Gone Coastal!

Oh, doesn't this necklace make you think of a coastal escape?  I can't think of anything better than sitting next to the ocean and making jewelry!  This piece uses mussel shell, glass, plastic and antique bronze chain.  It would look beautiful under a white collared blouse with it's soft oceanic colours.  This piece is one of my personal favourites.  Hope you enjoy!

Shades of Gray

Is it grey or gray?  I'm never sure.  Anyway, I am sure that shade of gray - whether silver, charcoal or gunmetal - go with almost any wardrobe.  Plus it's just plain elegant.  While nothing beats black, gray comes in at a close second. 

Unfortunatley, however, gray can be a little drab.  To spice up my pieces, I included some sparkly rhinestones and unusual beads.  Check out some of my gray collection below.

Delicate Sterling

Beautiful sterling silver...  It costs a lot and looks great, but what the heck is it?  According to About.com, "[p]ure silver is soft, too soft to create durable jewelry, so it's mixed with other metals to enhance performance. One popular silver mixture (an alloy) is known as sterling silver."  Copper is most commonly mixed with silver to create sterling.  Sterling silver stamped with a "925" mark simply means that 92.5% of the metal is pure silver. 

Gold vermeil is sterling silver coated with at least 10 carat gold.  The gold must also be at least 2.5 micrometers thick for it to be considered vermeil, according to Wikipedia.  The pendant below is a cute, tiny, gold vermeil bow (14 carat).  I adore this piece!  It's so girly, yet simple and understated.  I love the gold mixed with the sterling silver chain, as well.  This combination makes the bow component pop and adds some interest. 

The little bird pendant below is also very sweet and understated.  It's 925 sterling silver and absolutely adorable.  Anyone that loves birds would love this pretty little pendant. 

If you're like me, you probably feel naked without something around your neck and in your ears!  Simple pieces, like these, add just a touch of elegance to your look, without being too overbearing. 

Spiked

What's seems to be really in right now are chains and a rocker vibe.  These tiny "spike" beads made me think "dog collar gone girly".  I thought of creating some kind of choker, but the bracelet is what transpired.  Oh, and I made earrings to match.  I have a question for all of you ladies (or men), though.  Do you like jewelry sets?  You know, the necklace with the matching earrings or bracelet?  Or, do you like buying individual pieces?  I'm seriously really curious, so please don't hesitate to leave me some feedback.  I've always sort of done individual pieces, but I know some women dig the sets.  Let me know your thoughts.  I'd love to hear them!

Below are the matching earrings!

Rhinestones Are a Girl's Best Friend

How much do I love rhinestones?!  They are so girly and glitzy, and they're the next best thing to diamonds! I've been inspired lately, by a coworker, who regularly sports some beautiful jewelry with these sparkly stones.  I've also been inspired by my usual vintage jewelry and all the rhinestones found in brooches and clip-ons.  This world needs a little more bling!  I created this long, dainty rhinestone necklace and added some pearls to make it ultra girly.  This piece would be great with a white or cream collared blouse.  The design is simple so the jewels speak for themselves.  Hope you like it!

Ahoy, Sailor!

What the heck does that mean, anyway?  Ahoy?  A-huh?  I had these white vintage plastic beads forever, and I just couldn't figure out what to do with them.  I started to make a long necklace, but then I changed my mind.  I had these other antique bronze coloured beads that screamed for me to used them as well.  After a bit of playing around, I designed this nautical-inspired 5-strand necklace.  It reminds me of someone wealthy, (obviously not me), setting sail for a weekend getaway to some tropical country...  I totally can't relate, but that's what I think of! 

Heavy Metal

Well... not that heavy!  I conjured these metalicious pieces during a bit of a slump in my creative process.  So, I made a feeble attempt at a steampunk-inspired set of earrings, and a "now" set of chain earrings.  I love the look of mixed metals - the antique bronze with the silver.  I was wishing I would have had some gold chain to throw in there too.  Unfortunately, I've never worked with gold (just a personal preference), so I didn't have any in my supply.  I think I'm going to change that, however.  Gold is cool. 

Metal Rocks! Necklace

Chained Up Earrings

Clockwork Earrings

Swarovski Crystal Earrings