Julia Roberts Rocks 'Barely There' Bling Trend

Is it me? Or has celebrity jewelry fashion dropped completely off the radar this month? I've been searching high and low for big summertime stars to wow me with their bauble choices at various movie premieres and the like...and well...it just ain't happening.

And then it occurred to me. Maybe (gasp!) less is more?

Take Julia Roberts at her Larry Towne premiere in LA this week. Nevermind the on-trend menswear look (which I find 'safe' and 'snore-worthy') - but take a gander at the jewelry choice. Simple diamond studs and a three-strand emerald wrap necklace by Beladora.com. Easy. Breezy. Beautiful.

Or how about Jenna Elfman at the same event? Just a splash of a  yellow gold drop earring and she's good to go.

And Katie Holmes sported similar 'tiny treasure' style at the LA Film Festival in small pearl earrings and a delicate yellow gold 'S' pendant (for daughter Suri, I suppose). Sweet.

So while we've all been starved for a lower jaw-drop moment since the Cannes Film Festival over a MONTH ago - I have to admit: I'm OK with diamonds on the down-low every once in a while.

Just DON'T make it a habit, Hollywood.

Finding Your Style....

by MaryAnn Carroll

Like many, I started off making jewelry before I began making handmade beads.  My desire to make beads stemmed from my desire to make my jewelry "different" than what I kept seeing over and over again in terms of common gemstones, strands of similar glass beads, etc.  Once I got start creating ceramic beads, I  primarily did just that due to my work schedule as a teacher.  I only made jewelry for gifts.  I have created beads and sold beads for the past 2 1/2 years, became very busy so I hired my son and daughter-in-law to keep me supplied with beads for me to glaze.  I taught them the basics to fit with the my style and then encourage them to evolve into their own style as well. 

Now, my latest endeavor is to find my style when creating jewelry.  Just like the bead making process, I am trying to find out what my style is.  Just like making beads, I went through many experiments regarding what I think "others" might like.  I finally found that what others liked the most were the beads that came the most natural to me.  That's why you will see all kinds of variety with my beads.  Very little planning goes into them when I sit down to glaze.  I just have it all out in front of me a pick up the brush and start going with it.

I'm now doing the same with jewelry.  I'm trying to just find my style.  I've decided that my style is what feels right for me... not what I "think" others will like.  So..... just like beads..... I'm experimenting with what I would like to wear.  I have always (even at 51) been into dressing stylish, but casual.....  Jeans dressed up by wearing shoes rather than sneakers, a nice shirt and, of course, jewelry.  I must admit that I haven't worn a dress is probably 10 years..... well.... maybe one or two times.... That's me.....  and that's where I'm heading with my jewelry.....  by just being me....

Here are a few very recent designs:

So.... What's you style and how did you find it?

Crystal Charm Bracelets

Teal Crystal Charm Bracelet
7" .925 Sterling Silver Heart Link
Engraved Silver DSK Tag!
Crystallized Swarovski
$55

Sapphire Crystal Charm Bracelet
7" .925 Sterling Silver Heart Link
Engraved Silver DSK Tag!
Crystallized Swarovski
$55

Jonquil Yellow Crystal Charm Bracelet
7" .925 Sterling Silver Heart Link
Engraved Silver DSK Tag!
Crystallized Swarovski
$55

AB Crystal Charm Bracelet
7" .925 Sterling Silver Heart Link
Engraved Silver DSK Tag!
Crystallized Swarovski
$55

Blogger Troubles

Anyone else having issues with Blogger? Sometime in May I bacame unable to respond to comments on my blog or edit posts. It just kept bumping me back to the Signin page. Their Help page was useless-it told me to clear my cache, make sure cookies were enabled, blah, blah. That was done and I still couldn't log in. It seems they have been aware of this problem since at least May and haven't bothered to fix it. So I decided to download Firefox. I loved it! I had no trouble with my blog, it was faster, and I had my beloved Google toolbar. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the way the Bookmarks worked. Then Firefox told me I needed to update to the new version. If I had only known. Now I can't even log into my blog, and the new version is not compatible with the Google toolbar. So I'm back to square one, having to open IE to post but not able to comment. So any of you who are commenting on my posts, please know that I do appreciate it and I'm not ignoring your comments.

