happy new year!

xoox

Cocktail Rings - Bling in the New Year!

Remember when cocktail rings were only worn by the likes of a caftan-wafting Mrs. Roper on Three’s Company or your wacky Aunt Florence from Miami Beach? Thankfully, those days are long gone, and the jewelry statement has made a major comeback.

Celebs from Angelina Jolie to fashion icon Cate Blanchett wear them with pride on the red carpet, and we've seen them all over the runway this year from Versace's bold gold looks to Marc Jacobs's bohemian-chic stylings.

Cocktail rings emerged in the roaring 20s during Prohibition at illegal, booze-filled ‘cocktail’ parties. Women went big with fashion statements at these underground soirees, flashing their oversized, colorful baubles for all to see. Cocktail rings continued to be popular in the 1940’s and 1950’s but soon became a fixture in Aunt Ida’s cobwebbed jewelry box until recently.

The fashionable baubles generally have an oversized center stone of 3 carats or more and are typically worn on the right hand (any finger will do). They come in two gemstone categories: higher-priced precious stones (rubies, emeralds, sapphires) or the more affordable semi-precious options like citrine, aquamarine, peridot, etc. They also come in a variety of costume options, like this fabulous oversized, recession-friendly star ring from Nicole Ritchie’s House of Harlow jewelry line for only $38 bucks.

Because of their affordable price points and wide style range, cocktail rings are the perfect alternative to a more expensive diamond piece. The bigger and bolder the better. And since the economy will most likely have us wearing that little black dress more often this year, a cocktail ring is the perfect way to take things up a notch.

Jewelry.com features a great selection of cocktail rings in all shades of the rainbow:

This amethyst flower ring covers both the purple and flower-shape trend for 2009.










Blue and white topaz bring in the New Year for only $99









And this psychedelic mystic topaz ring from JCPenney is almost $300 off the original price.










Champagne in one hand and a big old rock on the other - -seems the perfect way to ‘ring’ in the New Year, don’t you think?

Building A Basic Jewelry Wardrobe

Whether you're accessorizing for work or play, having the right jewelry can go a long way in helping you project an image of confidence and individual style. But how do you develop that style when you're building your jewelry wardrobe from scratch?

According to Jewelry.com, developing your own style means "knowing yourself": what you like and dislike. To determine this, ask yourself "What is my ideal?" and "What turns my head?" Decide if that means contemporary or classic jewelry styles; streamlined or detailed; colored stones or white diamonds.

Also, listen to style-related comments from others. What outfits or accessories do people compliment you on? This will give you important clues about the kind of jewelry that looks best on you.

Next, make sure what you've selected fits your personality and lifestyle. For instance, if you spend a lot of time doing activities outdoors, consider simple earrings that won't dangle too far and get in the way. Comfort is a must. If something is either physically or psychologically uncomfortable to wear, you'll have trouble projecting the kind of confidence and competence integral to developing a personal style.

As for the jewelry itself, stick with the basics in the beginning. The rule of thumb is to always buy the best-quality basics you can afford, so you can add matching pieces later. In gold jewelry, such basics should include a gold chain necklace, classic hoop or button earrings, and a link bracelet. Additions could include slide-on pendants or drops to create different looks with your necklace and earrings. In diamond jewelry, classic stud earrings or a solitaire pendant should be among your first purchases.

Experts advise that you begin with classic shapes that look appropriate with a variety of outfits, and then add pieces that offer versatility of wear or a fashion touch, such as different colors or finishes.

And don't overlook the importance of selecting jewelry that suits your body type. For instance, your height and bone structure play a big role in determining the kind of jewelry that looks best on you. A smaller, petite woman would be better served with necklace lengths that fall below the breast but above the waist to elongate her figure. Meanwhile, a tall, thin woman may want to select a choker that cuts the line of the neck and de-emphasizes her height. And a full-figured woman should stay away from jewelry that's too small or delicate.

