design inspiration « Vintage Glass Jewels

Clear Teardrop Pendant with Silver Chain – DIY Necklace Design

You’ve probably seen me use multiple chains before in a necklace design – I think it’s a great way to add texture, acomplexity and movement to a necklace design.

peach glass beads and jewels on sale in my shop

Partly I wanted to illustrate that even a transparent jewel – the teardrop pendant – can add sparkle and presence. The chains just add a bit of “more”, when it’s not just a single chain. And you may have noticed the loop of chain that anchors the pendant. That loop – and pendant – is removable. So you have a multi strand chain necklace with no pendant at all. Two necklaces in one!

As always, I’m hoping this idea will spark your own creative juices. That’s what DIY is – or should be – all about. Do it yourself – the way you want it!

Necklace Design Idea with Red and Purple

Pretty jewels off my workbench – I tried a new combination, a deep amethyst purple ‘checkerboard’ faceted square diamond shape that measures 10mm x 10mm (approx. 3/8″) paired with a vivid red teardrop pendant (it’s 25mm x 18mm, about 1″ x 3/4″).

necklace design idea featuring a red rhinestone pear or teardrop, and an amethyst purple square diamond gem

It’s not a combination I would have grabbed as first choice – but I love it. Yes, it helps if it works with your outfit – and who wears red with purple? Well I have been known to do that – I bet you have too…!

Try new colors – don’t spend a lot of money – and make fabulous jewelry for yourself and for gifts.

Now that’s what DIY is all about!

Christmas Necklace – Design Idea

Just for fun – imagine some pretty glass teardrop jewels combined with delicate brass filigree. Now add Christmas colors 🙂

christmas colors in glass teardrops combined with delicate brass filigree flower for a new necklace design idea

Wouldn’t that be fun to wear to a Christmas party?

Of course the other thing this picture reminds me of, is that when we design our own jewelry (or clothing, or home interiors) we can combine the colors we love – and have fun with it!

Isn’t that what DIY is all about? Use what you love – create – you can make it work!

Christmas Jewels

Yes, it seems a little early to be thinking about Christmas! But you know, if you’re going to make Christmas presents – or even more, if you’re going to make jewelry you hope to sell for Christmas gifts – it’s definitely time!

emerald green and vivid red oval glass jewels for Christmas earrings

Of course this is just one example of how you could combine “Christmas colors” into a pretty and fun pair of earrings. And I’ll be showing more in the next few days. But even more – this is just to get your creative juices ticking. Combine unusual colors – or go classic with red and green.

Think of combos, sizes and shapes that your best friend would love – that your sister would love – or your mom. (And hey – that YOU would love!)

Don’t spend a lot of money – but rather, spend a little time inventing and creating. Creativity + low cost. This is a great idea for Christmas!

New DIY Earring Design Idea

Last night I tried this combination of amethyst and emerald glass jewels – and discovered it was fabulous!

this isn’t a color combination you necessarily expect to see – which I think is one great reason to try it. Also – if I had a fabulous purple sweater, I’d definitely try it with dark green skirt or pants. They aren’t “matching” but they would complement each other. And it’s just fun to try new colors!

Like these. Really, aside from being a fun combo, it reminds us to TRY stuff. Can’t hurt. Might be great!

Clear glass jewels add sparkle to your DIY jewelry designs!

You might think that clear glass jewels would be boring. After all, they have no color, how could they have any jazz? But you know – they really do.

clear glass jewels in my jewelry supplies shop

You should absolutely click on the picture to see more clear glass jewels I have available right now. Most of all, I wanted to show that even clear jewels can add sparkle to your outfit. Part of it’s the faceting, of course. And my personal preference is to set them in golden or silver settings. But actually, clear glass set into patina (antiqued) brass settings really does have a mystical, deeper appeal. And ‘antiqued’ is a good description – they look like aged treasures. In a good way!

Check out the clear jewels in my shop right now – and if you’re looking for a shape or size you don’t see, just ask – I might have some! Or be able to get them.

The quest is always fun!

New design for 2020 holiday earrings!

I have an easy earring design for your 2020 holiday earrings today – and if you check out this blog from time to time you’ll recognize two of my favorite elements.

I grabbed these from my worktable – sapphire teardrops in a medium 14x10mm size – and cable chains. The teardrops are inverted, so they point toward the chains. A tiny difference here that I’m going to use more often? Two different chain colors.

sapphire blue teardrops and multi color chains in a new DIY earring design

One of the main advantages to these multicolor chains is that once you wear jewelry with more than one color metal – every piece of jewelry you own that has metal, can be said to coordinate! No need to wear only silver or only gold. Plus it’s just fun.

Honestly, the different colors of the chains don’t show up as much as I’d like – I’m going to play with this some more. It’s such a useful design direction!

Aqua and Jonquil Earrings Design Idea

Sometimes you don’t want matchy-matchy – for example, take a look at these adorable drop earrings 🙂

earrings design idea featuring opaque round glass cabochons paired with faceted jonquil navette glass gems

The round glass cabochons shown here are aqua and totally opaque. The jonquil faceted navette jewels are a sparkling contrast to the solid aqua color. The shapes are opposites too – smooth round stones, paired with sharply faceted navettes. It really works! Choose your colors, adapt the idea for your own creativity.

Also it doesn’t hurt that the jewels are on sale 😉 Check them out in my Clearance section. You’ll find some more goodies at terrific sale prices!

As always, the idea is to take a suggested idea and make it your own. And save money while you make terrific jewelry. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Earring design idea for Fall

Do it yourself jewelry – yes you can do it! One of the best things about making your own jewelry for yourself, for gifts, and for customers is that you can create customized, personalized jewelry, for your giftee or your customer. Start with rich fall colors like these.

earring design idea featuring fuschia pink and blue zircon glass gems from weekendjewelry1 on etsy

And adapt this idea with your own favorite colors – or your customer’s. I just wanted to point out how powerful color is! These are statement earrings – a big hit for Fall.

Color is your friend – and your collaborator. Take this idea, run with it, and make it your own!

DIY necklace design idea – rhinestones and gems!

I just wanted to show you a DIY necklace design idea that combines ‘fine'(ish) jewelry components – with “just rhinestones”. The necklace chain here combines Bali sterling silver, freshwater pearls, and gemstone amethyst rondelles. The pendant is a faceted rhinestone (glass) teardrop in a silver plated setting.

DIY necklace design idea featuring a rhinestone teardrop with freshwater pearls and gemstone amethyst with sterling silver

Both the rhinestone teardrop – and the fancy necklace – look great. They complement each other beautifully. I just want to remind myself (and you too) that nothing is off the table! Use what you have. Combine metals – brass and sterling. Combine components – glass or rhinestones, and genuine stones and pearls.

If it looks good, if you like the combo, you can make it work. It’s YOUR design, it’s your necklace and your creation. It’s all good!

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Clear Teardrop Pendant with Silver Chain – DIY Necklace Design

Necklace Design Idea with Red and Purple

Christmas Necklace – Design Idea

Christmas Jewels

New DIY Earring Design Idea

Clear glass jewels add sparkle to your DIY jewelry designs!

New design for 2020 holiday earrings!

Aqua and Jonquil Earrings Design Idea

Earring design idea for Fall

DIY necklace design idea – rhinestones and gems!

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