How To Choose Jewelry
photo credit: perpetualplumChoosing your jewelry is no different than choosing your wardrobe. Most important is to stick within your comfort zone and your personal fashion style. That said it never hurts to step out of the box once in awhile.
What's most important is that your jewelry matches up with your outfit. Your jewelry is the finishing touch on your total look. Make your fashion statement count!
You need to determine what you want your jewelry to do. Do you want it front and center stage? Do you want it to compliment? Do you want it subtle? The occasion or event you'll be wearing your jewelry to is also important - make certain it is fitting. A sexy oversized choker might be perfect for a night on the town but may not be fitting for the boardroom.
Although you may have a favorite designer. There's really no need to stick with just one designer. In fact there's no need for the pieces to actually be designer. There are plenty of wonderful pieces on the market that are unsigned but certainly make a fashion statement. Mix and match your jewelry to give it character and a little pizzaz!
Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an affordable way to complete your look. Costume Jewelry can be bought for a low price and has plenty of life. Heck we see costume jewelry back to the 1920s still in excellent condition. What's great with costume jewelry is you can use it, get tired of it, put it away or give it away and have still gotten good value for your money.
Designer pieces tend to cost a little more, last a little longer, and they usually follow more traditional lines so you can wear them for more than one or two seasons.
Sterling Silver is affordable and very versatile. If you don't want to spend the money for sterling, then purchase some silver plate pieces. Silver is a must have to any wardrobe! You can go from dainty and delicate to large and noticeable. It can be dressed up or down and is acceptable for any event or occasion.
We always recommend have some gold plate or gold tone pieces in your wardrobe basics also. 10-14k gold may be a bit too pricey for many but gold plated jewelry is quite affordable and will give you good value for the cost. Gold like silver can be dressed up or dressed down and is perfect for a very classy look.
When purchasing rings you can have great fun - again the choices are endless from large and overwhelming to dainty and feminine. The length and size of your fingers plays an important role in what will look good. For example long skinny fingers don't look good with huge oversized rings, yet a woman that has long thicker fingers they look exquisite. Long nails? Short nails? it all makes a difference. Play and see what you like what looks good. Also determine where you will be wearing these rings. For example if your working around fine fabrics you'll not want any rings that have sharp edges that could snag. Your rings are also part of your total statement.
When purchasing necklaces be certain you know your neck size so that you get a good fit. This is very important when purchasing on line as you don't get a chance to try. If your neck is average in size then a 16" necklace will look great, however if you have a somewhat larger than average neck then a 16" necklace could be too tight. Measure the length of some of your favourite necklaces you already own. This will give you a good indication of what length you prefer. Opera necklaces which are over 30" are terrific. They can be double wrapped, knotted, or whatever else your imagination comes up with. When choosing colored necklaces make sure its a color that compliments your skin tone. It may match your outfit fabulously but if it doesn't match or compliment your skin tone your look could be lost.
When purchasing bracelets you'll need to decide where you're going to wear them, and how noticeable you want them to be. The availability of size and shape is endless - you can go from large bangle bracelets to dainy gem bracelets. If it is a slip on bracelet be sure that it will fit over your hand. Make certain to measure your wrist as the fit of a bracelet is very important. To large and it will look sloppy and may even slide off. Too small can constrict your wrist movement.
When purchasing earrings - the shapes and styles are endless - from dangles to chandeliers to hoops to studs to buttons. From enamel to beads to gems to metal to wood. Size of the earrings is very important to the statement your making. The larger the earring the more noticeable and the more incorporated they become into your total look. Large earrings aren't for everyone - depending on your face size and shape they may actually detract rather than attract. Experiment and find what looks best on you.
Your jewelry choices are endless - no matter what your tastes, your likes, your dislikes. You'll be able to complete your look just the way you want it with little effort. So be sure to make your fashion statement!
Jewelry Making: A Fun Hobby
You are on the lookout for a new hobby, and you would prefer it to have something to do with arts and crafts. You like wearing jewelry, so the thought occurred to you that jewelry making would be a fun hobby.
