Pretty Victoria’s Secret Red Rhinestone Heart Brooch

Large Sterling Silver Open Marcasite Heart Brooch Pin

What could be nicer than receiving a piece of handmade jewelry, particularly if it made especially for you, like a heart brooch? From little girls to grandmas, most women love jewellery whether it is given to them as a present or bought to accessorize a special outfit.  And heart jewellery seems to have a special attraction for both girls and ladies.

Below are two examples of how to make a heart brooch which are simple enough for even children to make.

A. Fabric Heart Brooch

First of all, what you need (all these items can be bought from a craft store):

1. Piece of fabric large enough to cut two heart shapes – felt is ideal but you can use any fabric
2. Permanent fabric glue such as Crafter’s Pick Fabric Glue
3. Permanent gem fixing glue
4. Pack of pin backs (you can use the rest to make other brooches)
5. Fiberfill for stuffing
6. Sequins, gems or glitter to decorate

Next, what to do:

1. Cut out 2 heart shapes of equal size from the felt or fabric
2. Follow the instructions on the fabric glue and glue the edges of the two heart shapes together leaving a small opening to allow you to stuff the heart
3. Leave the glue to dry before stuffing
4. Stuff the heart to the thickness you want – don’t overstuff – and then glue the opening together and allow to dry
5. Glue the pin back onto the middle of the heart using the gem fixing glue and allow to dry
6. Decorate the heart with gems, sequins or glitter glue

You can buy sheets of sticky back felt from craft stores which you could use for this project and would be ideal for younger children to use as it wouldn’t need padding.

B. Dough Heart Brooch

Another great way to make a heart brooch is to make it out of clay or dough.  You can either buy some modeling clay from a craft shop – make sure that it is the sort that will either “air dry” or can be dried in the oven – or make some dough using the recipe below.

First, what you need:

1. 1 cup flour
2. 1/4 cup salt
3. 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
4. 1 cup warm water
5. 1 teaspoon oil
6. food coloring
7. 1 package of pin backs (available at any craft store)
8. Sequins, gems or glitter to decorate, or watercolor or tempera paint and small paintbrushes

And what to do:

1. Put the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and oil into a pan and add the water a little at a time to make sure there are no lumps.  Add the food coloring a few drops at a time to achieve the color you want
2. Stir over a medium heat until the dough begins to stick together and come away from the side of the pan
3. Remove from the pan and knead until it is smooth
4. When the mixture is cool store it in an airtight container or a sealable plastic sandwich bag – the dough will keep for a at least a week
5. To make the brooch make a heart shape out of the dough then set aside to air dry.  This should take about 2 hours ideally leave it overnight to dry fully before decorating
6. Press the pin back into the heart before the dough is fully dry
7. When the heart is fully dry decorate with either sequins, gems or glitter or with paint

Because there will be dough left over you will have enough to make a heart brooch for Mom, Grandma and even for yourself.  Or you can use your imagination and make a flower, a butterfly or any other design brooch to give as a present.

So have fun making this heart jewelry – either a fabric heart brooch or dough brooch – and I’m sure whoever receives this as a present will know it was made with love.

2.30 cttw Amethyst Sterling Silver Bracelet by Effy Collection

Silver is one of the most popular metals from which to make jewelry and that is true of heart jewelry too. This popularity arises from many different reasons: for example, silver provides a perfect setting for practically any variety of gemstone, thereby making it a great choice for moderately priced heart rings, earrings and pendants featuring either natural or created gems.

A variety of birthstones including amethyst, garnet and topaz regularly appear in dazzling silver heart jewelry pieces (added to which, today’s man made and artificially created jewels look so much like the real thing that once set in silver they will look as if they cost an absolute fortune). Furthermore, silver’s natural qualities permit it to be made into an incredible spectrum of designs from a delicate sterling silver heart bracelet to chunky cuffs and linked chains. And the color of sterling silver lends it the look of platinum or white gold at a small fraction of the cost. However, because pure silver on its own is too soft a metal to be used in jewelry making, it is made into an alloy (usually with copper 92.5% pure silver, 7.5% copper) to give it strength and enable it to be made into far more intricate designs.

One effect of this is that although the copper adds strength to the silver it also means that silver has a tendency to tarnish as it reacts with sulfur in the air causing the silver to look dull and a patina to form on it.  For this reason some people are put off buying silver heart jewelry which is a pity, because the silver color is so versatile that it complements any outfit from jeans and a shirt to an elegant ball gown. Your sterling silver heart bracelet can last a lifetime if you look after it and store it properly.

