DIY Jewelry Creations - Mommy Bracelet

Those of you who are moms (or grandmothers) probably either have or want a bracelet with your angel's name on it. I have seen many of these, but I could never decide on one.  I almost asked DH for one, but of course I wanted to pick out my own.

I finally decided to make one.  I used all sterling silver and Swarovski beads  The dark sapphire beads are my son's birthstone.  The rest are clear beads.  The materials for the bracelet cost around $35. This is much less than comparable bracelets I have seen for sale, and I was able to make it exactly how I wanted it, and also the size I wanted.  You can see by the size of my wrists that I really am big boned!

 It is very sparkly in real life.  I wish my photography skills could capture it better.

Do you have a mommy bracelet? Have you thought about making one?

Outfit of the Day - Black to Black

I rarely wear all black, but I was feeling under the weather today.  Wearing black makes me think of the Smith's line, "I wear black on the outside 'cause black is how I feel on the inside." Yeah, Morrissey.

So here is the outfit featuring the black lace Casual Corner blouse:

 It was hard to photograph in a bathroom mirror, but this is the black lace blouse under a black denim military jacket from Old Navy.  Gunmetal Coach outlet bag.  Ann Taylor Loft Julie pants and Nine West wedge boots (not pictured).  You can also see my DIY charm necklace.

Do you do all black sometimes?  Have a great day!

DIY Jewelry Creations

I want to share with you now and then jewelry I have made.  I started beading when I couldn't find jewelry in the colors and designs I wanted.  I have a big stash of beads and findings on hand for those moments when the spirit hits me and my son goes to bead early. (So far he has not found the treasure box full of jewels.)  I also keep a file of magazine clippings showing jewelry that inspires me.  Finally, beaded jewelry makes great gifts for teachers and co-workers.

I am a silver person.  I usually use sterling findings, but sterling can be soft and I have lost a few charms that have broken off of a sterling wrapped hairpin.  So if it's something I don't remind replacing I will use base metal findings. I keep my jewelry in ziplock bags and so far nothing has tarnished.

So here is the first installment and my favorite piece:

This is a charm necklace.  I already had the long sterling chain.  I used a larger O ring and onto that I added three charms.  The pearl is for me (June birthday) and the dark sapphire Swarovski bricolette (teardrop)  is for the most wonderful boy in the world (September birthday).  I purchased these beads on ebay.  I made them into a charm using a sterling headpin which I threaded through the hole and twisted into a wrapped loop with a jewelry tool.  The middle charm is the Tree of Life.  In Hebrew it's called Etz Hayyim, and it's an important Jewish symbol.  It represents the chain of life over generations as well as the immediate family tree.  I bought it from a lovely Celtic lady on ebay.  In real life the necklace is really shiny.  The chain is I think 24". It's a bit shorter than most you see on this type of necklace, but I have a big chest, and those longer chains just don't work for me.  That's the beauty of making your own; you can make it to fit you however you want!

Do you make jewelry? Would you like to see more?

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.