heart earrings

Mother’s Day is only a couple of weeks away and once again kids of all ages are wracking their brains for a suitable gift to give to their Mom. Flowers, plants, chocolates, clothing and jewelry are all items that I’m sure she would appreciate but if you are looking for something truly unique that she is bound to love, then why not make her an item of heart jewelry – how about a pair of heart charm earrings?

I made these earrings to complement the heart charm bracelet I made a few weeks ago (see this charm bracelet post from April 4th). If you have already had a try at making the bracelet then you might like to make these pretty heart earrings to go with it. For those who haven’t read the earlier post but would like to make these earrings, read on for the full list of materials needed and instructions on how to make them.

You will probably have some of the necessary materials like tin foil, a glass board or wax paper, rolling pin, oven and small paint brush but you will probably need a visit to your local craft shop (Michael’s, Joann Fabrics, Wal-Mart or other similar stores) for the craft items.

Here are all the things I used to make these cute earrings:

• 1 pair of sterling silver lever earrings (you can find these in the jewelry making section of most craft stores and Wal-Mart)

• Bakeable modeling clay (I used Sculpey Pluffey white)

• Small rolling pin

• Wax paper, glass board or tin foil to work the clay on

• Small heart shaped cookie cutter

• Picture nail to make hole in clay

• Oven (the regular one in the kitchen!)

• Acrylic Paint (I used Folk Art Apple Red)

• Small paint brush

• Clear glaze

• 3mm round acrylic rhinestones – 2 for each heart

• 4 Jump rings (2x7mm and 2x5mm) to attach the charms to the earrings

• Pair of needle nosed pliers

And how I made the earrings was:

Work the clay and roll out to desired thickness

Cut out 2 heart shapes using cookie cutter

Make hole near the top of heart shape for the jump ring to fit through

Follow the instructions on the clay packet for baking the heart shapes

When cool, paint with your chosen colors. I found it easier to hold them flat with the picture nail while I painted the edges and one side of heart then allow it to dry thoroughly before turning it over and painting the other side. Allow each coat of paint to dry before applying the next coat. (If you don’t want to add the rhinestones you can add your own painted design at this stage.)

When the paint is completely dry finish the hearts off with a clear glaze

Glue a rhinestone jewel to one side of the heart charms. Allow to dry thoroughly before gluing one on the other side.

Attach the charms to the earrings

Your earrings are now ready to be placed in a suitable little box, wrapped up in some pretty paper and presented to Mom with a lovely card. How pleased she is going to be when she opens the package and realizes that you have taken the time and trouble to make these especially for her!

Finished Jewelry Box

Mother’s Day is nearly here and once again children of all ages from young to adults are wondering what gift to get for Mom. This year why not give her something that she will treasure not just because it is a gift from you but also because it is useful and handmade by you? How about making Mom or Grandma a jewelry/trinket box? I chose to make a heart shaped box as hearts and heart jewelry are one of the main themes of my site, but you can choose any shaped box and either make it like mine or use your own imagination to create your own design. Here are the things I used to decorate my box:

• One 4″ Heart Shaped Papier Mache box
• 1/4yd stretchy black velvet
• Small piece of black felt
• Small piece of acrylic padding material
• Multi purpose glue
• Brushes to apply the glue
• 42 clear round acrylic jewels
• 7 red round acrylic jewels

Once you have these, you’re ready to start.

Beginning with the Lid:

Photo 1 - Lid with Padding

1. Cut 2 heart shapes out of the acrylic padding material to fit the top of the lid.
2. Glue one onto the lid and the other on top of that. (photo 1)
3. From the black stretchy velvet cut a heart shape that will cover the lid, the sides of the lid and in addition wrap round to cover the inside edge.  Then cut a heart shape that will fit on the underside of the lid.
4. Starting by adding glue to the top of the padding, place the fabric onto the lid, making sure it is positioned right and pull it taut to avoid any wrinkles.
5. Apply glue to the edge of the lid and fasten the material to it, making sure to smooth it out so there are no wrinkles.
6. Apply glue to the inside edge of the lid and stick the fabric down. You will find that you have to make a few snips in the fabric to ensure that it fits the shape and doesn’t crinkle and cause a thick layer inside.
   

   Photo 2 - Finished Box Lid

7. Stick the black velvet heart shape onto the underside of the lid. Set aside to dry. (Photo 2)

Then the Body of the Box:

1. Cut a strip of black velvet fabric twice the depth of the box plus 1″ over (so that it will overlap on the inside and outside bottom of the box) and long enough to wrap all the way round the box with a small overlap where it meets.
2. Cut a heart shape out of the black velvet to fit inside the bottom of the box.
3. Cut a heart shape out of the black felt to put on the outside bottom of the box.
   