One of the best ways to keep your silver heart jewelry shiny and looking like new is to wear it frequently.  The oils in your skin tend to put a coating on the metal making it less prone to tarnish.  I have had a silver heart ring for years that I wear every day and it still has its lovely shine. When using household cleaning chemicals or hair care products (especially those containing ammonia and bleach) it is best to take off your silver jewelry as it will turn black if it comes into contact with some of these products.  Even some make up products, soaps and perfumes can react with the silver, taking away its shine.  So it is always best to leave putting on your silver heart locket and earrings until you have finished doing your face and hair.

If you cannot wear your silver heart jewelry everyday then you need to store it properly to minimize the amount it tarnishes.  Keeping it in an airtight container out of the light will certainly help to stop the sulfur in the atmosphere from getting to it.  Wrapping your silver heart bracelet in a tarnish preventative cloth (this will also prevent the metal from getting scratched by other pieces) and putting it in an airtight plastic bag and placing it in drawer is the best way of storing it.

To clean the tarnish off silver jewelry it is best to choose one of the products that you can buy from the jewelers.  Silver dips are probably the easiest way to clean all pieces, from earrings, rings and sterling silver heart charm bracelet to chains and brooches, but you need to follow the instructions carefully especially if the pieces have gemstones set into them.  Sometimes these cleaning products can have devastating effects on some gems such as pearls and opals so choose one that says it is gentle and suitable for gemstones. If in doubt it is beat to take the item to the jeweler’s to be professionally cleaned.

Following these guidelines will help to keep your sterling silver heart bracelet looking shiny and new and ensure you enjoy wearing it for years to come.

But let’s focus for a few minutes on those gifts that you buy because you want to express your love for someone.  You have many choices – too many, really, in this day and age and often so many that it becomes confusing.  However, one tried and true way to express your love for a lady (and maybe even a man, depending on your relationship and his particular style!) is to give a piece of heart jewelry.

Even if you haven’t given much thought to it before, it is easy to see why a piece of heart shaped jewelry can make the right gift for your loved one. However, there is an enormous variety of pieces and it can be so extensive that you simply must give some thought to what specific piece of jewelry you should buy. So should you buy a gold heart necklace, a silver heart bracelet or a simple heart brooch?

In fact, the answer is really obvious, isn’t it?  For the maximum impact and to deliver the message you really want to send, you need to match the gift to the lucky recipient.  For example:

• If your woman favors silver or white gold, then a white gold heart necklace or a sterling silver heart locket could be a perfect option.

• Or what about a vintage heart locket that contains your photo as an ultimate depiction of your feelings for her?

• Practically all ladies like earrings and heart design earrings can easily be bought in silver or gold and can also be encrusted with gems if you want to be extravagant.

Naturally you need to think about the individual taste of the woman who will receive the surprise. Take notice of the kind of jewelry she already wears as this can provide an idea of the colors and styles she favors.  Here are some further thoughts to help you along:

• One major trend that many observers have commented on is the increasing popularity of silver heart jewelry.  Sterling silver’s physical qualities allow it to be made into an almost limitless range of jewelry designs, ranging from delicate silver heart earrings to big bracelets and chains. One big advantage that silver has is that it’s color gives the appearance of white gold or platinum at a fraction of the cost. Silver creates a superb setting for nearly any color of gem, making it an ideal choice for moderately priced heart pendants, rings and earrings with either precious or semi-precious stones. A range of birthstones such as amethyst, garnet and topaz regularly appear in stunning silver heart jewelry designs. Nowadays, synthetic and created jewels look so good that once set in silver they can look as if they cost an absolute fortune.

• As mentioned before, the beauty of heart jewelry is that you are not limited to just one type of metal or just one style of jewelry – and this variety results in jewelry products that can match almost any budget.  Despite the likelihood that a diamond heart pendant would be perfect for the lady in your life, there are a huge selection of other heart jewelry items which can be much easier on the finances. Heart shaped necklaces can be found in various precious metals, such as white and yellow gold or sterling silver and can be set with real or artificial gemstones. As the selection is so diverse, you’re certain to manage to discover the perfect heart jewelry gift for a loved one.

• A particular celebration to which a piece of heart jewelry is best suited is a wedding anniversary. It’s a gift which will demonstrate to your wife how much you really care. Take note of whether she usually wears silver or white gold or if perhaps she prefers classic yellow gold. A little detective work in advance will ensure you opt for the ultimate heart shaped jewelry gift.

