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I was talking about clear glass gems earlier – as a counterpoint now, go for rich color – and you can still experiment with different shapes and tones 🙂  See? Really I’m just encouraging you to experiment. Try different shapes and colors. Don’t spend a lot of money. Do it yourself really IS a good idea 🙂 (and if you’re looking for something – but can’t find it – drop me a note, I might be able to help!) I wanted to point out a little concept that you’ve thought of lots of times – when you’re looking at your wardrobe. It’s true with jewelry too. Have one basic neutral, and you can add lots of different colors – no, not all at once! (well…. hmmmm….) But not right now. Right now I wanted to show you a quick idea. A clear jewel – no color at all – just a bit of sparkle. Add a bit of color. Voila: new combo.  These are really pretty together. And would be great for the holidays – night or day. They’d complement your outfit, without shouting (you’ll try other combos, for that). And they’ll look good. Buy, or scrounge, or thrift, or swap, so you’ve got a few neutral bases (like these clear teardrops) – then add fun little bits to them. Instant jewelry wardrobe for not much money or work. This is a win 🙂 I wanted to show you a few of the pink glass gems I’ve gotten in my shop this fall. They’re gorgeous “as is” – and combined with crystal or burgundy, aqua or peridot – or black! – they’re just fab 🙂  More shapes coming soon – and more pics, too (now that I’ve thought of the pink-with-black, I have to try it!) Girly, soft color – affordable do-it-yourself luxury – you know what I’m going to say. This is a win 🙂 And they go with everything. I recently got in a large packet of these adorable clear glass cushion cut beads – so I can offer them at a great price. They have no color at all – but somehow, the gentle glow or sparkle (depending on the setting) can make them the “Little Black Dress” of your jewelry collection.  You don’t look like you’re trying too hard – but you’re wearing a chic little pair of earrings or minimalist pendant that you can wear anywhere, anytime. And they’re on sale! Yes, this is a win 🙂 I’ve talked about this before – whether your jewelry design is intricate and complex or minimalist simple, color can take your design from “nice” to “fabulous”. My personal preference is for earrings that have a lot of presence but are not super heavy (I’m all about the comfort thing). These rhinestone combinations fit that bill nicely – multi stone settings for round stones combined with teardrop settings. And you have so many color choices!  In the pic, you can see crystal teardrops with olivine and blue zircon rhinestones, crystal with ruby and emerald glass, and crystal with golden topaz and amethyst glass. And these are only a few of the possible combinations – you can match your Christmas outfit, or your wedding colors…. or hey, your pajamas, if you want! The thing is, color is inexpensive – and fun – and you should totally be able to design your jewelry to get exactly what you want! That’s the win 🙂 P.S. And if you visit my online jewelry supplies shop and don’t see the bead color or jewel shape you’re looking for – please do ask. I’ve almost always got new goodies that aren’t listed yet 😉 Obsidian, black onyx, jet – these are all popular names for genuine, semi-precious black jewels and stones. They’re also descriptions that are often used when referring to black glass. Well I don’t see any need to use confusing “gemstone” titles. I love opaque black glass. Honest, easy to use, always classic. You can’t go wrong, and you don’t need to dress it up with fancy (fake-ish) names.  See what I mean? These gorgeous glass stones can easily be used to make gorgeous earrings, necklaces, bracelet links…. with emphasis on “easily”. Not to mention they aren’t costly. With fall coming, black is going to be a basic. Well. Let me rephrase that. Black is always a basic, always classic, always looks good. You could say that Black is the new Black 😉 With school starting up, this is a great way to make some money at local craft shows. Make some earrings (or whatever floats your boat) in your team colors. I’m not suggesting infringing on any trademarks…. just that, if your son’s high school football team colors are blue and gold, well, it couldn’t hurt to offer some jewelry in those colors, when you’re selling at the local fundraiser.  No reason you can’t try a few ideas along those lines, yknow? No copyright infringement, please. Don’t claim that you’re offering official North Kansas City Hornets jewelry – you’re just selling earrings made with purple and gold. Other teams – say, the Dallas Cowboys – might get a little touchy if you say you’re selling their licensed jewelry – without the license. But selling earrings made in montana sapphire (navy blue) and white (crystal) – well those are just going to be pretty. And they certainly don’t need to be licensed. You see what I mean. It be a great way for your neighbors to learn about your jewelry biz – and a cool way to raise money for the football team! I had featured some fuschia pink bead “triples” several months back see post here – and just recently started playing with fuschia again. Sometimes that rich, bright color is just what you need!  Yes, I love to try new combinations – almost at random. The center design shows simple, small round glass beads hand wired (using inexpensive gold craft wire) to a teardrop bead. None of the colors match. And yet, isn’t it kind of interesting? I thought so. And of course, you could “randomly” choose colors that are just what you need for a special outfit… That’s the fun of making your own jewelry (and having lots of bits and pieces from previous projects!) You can try stuff. You can create your own look. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. That’s a win 🙂 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! |
Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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