engagement ring love

When this popped up in my Pinterest feed, I think I literally gasped out loud!  I know absolutely nothing about this ring (my Google search turned up nothing) but it looks like Art Deco or a very well done Art Deco replica.  I love it paired with the simple gold band.  What a stunning pair!  Today is actually my 8th wedding anniversary and as I was fondly admiring my own engagement ring, I realized how much I still whole heartedly love it.  Back story: I actually picked out my own engagement ring from a small antique store online, but my husband duped me into thinking he couldn't afford a ring anytime soon.  The ring sold (yes, I stalked it online) right around Valentine's Day and I was heartbroken that someone else was walking around wearing MY engagement ring.  Two months later, my husband asked me to be his wife with THE ring!  I am still incredibly happy with the choice, and wouldn't change it for the world, even though my jewelry tastes have changed, developed and evolved over those years.  I hope that all the ladies out there have such happiness with their own rings (and partners!).

a sprinkling of newness

I have quite a few lingering projects hanging out in my studio, all planned out and supplies sourced, but I finally got the time to execute some of them last night.  I've been obsessing over oxidized silver and yellow gold for some time now but had the epiphany that this combo I love could also be created with black stones and gold.  Henceforth the onyx bracelet and thread earrings were born!  I've also been craving a pop of blue with my necklaces and whipped up this small wire wrapped blue topaz.  Perfect for layering!

for September babies

September is the hardest month to narrow down a birthstone selection (my love of sapphires runs deep!).  Throughout my various different searches this beauty kept popping up.  Nothing over-the-top extravagant but still stunning and incredibly wearable.  The filigree is just beautiful on this shield pendant, the pear shaped sapphire is picture perfect and the twinkling diamond accent at the top is just the icing on the cake!  Happy birthday September babies!

for August babies

Happy birthday August babies!  The birthstone for this month, Peridot, has a signature color that is easy to spot.  (I actually think it was one of the first gemstones I was able to identify when I was very young, also being my brother's birthstone.)  The peridot on this Art Nouveau beauty is the quintessential perfect shade of vivid chartreuse.  The emerald cut lends beautiful depth to this light colored gemstone.  And the swirls of gold and tiny diamonds compliment this stone nicely.  Such an enchanting piece!

birthday wishlist

So it's almost my birthday.  Last night, while putting my daughter to bed, I asked her what we should do for mommy's birthday.  She replied, "give you presents, like jewelry.  Like rings... and necklaces."  I started laughing seeing as how my 4 year old daughter knows this so assuredly about her mama.  She asked, "why are you laughing mommy? You like that stuff!"  And with a chuckle I said, "I do baby, I really do."  So here it is, my annual etsy jewelry wishlist... filled with rings and necklaces:
1) Antique patterned yellow gold band- I am still looking for juuuuuuuust the right one, but this one is lovely and at an exceptional pricepoint.
2) Diamond baguette eternity band- This one is lovely and thin and perfect for stacking!
3) North Star necklace- I am really quite obsessed with North Star or starburst designs right now.  I love the pairing of this North Star necklace with the side set moon.
4) Antique Starburst ring- I love, love, love this ring!  Tiny diamond set in a starburst and a scrolling pattern on the sides.  Absolutely exquisite!

for July babies

Happy birthday July babies (and happy birthday to me)!  Anyone who regularly reads this blog of mine knows I'm not the biggest fan of my birthstone, Ruby.  But over the last few years, I have started to grow fonder of this stone, especially in antique yellow gold pieces.  I absolutely adore this ruby pendant.  I love the double bail, the lily and scroll details, and how the princess cut ruby is positioned.  All in all a piece I would definitely wear to represent my birth month!

Art Deco lines

Made this necklace this past week, consisting of hammered brass wire and oxidized sterling silver chain inspired by a lot of Art Deco prints I was looking up on Pinterest.  It still needs a few adjustments, like opening the loops on the chain to provide a better slide and possibly shortening the longer piece to accommodate the most common necklines I wear.  I am such a stickler about fit even when it comes to jewelry, something I think many people don't acknowledge often.  (Nothing bothers me more then when a clasp is heavier than the pendant and it pulls at the back of your neck!)  Regardless of the few adjustments needed, I am in love with this piece and am brainstorming different configurations, shapes and patterns.  How stunning would this be translated into another piece:

  (image from Flickr)