Plume agate for an Ocean Life pendant

The shape of this gorgeous stone was so beautiful and so inspiring that I thought it would take me years to decide what to do with it. It probably would... if that stone was not relatively large. The size of it eliminated all sorts of designs that could make the pendant too big. I've decided to keep it as simple as I dared :)

While the pendant is not scheduled to be made yet, check out what other Ocean Life pendants and earrings I have in my Etsy Shop.

Before and after. Fireplace.

A few years ago we've moved into a house that needed total renovation. We've changed everything: kitchen, two bathrooms, all bedrooms and the outside of the house. There could be many blog posts about "Before and after"! At that time I was very busy with my off-line life and did not even think of taking pictures...

We have moved again... This house does not have as much of what needs to be changed. However, some changes are needed to be done for sure. We started with a fireplace.

We needed to put our tv over the firplace just like we had it in our previous house. Otherwise we just did not know what to do with it. Also, we did not want that tile on floor, as it seemed to be dangerous for a child to fall onto.

I did not take this picture. I did not have time (I never do!). My husband starts his projects unannounced and works fast :)  I had been lucky to find a video of this house on a real estate web-site before it has been removed. This is the only screenshot that I managed to take.

The fireplace was not built in one day, so I managed to take the pictures of the process!

It is working! We tried it only a couple of times. This was the first time. The second time was when we put the tv up. Our tv was bigger than the recessed space for it. That was unlucky. The heat would melt it if we would use the fireplace. However, we are not going to turn it on anyway, as we do not want our child to burn his hand. It is there just to be and look good :)

A tv hanger is nowhere to be found in the stores! We had to order it online.

Yes, my husband did the fireplace himself as he is a licensed gasfitter

How to wear jewelryso it compliments your look

I have written that article about how to choose jewelry last week and thought I covered everything in it. Well... I guess not :) I've just remembered one great advice! Maybe I will think of something else later too...

Today's tip is on how to choose jewelry if you want to compliment your look with a clever outfit.

Let's say, you have already chosen your outfit that compliments your body type (my favorite show "What not to wear" has thought the North America all the important rules, so we all know them, right? ;)  

Long silver necklace

Now, jewelery can add a little bit more to that. The trick is to put your jewelery to those parts of your body that you would like to attract people's attention to or you also can distract people's attention from those parts of your body that you do not want people to be looking at.

Let's say, you are proud of your thin waistline, so you can put either a bejeweled belt to show it off or a long chain with a pendant that will bring everybody's eyes straight to it.

Another situation... If one wants to distract attention, let's say, from her not so thin wrists, she should not wear bracelets or rings that stand out. The earrings or a necklace will bring all the attention to her face or her chest instead.

 Check the tag Jewelry tips out for more tips.

Monday Jewelry Quote

Got one? ;)

Beetle necklace

Sunday Home Decoration Guide

Awesome ideas in today's collection of designer items for home decoration by Anna! 

I love the color in that antler and eco-friendly candles too! 

You can open the picture by clicking on it or visit the interactive page if you are interested in these items and the shops that sell them.

Friday Gift Guide

Lovely collection in Friday Gift Finds by Irina! Love all the mint items!

(Click the picture to see the Guide better or visit it's interactive page for the featured Etsy shops)

Ammolite for an Art Nouveau necklace

One more ammolite from my gem collection. This is just the first sketch... not the best that it can be... I do like the design, however, I think it should be tighter to the stone. I will definitely make it with some changes, so it will be interesting to know at the result side by side with the original sketch :)

 

Monthly Wedding Guide

Time for Anna's monthly Wedding Guide! Anna is an expert in wedding decorative jewelry design and knows what is hip. July's catalog is delicious, isn't it? :)

(You can open it by clicking it or visit the Guide's interactive page for the featured crafters)

How to choose jewelry

I wonder how people choose jewelry? Really curious. I know how I choose jewelry... well...  I choose what I would like to make. I also design a piece of jewelry according to my desire. This way of making decision trained my mind to estimate what goes with what and why I need to make one thing and not another. I cannot make something, try it out and say: "Ah... oh well, now I will make something else and see if looks better". That would be such a waste of time and material!

Squirrel necklace with citrine and garnet

Choosing jewelry can be fun (and it often is!) If you do not really know what you want,  you go to a store or a craft fair, or an art festival and try things out. Maybe something will jump at you, maybe not... If this is what you are after, it is fair enough. Go ahead and have fun!

However, if you are determined to get something, it helps to estimate beforehand what you are going to be looking at. This way you won't waste your time and you will (most likely) find what is going to make you happy with your choice.

Think of a wedding ring... You know exactly what you want! It should be almost the same with any other jewelry if it has a purpose: jewelry for your red dress, purple dress, jewelry for your prom dress, jewelry to wear in an office, etc.

1) Does your jewelry have a purpose? (occasion or an outfit). If it is a piece of jewelry for an outfit+occasion (not just an outfit), it should be appropriate for it, of course. The size definitely depends on your answer. Color also depends on your outfit: black dress, navy dress, white shirt, disco dance or beach wedding, etc.

2) A ring, earrings, a bracelet, a pendant or a necklace? If you needed a necklace and found a great pendant... maybe it can be made into a necklace by putting it on a strand of beads.

Sterling silver pendant with fresh-water pearls

3) Is it going to just compliment an outfit or the outfit is supposed to compliment the jewelry? :)  It is very much possible to showcase a bold piece of jewelry with a neutral outfit. I often do exactly that as I LOVE jewelry that stands out!

4) Will you be wearing it often? This will help to make a decision on the price. If you love fashion and 1-season-jewelry, it is ok to go cheap. If it is for wearing every day, or once a week for the next 5 years, do not go too cheap. You do not need something that will brake soon and good quality comes with a higher price. Nobody can produce a well made piece of jewelry in 5 minutes. It requires spending time in order to produce something that will last. 

5) If it is not a one-season-piece, think "time". Do you have kids or/and grandkids? Will they enjoy going through your jewelry box in future and possibly wanting to wear what they find there? Is it going to make an interesting vintage piece in 20 years from now? You do not have to consider that, but maybe you like the idea now :)

It is a long article, but deciding what jewelery you need to look at is not that difficult. I really just needed to write: "Think of color, quality and size." :)

UPD. A few days later I remembered one more important tip 

UPD2. Now there is an infographic for your pin board.

Monday Jewelery Quote

(You can open the picture bigger by clicking on it)

Delicate sterling silver pendant