   Photo 3 - Part Finished Interior

4. Apply glue to the inside of the box and starting at the ‘v’ at the top of the heart, stick the fabric to the inside making sure to keep approx 1/2″ over at the bottom of the box and smoothing as you go to prevent wrinkles. Glue down the overlap on the inside bottom of the box and where the two ends meet. (photo 3)
5. Apply glue to the outside of the box and fold over the fabric from the inside, sticking it down on the outside. Glue the overlap to the bottom of the box and the overlap where the two ends meet. (photo 4)
6. Stick the velvet heart to the bottom inside the box and the felt heart to the bottom of the box outside.
7. When dry stick the jewels to the box in the pattern of your choice. I chose to make flower shapes using six clear round jewels placed around a central red one. You may choose to create a different pattern or use other colors.

Photo 4 - Bottom of Box

Now all that is left to do is to wrap it in pretty paper and write a nice card and present it to your Mom on her special day. You may even choose to put a beautiful pair of heart earrings inside to complete the gift. Enjoy the smile on Mom’s face when she unwraps the gift and she realizes how much love has gone into making it just for her.

There is a great deal of satisfaction in producing your own jewelry and hand made jewelry is truly unique, because no two products turn out exactly alike. So if you like to undertake craft projects, either to give as presents or just for the fun of it, then here is an idea for you.  I’ve focused on heart bracelets as a starting point but it is simple to take this idea and then to use it to produce differently-themed charm bracelets or other items, for example.

First of all, here’s what you will need:

I already had some of the items below (for example, tin foil and the regular oven) but I  shopped at Wal Mart and Michaels (the latter has many outlets in Florida, where I live – you may find different suppliers close to where you are, of course) to collect the remainder:

• 1 chain bracelet large enough to fit the wrist of the wearer (about 7″ or 8″ usually)
• Bakeable modeling clay (I used Sculpey Pluffey white)
• Small rolling pin
• Wax paper, glass board or tin foil to work the clay on
• Small heart shaped cookie cutter
• Picture nail to make hole in clay
• Oven
• Acrylic Paint (I used Folk Art Apple Red and Folk Art Extreme Glitter Rose)
• Small paint brushes
• Clear glaze
• 7 or 8 Small crystal beads to intersperse with the hearts
• 3mm round acrylic rhinestones – 2 for each heart
• Jump rings to attach the charms and beads to the bracelet
• Pair of needle nosed pliers

And here are instructions on how do it:

1. Work the clay and roll out to desired thickness
2. Cut out 8 – 10 heart shapes using cookie cutter
3. Make hole near the top of heart shape for the jump ring to fit through
4. Follow the instructions on the clay packet for baking the heart shapes
5. When cool, paint with your chosen colors. I found it easier to hold them flat with the picture nail while I painted the edges and one side of heart then allow it to dry thoroughly before turning it over and painting the other side.
6. Allow each coat of paint to dry before applying the next coat. (If you don’t want to add the rhinestones you can add your own painted design at this stage.)
7. When the paint is completely dry finish the hearts off with a clear glaze
8. Glue a rhinestone jewel to one side of the heart charms. Allow to dry thoroughly before gluing one on the other side.
9. Attach the charms and beads to the chain starting with one colored heart shape, then a crystal bead, then the other colored heart. Carry this pattern through until you have completed your bracelet.

Your heart bracelet is now ready to wear or place in a suitable gift box to give as a present.

Although this bracelet is filled with heart charms (we’re biased!!!) there are lots of other shapes you can use to make more bracelets. Just let your creativity take over – use your ideas to make charm bracelets or something even more unique – and have fun!

European charm bracelets are becoming increasingly popular world wide. Although they are called charm bracelets, they are different than the gold or sterling silver charm bracelet that we traditionally see: these are really modular bracelets made up of different beads threaded onto either a gold, silver or leather rope bracelet or anklet. There are many different brands of beads on the market such as Biagi beads, Pandora, Trollbeads and Chamilia to name just a few.

Carlo Biagi jewelry is just one company that sells the products to create a truly unique piece of jewelry, whether that is a bracelet, anklet or necklace. The wearer can create a piece that reflects her individual style and character by choosing from the huge inventory of beads the company has to offer.

Biagi Silver European Bead Starter Bracelet with Bead Clasp (8 inches)

Just like traditional “dangly” charms there are beads that represent special occasions such as graduation, wedding, birthday or to celebrate a birth, together with others depicting hobbies, vocations, love and anything else you can think of. But, unlike traditional charms bracelets that don’t tend to have a lot of brightly colored charms, there are lots of brightly colored Murano glass beads and Swarovski crystal beads to choose from to add an extra dimension to the bracelet.

Another feature of Biagi beads is the introduction of what they call charm carriers. These are beads with a hoop that allows you to attach a traditional dangly charm with a lobster claw to your European bracelet. The company sells a selection of these charms so you can have a truly authentic Biagi bead bracelet or you can choose charms from other sources as long as they have a lobster claw clasp to fasten them to the charm carrier.

But Biagi jewelry was not the originator of the European charm bracelet. Trollbeads were the first to create these bead bracelets and the name came from the fact that the original ones resembled troll faces (trolls feature a lot in Scandinavian folklore).