• A timeless silver or gold charm bracelet makes a fantastic gift for a girl that she’ll treasure forever. These vintage jewelry items are experiencing great demand because they have become the favorites of celebrities. The traditional heart design lock is the essential accent to the vintage form of charm bracelet where the charms are usually added gradually over time. That type makes it easy to buy gifts for the young lady later on as she would want to acquire new charms to increase her bracelet. Although, the modern epoch of designer heart charm bracelets come with several charms actually in position and it is a top selection for the designer conscious female.

So as you can see – whether it’s a gold heart necklace, a pair of silver heart earrings or a diamond heart pendant, heart jewelry can indeed solve your problems when you need a special gift for that special person!

Open Heart Necklace in Sterling Silver .925

Silver Tone Designer Style Open Floating Heart Charm Pendant Necklace

15″ Sterling Silver Open Heart Slide Pendant Necklace

Sterling Silver Designer Inspired Cut Out Post Earrings & Open Heart Necklace

Sterling Silver Celtic Knot Open Heart Necklace, 20.5″

Sterling Silver with 2.00 carats total weight Round shape Pink Sapphire and Swiss Blue Topaz Open Heart Pendant Necklace

Sterling Silver Marcasite Floral Open Heart Necklace, 18″

Sterling Silver with 1.75 carats total weight Round shape Swiss Blue Topaz and Peridot Open Heart Pendant Necklace

Why is it that so many men have difficulty finding that perfect present for their significant other?  Often they spend hours trying to think of what to give her for that special day such as a birthday, Valentine’s Day, anniversary or Christmas – only to settle on flowers or chocolates or something totally inappropriate like a kitchen gadget.  While women love receiving these gifts, especially as they know they are given with love, nothing will make them happier than receiving a specially selected piece of jewelry, especially a piece of heart jewelry such as an open heart necklace or a beautiful pair of heart earrings.

It is not hard to choose the right gift for that special lady – all you need is a little thought and some utilization of your listening skills.  Women are very good at dropping subtle (and sometimes not so subtle!) hints on things they would like.   While some men are very good at picking up the nuances, far too many tune out when they are trailing round the Mall with their lady love unless they are looking at “guy” stuff.  When she drags you to look in a jewelry store window and “oohs” and “ahs” over the pieces she sees there, that’s exactly the time to make a mental note of what she is particularly interested in.  This will give you a list of things to choose from when the next special occasion comes round.

So now the big day has arrived, you’ve bought her the open heart necklace or heart bracelet she was admiring in the store, wrapped it carefully and chosen the perfect card to go with it.  She is going to love it, and love you too, so why not take it a step further and make the day even more special for both of you?  You could take her to her favorite restaurant for a lovely romantic meal followed by a movie or nightclub.  Or, and this is one of my favorite romantic dates with my husband, you could cook her a special meal at home with a nice bottle of wine and with the benefit of candle light in the background, then watch a “chick flick” together.  And to round off the evening, run a relaxing bath for you both to share using her favorite bath oil and lighting aromatic candles.  Not only will she think you are the most romantic man on the face of this earth she will also see how caring and how much you love her even if you don’t tell her as much as she would like.

Of course there are other gifts you can give her like clothes or sexy underwear but you had better be sure you know her size and what she really likes in the clothes and lingerie department or it could be an unmitigated disaster.  Obviously, if you are buying your significant other something as intimate as underwear, you must know your loved one very well and know that she is as excited by it as you are.  If this is not the case then steer clear of Victoria’s Secrets or you could end up in the dog house for days instead of enjoying a romantic evening together.

Another no no for gifts for your wife is anything that smacks of housework, unless she has specifically asked for a new set of saucepans or vacuum cleaner – and even then think twice about presenting her with these on that special day, no matter how long you have been together. Although she may say, when asked, that this really is all she can think that she needs, giving her a piece of heart jewelry instead will show her that you see her as more than someone who does the household chores and it will confirm that it is her who you truly love.

Not only will buying your lady an open heart necklace help spice up your marriage on that one particular occasion, you can keep the magic going by adding different heart jewelry pieces to her collection over time.  Perhaps you could buy an open heart shaped ring for your anniversary or a heart brooch for her birthday – the possibilities are endless and she will appreciate the sentiment behind them far more than a last minute dash to the store for chocolates and flowers.  Although rest assured, she would probably appreciate some of those as well!