About Jewelry Making
The fun thing about jewelry making is that it can be as simple as or as decorative in design as you want it to be. Jewelry making can also be as easy or as challenging as you want it to be, depending on what kinds of jewelry you would like to make.
If you have younger children and are looking for a hobby that you can share with them, you will find that jewelry making can be something that you can do together. Avoid making jewelry pins because of the sharp pins. Rather, make bead necklaces or bracelets with them.
For this kind of jewelry making, take your children to a craft store and have them select what kinds of beads they want. The other tow things your will need is string material to put the bead on, and fasteners. Have the children put the beads through the string material, and you finish the project for them by putting on the fasteners.
If you live near the ocean, a wonderfully unique kind of jewelry making you can try is necklaces or bracelets made out of seashells. For this project, gather several shells of any kind that you would like to use.
Thoroughly wash them in hot water, and, using a sufficiently sharp cutting tool of your choice, make jagged pieces. Next, poke holes in the center of each shell and pull the necessary string material through it. Lastly, add fasteners for a finished piece.
Of course, necklaces and bracelets are not the only things you can make. You can also make earring and rings, if you have the proper material. Material usually includes such things as hot glue, and decorations, of which stones (if polished and smoothed beforehand) can be used.
For more ideas on what to make, consult various jewelry making books, as they have directions. You can also search the internet for a variety of different websites on the topic. Remember, your piece of jewelry might not always turn out just the way that you wanted it to, but with the proper practice, you are sure to be able to make beautiful pieces of jewelry.
Jewelry that speaks your style
Summary / teaser – What jewelry to carry this holiday season to make a perfect style statement
This winter, the jewelry fashion fad is bold and beautiful, colorful and flirty. Although, diamonds are very popular with women, jewelry designers and jewelry lovers find colored gemstones more interesting due to their wide range of shape, color, size, and the variety of other jewelry they easily mix with. Not only this, but colored gemstones are more reasonably priced than ever. So with colored gemstones you can play with color and at the same time make a fashion statement that lasts.
Earrings
If pearls and diamond studs are all you have in your jewelry box, it's time for change.Trendy dangling earrings are the perfect start to the new, fashionable you. Worn with anything from a tight black high neck to a spaghetti or sleeveless top, dangling earrings are simply sexy. Wear them with your hair pulled back and some shiny gloss for your next trip. You'll even be able to divert your man from the baseball game he bet on.
Necklaces
This holiday season, the kinds of necklaces making the biggest fashion statements are long and bold in design, or simple but worn in multiple long layers. Flirty, soft, subdued colors are especially prominent in these designs, as are eclectic beads and charms. If you're not into long, swing necklaces, consider shorter chains with colored gemstone pendants with vibrant colors and a brilliant allure.
Bracelets
This season bangle bracelets have retuned with a vengeance! Bangles look splendid whether thick or thin, colorful or mono-tone, and whether worn single or stacked for extra style. Bangles, these days have emerged as one of the most fashionable jewelry accessories. Designers have become very artistic with bangles, wrapping them with wire, beads, natural fibers, and fabrics are the latest trend. Fashionable bangles are perfect choice for jazzing up less-elaborate,cozy outfits (like the basic black sweater and jeans).
Finger rings
Rings continue to be bold, stylish and trendy, with flirty colorful stones or enamels. As with other jewelry, gold, with its different tones, is reining best. Gemstone rings with diamond are the way to go. Similar to the season’s fashion in necklaces, rings can also be stacked for additional style. If you choose to wear bangles and rings together, choose pieces that will praise each other.
The arcane is in being decked-up but still not over-doing it. If you prefer to wear rings and bracelets, wear hoops for earrings. And if you prefer to sass it up with bold dangling earrings, keep it low on other jewelry. You can go for gemstones. Gemstones can be found in various colors. You can choose colors that match your wardrobe and designs that add that extra jazz and spice-up your appearance. Mix gemstones with different colors and diamond accents for extra vogue for the best collection of gemstones at the best