Tag Archives: bridal jewelry

Inspired by a Celebrity

These two couples are popular celebrities in the Philippines.  I will not go through the story on how their “surprise” “mob” wedding came about (just google: Carmina and Zoren wedding), but I will tell you how I came about noticing the beautiful earrings the bride wore.

THE REQUEST

A client approached me in December and asked if I saw the wedding on tv.  I said I did not and she told me her sister, who lives in the US saw it.  She was getting married in December and wanted a similar pair of earrings to that of Carmina’s (the celebrity).

TIME FRAME

2 weeks.  I had about 2 weeks to make this pair.  That, plus 2 other weddings I was preparing for.  But I will never back out of a challenge.  Besides, new supplies and materials just arrived from the mail and they were just sooo perfect to recreate the piece.

DILEMMA

There were no close up photos of the earrings.  The closest I got was this photo:

zoren-carmina-wedding-video-replay-abs-cbn

THE PROCESS

The inspiration piece looked like it had a large diamond stud from where a teardrop-shaped dangler hung and from this dangler, a couple of smaller teardrop-shaped danglers also hung.

The ClassicSparklers’ filigree technique was fully used on this piece.  All sterling silver where diamond Swarovski faceted bicones were scattered about for that added shine.  For that diamond stud, I used faceted Austrian crystals.  For the smaller danglers I used sterling silver bezel set cubic zircons.

THE FINAL PRODUCT

 

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If you want us to recreate an inspiration piece for you, leave us a message here or email us at joanne@classicsparklers.com

Weddings and More

Sorry for the lack of posts but our December was full of weddings.

Instead of featuring them all in one bulk, I have decided to make a thorough feature in order to explain each and every process of the pieces….especially now since the brides have gave me their permission to post them here 🙂

Stay tuned!

Weddings

The request: 8 silver-filled engraved filigree heart lockets customized with freshwater pearls and birthstone Austrian crystals for the bridesmaids.

ClassicSparklers first started with weddings and 3 years after that, we are still at it!

Weddings are special occasions that are meant to last forever, because yes, I believe that love lasts a lifetime! The sentimental in me is showing.  Sorry for that.  But nevertheless, everyone wants to remember their wedding forever.  So why not make every little thing memorable with little keepsakes the entourage can use during the wedding AND after the wedding 😀

14k gold jewelry, you say? It’s your way of saying “thank you”.

Carollyn will be getting married this May and a month ago she contacted me to create these beauties for her 8 bridesmaids.  They’re now all ready to go!  I do hope they’ll like it.

Wedding requests such as this instantly come with their own gift boxes and wedding tag so all you brides got to do is hand them over to your lovely bridesmaids!

I welcome any inquiries at thedesigner@classicsparklers.com or leave a message in Facebook.

I look forward to helping you make your wedding the best and most memorable moment in your life.

UPDATE (May 9, 2012):

A message from Carol:

 

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! 🙂 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

Garnet.  Nest setting. Necklace and earring set. Perfect!

All About Pearls

Not just any other pearl, but the actual pearls I use in my 2011 Collection.

This is a new year and a new year entails new discoveries.  Late last year I discovered what will constitute my pearl collection for 2011: South Sea Shell Pearls.

Little is known about this variety of pearls and so I will share a little of what I have found out:

South Sea Shell pearls are the by-products of the REAL South Sea Pearls.  By this, it means that the shell of the clams producing these beauties are cut and pulverized or powdered and shaped to form a perfect round pearl.  Successive layers are added over and over again mimicking the process of how natural pearls are created.

The effect is practically a flawfless and perfect shaped pearl!

BENEFITS

When creating pearl jewelry, I prefer to up the ante and use these kinds of pearls.  They are unique and perfect and their quality is superb with the same feel and weight as the real South Sea pearls!

While considered man-made (although some real South Sea pearls are made from a nucleus inserted by man in the oyster to form the pearl), these pearls are not synthetic and neither are they made from wax or glass.

In my next post, I will be showing you what I was able to create using these beauties 🙂

Winter Iris

A lovely winter plant that blooms from December through March.

Petals of beautiful smooth kyanite briolettes woven together with 10k solid gold wire. The winter look is completed with a enigmatic opalite faceted briolette drop.

Measures approximately 1.75 inches from top to bottom.

Now available in my shop.

Louise necklace

A special request came in about a month ago.

Inspite of the hard work it took, I loved the idea and the outcome so much that I decided to include it in my shop!  I’d like to introduce everyone to the “Louise” necklace.  Two strands of large freshwater pearls are handlinked with 10k solid gold wire.  To make it more versatile, I included a detachable brooch.

This elegant old-world inspired necklace is now available.

I’d be very happy to have one crafted in a different color or in sterling silver.  Please leave a message and lets talk 🙂

Treasury Update

Show me more love! 🙂