Equally important to style are face shapes. The four basic are oval, round, rectangular and heart-shaped. If your face is oval, triangular-shaped earrings are especially flattering. A round shape should seek elongated, dangling styles that draw the eyes down, rather than around. For a rectangular face, try jewelry that adds width, camouflaging the length of the face. And for heart-shaped faces, look for earrings that are wider at the bottom, because style can soften a pointed chin look.

And don't forget to consider your hand type if you're purchasing rings. If you're long-fingered, wider bands will look especially good on you. If you're short-fingered, thinner bands and stone shapes such as marquise or pear that elongate the hand would be a good choice.

found via suicideblonde.
colored pencil drawing from brandi milne, based on the best movie ever 'freaks'. i wish wish wish this was mine.
found via sitcky kitten.
camilla engman painting.

when i was in grad school, one of my teachers said that as writers we are also image collectors. it was an epiphany for me and described my life since i was a child. gearing up for a show means a massive influx of images. careful attention is paid to my dream/nightmare images as well as from books and the massive sea of the internet. i recently discovered tumblr.com and am in love. 

xo.

Get Yourself in a Museum

Ever dreamed that your work would end up in a museum and be admired for generations? Well, go ahead and fantasize with the help of http://www.dumpr.net/museumr.php and plan to waste some time playing around on this site.

sci-fi darling.

a necklace! 2 necklaces! circus coins! a gun! a knife!

sci-fi splendor for your neck, ending my little dry spell. in the shop.

Purple Jewelry Reigns for 2009

New Year’s Eve is around the corner, and it’s time to hone in on the jewelry look that’s going to take your fabulous self into the early hours of 2009. It’s a big decision, I know. And while you can certainly never go wrong with diamonds, of course, there is another trend emerging in the fashion world that is worth a jewelry hound’s attention these days. In a word: purple.

Purples in every incarnation – from fuchsia to lavender, violet to plum - lit up the runways this season, and the hue is sure to have staying power well into spring. There is a reason President Elect Obama calls it his favorite stripe on the rainbow.

Purple is a powerful color that has long been associated with royalty and nobility. Color psychologists deem purple the color of good judgment and spiritual fulfillment and claim it also fosters peace of mind.

Will it also foster a rise in my 401k balance? Just asking…

So what jewelry is best to bring out your inner purple princess?

Amethysts are gorgeous gemstones that come in a variety of purple pigments. They have long been a favorite gem of kings and queens - and as an added bonus? They’ve been used throughout history to guard against drunkenness and mental disorders.

Pass the bubbly!


But if your intention is to get a little tipsy on December 31st, perhaps a tanzanite ensemble will add sparkle while you say goodbye to your sobriety.

Although tanzanite is a relative newcomer to the gemstone market, it has made its mark on the jewelry world in a hurry. This rare, exotic gem was first discovered by Portuguese prospector Manuel d'Souza in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania in 1967 in the shadow of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. The gem comes in a variety of purple shades, but most fall in the light purple or lavender color category.

And if these gemstones don’t work for you, there are purple sapphires and purple topaz jewelry styles to make the likes of Prince and the runway rats proud. So get in touch with your purple passion, dazzle hounds, and add the royal color to your jewelry box for 2009.

the seedy/glam life.

glenn barr is awesome. he was my introduction into the pop surrealist genre and therefore a main influence in my work. he seems to have two distinct styles that he can use cohesively in a show, the first being a more 'cartoony' style and the second being more 'realistic' but with a nostalgic feel. most of his work depicts city life, women, mythology and apocalyptic scenarios, as well as the dynamics between men and women. 

Christmas Day Sledding

We all spent the Christmas day at my brother's house near Port Huron and he has a great sledding hill near his house. My sisters wimped out so it ended up being my two younger brothers, two nieces, a nephew and myself. I had a blast. Even though I bruised my tailbone on the toboggan it didn't stop me. I just had to switch to the tube so I could lift my keister off the ground. I would have gone down the hill 10 times if someone would have carried me back up. Thank goodness I've been going to Curves. Then yesterday it was 60 degrees and all the snow melted. Today it's cold with 50 mile an hour wind gusts. Welcome to Michigan.

