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And there’s just one more vintage glass jewel pairing I wanted to show off today (okay, there’ll be more later) because I love the color combination:
Actually the tiny pink stones are new – it’s the peridot green teardrops that are vintage. They’re called “buff top” because the faceting is actually on the bottom. It’s amazing how well it reflects the light – these are just beautifully made.
And, well, like I said: springtime. Today it’s ice and sleet and snow outside – but in here, baby? Spring is on the way 🙂
I was putting together an order yesterday, and it just happened to be mostly what I think of as “spring” colors. I think she was planning ahead! But as I looked at them on my worktable, I couldn’t help but think – how fresh and pretty they looked. It’s barely the beginning of winter, but spring is already calling to me.
Take a look at these, just for example:
All colors have their own charm, and often you want clear crystal, or neutrals. But sometimes? A pretty aqua, or sparkling peridot green, can add just the lift you need on a gray winter day.
And then when the sun comes out? Wow!
You’ll see what I mean. This is just a simple combination of elements – a colorful vintage glass jewel in a faceted octagon shape, and a sparkling round rhinestone. When you combine them, you get more than the sum of the parts:
Add an earwire, these will make fabulous earrings. Slip on a sturdy jump ring or hand-wire to a looped bead or bail and you’ve got a fabulous pendant. Use two-ring settings and they’re bracelet or necklace connectors. You see what I mean? One simple design idea – combine colors and shapes. And you’ve got endless possibilities.
And the stones are available in my Etsy shop of course 🙂
Such a pretty color! I used to think peach was a spring color – but boy was I wrong. It’s one of my best-selling colors, year-round… and I think the fresh and feminine shade is especially appealing in winter. I just wanted to show off a few new rhinestone jewels I’ve gotten in recently:
I think my personal favorites are the petite 14x10mm teardrops (just a little over 5/8″ x 3/8″). What can I say, they feel girly and pretty. And the large oval? Fabulous pendant. You don’t need a lot of fuss when you’ve got good basics.
And these jewels are good basics!
Or, well, Part Next because I can’t remember if I did Part Two or Three already. But these are definitely “do it yourself” earring designs. This was another little instanteous assignment I gave myself – “okay, create a few earring designs using just what’s sitting here on the desk in front of you right now”.
This is what I got:
Once again, i didn’t try to “match” colors. I just played with simple combinations of stones (and one ornament, the silver-ish flower) I had sitting on my work table. These would all be simple to make, using jump rings or wire wrapping with other small beads. Okay, they’re not Tiffany’s, but they’re doable and fun and would look gorgeous on you. And they don’t cost much. And you can do it.
And until you hit the lottery, doesn’t that work for you?
P.S. Oops! Yes, these components are all available in my Etsy shop.
I think these are just darling – earring jewels set into closed, flat-back settings, so you can make your own button or stud earrings. Add a little sparkle to your everyday outfit! These are not Extreme, or dangling, or any of that – they’re just fun and pretty and you can wear them anytime or anywhere.
These are “rivoli” jewels, which have a faceted point (rather than “flat table”, as in “table tin cut”) on the face of the jewel. They have a wonderful sparkle, and they’re available in vintage patina brass or light golden (raw) brass settings. Use a secure jewelry glue to add an earring post or clip-on to the back, and you have quick and easy and gorgeous earrings.
Lots of colors, too – I show them here in soft rose pink, crystal, peridot green, and light colorado topaz (golden tan) – but I’ll have lots more choices in my Etsy shop– I just took this pic first.
Gifties for your buds, or for yourself – look great, and spend less. This is a good plan!
Because parties are coming. Christmas, and New Year’s, and office parties, and for that matter, any special occasion you want: ruby and red and crimson and siam are always in style.
and it doesn’t hurt that you can make yourself (or gift your BFF) a pretty pair of classy earrings – for bucko less than it costs to buy them at Macy’s 🙂
Like these:
These are some of the vivid red rhinestone jewels I have available in my Etsy jewelry supplies shop right now – hey, party season is coming 😉
So these are just examples of the classic crystal rhinestones I was talking about the other day. I played with a few very basic shapes, rearranged a few times to play with design ideas. Like these:
See what I mean? I tried a few “insert Tab A into Slot B” (without actually inserting) – these are simple but effective. I’ll probably post a few more complex styles too – but I wanted to show that clean designs, and simple shapes, can combine to make some very cool earrings without you having to invest a lot of time – or money, for that matter.
(cough) Of course the stones are available in my Etsy shop – with lots more pretty glass beads and rhinestone jewels. Yeah. You knew that 🙂
Really the title says it all. I think people respond well to color – I love it myself, I love the fun and vitality of it. But there’s something to be said for using classic, sparkling rhinestones. Like these:
They are always flattering, they go with everything, and women from 15 to 50 wear them happily. Correction: from, what, 10 to 90? I’m not sure – but from time to time, we ALL like a little bling and sparkle 🙂
If you’re a jewelry designer, or simply making gifts for your loved ones (or yourself) you really can’t go wrong with crystal rhinestones. There’s a reason they call them “classics”.
P.S. And yes, that link takes you to my Etsy shop. Like you didn’t know that 🙂
I tried an experiment again. I gathered together some of the jewels I had on my work table – that hadn’t been put away yet, or were extras I was playing with, or whatever. I had to use what was sitting, randomly, on the table. And I made earrings (okay, I put together the jeweled pieces for earrings, I didn’t actually assemble them. Such a quibble!)
These aren’t colors I would normally use together – and yet, I like what I’ve tried here. Peach, and deep purple amethyst, and peridot green, in one dangling earring? Well, why not? Warm smoky topaz, jonquil yellow, emerald green, and amethyst?
Sure. Warm smoky topaz, jonquil yellow, emerald green, and amethyst. Why not?
I guess the real point here is – take out your bead soup, or uncover it from when your husband came in the workroom and you didn’t want him to think it was all a Mess.
Play with different, unusual, fun combos. Try stuff. You’ll find out some things look good together that you never expected – and sometimes, you’ll make Art.
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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