Pura Vida!

Believe it or not, I find so many amazing jewelry designers and sites in the back pages of gossip and fashion magazines. Whether it shows the reader where to get the look for less or explains in detail the accessories of the stars, these pages are amazing gateways into the world of jewelry and fashion accessories. 

A perfect example of this are Pura Vida bracelets. I love jewelry that represents something more than just a trend (as you know, I have my Triple B collection) and Pura Vida is no different. These simple bracelets are made from some string, wax, and a small metal charm, and provide jobs for people in Costa Rica. The sales (starting at a reasonable $5.00 per bracelet) go to a great cause. In addition, the company actually has a collection called the Charity Collection, in which each piece represents a specific illness.  Bracelets range from $5.00-$43.00 for the multi-packs.

I first saw the company advertised in a magazine, but not even a week later I saw a tweet from J.Woww (Jenni Farley of Jersey Shore) talking about these handmade bracelets from Costa Rica. Now, about six months later, I have heard of these bracelets on multiple occasions and it has become apparent how influential social media is on a small business.  

The neon colors of these bracelets pop, and some of the color combinations are so unique and beautiful that I want them all. I love the pieces from the platinum collection that have silver balls strung along, and also the solid neon bracelets. This site has also expanded into selling iphone cases, key chains, hair ties, and anklets. Check it out!

XO

Here is the link:

Pura Vida

Triple B: OP

Triple B: OP

When translucence combines with bold colors, the result is intense and clear. Sounds a little like an oxymoron, right? But when this is achieved in jewelry, a breathtaking piece with color popping aspects is always unique and beautiful.

 These translucent handmade glass beads of this bracelet are all from the Unicorne Bead Collection, which was displayed in a trunk show last month at my local bead store. Because each bead is handmade, this piece is a bit more expensive. It fits close to the wrist, somewhat like a thin cuff. This bracelet measures six inches, but as always, I make to order.

This color combination is not extremely common, so I really like the novelty of it, which is all brought together by the two larger beads that contain both colors. Of course, a small silver toggle secures this bracelet, which sells for $55.00 and is currently on display at the Warwick Museum of Art Holiday Sale in Warwick, Rhode Island.

AB and SR Rings

I don't know why, but I am so drawn to rings and bracelets--jewelry that decorates the hands. I am not sure if it because you can wear just one statement piece that carries the show, or if it is the elegance that comes with the territory, but either way I am obsessed. Here are two rings that I submitted to the art sale that are so different and beautiful, I wanted to share with you. The first is the SR ring, and it is honestly my favorite. The rhinestones combined with the deep red of the rose atop the brass color of the face of the ring all work together to create a bohemian/elegant/artsy look--such an oxymoron, but sometimes that makes the best pieces!

SR Ring

The antique look of this ring is so unique, and I love the contrast between the different metals and materials. This ring sells for $14.00.










The second ring I want to show you was also submitted to the sale. The bright cobalt blue of the center rose is the focal point of the ring, and yet the two black roses bring such an elegant balance, all the while contrasting with, again, the brass color of the face and the rhinestones surrounding the flowers. I also love rings that go lengthwise up and down the finger--it is such a different look! This ring sells for $15.00.

AB Ring

AJ Bracelet

Every time I sit down to design a piece of jewelry, I always have some type of blueprint in my mind. Usually it  changes a few times as I am working on the piece, but for the most part the end result is generally how I imagined. So it is so crazy to me when a piece almost takes over and designs itself. I know it sounds strange, but that is exactly what happened with AJ.

This piece is made from six strands of nylon coated flexible wire. I used Czech glass beads, which means each bead has two holes rather than one, so I ended up with three strands total once the piece was done. In my mind, each strand would lie straight, but when I finished, all three were rather intertwined. And I can honestly say I love it so much more this way than the boring way I first imagined it. It has an entirely different look than I initially pictured, and I think it is absolutely elegant and beautiful. This piece sells for $12.00.

AJ

More BA Bracelet

Here are some more angles of the BA Bracelet. Not everyone is a pink person, but it is definitely hard to say no to this bright piece of jewelry--the way the hot pink beads pop when the light hits the iridescent glass beads is beautiful. And I think the glass sea shell beads are adorable. The glass beads (including the shells) are handmade and I bought them at a trunk show recently. Believe it or not, the hot pink beads are from Michael's craft store!

This bracelet is just a fun piece to have to brighten up an outfit, and to bring the warm weather to this winter season. Here are some more angles of BA:

BA Bracelet

WMOA Holiday Art Sale

So tomorrow is the big day--I bring all of my piece down to Rhode Island in preparation for the art sale. I am so excited and I hope you can check it out! The sale goes from November 23rd (Black Friday) through December 22nd. Because I am so excited, I decided to drop some of my prices at the sale, so if you are able to attend, you will notice pieces marked down from the prices listed on my blog.

