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This sapphire blue, two-stone glass jewel combination is turning out to be a customer favorite! These are sheer rhinestones (glass stones) – with no foil backs. The color is rich enough to shine even without the foil backing – as you can see here:
They are slightly different shades. Note too that the lighter sapphire octagons are handset into silver plated brass settings with closed backs – so the silver shows through and helps to actually lighten the color a bit. If we used patina brass settings, the octagons would appear to be much darker.
Really what I want to show here, is two different shapes, and how wonderfully they combine. And how much fun it is to try different prong settings! You’ll adopt the idea to your own particular style. That’s the fun of DIY jewelry!
P.S. Well, and also that you can save money when you design and make your own jewelry. Now that is *really* fun!
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!
I’m feeling lazy these days… so I love faceted glass stones in a jewelry “set”. A case in point, these gorgeous fuschia pink faceted glass pendant and earring jewels. These are nicely feceted with a terrific sparkle. But you probably noticed that!
This pendant jewel is 18mm x 13mm – a modest size pendant, but with plenty of presence to be a star in its own right! Or you could combine it with other stones and jewels, whatever works for your sense of style. And the earring jewels shown here are small, 8mm x 8mm – a bit over 1/4″. They’re available in one or two ring (or no ring!) settings, so you could use them alone as a small, lovely earring drop. Or link them, using the two-ring setting style, with other stones and beads. Or silver chain. Or whatever works, once again, for your creative style.
The teardrop pendant and square stones are sold separately – but if you want to purchase this exact set, just send me a note when you’re ready to order, and we’ll make it work!
Hey, just one more reminder of why neutral glass gems can be so terrific! The pendant jewel in this pic is a faceted glass pear or teardrop that measures 25mm x 18mm – about one inch high. The round glass gems shown here are 10mm in diameter, or approximately 3/8″. They’re small enough that they are super lightweight when used as earrings – or as earring components. Imagine them linked to pearls, to small faceted beads, or to a bit of filigree – if you want to make fancier earrings. Yes, I’ll post a couple examples later, maybe next week. Stay tuned!
But even without those pics, you can see how useful these black diamond (gray) round gems could be! Link several together to make a bracelet, or necklace ‘chain’. Pair them with coordinating glass gems, or add rich color to provide contrast. Use your own style to make them work the way you want!
And – I don’t usually do “sales” – but from now through December 31, 2023, if you buy the gems shown in this listing you get a second pendant for free. Just let me know what freebie you want when you order!
I think I’ve featured a similar style before, though not with these stones. I think it’s important to show (show off!) a necklace design idea that looks great, can be adapted to any color combination you prefer, and doesn’t take a lot of time or money to accomplish!
Take this basic idea – two beautiful gems or beads in complementary colors – and run with it! Look at the stones and beads you have available (or of course, go shopping at my shop (hey, I have to put in a plug, right?) Pick the colors that match the outfit you love – or the one you want to make for your bff. Use different shapes – use *what works for your style and eye for beauty*.
Make it your own. You’ll love it!
Rainbow stones – often known as “vitrail” in the jewelry trade – are some of the most wonderful and popular glass stone colors available. I should probably say “color combination” because they are never just one color! Take a look at the vitrail gems in this pic:
I’ve just gotten in some new packets – and the colors, as you can see, are rich and varied. Shades of purple and pink, green and gold, blue and aqua. Truly, no two are exactly the same – but they can be closely paired. Just saying – when you buy vitrail rainbow stones in my shop, they’ll be a set that truly works, for earrings, or pendants, or glass connectors – and in my experience they are wonderfully received when made into gifts for friends and family.
I think you’ll love them!
I’m showing off two more sizes of the crystal AB pears (teardrops) I have in my shop right now. The “crystal AB” (which stands for aurora borealis) is an absolute favorite color/finish with my customers. It’s just beautiful, it sort of glows in the light, and it doesn’t need a whole lot of fussiness to make beautiful jewelry!
You see what I mean! The stones are lovely, and while it’s really true that no two are exactly alike (it depends on reflection and the light they’re in!) they are lovely with many colors, especially pink, lilac, purple, blue, and green. And of course crystal (clear). And pretty terrific with black, too.
So go take a peek. These stones make wonderful earrings and pendants, and are great for gifts. Try them, you’ll see what I mean!
It’s fun to have sales! Fun for me to reach new customers (and to give an even better deal to my current customers) – and of course it’s fun to buy something you really love and get it at a sale price!
So my deal this week, from today through midnight on Monday, August 7, 2023, is when you buy a pair of sapphire blue glass stones in my shop (or a sapphire blue pendant jewel) you get a second pair for free! All you have to do is make your purchase and then email or convo me (on Etsy) mentioning this blog post, and then let me know what freebie you want.
Buy one pendant? Get a second for free. Buy a pendant and three pairs of earring jewels? Get four freebies. Only while supplies last, but I’ve got a good stash. Such a deal!
It’s always a good idea to keep birthstone colors in mind, for the gifts you want to give or product you want to make. Note I didn’t say “birthstones”, which implies precious gems. Those are wonderful of course, but we don’t all have the budget for them. Birthstone colors, on the other hand, are every bit as appropriate – and we can all do this.
Right now let’s focus on birthdays from November through February. So, your birthstone colors would be:
November – golden topaz
December – blue zircon (teal or turquoise)
January – garnet red
February – amethyst purple
So for your birthday girls, or customers that are requesting birthstones – you know you can make their special jewelry. Don’t spend a fortune – make lovely DIY jewelry that doesn’t cost a lot. You’ll love it – and so will they!
I just wanted to show off a few of the vivid, bright glass jewels I’ve got in my jewelry supplies shop right now. Vivid sapphire blue, golden topaz, emerald green, and ruby red – these are the classic primary colors that are so hot right now!
These are new glass gems, vintage style (classic faceted cuts) but not vintage. The bright colors are great year round – and have enough presence to use “as is” for earrings and pendants, with no need to add fussy details. They’re great for earrings, pendants, and of course glass connectors since each is available in two-ring connector styles as well as classic one-loop prong settings.
Of course if you want to fuss, that’s good too! Add the details to make your DIY jewelry special and individual and your design. You’ll love it!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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