These sterling silver earrings with pearls are the best! I know, they don't like like sterling silver right?? That's because I oxidized the silver using a multi-step process that causes the silver to turn black (or kind of a very dark charcoal color). There is just something about that black with the creaminess of the freshwater pearl that I love!

It's a process, taking photos of my jnew jewelry. First the right camera (the phone is great for some things, like this candid shot, but for great photos, I had to get a new camera. I love this one but, you know, yes, there was definitely a learning curve! Not to mention the remote shutter release to get rid of that pesky shake that inevitably happens when I push the shutter release button on the camera itself. Finally got everything working yesterday and took the photo below -happy with it!! 

Those jewelry pieces will be on the website in February...or maybe before. Sign up for my email list so that you never miss new jewelry on the website! 

I have been having a lot of fun lately making mixed metal jewelry. When I first started making jewelry, I sometimes made silver and copper jewelry but lately I have stopped using much copper, except for special orders. Now, I mostly use a combination of gold and silver or, very recently, rose gold and silver, which is a LOT of fun. 

Someone at a recent show mentioned to me that rose gold jewelry (sometimes called pink gold) is kind of old fashioned - it was first used in Russia in the Faberge eggs. It became really popular in the 1920's here in the U.S. in all sorts of jewelry but was especially used in engagement rings. 

I'm having a good time using this metal now and I'll be using more of it, especially in some larger statement jewelry pieces. 

The chain bracelet above is currently available on my website and you can click here to check it out. 

If you want to be the first to know when the larger, "pink gold" jewelry hits the online store, go here to sign up for my email list!

The birthstone for June is the on so  popular and elegant pearl! Pearls are likely to be one of your best friends in your jewelry box. These are unique earrings because they combine the warmth of copper with the warmth of freshwater pearls, a perfect pairing!

​These are some of the most popular dangle earrings of all time for my shop. Everyone loves sterling silver, so that is part of the charm but I think the rest of the story is in the "flexibility" of these silver earrings - they move with you and are just so much fun to wear because of that! 

These earrings would make a great gift for mom (a Mother's Day gift) - you can choose silver, silver and gold or silver and copper.

Scroll down to see these dangle earrings in a sweet combination of sterling silver and gold filled!

Gold filled and sterling silver spiral earrings are back in stock! Lightly hammered to catch the light, these are favorites for any time of the day or night.

Click HERE if you want to discover more about the historical meaning of the spiral!

Copper in its natural state has a bright, metallic luster with a reddish-orange color. Over time, a "patina" develops that many people find desirable. At this point, the copper coating resembles the color of an old copper-plated penny. 

In most climates, it is not feasible to "coat" the copper to prevent the patina from developing. The coating may become sticky or the patina may develop under the applied coating. 

A simple mixture of household vinegar and a tablespoon of table salt, followed with polishing with a polishing cloth, will clean the copper. The patina will soon return so this will be an ongoing process. Something to think about if you love copper jewelry.

Lots of movement in these daisy drop earrings in sterling silver, sterling & copper or sterling and gold-filled. I love them in all combinations for pairing with different outfits for every day of the week. How about you? 

I have been making these earrings for awhile in sterling silver, gold and black. I decided to feature them today because I have plans in the new year to design a new collection around this idea, to include bracelets, necklaces and more earrings. So stay tuned and look for more to come! 

Thought maybe this month would be a good time to post some jewelry from one of my newer collections - La Luna! 

Copper is such a great warm metal for fall and winter and pearl jewelry is always classic. The combination of silver and copper provide just a touch of the mixed metal look that is so versatile & popular. Put it on & go - what could be simpler than that?

Happy first day of fall!

In Step 1, we talked about managing all that jewelry you have as part of your overall plan to simplify your life.  Don't we all need to think about simplifying our lives?  I know my life could sure use a touch of simplification!  We talked about sorting your jewelry info four categories:  jewelry you love (for whatever reason), jewelry pieces that are your "staple" items (that you wear over & over), jewelry you no longer love and, finally, jewelry that you never loved (& still don't).  

In this post, we will talk about what to do with those four piles of jewelry that you now have on hand - or, maybe more correctly, how to think about the jewelry which will lead you to think about what you want to do about it. 

So, it's probably evident by now that jewelry categories 1 and 2 are your "keepers". We will look at those again later but for now, let's focus on categories 3 & 4.  

#3:  Jewelry you once loved but don't love anymore.  You might think about this jewelry as simply something that needs a new home.  Sure, you don't love it anymore, but someone else might so it's time to release it into the universe and give someone else a chance to love it.  So, you might decide to donate to a charity the pieces that have little monetary value.  But what about the pieces that were expensive and include precious metals and semi-precious stones?  In that case, do you have a niece, granddaughter or dear friend who might cherish a gift of one or more pieces of this jewelry?  What is no longer "right" for you, might be a wonderful gift for someone you love.  You could also consider donating a piece or two to one of your favorite charities for their fundraising auction.

Now let's look at #4 - Jewelry that you never loved and still don't.  Well, if you didn't love this jewelry when you got it and still don't, what are the chances that you will suddenly "love" it?  Pretty slim, right?  So, do the right thing and pass this jewelry along so that someone else can love it and wear it.  There are many charities that take donations of all sorts of accessories and clothing.  Take your pick, gift them your jewelry!  It's a win-win.

Bye for now!  Next time, let's take a look at your "keeper" jewelry with an eye toward building a perfect "jewelry wardrobe"!