Video is brothers Brian and Jack, and nephew Simon. It was the first time I ever used the movie mode on my camera and didn't know how to turn it off. LOL It's a Canon Powershot A580 and I was really impressed with the quality of the video. And it even has sound.

My First Tutorial

Yay! I just finished my first tutorial, my first for sale, that is. I remembered why I detest MS Word. I used the template from Jewelrylessons.com which made it easier but I still had some major battles with Word. I got it all fixed with the exception of the extra set of page numbers that I can't figure out how to get rid of. Other than that, it looks good. I'll be submitting it to Jewelrylessons.com for publication but I'll also have it up in Artfire and Etsy. Maybe Eni can figure out how to get rid of those darn page numbers.

Dolce & Gabbana Make Diamonds & Pearls

Prince isn’t the only icon to sing the praises of Diamonds and Pearls, now the famous fashion duo, Dolce & Gabbana, are getting in on the act.

To celebrate over two decades of their successful partnership, the tony twosome is launching a new book appropriately titled, Diamonds & Pearls, which Domenico Dolce describes as “an invitation to the public into our own personal world: one of luxury, intense pleasure and seduction, but also a dreamlike world featuring grotesque and ambiguous situations that verge on the paradoxical”.

Fashion designers love their paradoxical adjectives, don’t they just?

The book is a collaboration with the Austrian photographer Guenter Parth, whom they chose because he specializes in still-life images. The fashion that graces the pages was personally selected by D & G to highlight jewelry of all kinds – from gemstones to diamonds, gold leaves to pearls.

And in a bizarre turn, the clothes are not worn by models but by what the pair call three “real dolls”, or lifelike mannequins made to bear a striking resemblance to real women and built following specifications for their “ideal woman”.

“The three dolls symbolize the perfect woman: we deliberately chose not to take any top model as an aesthetic reference when we made them,” Gabbana explains to The National Newspaper.

I’m not sure that their ultimate muse, Madonna, would approve of replacing flesh and blood with mannequins that are three hairs shy of a blow-up doll in couture, but I suppose anything goes in the name of art.

The book retails for $270 and is available in select D & G boutiques worldwide. All proceeds benefit children's charity, Butterfly Onlus Foundation.

now that xxx mas is over....i've been seriously gearing up for my show over at Topstitch in Feb. an inspirational photo.... i love painting women. sometimes i consider painting men but i can't seem to get there yet. photo found at this lovely LJ community.

My Helpers

These are two of my five little helpers, Mickey and Panda. They can always be counted on to wake up and help me look under the table when I drop a bead or a piece of wire. If they find it first, it usually ends up under the bed. I keep a flashlight on the bedside table just for that purpose.

Tom Brady Pops the Question

Sidelined QB and all-around hottie, Tom Brady, gave his uber-model girlfriend, Gisele Bundschen, the ultimate Christmas gift this year: a diamond engagement ring. And the lucky lady said ‘yes’!

Well, duh.

According to the pillar of journalistic integrity, TMZ, the Patriots’ fearless leader proposed on a private jet that took off from New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport and landed in Boston. Four dozen roses, champagne and Gisele’s parents were on board to set the mood. (The mile high club membership will obviously be dealyed until the honeymoon…)

Brady and Bundschen have been dating since late 2006, following her split with actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Brady’s highly publicized breakup with former girlfriend Bridget Moynahan, with whom he also has a son.

Rumors of an engagement between the two have been circulating since late October, when it was reported that Brady was spotted in Beverly Hills looking at a five carat, yellow diamond engagement ring. However, according to the Boston Herald, Gisele said that she would rather have an “antique-looking and understated” ring.

