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Just another example of how contrasts make all your elements look better:
You see what I mean? Whether this filigree-style “ornament” or another, the drama of using black with clear jewels adds a little extra something. These clear glass ovals are nicely faceted – the light and sparkle add just enough pizzazz to this combo to make it extra fun for a necklace focal. These were on my worktable – if I was going to make a necklace, I’d use gunmetal chain – or silver – or copper.
Contrasts. Play with stuff. Don’t match all your elements – on purpose. It works!
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:
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.
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:
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 🙂
You know, there are beautiful jewelry supplies from all over the world. But I have to say, I think our jewelry manufacturers in the eastern USA (Rhode Island and Massachusetts primarily, I believe) really do make the finest brass filigree in the world.
Case in point: these beautiful brass filigree butterfly charms. Look at the detail!
They’re delicate (but not flimsy). They’re perfect as slightly asymetric earrings ‘as is’ – and are wonderful with added jewels or pearls. This is what fun, attractive, and affordable jewelry making is all about – easy and pretty!
Just a quick note, I wanted to mention what a good idea it is to combine different materials. Okay, I know this is a thing of mine – I love unmatchy bits and pieces. These earrings are just one example:
Yes, I have those glass jewels available in my jewelry supplies shop, Weekendjewelry1 at Etsy. And if you don’t have any pearls, drop me a note, I probably have some. The thing here is, the addition of a simple handwired pearl takes these pretty glass jewel earrings to a whole new level. Delicate, girly, pretty. And a simple DIY. Ask for help if you need it – pretty soon you’ll have it down pat 🙂
And now we get back to our main love – sparkly glass jewels. These are a few unexpected combinations I put together on my work desk, just to see how they’d fit together:
Any of these could be used “as is”, and they’d be charming. Combining unusual colors and shapes is a fun way to up your game 🙂
And of course you can customize – and get exactly the colors you need for your event or, say, your bridesmaids. Custom colors – just what you want and need – this is a win!
One of the advantages of making your own jewelry (or, having a jewelry supply shop!) is that you can make exactly the jewelry you want. You can choose the color – or combinations – or shapes, sizes, metal colors. It’s like a smorgasbord all for you, and you get to choose the goodies. For instance, if I wanted to make some earrings to go with the totally adorable vintage sundress I posted about a few days ago, any of these lovely set stone combos would be great.
And aside from saving money (which come on, is usually pretty important) the beauty of DIY is that: you can get what you want. That’s worth repeating.
You can get WHAT YOU WANT. Go for it.
I recently added another color combination to my collection of “triples” – glass earring (or pendant) dangle beads that actually have three rhinestone jewels. I’m already getting a super response to this emerald, aqua, and crystal combination:
A little added perk to these “triple” listings is that I can offer a “choose your color” option – there are several color variations (and of course you can always let me know what colors *you* want and I’ll create a combo just for you 🙂
I’ve said it before: it’s all personal. If you can get just the colors you want, well, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Yeah. Thought so.
These necklace focals (pendants) were called Boho the other day – and I think that’s a good tag. I’d been thinking of them as “tribal” – but they are maybe closer to the way we think of “Boho”. A little bit earthy, a little bit off-beat, maybe a little funky too? (Boy is that an outdated word…)
You know I love sparkly girly jewelry. But there are times when we want something a little off-center, a little androgynous, a little bit funky too? Yeah. Sometimes that really works. I’m going to be exploring more in that direction.
I’ll be curious to see what you think (let me know!)
A customer recently bought these particular jewels for his wife (and asked me to create earrings with them, which is wonderfully simple with the addition of jump rings and earwires). She took the time to write me afterward and tell me how much she loved them.
I have to say, I was kind of impressed with the husband for thinking of it 😉 And with her courtesy in writing.
She said she was going to send me a pic of her wearing them – as soon as I get it, I’ll post it here!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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