4 Murano Beads with Solid Sterling Silver Core for European Charm Bracelet

Their beads are handcrafted and depict such diverse subjects as mythology, nature, fairy tales and love. They too use precious metals, gemstones, pearls glass and crystals in their designs.

Other popular brands of European charm bracelets are Pandora and Chamilia. Like Biagi and Trollbeads they also offer a huge range of different beads to choose from whether they are for a young girl, a teen, a Mom or a Grandma.

Like traditional jewelry such as a gold or sterling silver charm bracelet these can be built up over time making them an ideal gift as friends and family can add to them over time. If you choose one of the designer brands, the basic bracelet and charms will carry the name of the company on it so you know that what you are getting is authentic. But you don’t have to stick with beads from one specific designer to create a bracelet as most of them will fit each other’s, making them truly flexible.

As with other designer products, buying the real thing can be beyond some people’s budget. If this is the case but you really like these bracelets then don’t worry as there are lots of less expensive versions available and most of the beads are compatible with the more expensive versions. This also means that you can mix and match designer and non designer beads depending on your budget and choice of charms.

Pandora Charm Compatible Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Bead Fits Pandora Bracelet

The wearing of charms has been around for centuries and the fashion for charm bracelets has never really fully faded away since Queen Victoria popularized them in the 1800s. As with lots of jewelry trends, the styles have changed over time, hence the growing popularity of the European and Italian charm bracelets over the last few years. With the increasing number of charm designs around and the fact that a charm bracelet is such a customizable piece of jewelry I think that this is, like heart jewelry, one item of jewelry that will never fully go out of fashion.

The promise ring is not a new phenomenon, it has been around for centuries. It was originally given as a token of commitment by a boyfriend to his girlfriend as a “promise” of marriage when they could afford it. Although this tradition is still being followed, today promise rings are also being given and worn to cement many different promises made between two people. And the increasing popularity of them means that there is a huge variety of designs to choose from, whether you are looking at the whole range or whether your goal is something narrower such as cheap promise rings or promise rings for men.

10K White Gold Diamond Promise Ring, Crossover Band

Probably the most widely worn promise rings are those given for romantic reasons. Before he is ready to take the step of looking at engagement rings, let alone diamond or cubic zirconia wedding rings, a  young man may wish to give a promise ring to his girlfriend to signify that he wants their relationship to be exclusive. The message given with the ring could be that in the future he will replace it with an engagement ring or that he will remain faithful to her or that he will always be there for her. These promise rings are especially significant if the young couple are going to be apart for a period of time, such as when they are going away to college or for their work. It is a constant reminder of the promises they have made to each other.

Exchanging promise rings is also an ideal way for a couple in a long term relationship who do not want to go down the traditional marriage route, when they wish to show that although they don’t have the traditional wedding band on their finger they are in a committed relationship and not available. There are lots of retailers offering matching promise rings such as the Claddagh ring or the Jane Seymour open heart collection to name just a two examples.

Three Stone Diamond Heart Shape Promise Ring in Sterling Silver ( Sizes 4-9)

Although a promise ring can be worn on any finger on either hand, usually those representing romantic, everlasting love promises are worn on the ring finger of the left hand. Many societies believed that a vein in this finger is connected directly to the heart, which is a symbol of love, therefore any ring given as a token of love should be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.

But a promise ring is not just given for romantic reasons. Many parents give a chastity or abstinence promise ring (also called a purity ring) to their children to symbolize a promise made by the child to stay pure until their wedding day or to refrain from drinking, drug taking or smoking. They also make a great friendship rings. The gift of a promise ring is a way of cementing a friendship forever whether you see each other every day or live a continent apart you are promising to be there for each other.

There are lots of different designs and price ranges available when it comes to choosing a promise ring. They come in all precious metals such as silver, gold, white gold and tungsten and the ones for women often have stones in them.

Infinity Diamond Promise Ring in 10K White Gold, Size 7

If you are looking for one to give as a precursor to an engagement ring, there are lots of heart shaped designs to choose from with birth stones or even diamonds if your budget stretches that far. When choosing a ring for a man a plainer design ring would be more appropriate as most men prefer not to wear rings with stones in them.

One thing to remember if you are giving a promise ring to someone is to make sure that they understand what the promise is so that there is no misunderstanding. Giving a written note with the specific promise spelled out that can be read before the gift is opened will prevent any heartbreak.

Right hand rings are the hot new accessory in the independent woman’s jewelry collection. From celebrities to career women to Moms these rings are becoming ever more a symbol that the lady is her own person with her own identity, success and money.

When I was asked if I knew what a right hand ring was, I admit that I was taken aback at the question as I didn’t realize that there was any ring that was specifically for the right hand. I assumed that rings could be worn on any finger of any hand, although the ring finger on the left hand in most western societies is usually kept for the wearing of an engagement ring and wedding band. Rings are one of my favorite pieces of jewelry and as well as my engagement ring and wedding ring I wear four others some on my left hand and some on my right. Having been asked the specific question about right hand rings I decided to do some research into these items of jewelry to find out the significance of them.

