Some Custom Orders
One thing I like about custom orders is the liberality and the extent of creativeness I can do with a piece 🙂
Here are a few requests I have recently made:
If you’d like me to create something magical for you too, do let me know 🙂
Bordeaux
The latest object of attention of Neiman Marcus‘ Senior Accessories Editor, Roopal Patel are fabulous bordeaux items.Â
I have always loved this color. Most of the time, however, I’d forget its name and would just describe it as dark red or the color of wine. I think it’s a safe bet if you want to wear something within the family of the color red but are not daring enough to do so or if it does not fit your skin complexion.
Upon browsing through all of Ms. Patel’s bordeaux choices, I can’t help but realize that the color can and does resemble that of garnet! Garnet has a deep dark red color which is sometimes difficult to photograph. I have spent hours trying to get the right hues of the color come out. Most of the time, I’d wait for different times of the day just to get that perfect shot.Â
I am not a professional photographer but I do know how to balance light or ISO settings. Most of the time I will use macro shots. But thanks to my trusty Canon G10, which was a gift from my dad, I was able to capture these wonderful shots of garnet:
The necklace in the first photo is available here.
The one in the second photo was a custom request for a garnet necklace and earring set, garnet being her birth month.
What JJ Used Today
.…my own champagne South Sea shell pearl nest setting earrings. I was finishing orders this weekend and loved the combination of the light golden peach color of my new set of pearls that I finally made one for myself! 🙂Â
The soft golden glow of the South Sea shell pearl and the stark contrast of the nest setting gives this piece an elegant and contemporary feel. The size (10mm) is just right for the setting and the style of the ear nut backing are perfect for its size.
Hmmm. Not quite clear yet.
How about this one:
Love it?
Order now 🙂
Oh! And I wore my Everyday South Sea shell pearl necklace. Not too matchy-matchy but just right.
What’s in Store
Now that Angela’s bridal headpiece is on its way, I have yet to decide what my next collection will be. Apart from the customized orders I have already pending on my desk, I was able to find time to conceptualize 3 new collections. The only problem is, I now don’t know which to set up first:
The Web Series
Twilight Collection
or
The Filigree Collection
What do you think?
Emerald Lane
I’ve mentioned before that I started with ornate headbands. I have moved on to other items now but my love for making these works of art has not changed. While I love making these beauties, the cost, time and materials makes me create them only if requested.Â
Last weekend I received a message about a soon to be bride wanting to buy my ornate emerald headband. Remember that these are custom pieces, thus, those in my store are there for illustration purposes. This means that once an order is placed, that is the time I will only make them.
Behold Angela’s headband! Made from mother of pearl flowers, jade and adventurine nuggets, majorica pearls and Austrian crystal. All of these are wire wrapped in high quality stainless steel wire.
I’d love to make one for you too, on your special day 🙂
For custom orders, please click here 🙂
Custom Work
One thing that always gets me excited with this little business endeavor of mine is when a client requests for something I have not done before, meaning: custom work.Â
This always presents as a challenge to me because I get to be creative as much as I can without sacrificing the idea or theme that the client wants. Most of the time, the request will just be a vague as asking for a specific stone, like garnet to represent her birth month, which is January. With all the exchange of conversations we’ve had over the internet, emails, mostly, I had to make a necklace and earring set using garnet gemstones.
When I make custom work, I always put into consideration what the personality of the client is. Expect me to always ask:
1. What is it for or where will it be used?
2. When do you want it done?
3. Any other special consideration?
After taking all these into consideration, of course, I will have to end up with a design that will also include my signature nest setting. I will check my inventory to see if I have all the materials. If not, I will visit my supplier the following weekend. Otherwise, the creativity begins.Â
During the process, my original idea will evolve. Most of the time I will not stick to my original design but instead, I will make it better! I think that’s where creativity is best measured. It is the ability to innovate and create something while in the middle of trying to meet all the specifics. In the end, I will be happy with the result, and the client happier than I.
So, anyway, here is one of my custom work.Â
Garnet. Nest setting. Necklace and earring set. Perfect!
Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommies in the world especially my mom who is as strong as ever and has never given up!
I love you, mom 🙂
The Classic Pearl
I’ve always considered the Pearl to be the most elegant and classic piece to work with. That is the reason why I always name my pieces “The Classic Pearl”. Pearls are timeless and versatile. They can be worn during any occasion without the wearer looking over accessorized or under accessorized.
I first started using pearls last year. Specifically, I opted for the freshwater pearl because it was much cheaper than the South Sea pearls. I started off with simple designs to test the market and they were a hit! I decided on the regular wire wrap because aside from it being easy to construct, I believed that it was simple and elegant enough to match the focal piece, which is the pearl.
Fast forward to today.
The royal wedding draws near and the internet is flooded with photos of the royal couple, particularly the soon to be princess, Kate Middleton. During one of my surfing, I found several photos which took my breath away. The earrings she wore often were an uncanny resemblance to the classic pearl earrings I made last year!! Not only that, she wore another pair of earrings that was also similar to the citrine earrings also from the same collection!!
No, my friends, I did not make those that she was wearing (although I wish that one day she will carry one of my pieces…:). In my excitement, I have made a collage that emphasizes what I have just said.
Here is a photo of the faceted Austrian crystal earrings in citrine gold wire wrapped in sterling silver and another one wire wrapped in argentium wire:
Here is the collage/the photos of “The Classic Pearl” earrings made from freshwater pearls wire wrapped in 10k solid gold wire:
photos courtesy of lifetimetv.com
These two earrings were from my 2010 Collection. I still make them now although I have upgraded into South Sea shell pearls.
For those who would like to request a custom item, please leave me a message here.
All About Diamonds
Image via Wikipedia
But not The diamonds. Â I’m referring to my current obsession with Herkimer diamonds.
Herkimer diamonds is the generic term for double terminated crystal quartz that were first discovered among the exposed outcrops of clolostone located in Herkimer, New York. Â The stone’s diamond-shaped appearance are natural faces. Â This means that the facets appear to have been cut but in reality, the facets were made by nature itself. Â This becomes possible with a high percentage of the stone’s unimpeded growth.
In the next post, I will show you photos of what these diamonds look like and how I have interpreted them and incorporated them in my designs.
Stay tuned!
classicsparklers.com 