And the final verdict? No photos have surfaced yet of the rock that took the richest supermodel off the market, but you can bet I’ll be on the look out.

And as for the groom-to-be, he’s apparently taken a new job as ‘Gisele’s errand boy’ while he’s sidelined with an injury until next season. If this football thing doesn’t work out, maybe he has a future in wedding planning?

untying the strings that cage you in.....

i first stumbled on this lovely and gloomy image by artist tilman faelker over at my love for you is a stampede of horses blog. (which is a really love blog, i dig the writer's style and taste......) but upon further investigation, i found it's currently part of a give- a- way over here. hurry.

p.s. how rad is it that part of his last name has 'fae' in it? ? ?

Dead Artists Might Have Made Jewelry

It would be awesome to be able to see, purchase, wear, and discuss jewelry made by some of the world’s great artists, who never actually made any jewelry.

Our point of view is that their particular artistic creativity might actually have translated quite well into pieces of wearable art.

For instance, wouldn’t it be interesting to see what kind of necklace Louise Nevelson might have created? Once described as, ‘one of the most important American sculptors of the mid-20th century,’ we imagine that with her large, chunky sculptures and monumental installations, it would seem that her jewelry might have appeared just as chunky and monolithic. She wasn’t intimidated by new ideas and creativity in sculpture, so our feeling is that she wouldn’t have held back in her jewelry design, either.

How about someone like, Georgia O’Keefe. How would jewelry that she might have designed actually translate into fashion? With her eye for color and texture, her artwork was fairly commercial in her lifetime. It’s quite likely that her jewelry might actually have become extremely commercial, also.

Again, what if someone like Lenore Tawney, using her weaving skills, and her eye for texture and substance, had been inspired to create fiber-based necklaces? A woman who achieved greatness in the weaving discipline, beginning her career at age fifty, and living to the age of 100, Tawney helped create the fiber art medium, as we know it today. We imagine those pieces would definitely have found homes in some of the museums of the world. And a lot of celebrities probably would be diehard fans of her jewelry, too.

Another icon of the art world, Eva Hesse, produced for so short a period of time, that who knows, maybe she may have actually been led to the field of jewelry had she had enough time. With a career spanning only ten years, we feel she had the most possibilities in pursuing a new field.

Who knows what these masters of their genre might have produced had they shifted their focus for awhile and tried their hand at a new field of endeavor.

We, Shelby and Carmela, would love to have seen their work. How about you?

Do you feel, as we do, that once one expresses creativity in one medium, that there is a strong possiblity that one may actually translate that creative spark to another?

Who would you like to have seen produce jewelry who did not actually make jewelry in their lifetime?

Happy Holidays Jewelry Hounds!

Just a quick note to let all you glamorous glitter hounds out there know that I'll be signing off here until the 26th for a little holiday cheer. I hope you all find lots of little boxes with your name on them this year!

I've sent out all the subliminal messages over the blogosphere I could on your behalf...Fingers crossed.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

(giveherjewelryyougiftgivingstudshinythingsnotsocksets
diamondsdoitbetterbirthstonesnotbathrobes...)

found.

merry christmas.

xoxo

oh chloe.....

big love seriously creeps me out but i can't help from being dazzled by chloe sevigny.

college!

 our heartthrob president.

resolutions for 2009

found.

i need a job that won't make me miserable or make me give up making things. 

winter nights in supernatural splendor.

found.

reading in bed at the end of cold, bleak days before sleeping.......

and always with sookie stackhouse. i'm very sad to be nearly at the end of the books in current existence & waiting till summer for TB to resume is equally as depressing.

Diamond Engagement Rings: A History

Ever wondered how the diamond engagement ring became the superstar of the jewelry world? The Jewelry Insider offers a brief history for your reading pleasure.

'Tis the season to pop that fateful question fellas...

