Jewellery masterpieces. Pin by Buccellati

Buccellati 18kt YG Cabochon Ruby Clip Pin signed "M. Buccellati" Circa 1963

Paleh jewellery box

This is one of the boxes from my own collection. I got in in Russia. Boxes like this one is made in Paleh, so this is how they are called, Paleh jewelry boxes. They are hand painted, so all of them are unique.

You will never guess how they are made unless you know! They look and feel like hardwood. They are not though. Hardwood could lose its shape over time. They do not want that to happen, of course! They want these boxes to last forever, if possible.

They are made of Papier-mâché! I have found an article on how they are made. It is short, but translated by Google-translation, so reading will be funny :)  You may reed it here.

                                     

Jewellery masterpieces. Hellenic jewellery

A Greek gold and garnet earring with Siren. Hellenic period, circa 4th-3rd century B.C.

My virtual wish list

Have you ever happened to you that you would put something into your wish list and you would get it without doing anything? This exact thing just have happened to me!  I had this rocking horse in my wish list on my Pinterest board. I was going to show it here in this blog, but never came around doing that. It is an absolutely gorgeous vintage horse! 

Rocking horse by PrestigeRockingHorse on Etsy

Just a few days ago my husband walked in (our back yard) holding this horse! I think I looked happier than the baby when I saw it! It is not exactly the horse from my wish list, but we are happy, baby and me. There was no such horse in my childhood and I am glad that my son has it now :)

Monday Jewellery Quote

Amethyst necklace with jellyfish

Sunday Home Decoration Guide

Another wonderful collection of home decor ideas by Anna! I enjoyed every item in it. Hope you will too! 

Please, visit our growing home decoration guide to look closer at all the items.

Bead Day. Embroidery by Kate Boyan

Bead embroidery by Kate Boyan

Sold one-of-a-kind jewellery

This piece has a story that comes with it. Follow the link under the picture to read it.

Copper and silver pendant

Jewellery Masterpieces. Sapphire ring by Palmeiro

Palmiero ring inspired by the underwater world, set with graduated blue sapphires and topped with a foam of bubbling pearls.

Jewellery Masterpieces. Tourmaline fish pin by Helen Ringus

Pink Tourmaline Diamond Gold Fish Pin by Helen Ringus

Giveaway of steampunk amethyst earrings

Enter this giveaway for a chance to win these steampunk earrings made of real lock gears, amethyst and sterling silver.

Open: Worldwide

Ends: 15 / May / 2015

(Enter one more giveaway in my blog!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Inspirational Quote

Sterling silver seahorse pendant with a pink tourmaline

Sunday Interior Design Guide

Summer has come to Vancouver two days ago, hooray! It was really sunny, and warm, and the sky was blue. We spent good time sitting on the grass and looking at rear dandelions. I always wonder how Anna does it... She leaves on another side of the planet from us, but her wonderful home decoration collections often reflect the seasons and weather that we have here! 

I hope your summer is on its way too!

Please, visit our growing home decoration guide to look closer at all the items.

Bead Day. Vietnamese hat

Vietnam - ethnic minorities (by retlaw snellac)

Sold one-of-a-kind jewellery

The Deer necklace is sold on a simple silver chain. Sterling silver and brass.

Jewellery. The bigger the better?

This is just a small fun post with some interesting jewellery :) It origins from the discussion that took place under this blog post. It might sound funny if I write that one is the prettier the bigger and heavier jewellery she wears. However, there were times when this statement made sense. The are places on this planet that it still does!

What do you think about big and heavy jewellery? Is it true that the bigger the better?

Russian headdress, 18th century. The Metropolian museum

Braids, multi-coloured beads and horns made from mud: Stunning photos reveal sculpted hairstyles worn by tribal women of Angola.

Sophia Schliemann wearing the "Jewels of Helen" excavated by her husband, Heinrich Schliemann, in Hisarlik (photograph taken ca. 1874)

Traditional African necklaces

Indian bridal jewellery

Jewellery Masterpieces. Brooch by Marcus & Co

18 Karat Gold, Plique-à-jour Enamel Pendant-Brooch and Chain, Marcus & Co., Circa 1900

Gift tags. Download for free

More surprises from Victoria Antolini who designed a Birthday Party Invitation card that you may download for free from my blog! 

There are six gift tags that you may download for free. There are 12 tags in the page. There is also the back side. Here I have a preview of the both sides. Print it as many times as you wish for your personal use!

If you like Victoria's art, please, support a wonderful project the she is working on. It is called The Real Boat. I've written here about it. 

The project has a Facebook page. If you click the "like" button, you will brighten up your Facebook feed and get to watch the birth of the illustration of a fairy-tale! :) 

Gift tags. Front side preview:

Back side preview:

One more time, here is the link to download it

Virtual Collection of jewellery boxes. Box by Holy Cow

Beautiful Hand Carved Large Reclaimed Wooden Teak Box by HolyCowproducts

The Real Boat app and more

We promised more surprises from Victoria Antolini. Here is one more! 

The little paper boat dreamed of reaching the ocean, even if he didn't know what it looked like. In a fantastic journey, the paper boat meets many friends and not so friendly creatures along the way, but he never gives up! Will he make it out to sea? Join along to find out!

A magical interactive story for all ages about courage, tenacity and the wonders of the sea for phones, tablets, and computers.