I am super busy with this sale, so I will be updating pictures of my pieces, but that is about it. I hope you like it :)

XO

CC Necklace

I always say that I do not like making necklaces, and the main reason being that usually while I am working on one piece, my mind is already designing my next one, and the time necessary to make a well-designed necklace does not allow this. However, I have had this design in my head for about a month now and finally got the courage to conquer it. This is my first layered necklace, so I now understand what I need to fix for next time, including the measurements and placement of the beads. However, all negativity aside, I am so proud with how it came out and think the peach colored pearls are the perfect route for this preppy and classic style.The flower pendant brings the diversity of the beads together, while the yellow stone coordinates with the color scheme of the beads perfectly. This piece sells for $55.00.

CC Necklace

Jewelry Party!

So I totally forgot to mention that the jewelry party has actually been postponed to Thursday, December 13th. It is probably obvious that it was not tonight, but I have so much going on with the WMOA Art Sale that I have not had a second to work on anything else. Luckily, everything will be submitted on Saturday to them and then I will have time to work on the pieces for the party :)

XO

JV Necklace

JV Necklace

As you know by now, my sense of style is very unique--I am always looking for ways to make my accessories different and one-of-a-kind. This necklace is representative of this because, as the pendant is the focal point of a necklace, it is normally centered. However, this pendant on this piece actually lies along the left side. The feather is secured on both sides to four strands of nylon coated flexible wire, ensuring durability. This wire is adorned with pearl colored beads and attaches to an oversized toggle clasp. The feather, of course, has rhinestones along the center and contains beautiful brown and golden tones, which contrast with the purity of the white beads. This pieces sells for $27.00.

Evil Inspiration...

I am such a huge fan of the Evil Eye jewelry--bracelets, necklaces, and rings that all signify the age old story of the ability to cause evil upon someone who wishes ill upon you. There are so many variations of this symbol, and I will be posting more on the topic later this week. But while I was shopping at a bead store in Northampton, MA, I found some Evil Eye charms that I needed to include in one of my pieces. Below is my EE bracelet that contains three evil eye charms, sapphire/mint colored drop beads, and twisted tubes. As always, the number three is represented, in this case by the three strands of beads. This piece sells for $17.00. As always, the piece looks different as it is worn, so take my word that this bracelet falls beautifully on the wrist.

EE Bracelet

EARRINGS!

As you may have noticed, much of my attention is drawn to bracelets. However, I recently have ventured off into earrings and I am loving it. I have been buying beautiful vintage silver faces from Simply Beadiful, a bead store in my hometown, and adorning them with Swarovski rhinestones and other decorative pieces. Here is a little collage of the earrings that I will be submitting to the art sale--let me know what you think!

Clockwise from top left: DT Earrings: brown and clear Swarovski rhinestones ($20.00), WW Earrings: clear Swarovski rhinestones and rhinestones from broken vintage brooches ($30.00), AE studs: two small multi-colored stones that are adhered to earring posts and are representative of amber stones ($10.00), and TR Earrings: Silver face adhered with a centered turquoise rose ($10.00). 

ET Bracelet

Inspired by the one and only Elizabeth Taylor, this pieces is so elegant yet trendy. Pearls are a classic and very popular at the moment, and the brown and gold beads contrast beautifully. Fitting close to the wrist, this piece wears like a cuff , though it can be made to size. I would definitely wear this bracelet with a little black dress or simple outfit, allowing the focus to be drawn to the piece.

ET Bracelet

BA Bracelet

BA Bracelet

This bracelet is such a fun piece and is named after the legendary Barbie doll. Between the hot pink and the big seashell beads, it is perfect for a beach day. I realize that winter is approaching, limiting these days at the ocean, but it is perfect for a mid-winter vacation, or to warm up a cold December day!

This pieces includes hand made glass drop beads and glass sea shell shaped beads as well, and sells for $36.00.

Bachic Collection

I know it has been a while, but I have been beyond busy preparing for the holiday art sale that I am featured in. But, since the deadline is in a few days, I am pretty much done so I want to share what I have been working on!

I started a new collection named after my grandmother, Bachic, in which the focal point of each piece (bracelet, necklace, earring, etc.) is a rhinestone covered cross. The KT cross that also featured a few posts back is an example of a Bachic piece. Here are two more that I just finished:

Bachic Collection

It is difficult to see from the picture (of course the pieces look much different worn) but each bracelet contains seven beaded strands of nylon coated flexible wire (49 count) so they are extremely durable

and intricately made. These bracelets really add a lot of edge to an outfit, and can be the necessary accessory to turn an ordinary outfit into a trendy look. Bracelets with the silver cross sell for $28.00, while the gold cross sells for $35.00. 