Diamond Engagement Rings: A History

Because of their beauty, strength and durability, diamonds for centuries have symbolized the eternal love of two people that have pledged to join together in marriage.

The actual tradition of giving a diamond engagement ring as a promise of marriage is thought to have started in 1477, when Archduke Maximillian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring. This practice became a trend among royalty and the wealthy, and the rest of the world's upper classes began to embrace it over the next few centuries.

But giving a diamond engagement ring as a symbol of betrothal really started to become an established, widespread tradition once the gems became more accessible and affordable to the public. And that all started in 1870 with the discovery of diamond mines in South Africa. These new sources flooded the market and led to the creation of the De Beers conglomerate to control the worldwide diamond supply. During these early decades of the De Beers dynasty, diamond sales flourished in Europe, the United States and other key world markets.

By the late 1930s, however, the United States and much of Europe was in the wake of the Depression, and Europe was bracing for the start of World War II - and demand for diamonds had plummeted to an all-time low. Thus, De Beers diamond mogul Sir Ernest Oppenheimer sent his son Harry to New York to meet with the N.W Ayer advertising agency. The plan was to transform America's taste for small, low-quality stones into a true luxury market that would absorb the excess production of higher-quality gems no longer selling in Europe. The result of Ayer and young Oppenheimer's efforts was a campaign - led by the enduring "A Diamond is Forever" slogan - that helped turn the United States into the premier market for the world's supply of gem-quality diamonds. The successful campaign also cemented the diamond's status as the engagement ring stone of choice in America.

Here are some other interest historical facts related to the engagement ring:

• The tradition of placing both the engagement ring and wedding band on the fourth finger of the left hand stems from a Greek belief that a certain vein in that finger, the vena amoris, runs directly to the heart.
• In the Middle Ages, men often kept a betrothal ring suspended from the band of their hats, ready to give to their chosen maid.
• Posy rings, which were inscribed with love poems and messages, were popular betrothal rings from the Middle Ages until Victorian times.
• A popular engagement ring style during the Renaissance was called the "Gimmel," or twin, ring. The ring was typically made of two (or three) interlocking rings: one worn by the bride-to-be, and another by the groom-to-be (and sometimes a third worn by a witness). All three parts were reunited into one to become the wedding ring on the day of marriage. Martin Luther and Catherine Bora were wed with an inscribed gimmel ring in 1525.
• The smallest engagement ring on record was given to two-year-old Prince Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, on the event of her betrothal to the infant Dauphin of France, son of King Francis I, in 1518. Mary's tiny gold ring was set with a diamond.
• A diamond cluster ring in the shape of a long pointed oval was popular as an engagement ring during the time of Louis XVI (1754-1793), and remained fashionable for 150 years afterward.
• Hearts were popular motifs for engagement and wedding rings during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Such rings often combined rubies (signifying love) and diamonds (signifying eternity).
• Despite the diamond's growing hold on the bridal market, colored stone rings were still quite popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Often, the first letter of the stones within the setting spelled out the name of the giver or a word (for example, "dearest" would be represented by diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, epidote, sapphire and turquoise).
• Queen Victoria's (1819-1901) engagement ring was in the form of a serpent. The snake motif was believed to be a symbol of good luck.
• The Tiffany, or solitaire, setting was introduced in the late nineteenth century.
• The "princess ring," a type of English engagement ring sporting three to five large diamonds in a row across the top, was popular in the United States in the early twentieth century. The three-stone style has enjoyed a major comeback recently.
• In the early part of the twentieth century, platinum was the metal of choice for engagement rings because of its strength and durability in holding a diamond. However, platinum was declared a strategic metal during World War II, and its usage was restricted to military purposes. This led to the rise of both yellow and white gold in bridal jewelry.
• The famous "A Diamond is Forever" campaign established many of today's standards for diamond engagement rings, including the "two months' salary" guideline - which basically says that a prospective groom should plan to spend two months' salary on an engagement ring for his bride-to-be.
  
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