Tag Archives: Jewellery
Getting To Know the Brand (Part 1 of 2)
A lot of things come into consideration when making jewelry. For me, I’d like to call my craft “artisan handmade”.
According to wikipedia, an artisan is someone who is involved in a skilled trade, esp. one that involves making things by hand. On the other hand, merriam webster defines it as one that produces something in limited quantities often using traditional methods.
The word “handmade”, meanwhile, simply means what it is: Made or prepared by hand rather than by machine.
Jewelry making IS a skilled trade. Many jewelers undergo extensive education abroad just to be in the business but with the technology today, i.e., the internet, getting the right kind of knowledge, training, and know how will be as good. This especially holds true for small scale jewelry or accessory business that hold office at home or employ less or no employees at all. They mostly to their creations by hand and by themselves. Thus, handmade. They are artisans in their own way because, let’s face it, it takes more than just buying the materials to create something one of a kind and beautiful. The trade involves more know how than you imagine it because research and product development also come into play. Handmade jewelry artisans have to evolve themselves together with the times. They also have to know what’s in and what’s not. They have to know fashion as well.
That goes without saying that they need to comply with every fashion prediction out there. That is exactly what being handmade means. Owning a small artisan business is about trends but not necessarily following them. It’s all about applying what your instinct tells you and what the materials dictate in the design process.
I once came across an article that said, “Artisan jewelry is an entirely different category. It’s made to last. The materials are high quality. The designs are original and not often repeated.
I agree that artisan jewelry are made to last.
I agree that materials are of high quality because the artisan, the maker himself, personally chooses the materials he wants to work with.
I agree that artisan jewelry is one of a kind. They are customized in their own way. They are made only in limited quantities or not even.
Combine these principles with handmade jewelry and you get the best fusion of all jewelry making techniques.
While they are mostly the same is all aspects, I believe that handmade jewelry brings in more attention to detail.
These are what ClassicSparklers is all about.
to be continued….
A Very Productive Weekend
My sister needed a gift for her boyfriend’s sister. She requested me to make something for her. I was not satisfied with just one, instead, I made these new earring pieces now available at my store:
As you all are aware of by now, gold prices have gone up. The price for these items are based on the old gold prices (read: very affordable). When my stock runs up, I have no choice but to increase the price of my new items as well.
So what are you waiting for? 🙂
Amethyst & Silver
The request: an amethyst bead in the middle of my signature design crocheted disc.
The dilemma: use sterling silver.
*****
I have to admit. I shy away from using sterling silver with my designs because cleaning sterling silver jewelry pieces need lots of attention. A simple brushing with mild soap will not make it shine and sparkle like those in the store. You need a sterling silver cleaning solution for this and the process of cleaning, I find really tedious.
When I make jewelry, I take into consideration the aspects of cleaning. I want my pieces to be easy maintenance. I want them easy to clean and store. Most of my customers are professionals who value their time so I want to make things easy for them. With gold, all you need is a soft bristle brush, some mild soap and water. For brass, a lemon rinse and soft bristle brush as well. With sterling silver, you need more than just a brush.
But anyway, I will put aside all my apprehensions when a customer wants a sterling silver piece. This request was full sterling silver: chain and the main focal point which was the detachable pendant. I had to incorporate the customer’s birthstone, which is amethyst. Initially, when the piece was finished, I was not satisfied. If you have been reading this blog since it started, you will now know that I do not sketch when I make a piece. I will let my imagination flow and my hands do the work. For customized pieces I will listen to what the customer wants and work from there.
So here I am with the piece and decided to add more to the original design. I added a border made of thicker sterling silver wire. Slowly, the disc started to transform into a rose! The amethyst bead in the middle seemed lonely so I dispersed a couple of Alexandrite Swarovksi faceted bicone crystals around it.
The result: Fabulousity!
If you like this piece, you, too, can buy it here 🙂
The Locket
I have always been drawn to different kinds of locket necklaces so whenever I chance upon a nice locket pendant, I always try to incorporate it in my collection.
Gold filled lockets are hard to find and solid gold lockets do not carry the particular design I want. These new set of lockets I currently have in store are made from high quality brass. Now the question is, how to clean brass. I simply soak them in lemon water: I squeeze half a lemon in a small glass of water. I leave them soaking for about 30 minutes then use a nice soft brush to gently scrub. The natural acids of the lemon help make the brass shine like brand new!
With these new lockets I added flat-backed Swarovski crystals.
They hang from 14k gold filled chain and fall just below the collarbone.
Simple. Clean. Chic. A great combination for jewelry you want to wear everyday.
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.
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!
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.
Rock Crystal Quartz
Rock crystal is the name given to all clear colorless quartz and is the transparent variety of the silica mineral quartz that is valued for its clarity and total lack of colour or flaws. Vessels and spheres have been carved from large crystals since ancient times, and the application of the word crystal to fine glassware derives from this practice. Rock crystal formerly was used extensively as a gemstone (usually brilliant-cut), and although the resemblance to diamond is remote, the widespread use of colourless quartz in jewelry gave rise to the use of the word diamond …
Rock crystal is an alternate and traditional birthstone for the month of April.
My fascination for this stone lead me to create jewelry that mimics as well as make the most out of its sparkly beauty!
All available now in my shop 🙂
Classic Weddings Part II
Ashlie requested for a grass-green jewelry set composed of a pair of earrings and bracelet for her 5 bridesmaids. The wedding colors are purple and green. I presented her with this:
THE EARRINGS: Crocheted sterling silver wire formed into discs surrounded by green swarovski crystals with smooth amethyst rondelle in the middle. Size 1 inch in diameter. Dangler earring that is very elegant and organic earrings. Sturdy construction but very lightweight.
BRACELET: Austrian crystals wire wrapped with sterling silver wire.
Ashlie loved the idea and request for a bridal headpiece. All she said was that she wanted it white and sparkly.
edit:
Ashlie received the package already!
The color for 2010: Turquoise
I have always been fascinated with this gemstone and if I remember correctly, it was the first gemstone I ever worked with!
The ancient Egyptians used turquoise in jewelry. It’s color ranges from greenish-blue or pale sky blue. The name means “Turkish stone” as it came to Europe by way of Turkey. Turquoise was mined more than 6,000 years ago in Sinai and is one of the oldest protection amulets, and was also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures.
If given a turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. The turquoise is the symbol of friendship. It also brings peace to the home.
This stone is a very personal and meaningful stone to one who wears it. It takes on the characteristics of the owner.
The baghag, one of my daily blog reads, said that turquoise is the color for 2010. And thus, in honor of this beautiful stone, I’d like to share with you a few creations. Enjoy!
classicsparklers.com 