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Blue zircon octagon jewels – so rich!

I don’t think it’s just me. I think these wonderful blue zircon octagon jewels (glass jewels, that is) look fabulously luxurious.

sheer blue zircon octagon beads (glass or rhinestone jewels) in my Etsy shop

I’ve had blue zircon octagons before, in a foiled-back setting, and they’re super. But this is actually one of those colors that I think is even better when it’s sheer, so the light shines through. It looks good on just about everybody, it’s great year-round, and the octagon cut (closely resembling the classic gemstone “emerald cut”) feels very luxe.

Use these jewels in a simple setting – as an oversized button earring (yes I have no-ring, closed back settings for them) – or a simple drop earring – or a fabulous classic emerald-cut pendant. You’ll look like a million bucks.

You just don’t have to spend that kind of money 🙂

Win!

Peach Glass Teardrop Jewels

Peach is such a pretty color – it looks good year round of course, but I’m having those spring thoughts again. Bet you are too 🙂

peach teardrop jewels in my Etsy shop

Peach also has the advantage of being flattering to almost every skin tone. Petite teardrops, pretty color, flattering shade, available in both golden and silver settings…and oh, did we mention affordable? That helps too.

You guys stay warm! And think spring. Couldn’t hurt. Might help 😉

Setting glass stones – when they don’t fit (Part One)

This is just a handy little tip. When you’re setting glass stones in brass (or silver, or you-name-it) settings, very often they don’t quite fit. Especially vintage stones. (No, actually, it’s a crapshoot with any stones. Seems like there are always little discrepancies between what they ought to be, and what they Are.)

So if your jewel, your stone, is just a little too big, try this:

how to set stones when you need to enlarge your settings

It won’t work if your stone is way too big. But a millimeter or so (and that’s a LOT, with calibrated stones) – you can make it work.

I’ll do more pics soon – i.e., what if your stone is too *small*?

It can be done 🙂

Brass filigree and cabochon pendant

There’s something timeless about patina brass filigrees paired with pretty cabochon jewels. This pendant could have been worn on the Orient Express – in the 1900s (well almost!)

brass filigree and glass cabochon pendant

The brass filigree layers are actually new brass – the laurel leaf pendant base is actually from a die, or pattern, from the early 1900s. That’s the beauty of the filigrees – it’s quality USA made brass with modern specs – and vintage design. The best of both worlds 😉

I’ve got several filigree pendants right now – some are one of a kind, some I’ll be able to re-order. I’m hunting for more!

Clear vintage glass jewels

I’ve finally gotten some more of these pretty glass oval jewels! It surprised me how long it took to find them – but here they are – vintage glass at its best 🙂

clear oval vintage glass jewels in my Etsy shop

Okay, it’s not hard to find clear glass jewels, even vintage ones. It is hard to find beautifully faceted, quality glass in this wonderful 12mm x 10mm size. They’re just lovely – large enough to have presence, even in clear glass! but petite and delicate, all the same. And the clear glass? You’d think it would sort of disappear – but it doesn’t. It gets a lovely sparkle from the faceting, and the settings.

Let me rephrase that. *You* get a lovely sparkle 🙂

“Light colorado topaz” glass jewels

It’s just funny, ths little differences in colors – even with jewels from the same vendor and with the same name. Look at these pretty Light Colorado Topaz glass jewels, all in my Etsy shop right now.

light colorado topaz glass jewels in my Etsy shop

You can see that they’re all the “same color”. But there are definitely differences, in light or dark-ness, in color intensity, sometimes beige-r, sometimes almost gold…. it’s just one of the little quirks of the jewelry trade.

Keeps things fun 🙂

Red octagon beads. Bright. Fun :-)

It’s January – winter’s going to be here for a while yet. And some bright, cheery color is looking good to me right now. I’ve had a lot of requests lately for this vivid “light siam red” (just a bit closer to red-orange than dark ruby). For instance, these octagon jewels:

light siam red glass octagon jewels

These are about 3/4″ x 1/2″ – large enough to stand on their own, as a pretty necklace or bracelet focal. They’re available with two ring settings as shown, and they they make a fabulous bracelet if you link several together and add a clasp. But you can also get them with just one ring at the top. Voila: instant gorgeous attention-getting necklace.

Love it. Easy, vivid, striking. And hey, affordable. This is do-able!

Happy new year – let’s have a good one!

I hope your New Year’s is starting out well! We had a lovely time last night (stayed home with friends instead of fighting drunken traffic) – and I’m tucked in away from the cold.

Am feeling a bit of my Irish today – I think this pretty emerald green pendant just put me in that sort of mood. Plus I’m part Irish. Well, maybe 10% – how do we figure accurate ancestry? My father’s grandfather was from the old country. He may have been encouraged to leave rapidly or something, we had a bunch of unsavory characters scattered in there 😉

But the pendant? is just a beauty!

emerald sheer glass pendant jewel in a golden brass setting

I’m keeping one for myself, on a simple golden chain, a little longer than usual (about 26″). Talk about a gorgeous St. Paddy’s necklace! oh, I don’t know if it’s appropriate. I do know it’s flattering and looks great!

Pink and Peach Glass Jewels

I was playing with colors again – spring colors, this time. The snow outside my door might have had something to do with that – it’s not even Christmas yet and I’m thinking about spring. But hey, the colors are pretty!

pink and peach glass jewels in my Etsy shop

The pic just shows a few examples of how to make pretty earrings (or pendants) – easy to do and they really are lovely. Complex, intricate designs are great of course – but when you want to make something now – and have it ready tonight? This is the way to go!

So – spring colors. And Merry Christmas thoughts, too 🙂

Leaf spray connectors for your jewelry designs

These leaf spray connectors are a good example of the fun things you can add to your jewelry to make it just a little more interesting!

leaf spray connector in antique brass patina or golden brass patina finish

I show them here with glass teardrop jewels that are about 3/4″ high – so you can get an idea of the real size. They’re small but not tiny – they could be used as earring dangles (as suggested here) or as necklace or bracelet connectors.

They’re super affordable, too – and fun – and easy to use (attach with jump rings and you’re good to go). I like easy, cute, and fun – and I think you do too 😉