Gold filled bracelet - one design with various color options

I've written before about making the same design in several colors so that people have several options to choose from. So I've decided to take my own advice and made this 14k gold filled bracelet in 4 different colors. I love how by a simple change of color they get a different character.
What's your favorite?

  

The advantages of buying handmade

One of the great things about buying handmade products is that you are buying from a real person that cares! Unlike factories where you are just another buyer, the small business owner will go the extra mile to make you happy. I know I do this for my buyers. That's because I really want them to be happy with the jewelry they buy from me.

A few weeks ago I had a buyer that wanted to give my infinity ring as a gift to someone. Unfortunately she was unable to get the ring size. Problem. So I suggested that I make a change in the ring and make it open and adjustable. Since I make the ring myself from scratch, it was no problem for me to alter it a little. This way she could give it as a gift without the need to know the exact ring size. She was happy and I was happy too that I could offer a solution.

How to store your jewelry - earrings stand



OutStanding Stands



I've been discovering wonderful things on pinterest. One of these things are cool and clever ways to store your jewelry. The ideas I found are both practical and creative, a winning combination in my book. This is the first post, and more will follow as I discover more storage ideas. Feel free to follow me on pinterest.

So this is a simple kitchen grater that was painted and turned into an earrings stand. Isn't it cool and beautiful? I just love it. What do you think?

If you have cool ways to store your jewelry, write or send me pictures and I'd be happy to share and write about it.

Gold initial necklace, personalised pendant, 14k gold filled

I started listing new items after a long brake. This is the first of many more personalized jewelry to come.

Gold initial necklace. A small gold disc personalised by stamping your desired initials on it. The disc is made of 14k gold filled and hangs on a delicate 14k goldfilled chain.

You can order this pendant is silver as well if you prefer.

So how do you feel about personalized jewelry? What would you like to see in my store? I'm working on the collection so now is your chance to influence how this line will look.

Symbols of love to make your valentine gift perfect

Now that the holiday season is behind us, we are on our way to the next special occasion on the calendar - Valentines day!
So how do you find the perfect gift that will express the way you feel? Jewelry has always been a great idea for a gift but to make it even more perfect, you want to get a jewelry item that has a symbolic meaning, that conveys a message from you to the person receiving it.

To do this you have 2 ways to go. Choose something that carries a special meaning to the person you love. If she loves a specific color, shape etc, pick something accordingly. This will say that you know her, know what she likes and  that you pay attention. What more could a women want?

The second way is to choose a jewelry item with a symbolic message of love and commitment.
There are all kinds of symbols that have become popular forms of expressing feelings:

Hearts
The most common and popular form of expressing love and emotions is through a heart shape. The message of this symbol is very simple - "I give you my heart" or "you have my heart in your hand".

Heart ring

Infinity symbol
When you give someone a jewelry piece decorated with an infinity symbol you want to express your endless love and say to them that you will always be there for them. Now that is a nice message to give or receive isn't it?



Infinity bracelet

 Circle
Circles are also considered to be symbols of infinity and love, simply because they have no beginning and no end. They symbolize a unity, a becoming of one. Another perfect message for loved ones.



Gold circle necklace


Roses and flowers
Flowers are always a wonderful gift to get the women you love. And they are also wonderful as inspiration for jewelry items. The best part about roses in jewelry pieces is that they stay forever.

Rose stud earrings

Bows and ribbons
These are actually symbols of gifts but when they are used to inspire a jewelry design, they can also express your love and your wish to give to the one you love.



Gold bow necklace

I know some people don't like celebrating valentine for various reasons but I personally like having a day to stop our everyday running and express our feelings to those we love. (Read more in my last year's post about Valentine). Remember, the gifts are only the way to express your feelings, not the main event. So don't forget to say and show that you care, with or without gifts.


Personalized gift wrapping

I always find that the way a gift is wrapped is a big part of the fun in receiving a gift. Who doesn't like receiving a beautifully wrapped box and wondering what's inside? All my jewelry are always nicely placed in a pretty gift box ready to give as gifts. But with Christmas just around the corner I discovered many Internet sites displaying great ways to personalize and upgrade your gift wrapping so I thought I'd share some of these ideas here.

 1. Photos - printing a photograph of the Recipient of the gift and placing it on the gift is a super cute and easy way to personalize your wrapping.  

Photowrapping

 2. Drawing your own wrapping paper. Instead of using a standard wrapping paper you can use a simple white paper and let the children draw some cute pictures on it. Or you can make your own drawings on brown paper with a silver pen. You can use stencils if you need some help.

  

Children drawing wrap

  

Hand-drawn gift wrap



 3. Another cool way to add color to your wrapping is using yarn to create a rainbow-like look.

Yarn rainbow wrap

4. If you are a bit more artistic you can weave a nice pattern around your package. It takes a little work but it looks awesome.

Weave-like gift wrap

5. Bows and flower are always a nice embellishment and if they are hand made, even better. Here are some cute ideas for bows and flower you can make yourself to add to your gifts. They are made of simple materials like magazines or cupcake paper.    





1. Cupcake paper flowers




3. handmade

flower



2. handmade

ribbon





I have found all these wonderful ideas while browsing around Pinterest. Feel free to check out my cool gift wrapping board there for more ideas.



Top 5

I was looking at my statistics for the month of November and noticed an interesting fact. It seems all the top 5 items that were most popular in my store this month, were rings! No earrings, necklaces, bangles, just rings. So thought I'd share with you what my top 5 popular jewelry items were:

5. Bubble ring.

4. Black rose ring

3. Square opal ring

2. Set of 3 hammered gold-filled rings

1. Branch ring

Wonder which items will be most popular next month.