jewelry design « Vintage Glass Jewels

New jewelry design idea – fabulous earrings (or pendants!)

Woo hoo, I just got in some new montana sapphire (navy blue) cushion cut glass gems in my shop!

The “cushion cut” name refers to the cut of the glass stones – square or rectangular, with rounded/faceted corners. It’s one of the most popular – and versatile – shape stones. The cushion cut shape is a classic and used by itself, makes a lovely smallish pendant. Combined with other shapes and colors, it’s just fabulous!

I do love combining stones and from what my customers tell me they do too. Case in point – the earring design shown in this pic. You could use any colors of course, and you’ll grab some jewels from your worktable and try different ideas – that’s where your creativity comes in. That’s part of the fun 🙂

Do it yourself jewelry – for yourself, for gifts, or that you offer for sale in your own shop – that’s fun too!

Ruby red glass stones – the birthstone color for July

Of course red is a fabulous color for jewelry anyway – we know that. It’s flattering to most skin tones, it can be casual or dressy, it’s the main color of at least two holidays, and it’s just fun to wear! And…ruby red is the birthstone color for July. So I thought I’d highlight a few of the ruby red glass jewels available in my shop right now.

So if you need a birthday gift for a bestie born in July, you might find some ideas here. Or if you want something to match the red shirt you just bought. Or if you want to subtly point out a few things that would be perfect in your eyes and somebody wants to buy *you* a gift… you get the idea. Get what works for you!

DIY necklace design idea that you can customize!

The pendant shown in this DIY necklace design idea is available right now in my shop – in several colors (so you can pick your favorite!)

Shown “as is” it’s a lovely necklace. You can request that your glass jewels be set in silver plated brass as shown, or in antiqued patina brass, or golden raw brass. Select a complementary necklace chain, and you’ll have a gorgeous necklace!

And a very cool detail – you can choose the color of the tiny stone at the top of the setting. That way you can customize your colors. If this is a necklace you’re making as a gift for your girlfriend, you can choose the two birthstone colors of her daughters. Or just choose her favorites. Or yours. That’s the beauty of DIY jewelry – you can make it just the way you want!

DIY Earrings with Peridot and Emerald Green Glass Gems

It’s always cool to see how the faceted glass jewels I sell look when made into actual jewelry! The mannequin I use in these pics is close to life size, so you can get an idea of scale.

The emerald green octagon is 10mm x 8mm (that’s approximately 3/8″ x 1/4″). The peridot green teardrop is 13mm x 8mm, a bit over 1/2″ high x 1/4″. You can see the earring has real presence, large enough to be sparkly and “seen”, but not large and heavy. (Love that they’re really not heavy!)

Of course you’ll choose your own beads and stones – or find some in my shop 🙂 And adapt this idea to your own style!

Necklace Design Idea featuring Peach Glass Gems

One of the interesting things about this design idea is that it combines foil-backed glass gems (the 10mm x 10mm diagonal square stone) with a sheer, no-foil-back teardrop shaped pendant.

Really I just wanted to point out that we can do that – we can combine colors that aren’t actually the same. Or textures. Or in this case, sheer and foiled stones. And it works!

That’s the fun of do it yourself jewelry – make it the way YOU want (and save money!)

Necklace Design Idea – Happy 2024!

I think this picture illustrates one of my favorite jewelry design ideas. No, it isn’t “faceted teardrops on a pearl necklace” (though that idea right there is pretty terrific.) It’s simpler than that. Gorgeous colors in a pendant, combined with pretty (and inexpensive) glass pearls. Presto: a great looking necklace that you’d be proud to wear anytime.

But the real point(s) are even simpler than that. One, you don’t have to spend hours, and learn difficult and time-consuming skills, to make pretty jewelry. Of course those skills are fabulous, and yes you can use them to make fabulous items. But you don’t need to, if you just want fun and lovely jewelry!

And point two is even better: you don’t have to spend a lot of money. You can of course, and there are wonderful (and costly) gems to be found. But if you’re not rich, you can still make gorgeous jewelry!

It’s that simple. Buy a few quality items. Learn to string beads, and work with jump rings. Or just buy a pretty (and once again, inexpensive) chain. Make the jewelry you love. Don’t spend a fortune.

That’s a great way to start the new year!

DIY Red Faceted Glass Earrings

In this earring design idea, I combined a simple glass gem with large jump rings – easy to find (or you could use any metal drops or rings). Combining glass gems with metal elements, especially in different shapes or sizes, adds a bit of surprise and a fun contrast.

The fun part of course is using your own elements and combining them in new ways. Yesterday I mentioned pulling stones that might be scattered on your workbench, and adding surprises – like metal jumps. Maybe use two or three rings, to create a longer earring and a bit of extra movement. Maybe use six of them. These wil be do-it-yourself earrings in *your* style – play with the idea and make it your own!

Earring Design Idea with Amethyst and Filigree

This jewelry design idea features golden brass filigree flower connectors, and amethyst (amethyst glass, I mean) pear shape jewels. It’s a feminine, gorgeous combination – and these are easy to make. The deep purple amethyst stones are 14mm x 10mm, not too large for comfy earrings but absolutely big enough to make a DIY pendant as well.

And I have to say, “easy to make” and “gorgeous” pretty much sums up my favorite jewelry designs. It doesn’t have to be hard to make pretty jewelry! Yes, intricate designs can be beautiful but you know, sometimes there just isn’t time.

Of course you can use this idea to generate your own special design. Use your favorite colors and your favorite connectors. You’ll love the combo!

Amethyst Glass Jewel Earrings

I love earrings that combine gems, glass jewels, or other sparkling beads, with chain. The chain adds movement and even more sparkle, without adding a lot of weight. And it’s pretty!

The earring design shown in this pic is super simple. Slip a glass jewel onto your earwire. Then place several lengths of chain onto an open jump ring. Put on the jump ring onto the bottom loop of the jewel setting, close the jump ring, and you’re all set!

Of course this design is totally customizeable – use jewels you have (or purchase some from my shop!) Use your favorite colors, and any chain you have – it doesn’t even have to match. For that matter you could use different color jewels in each earring. I love designs like that – I think a lot of people do. Make the design yours!

Rainbow Vitrail Glass Jewel Earrings

If you visit my Etsy jewelry supplies shop you’ll see that the vitrail gems featured below, are my shop avatar! I love them and I think you will too. (And vitrail is one of the best selling jewel “colors” in my shop!)

The most important highlight of this pic is that it shows you the scale of the gems – my mannequin is close to life size so you don’t have to rely on printed measurements. You can see how these work as earrings! And since you pick the color of the tiny round stone at the top of the setting, you can customize these. Just a small added bonus!

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New jewelry design idea – fabulous earrings (or pendants!)

Ruby red glass stones – the birthstone color for July

DIY necklace design idea that you can customize!

DIY Earrings with Peridot and Emerald Green Glass Gems

Necklace Design Idea featuring Peach Glass Gems

Necklace Design Idea – Happy 2024!

DIY Red Faceted Glass Earrings

Earring Design Idea with Amethyst and Filigree

Amethyst Glass Jewel Earrings

Rainbow Vitrail Glass Jewel Earrings

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