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When you hear someone referring to an “AB” finish on their beads, they’re talking about an “aurora borealis” coating. It’s a treatment that gives glints of many colors over what would otherwise be clear glass. I think it might have originated with Swarovski but by now, most reputable manufacturers have their own version.  Add just a bit of glam to your day – don’t spend a lot of money – you know the deal. Try it – I think you’ll like it 😉 And just a quick peek at some of the jonquil yellow glass cabochon jewels I’ve got in stock right now. Jonquil is such a lovely crystal!  There are a few I haven’t got listed yet, too – so if you’re looking for a particular size or shape, and don’t see it? Please do ask! I’ve been playing with color combos again – you know I like to do that. And these just struck me as really fun.  Of course we think of Christmas when we put red and green together, but that’s way more limited than it needs to be. Imagine these jewels, used together to make a pendant or pair of earrings, worn with a white sundress with a red and green cherry design (I saw one recently and now I can’t find it – when I locate the pic I’ll post it!) Or a bright red and white tank top and a bright emerald green short skirt. Flipflop sandals, a bangle bracelet, and these fun earrings. With a summer tan. Very fun! P.S. And okay, yes, they’d be great at Christmas 🙂 Now don’t get me wrong – I love fine gemstones. Amethyst and jonquil (or citrine) can be truly beautiful. But, you know, if they have good clarity and faceting (the way we love them) they’re also really expensive. But we can find a lovely alternative, easy peasy 🙂  Good clarity? That’s what glass does! Good faceting? Just look: These glass gems (pointed back cabochons) have wonderful faceting. And history (some of these are 60 years old – of course, some are about 6 months old, too.) Once I got over my snobbishness and realized how beautiful cabochons and glass jewels could be, I never looked back. These are gorgeous. And affordable. That’s a win. Just a little comparison I did this morning. I placed montana sapphire (navy blue) round rivoli jewels near some teardrops, one of them opaque black, one vivid aqua blue. It’s just interesting how the eye perceives these.  The combo on the left, with the opaque black teardrops, feels a little more Goth. The combo on the right, a little more fun and frivolous. That’s before we think about it. After we take time to reflect, we simply see the colors that match the definitions of “navy”, “black”, “aqua” (or turquoise). But at first? Goth. Somber. And frivolous. The brain is an interesting organ, yknow? You know I’m a convert to glass cabochons and jewels. I had to learn that good jewelry didn’t have to be made with “precious” gemstones or cost a fortune. This pic below is just another example of how glass jewels can be lovely 🙂  These were jewels that were on my worktable from a couple different projects – and you know how I do sometimes – I just fiddle with different combos. These are all strong colors – golden topaz navettes, peridot green round rivoli jewels, and deep aqua glass octagons. Any of them could be used alone, as is, for earrings or necklace jewels. And when you put them together? Stunning. Fun. Fab. Easy to make, easy to wear, easy on the wallet. You see what I mean? This is a win 😉 White jewels are classic for wedding jewelry, of course – and I recently paired these two different styles – and made this super combo 🙂  The opaque white teardrops are vintage glass cabochon jewels made in post-war Japan (talk about “something old” – very cool!) The crystal jewels are new, and the faceting’s clean and modern. Linked with silver jump rings, these would be fabulous for a bride. Modern, clean, and vintage too? This is a win 🙂 We can’t all wear rubies and sapphres. And – I will say it right here – this doesn’t bother me at all. I’m kinda over feeling the need for Expensive Gemstones. Yes they’re beautiful (when they’re quality). But mostly I love color – and I think a lot of women feel the same way. Glass jewels are beautiful, they’re affordable, and they don’t damage the planet. Not as much as mining gems, anyway. So – glass jewels? A win-win. Like these:  Used together as shown, wouldn’t those make a terrific pair of earrings? For about one squillionth the cost of “Fine gemstones”. I don’t need fine gemstones. I want good looking jewelry, that I can make (or you can make), that I can afford, that’s fun to wear. That’s a win 🙂 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 🙂 Now these are fun! Pretty drops of golden glass in totally different shapes – combine them for a fab pair of earrings 🙂  Yes, topaz is sometimes considered a “Fall” color – I guess because it’s the November birthstone. But it’s wonderful for Spring. Sunshine, longer days, golden yellow – these are light-filled summertime images for me. Affordable pretty color – love it! |
Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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