Victoria has a message for those who like the project she is working on (I wrote here about it):

DEAR FRIENDS! THE REAL BOAT KICKSTARTER PAGE IS LIVE! http://bit.ly/realboat 

Please pledge, and share this link! Go wild. There are amazing rewards, not only the app itself, and for every budget -- the smallest pledge is only 5 Canadian dollars.

It REALLY matters that the pledges come in today and tomorrow -- momentum is everything for the project success. THANKS!!!!

Jewellery Masterpieces. Necklace by Jean-Etienne Dimanche

JEAN-ETIENNE DIMANCHE born Paris ‘Fir Cone Necklace’ Gilded silver Chalcedony H: 9.2 cm (3.62 in) W: 6.2 cm (2.44 in) Marks: Marked: ‘JD’ French, c.1910

What is a crystal?

The word "crystal" is very confusing in English language. It is used for two very different materials, both of them are sought after in jewellery. It would be a lot less confusing if there were two different words for those two materials, like they are in some languages...

What do we call crystals? First of all, there are crystal stones. Not all stones are crystals. When we say that a stone is a crystal, we mean that it has a crystal structure. A crystal structure is a unique arrangement of atoms in a crystal. A crystal structure is composed of a unit cell, a set of atoms arranged in a particular way; which is periodically repeated in three dimensions on a lattice.

This crystal structure is actually visible in a rough crystal stone, such as diamond, quartz, amethyst or aquamarine (and others). Natural crystals look as if they were cut and polished. However, this is their natural form.

Natural crystal or rock crystal is quartz. This one is probably most confusing term that not everybody knows about...

Rough smokey quartz druzy in a sterling silver pendant (sold)

Rough aquamarine ring

The word crystal is also used for glass. However, not any glass can be called crystal. Most popular crystals are made by Swarovski company if speak of jewellery. Swarovski crystals do not have a crystal structure. Crystal glass is made by a special formula. Many companies make crystal glass. However, the formulas very. Swarovski company is very protective of their special formula.

Swarovski crystals (or any crystals made for jewellery) often look as if they have a crystal structure. This is just a cut though. They are faceted to maximize the sparkle. The shape has nothing to do with internal structure of the material.

Swarovski crystal earrings

What crystals do you prefer: natural or Swarovski? 

Monday Inspirational Quote

Hand engraved "Love" necklace

Sunday Interior Design Guide

This lovely collection of home decoration ideas by Anna reminds me of the soon coming summer, thanks to that mobile that looks like berries and the tomatoes... and the flower looking plate...  I was fine enjoying this wonderful spring, but now I realize I wish it was summer already!

Visit the Guide's interactive page to discover the featured shops and what they offer.

Bead Day. Art installations by Li Qing

Chinese contemporary artist Li Qing creates ornate sculptures through a meticulous method of suspending crystal beads on thread. The choice to display the works as these intricately adorned hanging sculptures was an intentional technique used to represent the duality of existence and "nothingness." 

Sold one-of-a-kind jewellery gallery. Ocean pendant with sugilite

Silver pendant with sugilite

Cool gift ideas for Mom

Mother's Day is coming and I asked myself: "What cool gifts can I find?" 

Usually we know what to give her... but what if we wanted to surprise her?

I love this idea. What do you think?

101 Messages In A Bottle by BottigliaAmore

A cup is always a good idea, especially a cool one!

Gold Mug - I'm not like a regular mom, I'm a cool mom by foxandcloverboutiqu
Mum mug by personalisedmugs4u

This candle is just too cute:

Small Sculptural Natural Wax Candle by mahoganybludesign

Do you know women who do not like teapots? :) Not many!

Custom Stick Man Teapot by BlossomingWorksh

Antique Paragon pink rose tea cup by ShoponSherman

This is one forked up art!

Pickle Fork Birdie- Set of 6 by ForkedUpArt

More cool ideas for a table decor...

Mosaic Coasters and Trivet Set by smashglassworks

Coaster Set Natural Rustic Tumbled by OneDecember

...or kitchen in general:

Monogrammed Mother Daughter Aprons by KateandLuluMonogra

Embroidered Apron by MotherGooseEmbro

Personalized Embroidered Oven Mitt and Matching Towel by BonJeanCreations

FLORAL WREATH Embossing Rolling Pin by DoughRoller

Don't forget a recipe book!

Personalized Recipe Book by handmadebylizza
Personalized Wood Recipe Box by GiftsForYouNow

...and a bookmark for it!

Dorothy bookmark by MyBookmark

Maybe something cute for her table?

Cool Mechanical Pencil made from eco-friendly bamboo by ThePenPlace
Cool Desk Accessory by owlcreekceramics

...or a personalized scarf?

Custom Handwriting Accessory by ModLux

I really love these ideas!

Wooden Flower Phone Stand by PhoneTastique
Personalized iPhone Case by MemorableGift

This one is cute too!

MOM straw ha by GiftIdeasShop

How about a pillow for home decoration?

Music Pillow by mymimi

Mom's Love Pillow, Natural Linen by yunandyoonie

A small useful souvenir:

Custom MAP PURSE HOLDER by BjeweledVintage

A really personalized gift! 

Personalized Family of Three Wall Hanging by PinkCheeksStudios

Custom Family Portrait made from Paper by BrittaniRosePaper

If you are giving something small... Why not give it in a special box?

Mothers Day Heart Keepsake Box by MemorableGift

Classic and classy gifts:

Personalized Grandma Picture Frame by PWEGifts

Custom Maps Present by Picmats