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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 😉

Glass jewel color ideas

I played with some more combinations of my “work bench bead soup” – where I grab items off my work bench and combine them, just to see how the colors look together. I thought these looked pretty good!

glass jewel colors available in my Etsy shop

These aren’t always colors that are used together – peach, aqua and green, or daffodil (jonquil) yellow and deep purple amethyst. But the colors work, don’t you think?

And sometimes color is what it’s all about 😉

Verdigris Patina Filigrees

And now for something a little different – I’ve been playing with patinas lately, and I’m pretty happy with this verdigris (blue-green patina).

verdigris patina bronze filigrees

These are bronze over steel, not brass – which means they’re thinner and lighter in weight than brass would be (but still sturdy). And these are big – about 45mm in diameter, or 1-3/4″. Even at that size, they’re lightweight enough to be comfy earrings. Use them as is – or add complementary jewels – I’m going to try a few designs and revisit these later this week.

And you know the color – this gorgeous teal blue-green – is like the most flattering shade ever. Year round – flattering – comfy – these are a win!

Smoky topaz vintage glass jewels

I love this rich, deep smoky topaz – this oval pendant feels very luxe – and the earring jewels are adorable. No,k they’re not an exact match – but beautifully coordinated? Oh yes.

smoky topaz vintage glass jewels in  my Etsy shop

These jewels are a great example of – when you’ve got something classy and fabulous, you don’t need fussy, you don’t need a lot of *stuff*. They work on their own. Add a jump ring and chain to that pendant, and your necklace is ready – and gorgeous. Add earwires and your coordinating earrings are ready to wear.
When you’re in a hurry (and we all know what that’s like) something you can use *now* – and it looks great – and it’s affordable – That’s a win 🙂

Black Vintage Glass Beads

Because black is always in style. It always looks fresh and new. It always works.

black vintage glass navette beads with crystal rhinestones

These are not large – just under 1″ high. So they don’t feel heavy – either physically or visually. They’re clean-lined and modern (though the black navettes are from the 1960s). And you can choose the color of the tiny rhinestone – crystal as shown for a cool contrast, or any of a dozen pretty colors.

Available in my Etsy jewelry supplies store, of course 🙂

Orissa Garnet Glass Heart Jewels

These pretty little heart beads or jewels are just the color of orissa garnets…. so pretty, so unusual and hard to find!

orissa garnet glass heart jewels in my online jewelry supplies store

They’re absolutely perfect for petite earrings (they’re only about 3/8″ high). Great for a romantic touch to add to your business outfit. Or just because you want to remember the romance in your life.

Or just because 😉

How – and why – to use a jump ring

Several time customers have asked me what’s the easy way to attach a glass jewel to a chain, to turn a “teardrop jewel” into a pendant. Jump rings are the quick, classic way. So I did a couple quick sketches, to illustrate more clearly than a few paragraphs could, how and why we use a jump ring.

a jump ring being used to attach a pendant to a chain

See what I mean? No long explanation needed. You open the jump ring (see next pic), slip it on the chain, and slip the little ring at the top of a jewel setting onto the ring. Then close the ring. Voila: your jewel is a pendant. You’ve got a necklace.

The second sketch shows the correct way to open the jump ring. It matters because if you open the ring sideways, it’s easy to close back up securely. If you stretch it wide – it’ll never get closed up properly again. The sketch helps explain 🙂

how to open a jump ring

See? Easy peasy. Open it sideways. Close it back up. There are tons of tutorials and videos over on YouTube if you want to go peek – but this is the basics they pretty much all cover. Jewelry Making 101 – and this simple bit of assembly knowledge will go a long way for you 🙂

PS The second pic is one I found – and I forgot to write down the link. If you know the original poster, would you let me know so I can give credit? Thank you!

Jonquil glass jewels – with colors :-)

These are just so cute! New in my shop. You choose the color of the tiny rhinestones. And look at how pretty!

jonquil yellow rivoli jewels with tiny rhinestones...you choose the colors

You can get these with one ring – add earwires and you’ve got a charming pair of earrings! Or use the two-ring connector settings as shown, and combine with all kinds of pretties…jonquil teardrops. Orange cabochons. Amethyst rondelles. You name it. If you love color, you’re going to have so much fun with these!

Black diamond octagon glass jewels.

Remember those black diamond triple rhinestone connectors I talked about recently? (the post is here, just to refresh your memory. Well – I just found some fabulous octagon jewels in a great black diamond color….

black diamond octagon glass jewels

These are a perfect medium size – 14mm x 10mm, or about 5/8″ x 3/8″. Of course you don’t need to use them with the triple stone connectors – but they’d be great together. Really I just wanted to show off these jewels. The neutral gray of “black diamond” glass, and the size and faceting of these jewels makes them one of my favorites. Classy – not too heavy – quiet but sparkly – these are just going to be great with your holiday outfits!