Until recently the only diamond ring most women wore was the diamond engagement ring bought for them by their fiancé or perhaps a dress ring that their husband might buy as a gift for them. Apart from costume jewelry items, expensive jewelry such as gold necklaces and diamond rings in particular are not pieces of jewelry a woman would normally have bought for herself. But that is no longer the case especially among single women. They have taken control of their lives and realize that they don’t have to wait for some man to buy them a diamond ring because they are successful in their careers, and as a result more financially independent, so they can buy anything they want for themselves including diamond rings.

I was reminded of this recently when I met up with a friend of mine who I haven’t seen for about a year. She is a very successful business woman who enjoys the fact that she is single, has a great social life, enjoys foreign travel and can afford to buy whatever she wants for herself. I noticed that she was wearing a lovely ring on her right hand that I hadn’t seen her wearing before. When I mentioned that she was very much in vogue by wearing a right hand ring she looked at me puzzled and didn’t understand the significance of what I was saying. When I explained that these rings symbolized success, independence and confidence she fully agreed. She told me that she had designed the ring herself and had it made using a diamond from a ring that her parents had bought for her when she was younger. She is a prime example of an independent young women being able to choose for herself, instead of having somebody choose for her.

But it is not just among single women that the trend of wearing right hand rings has begun to gain in popularity. Wives and Moms are becoming increasingly aware that they are not just part of a couple or someone’s mother but that they are an individual with their own identity. Some of the fortunate ones who have their own source of income are able to buy a ring for themselves. But it is equally acceptable for a husband to buy his wife a right hand diamond ring to show that he celebrates her not just as his wife and the mother of his children but as a woman in her own right.

Like a lot of jewelry trends, celebrities wearing particular pieces have a lot to do with making them a fashion item with the rest of the populace. Just as heart jewelry became really fashionable during the reign of Queen Victoria because she favored heart lockets and brooches, so too right hand rings seem to have become increasingly popular in modern times because they appear to be de rigueur among the Red Carpet celebrities. Whatever the reason, women are enjoying wearing them as recognition of their success and independence.

Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet with Purse, Sunglasses, Engagement Ring, High Heel, Cellphone Charms

Sterling Silver Heart Link Bracelet with Puffed Heart Charm 7.5″

Sterling Silver “Love” Charm Catch Bangle Bracelet

Sterling Decorated European Bead PLUS 925 Sterling Silver Snake Charm Bracelet

Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet For Pandora or Biagi Beads 8 Inch Screw End Lobster Clasp

Since the year 2000, charm bracelets have seen a surge in popularity, especially the sterling silver charm bracelet. Often these bracelets consist of a collection of charms that represent important events and periods in a person’s life. But with all the charms that are available nowadays, a charm bracelet can also reflect the wearer’s interests, feelings and individuality.

The wearing of charms has been around since the earliest times. Originally they were worn to ward off evil spirits or to bring the wearer luck. Over the centuries they have been used as a form of identification. In Ancient Egypt, long before the first sterling silver charm bracelet was around, a more basic type of charm bracelet was worn to identify the individual to the gods in the afterlife. During the time of the Roman Empire, Christians had fish charms hidden in their clothing to identify themselves to other Christians and in the Dark Ages they were worn to symbolize religion, family and political persuasions. In more modern times Queen Victoria is said to have popularized the trend for wearing of charm bracelets and this trend has continued to a greater or lesser extent up to the present day.

Traditional charm bracelets consist of a double link chain bracelet on which charms dangle. Charm bracelets with a selection of charms attached are available from the mall jewelers or from Internet retailers. If a sterlign silver charm bracelet is not your preference, take a look at gold, white gold or other precious metal products. If you prefer a more personalized version then buying a suitable chain bracelet and your choice of charms is the way to go. This way you can start off with one or two charms and add more over time. It is usually best to have a jeweler attach the charms to the chain to make sure that they are secure on the chain.

If you prefer to be able to change the theme of the charms on your bracelet, to match the time of year or a particular outfit, then as I have mentioned in a previous posting try to collect charms with lobster claw clasps. This will enable you to change your charms without the expense of buying a new bracelet or the cost of having a jeweler change them for you. If you cannot find charms with these kind of clasps you can always buy the clasps separately at a craft store or online.

Perhaps because a traditional sterling silver charm bracelet with dangling charms might not be suitable for everyday wear in all cases, there is growing popularity for two other versions of the charm bracelet, both of which originated in Europe. And just as there is a huge choice of charms for the more conventional bracelet, there is an equally large selection for these two designs.

The Italian charm bracelet is an expansion band on which interconnecting charms lie flat against the wrist. This means that there are no dangling charms to get caught in clothing or to catch on other objects, making it more suitable for wearing every day. Another huge benefit of this bracelet is that the charms are easily changed with a charm link connecting tool or even with your fingers.

Although you can get the same categories of charms that are available for the hanging-type charms, there are far more personalized charms on offer. For instance you can get photo charms that you can have a picture of your son, daughter, husband, boyfriend or pet put on. Then there are laser charms that enable you to have your own personal message laser cut into it. There are so many colorful and unusual ideas to choose from that you can guarantee that you will have a truly unique piece of jewelry.  Again, look at sterling silver, gold and other variants to find the one you like the best.

