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. 

Gold's Coming Back!

OK.  Well, maybe it never left.  But for me, it was never there in the first place!  I'm a silver kind of gal (white gold for the wedding bands).  Gold seemed, well... old.  It seemed a little too traditional, like something that my mom was expected to wear.  Silver was for more youthful, hipper folks.  Now, however, I can see the error of my ways!  I have seen the light!  Gold is actually pretty darn cool, especially matte gold mixed with silver elements.  Gold isn't just for old ladies!  It's for everyone - and it's definitely for me.  Here's a piece I created using some sweet little ribbon-like links.

Hair-Brained Idea!

Here's a great way to use those vintage necklaces you may have lying around in your jewelry box.  Or maybe your mother has a few lying around.  Either way, I've found a few great pieces here and there and attached an elastic to create an ultra girly, ultra pretty headband.  Have you found great ways to repurpose old jewelry?  If so, I'd love to see some of your ideas!

 

This hair accessory was made using a really cool pendant that I wasn't sure what to do with.  A necklace design just wasn't coming to mind when I looked at it.  So, I decided it would make a great statement piece in my hair!  Big and bold.

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

Vintage Clip-Ons Get a Makeover

Remember those clip-on earrings from the past?  Some of them are super pretty, so I knew they had to be good for something.  (By the way, do they even make clip-ons anymore?)  They conveniently come in pairs, which is why I thought they'd make great bobbies.  Check them out:

I'm always looking for rhinestones for that extra sparkle. If anyone has any old clip-ons they no longer want or need, just contact me at ladyluxedesigns@yahoo.ca.  I'd love to repurpose them into something special!