Summer 2013 - Colour and Fun

Now that I have a second little one to look after, I gotta say that my passion for jewelry design keeps me sane!  It's a little trickier finding the time to pump out any number of pieces, but it's still a cherished activity.  I am just so thankful that I have something to be truly passionate about.  I wish that everyone could find their passions in life and have the freedom to pursue them. 

Anyway... I've been working on summer pieces since, well, it's summer!!  Colour is super hot right now, in just about any combination.  Emerald green is, of course, the Pantone colour of the year, but even neon is back with a vengeance!  Accessories are a great way to experiment with colour without too much commitment. It may be a little less comfortable for you to wear that hot pink blouse than it is to wear the hot pink bracelet.  Try adding splashes of colour to your wardrobe, starting with your jewelry and accessories.  Here's some of the pieces I've been working on for the season! 

Multi-Strand Green, Yellow and White Bracelet

Multi-Strand Orange, Pink and Red Bracelet

Chunky Green and Gold Chain Link Necklace

Summer Siesta Earrings



Red, Pink and Orange with Gold Chain Link Necklace

 

 



Wild Side

Last year, I was introduced to the work of Dandi Maestra, a Canadian Jewelry Designer who uses natural elements to create her amazingly over-the-top pieces.  She's pushed the limits and isn't afraid to create wild, couture jewelry.  Her pieces are found in fashion magazines and runways all over.  She's inspiring and amazing.

I think I'm mesmerized by Dandi's work because she isn't afraid to step outside the comfortable to create something unconventional and, well, HUGE!  She's daring.  She's creative beyond the realm of normal creativity (in my opinion) and she's almost revolutionary.  I've never seen work like hers before.  This is what I aspire to.  Like most artists, we want to create something never seen or done before and have our audience love it.  This may be a tall order but it's what keeps me motivated and inspired. 

I was introduced to her work because a visitor of the Shakespeare Artisan Market found my pieces and was reminded of Dandi's work.  I do use some similar materials, including the horn rings and exotic wood.  However, Dandi's creative genius far exceeds mine.  This is something I'll continue to work on as I evolve in my art.  Below are a couple of pieces I created that are a little more daring, perhaps, but still totally wearable.

Wood, Bone and Glass Bracelet

Czech Glass Rings in Black and Clear Necklace

Spring Flowers

This May long weekend, my husband and I did some planting and a whole lot of weed-pulling.  I detest pulling weeds.  The only thing that remotely makes it worthwhile is to see my beautiful flowers blooming.  Still, maintenance-free gardening is the way to go!  I was inspired to create this whimsical piece using lucite flowers and leaves.  It's fun and totally girly.  I think, given the amazing weather we've had, it's the perfect accessory for the season!

What the Shell?!

Most of you who are familiar with my work know that I'm a big fan of natural materials - shell being one of my most favourite.  Shell is super versatile, as it comes in a tonne of colours and shapes.  I love the bright, albeit dyed, tones of mussel shell.  You can find these coin-shaped shells in just about every colour.  The bright hues remind me of a breezy day at the beach, frolicking in the sand... 

Anyway, below is a necklace created with mussel shell, glass pearls, faceted glass beads, and rose quartz.  The bracelet is just one chunky pop of colour - I think of mermaids when I look at it!  These pieces can all be purchased at Cynthia Weber Interiors.

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. 

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.

Sparkling Spring

Soft, pretty, pastel colours are totally in for spring.  I just ordered myself the cutest ivory, Sea-Scalloped Blouse from FrockStock (www.frock-stock.com) and I can't wait to throw it on!  In keeping with the same trend, I created this light, airy, pale blue necklace to compliment a spring wardrobe.  (I also made earrings to match, which are not pictured.) 

What's your favourite Spring trend this year?  I've seen a lot of mint green and pastels out there.  I've also seen some floral-printed pants (which I'm personally not a fan of). I  think I could probably do the coloured skinnies, but floral pants are out of the question.  My favourite finds are in pale blue colours and shades of peach or coral.  I'm a girl's girl and frankly, I'm down with anything that's sparkly and pretty.  Bring on the warm weather!

Spring Fling by carrie-erb-schultz featuring cat eye sunglasses

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! 

My Old Bracelet

I got this old bracelet at a craft show one time.  The bracelet was just a simple elastic, strung with aqua coloured semi-precious stones.  I liked the bracelet for its simplicity and the colour of the stones.  However, it sat in my drawer for quite a while, barely being worn.  I decided to take the beautiful beads from the bracelet and create something new.  I decided on a necklace - sort of a French vintage feel.  Below is what I came up with:

The only problem was that I still wasn't happy!  I felt unsure about the three strands so I changed it again:

K.  I think I'm happy now.  

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.