Below is the KT version of this bracelet in gold, which also sells for $35.00.

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Okay, so a majority tend to not actually make it down the aisle, but when they do, celebrities are sure to do it as lavishly and major as possible--all starting with the ring. I know, I know, marriage is about love and dedicating the rest of your life with someone else. But, as a jewelry fanatic, I think the symbol of the engagement ring says a lot, and like everything else in my life, I like them flashy, unique, and with a lot of sparkle. Sometimes it is difficult to tell which ring was actually the one the couple sealed the deal with, as celebrities often wear or rent rings for events.

As for cuts, my favorite cut is definitely princess, but the quick second is a cushion cut. Here is my list of top five celebrity engagement rings...AKA my wish list :)

5). In last place, but certainly not least, is the ginormous emerald cut diamond that David Beckham gave to then known as Victoria Adams. In this case, bigger is much, much better.

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4). My pick for the number 4 place is solely for the purpose of how unique and amazing this ring is--it is the ring that Josh Duhamel chose to propose to Fergie with. This ring, designed by H. Stern, is 4 carats, is brilliant cut, and worth about 90,000 dollars.

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3). Nicole Richie actually helped Neil Lane design her 4 carat ring, which has a round diamond setting surrounded by smaller diamonds.

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2). NHL player Mike Comrie gave Hilary Duff a gorgeous14 karat princess cut diamond ring that put him back 1 million dollars in 2010. Money well spent, because this ring catches even the smallest ray of light.

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1). My number one pick for celebrity engagement rings goes to...Khloe Kardashian. The 12.5 carat radiant cut ring is worth about $850,000, but I think the combination of her engagement ring with her wedding ring is so elegant, and the size and cut are perfect for her hand. LOVE.
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WMOA 4th Annual Holiday Art Sale

I am beyond excited to announce that my jewelry will be shown at the 4th Annual Warwick Museum of Art's Holiday Art Sale, which runs from November 23rd through December 22nd.

I will definitely keep you up to date on the pieces that I will be showing, and will give you more information as I learn it. Here is the link to WMOA's calendar for the times of the showing:



calendar

So for the next week my time will be dedicated to designing my pieces, but as I said, I will keep my blog updated with my new pieces!

xo

Real Jewelry of Beverly Hills...

Okay, so last night was the season 3 premiere of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and I know so many people turn their heads to reality television, but the Real Housewives Franchise, I must say, I tune in weekly for.

Well, Beverly Hills is back, and besides all of the cattiness and gossip that came out in just the mere hour long first episode, something else caught my eye: this season in particular, the ladies wear GORGEOUS jewelry. I am trying to get some still shots of my favorite pieces, but I am having trouble finding the images on the internet. Taylor Armstrong and Kyle Richards, to be specific, wore amazing pieces in nearly every scene.

In addition, housewife Adrienne Maloof, announced just a week ago through Twitter that she herself actually has a new jewelry line that will be available sometime in the spring. If her jewelry is at all reflective of her shoe line she designs, than these pieces will be sparkly, gold, and absolutely amazing.

Jewelry Party :)

So I am so excited to announce that Thursday, November 15th, I will be debuting all of my jewelry at a party in which people can actually buy my pieces! Because of this, these next two weeks are going to be dedicated to designing new pieces, so I will not have a ton of time to blog.

However, I do want you to also know that I just purchased a photography kit, so all of my future images of my pieces, in addition to all of the ones currently on my blog that will be re-done, will be much more clear, with the focus ONLY on the jewelry. This should be happening within the next week or so.

I hope you all had a great Monday, or at least as great as a Monday can be! Have an amazing week

xo

RP Ring

RP Ring

This fun ring extends nearly 2 1/2" across your fingers and is the perfect statement ring for a night out or as the focal piece worn during the day. It is inexpensive yet durable, and the trend of oversized rings extended over multiple fingers is very popular this season. And it is a total steal at only $12.00 :)

Triple B: PD

Triple B: PD

Here is the newest addition to the Triple B Collection: PD. This bracelet is available only in silver, and I love the dimensions of the two glass beads used that are visible in the second sectioned image to the left. Per usual, this bracelet secures with a toggle clasp, but this piece is different because I actually used two bead caps to begin and end the piece, giving more style to the bracelet. This delicate bracelet is an elegant and unique piece that can be worn for a night out, or to simply dress up a casual outfit for the work day.  This piece sells for $28.00.