New Items!

Matching 18 inch peacock baroque freshwater pearl necklace set and 8" bracelet. Hand-knotted by me on a double strand of black silk thread. Beautiful iridescence!

Peacock pearl bracelet

Peacock pearl necklace set

 

I have used the same style clasp on both the necklace and bracelet so that you can link them together to make a long necklace if you choose.

NEW item!

This is one of those pieces you will wear again and again.

BLACK PEARL and sterling chain necklace

TODAY'S SPECIAL

Picture jasper circle necklace set

Normally $28. This week $19.

NEW item!

Black teardrop pearl necklace set

I also have these in white!

TODAY'S SPECIAL

Carnelian Dragon necklace set with African turquoise and jade

Normally $52. This week $38.

New Designs in Copper

The price of gold has hit an all time high this week and silver isn't far behind. Thankfully, copper is a great, affordable alternative. The manufacturers of jewelry components are realizing that designers need more options in copper and brass and are coming out with more gauges of wire, sizes of beads, charms and other findings for us to use.

I'm designing a new line of copper jewelry. Most pieces haven't been photographed yet, but I took a couple of quick snapshots of a few pieces to show you the coming attractions. There are many more.


Because copper wire is fairly inexpensive, I am able to play with and "waste" pieces trying new designs. I think you'll find my new copper designs to be more playful and casual. I've been using copper wire to hand-craft my own jump rings and to try new creative designs in ear wires and teardrop shaped hoops.

Copper is a beautiful metal that looks good on everyone. It has cool rosy undertones and a warm glow that will really spice up your autumn wardrobe and take you right into the winter holidays with its brightness.

And, yes, if you wear a piece for a long time it will oxidize and turn your skin where it touches harmlessly green, but that will wash right off. Copper develops a beautiful patina over time. Copper has been worn for many centuries because of its reputed healing properties especially in the case of arthritis and joint pain. Current studies do show that it has some small effect as an antioxidant, but wear it for it's beauty.

TODAY'S SPECIAL

Teardrop pearl necklace set

Normally $39. This week $32.

Find it in my on-line store or my Etsy.com shop

Very large, lustrous, white freshwater teardrop pearls. I often take this set along when I travel as I can wear it with almost everything.

TODAY'S SPECIAL

Was $88. This week only $73.

POPPIES cloisonne necklace set

Earrings are INCLUDED. Find it in my Etsy.com store.

Generous 22 inches in length necklace with a large 38x65mm handcrafted cloisonne pendant from China which features a beautiful poppy flower design in rich orange, gold, green and turquoise colors. Pendant section can be removed from the necklace for a totally different look. Strands include keishi pearls, candy jade and crystals.

What is the fashionable dress form wearing this autumn?

Well, not much as it turns out . . .

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a new dress form, which I named Esme, to use for modeling necklaces in order to show scale more accurately. I had a poll on my blog for people to vote on how she should be dressed and what type of backdrop to use.

Most people voted for a plainish, dark backdrop and for Esme to remain unclothed for the most part. Yes, shocking, I know, but people felt clothing or draping her was too distracting. Thanks so much to all who voted. I really appreciate it!

Here are my first post-poll photos. I need more lights and a better camera I think. I'm still getting used to photographing Esme, but she's very patient.

Poppies cloisonne triple strand necklace set

This shows my set-up. I had this tonal, brown, colorwash, leaf-print fabric that seems to work well with other backdrops I use. I covered a sheet of foam core with it and hung it as a backdrop.

Multi gemstone and brass necklace

Dragon and phoenix necklace set

I needed some contrast behind the pendant on this necklace so I pinned on this brocade, but the color is too close to the color of the backdrop. I'll use something else next time.

Autumn black agate triple strand necklace set

This one seems too plain. I think I'll have to re-take it with some clothing. Unfortunately, I'm a size 6/8 and Esme is a size 8/10. Most of my clothes don't fit her very well. But, since the average dress size for women in the U.S. is 14 I thought I shouldn't get a dress form that was too skinny.

I'd love to hear your input. Leave me a comment!

Thanks, Sue

$39 necklace and earring sets EVERY DAY

When I lived in Asia and discovered how great the quality of freshwater pearls had become over decades of improvements in culturing them, how reasonable the price had become AND how absolutely exquiste they look against the skin, I wanted to bring that knowledge to others.

Freshwater pearls now come in many shapes, sizes and colors and are very affordable. Women can now own real pearls for same price as fake pearls cost twenty years ago and the quality is actually similar to pearls found in the crown jewels of kings and queens in centuries past! Really, don't get me started . . .

I try to keep a few pearl sets in stock at just $39 each. Above: 5-6mm peach colored freshwater button pearls professinally hand-knotted between each pearl by me on a double strand of silk thread. For extra durability, I cover the silk at the clasp with a tiny coil of metal wire (French wire) to keep the silk from rubbing against the metal of the clasp. Button pearls are often flat on one side or both and therefore give a nice full or lush look to a necklace. This peach color looks incredible on someone with warm peachy skin tones!

When I was traveling in China I purchased a set similar to the one above for myself and everyone kept asking me for it. I was able to get these large teardrop shaped pendants and earrings sets that are very high quality white freshwater pearls in sterling silver settings with a quality sterling chain and bring them to you for only $39. This is the perfect set to take along with you when you travel. It goes with everything!

This natural pink colored freshwater button pearl set is the same as the peach colored set above except for the fact that it looks wonderful on any woman of any skin tone. The natural pink is a warm pink with mauve irridescence and therefore flatters both warm and cool skin tones with it's depth of color. These sets have the added advantage of coming with a very handy, and pretty, magnetic clasp so they are even great for women who have trouble with tiny clasps.

I stock these in both my on-line store and my Etsy shop.

TODAY'S SPECIAL

$5 off the graduated gemstone necklace set of your choice

These are very popular as the graduated gemstone beads are graceful while still showing off the characteristics of the gemstone. They are a generous 17 inches in length to fit most women.  I make this design in a wide variety of gemstone types.

Use discount code NECKLACE5 at checkout in my on-line store.

In my Etsy.com store receive a refund of $5 off your PayPal.

TODAY'S SPECIAL

50% Off

Black and Red necklace set

Was $25.00.  This week $12.50.

Pearl & red coral necklace set

TODAY'S SPECIAL

pearl & red coral necklace set

I'm starting a new feature on my website and blog called TODAY'S SPECIAL.  My goal is to change this every Tuesday or more often if the item sells.  Keep checking in for great deals.

My first featured item, the pearl and red coral necklace set above is $10 off just in time for Valentine's Day.