The other style of charm bracelet is the European charm bracelet. This kind of bracelet has a thicker starter chain onto which bead charms are threaded. These beads tend to be chunkier than traditional charms and although usually made of sterling silver, gold or Murano glass they can also be encrusted with precious stones such as diamonds.

This kind of bracelet appeals to a diverse group because of the different range of beads on offer, thus allowing the wearer to create their individual fashion statement. Some choose to have a bracelet consisting of a selection of colorful glass beads, a look that is suitable for many events whether casual or formal. Yet others choose to make a bracelet with a selection of silver or gold themed beads with spacers, or a combination of glass and metal beads.

Even though these three styles of charm bracelets are very different they do have some one thing in common. They are a very versatile item of jewelry and can provide the wearer with lots of different looks, whether they choose to wear a heart charm bracelet to go with their other heart jewelry for a romantic date, or change it for one with flip flops and shells on for their summer vacation.

Over the years the charm bracelet has gone through many changes and styles. While charms are no longer only worn as an amulet to ward of evil and bring the wearer good luck, in many ways they are still an indication of identity and individuality.  But a sterling silver charm bracelet can still give you a wonderful ability to personalize it to your own taste as well as adding a fine new dimension to your jewelry options.

Personalised Family Tree Dangle Necklace and Jewelry Box Gift

If you are struggling to think of a gift to give those special people in your life, then why not consider an item of personalised jewellery? Choosing a piece of personalised jewellery as a gift for someone will show that person that they are very special to you. There are lots of items of jewellery that can be personalised so pick the one that you think is most appropriate for the individual you are choosing it for, whether that is Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, teens, children or a close friend.

When thinking about giving jewellery as a gift, especially personalised jewellery, it is the females in our life who we normally consider as the recipient. Perhaps the most obvious ideas are a diamond ring or a pearl necklace. But the men in your life need not miss out even if they don’t usually wear jewellery, whether it’s heart jewellery, gold jewellery or whatever. Perhaps the most obvious items that spring to mind are identity bracelets (these could be engraved with his name or initials) or a pendant that could have a name or personal message put on it. However, some men would definitely not consider wearing either of these items but most men wear watches so this may be a good choice. You could have a special message engraved on the back of it to make it a more personalised gift. If they are professional men who wear a suit for work then a pair of cuff links or tie clip with their initials on them would make a nice gift.

Finding a suitable piece of jewellery for the ladies on your list is a much easier task no matter whether they are seven or seventy. So let’s consider some of the things that are available. For young girls, and maybe even young teenagers, a gold or silver necklace or bracelet with their name spelled out in letters on it is something they will love to wear. For an older teen a signet ring or a charm bracelet or heart earrings with her initials and her birthstone inset into it is something she may like.

When looking for something for your Mom or Grandma, a locket necklace is an ideal gift. Not only can you have it inscribed with a special message, or the birth dates of her children or grandchildren, you can add a family photograph inside so that she will always have the reminder of her family with her.

If the gift is for a wife or girlfriend then a really romantic gift to give her would be a heart charm bracelet with memorable dates and personal messages engraved on each heart charm. Another good choice would be a ring or necklace with both your birthstones inset into it and a romantic message such as “I love you” inscribed on it. But really any piece of jewellery that you can have a personal message put on to it will show that you have given a lot of thought into choosing the perfect gift for her.

But personalised jewellery does not have to be something that is engraved with messages or initials. Selecting an item of jewellery that reflects the interests or hobby of a friend or relative is another way of personalising a gift. For instance, if you have a friend who loves to buy shoes, or loves to shop or collects handbags (I have friends that love all these things!) then you could give her a necklace, earrings and a bracelet with the relevant charms attached to them. They are sure to make her smile and it will remind her of just what good friends you are because you know the things that make her happy.

Yet another great idea for personalised jewellery is to make it yourself. This would be a truly unique gift as there would be no other piece like it. You can buy jewellery making kits from craft stores or online retailers. For the more adventurous and artistic these stores sell all the equipment and books you need to help you create your individual design of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. But if you don’t feel confident enough to make your own jewellery then you could always look at craft fairs or on the Internet for handmade jewellery. You may even be able to have a design of your own made up.

So if you are looking for a unique gift for a man or a woman, take a little time to think about their personality – then do a bit of research and you are sure to find the ideal piece of personalised jewellery for them.

Somebody asked me recently if I knew what a Cape Cod bracelet was. Although I have written about heart bracelets and charm bracelets and I know what tennis bracelets and Italian charm bracelets are, this was something I had not heard of before. My answer was that I assumed it was a bracelet from Cape Cod in Massachusetts and probably had some sort of sea related charm on it.

While my answer was partly right, in that this bracelet originates in Cape Cod, I was completely wrong in my assumption that it maybe has a nautical theme. To satisfy my curiosity I decided to do some research and find out exactly what a Cape Cod bracelet looks like.

