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I just wanted to show another quick example of how combining rhinestones and simple charms can make stunning earrings. You don’t have to fuss for a long time! Or spend a lot of money.  See? This is not a new idea or anything, it’s just a fun example of what you can do. A bit of color – a bit of silver or gold. Link these with simple jump rings, add an earwire, and you’ve got a lightweight, pretty dangly earring. This isn’t rocket science. It’s fun 🙂 This is a design I love – and my customers have been pretty happy with it too 🙂 These crystal (glass) octagons are pointed back cabochons, glass jewels that measure 14mm x 10mm (approx. 5/8″ x 3/8″). They’re well faceted, sparkly, and feminine.  And here’s the even-cooler part. Take this same basic design, and instead of adding silver(y) chain, attach a clasp.  And presto, you’ve got a gorgeous bracelet! Hint: try this. When you’re making the necklace, instead of adding the chain to the octagons with a jump ring – use spring rings instead. Made that way, you can attach the chain to the jump rings anytime you want to wear your necklace. Or you can leave the chain off, clasp the spring rings *to each other*, and wear your octagons as a bracelet! (I’ll do up a pic soon and add it here.) Double sparkly goodness for your prom, your Saturday night date… or your wedding. Win! I haven’t done an “Etsy Mini” in a while – that’s sort of a snapshot, of some of the items currently available in my Etsy jewelry supplies shop. Here, take a peek! That’s just a few of the 300 items I’ve got in my shop right now. And also – if there’s a glass jewel, maybe a color or shape you’re looking for and can’t find – just drop me a note. I might have some, or know where to find them. Have fun! These pretty oval jewels are crystal pointed back cabochon stones and they are probably the most popular oval jewel I’ve ever found. Such pretty gems! The size is perfect when you don’t want gaudy but you do want sparkly 🙂  They’re about 1/2″ long. Demure and girly. Also sparkling and sexy. Kind of the perfect stone. Think how pretty these would be for your wedding earrings, or a tiny lovely pendant on a delicate silver chain. And if you want something a bit more complex, but still not huge, and still sparkly?You can choose the two-jewel setting. Pair your crystal ovals with a tiny rhinestone (and you choose the color!) Wonderful for wedding jewels – and bridesmaids.  Or prom. Or Friday night. Or Sunday. Or, well, you get the idea 🙂 I love trying new combinations of colorful glass jewels – especially those that aren’t “supposed to” go together. Says who?  You see what I mean? Aqua (almost turquoise) blue. Peridot green. And orange. I mean, orange! We don’t put these colors together in jewelry very often, do we. And I really like them. And I’ve had a few other people say to me, hey, very cool. So: try new combos. That don’t go together. Just because. I don’t know if it’s a resurgence, or just a recurring popular trend – but I’ve been selling a lot of amethyst glass gemstones for wedding jewelry recently. And my customers don’t always want exact matches – they want both light and darker amethyst, from lilac to dusty deep purple. These are among the most popular choices:  I’m going to see if I can get some pictures – not mine, but from the brides! To show off how pretty their jewelry turned out. One girl wore all light amethyst, and her attendants wore deep purple – and she had 8 bridesmaids and a flower girl! I’ll come back with pics asap 🙂 Just in time for St. patrick’s Day – or, well, anytime you want some pretty heart jewelry – take a look at these gorgeous goodies!  When you’ve got a simple, pretty pendant or pair of earrings with these heart jewels, you don’t need a lot of fussy other accessories. The color is rich, it’s flattering, and it’s affordable. This is a win 🙂 Just a small detour from the pretty sparkling stones – I just got a new batch in of silver plated brass leverbacks. These locking earwires are super popular – also affordable and comfy.  They’re not precious metal sterling silver (if you need those, just holler) – but unless you have metal sensitivies, you really don’t need to be paying for sterling. For fun everyday earrings, I love the leverbacks 🙂 They just take your earring designs up a notch, you know? Crystal AB is the name given in the jewelry trade to crystal – clear, colorless, sparkling – glass gems that have an “AB” coating. In this instance, “AB” stands for “aurora borealis”. To us, that means there are little glints of color on the crystal glass. Like this:  They’re pretty, they have a little extra sparkle, and they’re absolutely lovely for spring, for bridal and bridesmaid jewelry, and… hmm… for Prom. You know, in case you need some prom earrings that don’t cost a fortune… Just sayin’ 🙂 I’ve been hearing about this trend lately – we’ll see if it’s really true! Minimalistic clear glass jewels are fresh and new for 2016. Like these:  These particular jewels are vintage glass (from the 1950s I think) that I’ve just restocked. They have well defined faceting, so that even with totally clear glass, they have a sparkle and catch the light beautifully. And of course, they’ll go with anything you wear! That makes for a good “go to” earring – or one to pack when you travel. No matter what you buy, you’ve got some jewelry to go with. Of course the clear glass is also great with other colors – I’m going to do a few examples and post later. Stay tuned! |
Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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