Week 21-Bronze Viking Knit Necklace

The theme for this week had something to do with red. I've been involved in the campaign to recall Rick Snyder so I'm so far behind I don't remember. :D So this is a bronze single Viking knit necklace. The center decoration is wired to the chain. I pictured it in my head as bigger and blingier but I wasn't about to do it over. The centerpiece is keishi pearls with garnets in the center. The spirals are wired with black spinels that have a nystic coating. I first photographed it leaving the wire bright but later decided to oxidize it. That was a good move because that's when it sold. People seem to like patinas lately.

Jewelry Gift Guide for New Moms

Jewelry is often the go-to gift of choice for those 'BIG LIFE' occasions: weddings, anniversaries, graduations, it's Wednesday... But there is one present-producing event that often gets the shaft when it comes to shiny things: giving birth.

As a new mom myself, I surely appreciated the deluge of diapers and the like. But do you think jewelry-loving new moms like Rachel Zoe should have to settle for nipple cream and a bottle brushes? I think not! And neither should any of you other mommies out there.

So in honor of all that hard labor, ladies, I've collected a few of my favorite gift options for new moms. Just click on the heading or image for buying options and more info.

(A sidenote: #1MOM pendants should be banned from NOT JUST our jewelry boxes, gift givers - but the earth.)

1. Pink and Blue Gemstones:

If this seems a bit 'on the nose' - think again. Gems like the pink sapphire or aquamarine could remind moms of their gurgling bundles of joy - or could also work as just a fun fashion piece.

Birthstone Jewelry:

Always a crowd-pleaser, moms will love to have birthstone gems from the month their babies were born. Especially if it's an April baby (diamonds, anyone?).


Mom/Child:

This traditional jewelry silhouette never goes out of style. And you can find some options with birthstones already in the design.

Charm Bracelets:

What better time to start a charm bracelet, right? You can get baby shoe charms, birthday charms, initial charms - the list is endless. I'm waiting on the epidural needle charm to make mine complete.

Teething Jewelry:

Carrying the benefit of both 'Form' and 'Function', teething jewelry gifts are a fashionable way to get jewelry in a new mom's wardrobe during those grabby first months. And if there's a patent for drool-proof clothing? I'd like to add that to my list too.

So let's get out there and make us some shiny, happy mommies, gift givers. Are there any moms out there who have other jewelry ideas they'd like to add? Weigh in!

it's in the blood.

i was completely blown away when andrea mary marshall sent over these images ( for me to post about over here on hi-fructose) of a series of mixed media pieces featuring frida kahlo.

i have always had a hard time talking / writing about what exactly frida's work means to me and why her and her work holds such a strong stranglehold on psyche. . . . but i find that the potent convergence of physical pain, love & psychic traumas in her work is also rooted in the name i chose for my jewelry.

 blood in visual art is, for me, a visceral ritual and intensely provocative & it runs rampant in frida's work. i like the idea of blood taking on other identities; metaphors for things hidden brought to the surface, a literal letting of inner wounds. coupled with the nurturing aspect of 'milk', the two words become a conjoined pair of visual opposites that share similar natural traits. i like to think my work shares this quality, a confession, a line of jewels as words or wounds or talismans. . . .

xo

Oddly Inspiring

by Patty Lakinsmith

I've been off for a few days celebrating a milestone anniversary on the Northern California coast with dear friends, and took delight in capturing many wonderful moments with my camera.  Here are some crops from those pictures that I thought might provide offbeat inspiration for creative endeavours.

Have a wonderfully creative day!