The first results I came across were for online retailers and of course these sites had a photograph of their bracelets. What I found is that the Cape Cod bracelet is basic, simple, understated and very appealing. It is a plain sterling silver or gold wire secured by a “screwball” fastening. Along with the image of the original bracelets there were others showing similar style bracelets with different kinds of clasps which did seem to have a “sea” theme, such as sea shells and lobster claws.

I decided to look further into the origins of the bracelet and to see if there were other fasteners to choose from. What I found out was that a genuine Cape Cod bracelet is only available from one source and that is from the store of the original designer and maker, John Carey, in Cape Cod. John Carey and his wife Eve opened a shop to sell their artwork that consisted of pottery, sculpture, stained glass and jewelry. About thirty years ago one of his customers was looking for a bracelet for her daughter that wouldn’t slip off her wrist and that is when John came up with his simple yet unique design. The bracelets are hand made and carefully measured to fit the wearer’s wrist so it is not just a case of one size fits all. They are guaranteed not to fall off or twist round the wrist and the Screwball fastening always remains on the top of the wrist.

Although the basic design has just one “screwball” you can get them with two or even three “screwballs”. There is also a choice of silver with a silver ball, silver with a gold ball, gold with a gold ball or gold with a silver ball. To complete the look you can also get matching earrings, ring and necklace.

Originally it was Cape Cod residents who were the main customers for these bracelets although visitors to Cape Cod also bought them. They really took off in popularity when Amy Jo Johnson, a graduate from Dennis High School where the Carey’s shop is located, was seen wearing one in the TV series “Felicity”. When demand grew for the bracelet John Carey could no longer make all the bracelets himself and so enlisted the help of other family members.

Even though their products are more sought after than ever the family do not sell online or do mail order and it is strictly a store only business. However, a branch of the family moved to the Pacific Northwest and was given permission to open a branch there and they have an online side to the business. Although no other jewelry maker or outlet is authorized to manufacture or sell the genuine Carey Cape Cod screwball bracelets, there are other jewelry and craft stores in the Cape Cod area that offer replica pieces for sale.

The genuine bracelets now have a tag on them to prove their authenticity. For something similar and very stylish, click on the images at the side of this post to see products that make great gifts and are beautiful to wear. This simple yet elegant bracelet is suitable for, and loved by women of all ages from young girls to Grandmothers and makes the wearer feel special because it was made just for her.

So if you are looking for something unique and different from the usual diamond bracelets or charm bracelets maybe this is something to consider.

However, the fashion in engagement rings may well change following the engagement of Prince William in the UK. He has given his fiancée his mother’s (Princess Diana’s) beautiful sapphire and diamond ring. I’m not sure whether this would have been Kate’s first choice but I’m sure she will treasure this ring. It is well documented that William adored his mother and still mourns her passing, so for him to present his lady love with her ring suggests he must love and respect Kate very much.

Antique or “used” rings are becoming ever more popular with some couples as they look for a unique ring to cement their love for each other. One of the designs they may look at is the Art Deco engagement rings that were very popular during the nineteen twenties and thirties. Art Deco is thought to have originated in Paris and is an eclectic artistic style and design that was adopted in fashion, architecture, interior design and jewelry. Vibrant colors, abstract geometric designs and a sense of opulence are indicative of this particular art period and this is displayed to perfection in the jewelry of the period.

Art Deco engagement rings have luxurious designs with an eye for detail. Black onyx, white diamonds, deep blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies are the gemstones of choice usually set in pure platinum but also featuring yellow gold. The designs are lavish with lots of filigree work incorporated into the pieces. Many of these rings feature a central old European cut diamond, bezel set in platinum with old mine cut diamonds and often other stones such as sapphires and emeralds surrounding it.

To complement the engagement ring, Art Deco wedding bands are equally as lavish and ornate as the engagement rings. They tend to be wider than many modern wedding bands, with beautiful hand crafted designs round them and encircled with diamonds.

Another antique ring you may well consider is the Edwardian engagement ring from around the nineteen hundreds. This was an era of extravagant luxury which was reflected in the clothes and jewelry of the period. The designs of engagement rings reflect this but the focus is on the more romantic traditional styles. The settings were very detailed and the more elaborate and intricate these were the higher the social status of the wearer.

If you are not fortunate enough to have an Art Deco ring as a family heirloom but you want the genuine article then you need to know where to find them. Obviously the Internet is a good place to look. There are a number of retailers of antique and estate jewelry to search on. Other sources are pawn shops, antique stores (especially those that specialize in jewelry) or estate sales. You need to make sure that you get written description of the piece including the size, age, carat, cut and clarity. Ideally you should ask if they have a certified gemologist’s report on the ring you are interested in. This will help to authenticate the ring.

Genuine Art Deco engagement rings do not come cheap, so before you splash out all that hard earned money, check the returns policy of the vendor you choose to buy from whether on the Internet or other source. Choosing a reputable jewelers or antique jewelry specialist is really the best idea as they will also be able to advise you on your purchase. If your budget will not stretch to the real thing then there are retailers that offer new rings created to look like one from the period you are looking for whether that is Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco. These are usually less expensive than the genuine piece.

