It’s winter, it’s cold, and a little bit of DIY sparkling jewelry can just be a bit of lift, you know?
Click on the pic to find these jewels (and more) in my shop! As shown here, this is just a potential do it yourself jewelry design. The beads (or jewels) are smallish – these earrings would be lightweight and delicate.
And pretty. And could be made in your choice of color. And shape, for that matter. Really it’s just an idea to get your creative juices going!
Spring is coming. A little treat right now is just a good idea!
These sapphire blue pears are now available in a new medium size – they’re 14mm x 10mm, approx. 5/8″ x 3/8″. It’s a terrific size when you want earrings that are a bit more petite – but still have a great presence. And these new, smaller rounded gems are lovely paired with these teardrops.
And yes, they’re on sale right now. If you buy the 14x10mm pears, send me a note and I’ll include the rounds for free! This is just through Monday, January 4, 2021 (and while supplies last). So don’t wait too long!
And did you notice – “2021”. That’s another reason to celebrate, yknow?
It’s always good to remember that fussy, complex design is not the only way to create beauty. Yes, there are designs that require many hours to complete, and complicated elements to create. But sometimes you just need classic, beautiful elements.
Case in point: this necklace idea. Basic cable chain, faceted glass rondelles, and a classic pear shaped pendant combine to make a necklace that would be wonderful for prom, for date night, for work – and in sparkling crystal, wonderful for a bride.
Now is that a great idea or what? Make one to go with your favorite outfit. Or start making Christmas presents now and remember that New Year’s isn’t that far away. Even in this weird, troubled year, we will still find ways to share – and celebrate 🙂
They always fit. When you want a special gift for your sweetie, you don’t have to worry about “will it fit”.
When you buy – or make! – one for yourself, you know you’ll be able to wear it with many different necklines. So versatile! And a wise way to spend your jewelry money.
And – I’m going to do more with this soon – you can use more than one color on the featured teardrops, or special jewels at the ends of your lariat. Red – and blue? Why not? Purple and green? Why not?
Or just focus on one gorgeous color, like this emerald-tipped lariat:
Now is that a great gift idea or what? A gift for your bestie, using her kids’ birthstone colors. Or for yourself, with your faves. Save money, make fabulous jewelry, this is a win!
Sometimes you don’t want matchy-matchy – for example, take a look at these adorable drop earrings 🙂
The round glass cabochons shown here are aqua and totally opaque. The jonquil faceted navette jewels are a sparkling contrast to the solid aqua color. The shapes are opposites too – smooth round stones, paired with sharply faceted navettes. It really works! Choose your colors, adapt the idea for your own creativity.
Also it doesn’t hurt that the jewels are on sale 😉 Check them out in my Clearance section. You’ll find some more goodies at terrific sale prices!
As always, the idea is to take a suggested idea and make it your own. And save money while you make terrific jewelry. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Like a lot of us – most of us I hope – I’m staying home right now, finding things to do around the house, keeping my online business going even if times are weird, and sometimes playing with pretty sparkies in my workshop. There is no deep significance, it’s just that sometimes a pretty little bauble can lift the spirits, and I can rationalize it by saying “it’s business”.
Well it is, but it’s also that I like making pretties, and trying new combinations. You know how that is 🙂
I tried out this new combination for earrings and I think they’re lovely!
You see what I mean, though. It doesn’t have to be fussy or difficult to make pretty earrings! Or expensive either. It’s just a way to make a little treat for a friend, or for yourself, in these difficult times.
Okay, clear glass jewels. Oops 🙂 (I get so used to using both terms when I’m talking with peers and customers, I tend to think “beads” as the overall category.) Anyway. I was really happy with this earring design idea – and as you can see, it’s made entirely with clear glass… rhinestone… stones. There, does that sound better?
Yes, I tried to get a good (read: flattering) pic of this design. And I used good lighting. But the sparkle in this pic isn’t just because of the lighting – I also tried to *not* intensify the shine. Clear glass, especially when it’s nicely faceted really does sparkle. It’s not a “loud” sparkle, but it shines!
And hey, clear glass: it goes with everything. And it flatters a bridal gown without being too bold. It’s just a nice trick to remember: clear jewels really make a great piece of jewelry!
I just wanted to show you a DIY necklace design idea that combines ‘fine'(ish) jewelry components – with “just rhinestones”. The necklace chain here combines Bali sterling silver, freshwater pearls, and gemstone amethyst rondelles. The pendant is a faceted rhinestone (glass) teardrop in a silver plated setting.
Both the rhinestone teardrop – and the fancy necklace – look great. They complement each other beautifully. I just want to remind myself (and you too) that nothing is off the table! Use what you have. Combine metals – brass and sterling. Combine components – glass or rhinestones, and genuine stones and pearls.
If it looks good, if you like the combo, you can make it work. It’s YOUR design, it’s your necklace and your creation. It’s all good!
Here’s another example of how you can combine classic jewelry-making tecniques with simple, strong elements – to create a fabulous necklace that you can totally customize:
The necklace “chain” shown here is made with navy blue pearls, hand-wired together to make the necklace length you prefer. The pendant is a faceted rhinestone teardrop. Combine the hand-wired chain, the teardrop pendant, and decide how you can customize your design (colors? more strands? a cluster at the pendant?) Play with ideas here 🙂
An idea I thought of after I combined these elements… if you don’t want to take the time to hand-wire your beads to make this chain (it’s not a difficult technique, but to do it carefully takes time) – you could buy a simple beaded necklace with no pendant. That beaded necklace could be glass, pearls, crystals, you name it – it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Then add your pendant with jump rings, or bails. Presto: your necklace is unique, and it’s yours, and it’s great!
And speaking of necklaces, and like that: I love it when combining simple, “ordinary” elements can create such a lovely piece of jewelry. Like this one:
The necklace is made of simple, well-made black beads (in this instance they’re black hematite, but they could easily be onyx, or black glass, or ceramic). The idea is that the beads are strong, and simple, and don’t compete with the pendant. And the pendant is a fabulous bright red rhinestone oval that measures a bit over 1″ high. Not huge, but look at the impact!
That’s the beauty of designing your own jewelry – for yourself for gifts. You can customize colors, materials, and sizes – how bold you want to be, or how delicate. Do it yourself, save money, and make exactly what you want!
