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An example of how adding a brass charm can make a simple, pretty necklace just a little bit more interesting 😉  The emerald teardrop necklace is quite pretty all by itself. The little golden acorn charm just adds, oh boy it’s hard to resist this – it adds, well, charm. A little quirkiness. A little fun. Fun is good 🙂 End of commercial 😉 This was just a little exercise – I had requests for these two different styles of oval duos (the bottom jewels in this pic). And I had some “white opal” glass octagons nearby.  The lighting here was the same for both pics, and except for tiny variations it’s hard to avoid while processing, these ought to look very much the same except for the different colors on the larger ovals. And yet the eye sees a bit more difference. Maybe it’s the tiny aqua rhinestones – but the jewel combo “earring” on the left just seems brighter, even with the navy blue. And the amethyst combo on the right appears smokier, more antique. I’ll be curious to see what other people think 🙂 (Yes, these are all available in my Etsy shop – separately anyway. If you don’t see them, just holler!) It’s amazing how fresh this color looks for spring. Why haven’t we seen more navy blue, excuse me, montana sapphire, lately? I’ve had several people ask if I had some of these beads – probably because I really encourage my customers to ask me when they’re hunting for some rhinestones or glass jewels and just can’t find them. Sometimes I can’t either – but lots of times I can 🙂  See what I mean? Fresh and clean looking. The color doesn’t shout but it’s really good. And of course, it goes with almost everything. Like I’ve said before: good looking, quality materials, easy to use, affordable. This is a win 🙂 Yes, I like to play with beads and jewels – they’re my medium, if you like. And I think it’s good to try things that we aren’t “supposed to do”. After I saw that yummy, fuschia pink silk dress (see my post here), I couldn’t resist playing with some fuschia pink jewels.  I deliberately grabbed beads and jewels that I wouldn’t usually pair with the fuschia pink jewels. In the example on the left, that big jump ring is aluminum – not a material you expect to see with a classic rhinestone teardrop. And the upper stone is navy blue. In the middle design, those round(ish) beads are glass E beads – I probably wouldn’t choose those color combinations and those very..hmm…casual beads. But hey, why not try it? The design on the right has a sapphire blue oval paired with the fuschia pear. And the settings aren’t even the same color. Well, we definitely wouldn’t do that. But – why not? Okay, if it was me, I’d try to use three different settings, not two, so it looks deliberate. But that’s me. You ought to do – whatever feels right to you. Both gold and silver settings in the same earrings? Why not? Color is one of the most fun things to play with. And we sometimes forget to experiment and try new ideas. We always use blue with green, or red with black, or, well, just imagine the same-old-same-old combo you’ve been wearing forever. Change the experiment. Break the rules. Or just play.  You see what I mean about playing with color – and shapes? Pull out your bead stash, or the glass jewels you’ve been saving. Spread a white cloth (or paper!) on your desktop or work surface, so the colors really show up. Combine shapes you don’t usually use. Play. You’ll find combos you love. I promise. I wanted to show you a few earring designs – just as examples – that you could make, with a pair of glass jewels and some ornaments. Simple ones, silver ones, inexpensive and easy to use.  The ornaments I’ve used here are available in my shop – or you may well have some at home that you can use. A feather, a flower, a silver leaf… you see the possibilities. Of course you can use more complex designs – and they can be wonderful. But even simple ideas have great style. And you can do it 🙂 You know that aquamarine is the March birthstone, right? So I got to thinking about aqua, aqua blue, aquamarine, light turquoise…. all those color names for pretty aqua jewels. And since I had just found that totally darling aqua prom dress (see post here), I thought it could be fun to look at aqua earrings, too. Let’s go understated, first.  These stud earring jewels are easy to use (just glue on earring posts – E6000 is a pretty reliable jewelry glue). They’re small(ish) but large enough to have a bit of impact, about 1/2″ long. They’d be great day or night – and kind of extra fun, when people *expect* you to wear long dangly earrings – and you’ve got on a pair of classy button earrings, instead. Anyway. That’s a start. Don’t get me wrong, I like dangly earrings too – and I’m going to come back in a day or two and show off some designs I think you’ll like. But meanwhile? Aquamarine blue. March birthstone. Make a birthday present for your BFF or your mom. Or you, of course 😉 Yes, I’m thinking Spring. I’m so looking forward to warm weather and sunshine and playing outside 😉  Aren’t those lovely? And think how pretty as a delicate pendant, on a simple gold chain. Or earrings that will look great with so many outfits. Easy, affordable, wearable. And pretty. That just sounds good, right now! I’ve had so many requests lately for amethyst beads and jewels – and pendants. I think partly because amethyst is known as the gemstone of love – and even glass jewels have that same mystique.  and – this part is not mysterious – they’re pretty, and affordable, and easy to use. Add a jump ring or bail, slip it on a chain, and your vintage style necklace is ready to wear. Are we thinking Prom yet? (Yes!) I don’t think it’s just me. I think these wonderful blue zircon octagon jewels (glass jewels, that is) look fabulously luxurious.  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! |
Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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