales, and winter whites, and blacks.
What can I say, amethyst looks good all the time!
I love to feature “birthstone colors”, especially if they are stones I have just found or resourced. And it’s always handy to remember what the birthstone gemstones, or gemstone colors, are for any particular month. How many times have we tried to think of an appropriate gift? A little extra info really helps!
Just for reference – or in case the print is too small on the pic. Birthstone colors listed here:
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond (Crystal)
May – Emerald
June – Alexandrite or Pearl
I know there have been times I’ve wanted to think of something special (without breaking the bank) when I bought (or made) a gift for my sister or my girlfriends. Knowing their birthdays – at least the birthday months – can help you choose a gift!
This necklace design is really a classic: faceted pear or teardrop shaped rhinestone jewels in two sizes, used as the focal and surrounding jewels for this pretty necklace.
** Like I said: a classic. Of course you’ll think of your own creative ways to adapt this idea. Use your own favorite color – or colors! Maybe the colors of your children’s birthstones. Or your favorite team!
I show the jewels here with a brass cable chain with just a hint of antique patina. The jewels are available in golden raw brass and silver plated brass as well (honestly I think the golden color is my favorite, but that’s a personal thing.)
Try your own idea(s) for focal design – I would love to see pics of your creations!
Okay, “bicolor earring jewels” is a fancier way of saying, mismatched earrings! I think a lot of us love this idea. In “do it yourself” design, especially with earrings that have one common element (in this case, the white vintage glass teardrops) it’s just fun to have the other jewels be different colors.
Don’t you think so? I used smaller, round jewels with rivoli faceting in sapphire blue and emerald green, for the “mismatched” jewels. Play with different colors here! Maybe your kids’ birthstone colors. Or your school colors! Or any colors you like best.
It’s a great way to tailor a pair of earrings specially to one outfit, or just use crazy colors because you like them. That’s what “do it yourself” jewelry is all about. Make what you want!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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