Whether you choose one of the modern styles of engagement ring or one from a bygone era the most important thing is that you and your fiancée love it and that it will be a constant reminder of your undying love for each other.

The first thing I want to mention is that charms are very versatile and do not have to be displayed only on a sterling silver charm bracelet. In fact you can create a whole jewelry wardrobe consisting of just one or two chain necklaces, a chain bracelet and anklet and a pair of hoop earrings and lots of different charms. By changing the charm that you hang from them you can create lots of different pieces of jewelry that will complement all your outfits without having to spend a fortune on lots of separate pieces.

So now to some of the charms that are available to accessorize and personalize your wardrobe.  If you like to and are allowed to wear jewelry for work then there are job related charms for nearly every profession.  For instance if you work in the hairdressing business you might choose to wear a necklace with a hairdryer charm on it or maybe add another one as well such as a pair of scissors or one in the shape of a comb.  There are lots of medical profession charms such as nurses’ caps, medical symbol charms and crutches to name just a few. Or there are for sale signs, houses and key ring and keys charms for those working in real estate.  Whatever your vocation you will find a charm representing it that you can choose to wear from a chain round your neck or for a different look hung from a pair of hoop earrings.

Not everybody wants to advertise their profession, especially when they are not actually at work, so let’s think of some of the other charms that might appeal and perhaps say something about you as an individual.  Some people are animal lovers (whether that is their pet dog, cat or bird or other animals) and they can reflect this by choosing charms of their favorite animals. Other people may want to wear a charm that is specific to their hobby such as photography, knitting, shopping or going to the movies.  Yet others are keen to promote certain awareness causes such as cancer research, heart disease, Aids and autism. There are lots of specific charms to choose from that reflect different interests and pastimes.

While these charms may be something that you would wear on a daily basis they are not necessarily suitable for more formal occasions.  There are times when you need something more glitzy and glamorous to show off that “little black dress” or ball gown.  For these events you may choose something like a simple silver or gold heart pendant charm (ok, yes, heart jewelry had to feature somewhere!) or a single pearl charm.  Or if you want to add sparkle to your outfit there are lots of diamond and other gemstone charms to choose from.

If you have lots of different charms you can of course choose to wear them as a charm bracelet made up of just one or two charms or many more. Depending on the type of charms you own, this could be an eclectic mix of your collection or if you have a selection of charms based on a particular theme such as butterflies, flowers or hearts you could make one containing a single theme or mix butterfly and flower charms to create a very summery themed bracelet. To interchange charms on a bracelet it is best to have those charms that secure with a lobster claw clasp.

So next time someone asks what you would like as a present or you are looking for a new necklace why not choose sterling silver charms that you can either add to a bracelet or a chain that you already have so you can create lots of different pieces of jewelry.

In fact, looking at just what is available on the Internet or at the local mall, the problem isn’t finding the right style or theme of charm – there is actually so much choice that the difficult decision is narrowing down what you want to go for and making a decision from the vast selection!  Take a look for yourself and enjoy the task.

Sterling Silver Filigree Key Pendant, 18″

G by GUESS Oval Key and Heart Necklace

When I started this website I was aware that jewelry was a popular choice of gift for ladies of all ages from birth to Great Grandmas. I also knew that heart jewelry in particular was a favorite for those wishing to express the love they feel for the ones they hold close to their heart. But I soon realized that it is not only lovers who buy this kind of jewelry. Teenage girls and women are buying heart jewelry to accessorize their outfits and as gifts for their female relatives and friends.

Walking round the mall recently, looking for birthday presents and Christmas gifts, I soon realized that there is a huge selection of heart jewelry in a variety of designs, metals and price range. Every department store jewelry counter has a tremendous choice of any piece you can think of. For example, one particular piece that caught my eye in Macy’s was a heart key necklace. It was 14K gold with diamonds inset into it. Without having to search very far I was able to find other heart key necklaces in white gold and sterling silver in different designs. In some the heart formed part of the key and was either an open heart or a solid heart. Some were simple and understated and others, like the diamond encrusted one, was more elaborate and of course more expensive.

In all the department stores I visited I saw lots of different heart key necklaces but I also noticed lots of other pieces of heart jewelry to choose from. In JC Penney I found a silver heart charm necklace with a number of different hearts hung round the chain that I thought was quite unusual and there was a matching charm bracelet to go with it. On the more fun side of things they had a necklace made up of different colored hearts with flowers painted on it. This would make a great gift for a pre-teen girl.

Then there are any number of heart lockets specifically for Mom or Grandma or the many different types of pendants that are available. Other pieces that I caught my eye were heart bracelets. I have already mentioned the silver heart charm bracelet with lots of different heart charms attached to it but I also like those bracelets with just a single heart charm. Some of the others that I found particularly appealing are those bracelets consisting of hearts joined together to form the actual bangle. These can be gold, silver, white gold or tri-colored gold and can consist of open or solid hearts. These bracelets are suitable for those women who prefer the bangle style rather than one with charms dangling from them.

These are just a small selection of the many pieces of heart jewelry I saw during my shopping trip. I didn’t have enough time to check out the heart earrings and rings. Every jewelry counter or jewelry store I passed seemed to have more heart jewelry than I have noticed before. From cheap and cheerful costume jewelry to ultra expensive diamond and precious metal pieces the choice is immense. I know more and more people now shop online because it is more convenient, time saving and usually there is a greater choice of goods and price ranges. However, if you are thinking of buying a heart key necklace or any other piece of jewelry, it might be better to see it in the store before shopping around online to get the best price deal. At least then you have more of an idea of what it looks like, the thickness of the chain and the actual size of the piece you are interested in.

There’s nothing worse than buying something online only to find that it doesn’t live up to expectations when it arrives. Especially if you have left it to the last minute and don’t have time to get a replacement before it is time to give the gift.

Twilight the Movie – Lion and the Lamb Half Heart Necklace Set

Do you remember when you were a teenager and what fashions and jewelry styles were de rigueur? Was it the mod or hippie era of the nineteen sixties or the disco era of the seventies or the new romanticism era of the early eighties or a later decade? Whenever it was, long ago or only recently, there have been very definite styles in fashion and jewelry, whether it was the mini skirt and large geometric shaped plastic jewelry popular with the mods in the 1960s or the Ugg boots and best friend half heart necklace that are popular today.

It was not until the late 1950s and early 1960s that teenagers really came into their own. Prior to this the clothes they wore, the films they watched and the music they listened to was very similar in style to that of the older generation.

UGG Womens Roslynn Boots – Black 8

This all changed when rock and roll music became popular with the younger generation and a so called “generation gap” emerged because their parents did not approve of their teens’ taste in music and dances. The marketing people were quick to pick up on this and suddenly there was a whole new range of films and products aimed at them. Instead of being mini adults they were able to express their identity not only through their music and films but also the clothes and accessories they wore.

My teen years were spent in England during the nineteen sixties and what an exciting time it was, London was where the mini skirt and geometric designs of the mod era originated (Mary Quant) and new groups such as the Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, the Rolling Stones and many others were bursting onto the music scene. I remember wearing mini skirts, knee length boots, hipster flared trousers, hot pants, lots of eye make up and false eyelashes, bobbed hair and big chunky geometric jewelry. One of the mod fashion icons of the day was Twiggy with her cool, chic style and this was the style I favored as I loved getting dressed up and looking smart when I went out. Although I definitely loved the look of the era I never slavishly followed fashion, preferring to add my own individuality to my look.

From the mid sixties another fashion style, imported from the West coast of America, influenced my teen years. This was the hippie style with it’s flowing skirts, peasant blouses, Jesus sandals, long hair and jewelry depicting the peace sign or heart charms representing love or flowers hung on leather straps used as either necklaces or bracelets. Although I adopted some of these fashions into my wardrobe they weren’t really the sort of outfits you wore to the clubs we used to frequent in a big city in England.

Since the emergence of “teenagers” as a separate entity, i.e. no longer a child but yet not an adult, the world of fashion, music and film making has recognized the fact and trends have followed on a regular basis. The hippie and mod fashions of the sixties extended into the “disco” era of the seventies but with the addition of platform shoes and afro hairstyles.

By the late seventies and early eighties some teenagers were into shocking and raging against the establishment and this is when the punk rock bands and their outrageous fashion burst onto the scene. Gone was the smart, clean look and in its place came multi colored Mohican haircuts, for both male and female, scruffy, dirty looking T shirts and jeans and Doc Marten work boots. Body piercing became ever more popular and jewelry ranged from leather collars or thick wrist bands with studs or spikes to razor blades or pull tops from cans hung on chains, not a piece of heart jewelry or other sentimental stuff in sight!

The eighties and early 1990s brought the glamor back with the arrival of the new romantic bands and their flamboyant fashions. This was very much a retro era in fashion with frilly shirts and blouses, glamorous outfits and make up not just for the females but for the males as well. Princess Diana was very much a fashion icon for this particular era, with fashion style from the pearl chokers she popularized to her signature hairstyle that many girls wanted to copy.

Every teen thinks that their fashion statements are different than the previous generation and in some cases they are, especially when you contrast the punk style to the fashions both before and after it. Today’s teenagers are no different and, like previous generations of teens, have very definite ideas on what is cool and what is not whether that is music, clothes and jewelry. However I think some fashions come round again over time. For instance the mini skirt is very much a part of the modern miss wardrobe – the only difference is that it is much shorter than in the nineteen sixties. And the same can be said for jewelry styles such as heart jewelry which was very popular during Victorian times and is now very fashionable with women of all ages. The teenage girls that I know love to wear jewelry and heart bracelets and pendants are definitely a favorite with them.

So even though Ugg boots and half heart necklaces may sound like a strange combination of style items, there have certainly been even more oddities of fashion that have preceded them!