A Year of Pretty - February 25, 2014

One Great Gatsby inspired fashion show down, one to go......

As a designer, there are additional items needed for when a model walks down the runway in order to complete the look. These include shoes and accessories. This could mean a snazzy hand bag, a smart looking hat, or a glittering pair of earrings.

The trick is to not let the accessories take over the look, unless of course that is the look you are going for (think Chanel and the multitudes of long pearl necklaces). 

So I came across these gorgeous earrings as inspiration for jewellery for my garments. The earrings are big enough to be seen on the runway, but are refined and sophisticated so as not to out shine the clothing.

They are both modern and art deco, with their combination of square and oval shapes, as well as the smooth upper bezel and the prong-set lower tear drop bezel. 

The original source for these baubles has been lost. When I clicked on the photo, it took me to a new web page that stated "You are lost. Please go back." That's pretty much as clear as you can get. So unfortunately I can't direct you on where to pick up these beauties for your own collection.

However, rose gold seems to be making a big appearance in both costume and authentic jewellery. This is mainly (I think) due to the excitement over the new Royal marriage, in which HRH Prince William gave his beloved a ring made from Welsh pink gold, as is tradition. In any event, you should be able to find something similar at your local accessories store and more than likely for a whole lot less than the price of the these.

Enjoy; both the photo and your day.

A Year of Pretty - February 12, 2014

It's cold outside; cold enough to snow.

Yesterday there were a couple of flakes that drifted their way down, but not enough to stick around.

So, in honour of the threatening snow and my Oma's upcoming birthday . . .

Today's Pretty Post is a beautiful amethyst and diamond brooch in a snowflake motif. I have a thing of brooch snowflakes; I just like their shape I suppose.

The designer is Margherita Burgener, but the link to the photo from Pinterest was broken. I couldn't find this piece on the website for the Italy based jewelry designer.

Whether amethyst is your birthstone or not, enjoy this lovely bit of warmth and sparkle on a cold February's day. And please have a gander at a previous post about amethysts, their history and the folklore behind them.

A Year of Pretty - January 13, 2014

Today's Pretty Post is this collection of silver cutlery handles. Originally a flickr photo post by queenofheartsart. I find the Keats Poems background a nice addition, as well as the antique looking fabric rose. These silver handles would make for interesting silver jewelry, such as rings or bracelets. A while back I did a post about turning silver spoon handles into rings, one of which I now wear quite regularly. 

A Year of Pretty - January 07, 2014

The first Monday back to work after the holiday break is supposedly called Blue Monday. People have had a break from work (if they haven't worked through the holidays like yours truly), the credit card bills are starting to come in, and the New Year resolutions are starting to fail.

So, to celebrate "Blue Monday" I'm offering up this photo of some truly stunning blue topaz earrings by Ruth Grieco Designs for today's Pretty Post. December may have come and gone (topaz being the birthstone for December), but that is no reason why these beauties can not be enjoyed throughout the year.

And with a set of these dangling from your ears, you can't help but be cheerful. "Blue Monday" you say? No can do!

In 1975 ,Ruth Grieco started by chance with industrialized jewelry. Not satisfied, she began creating her own pieces .

She started with no formal training, and began working out concepts for rings, bracelets and necklaces by drawing directly on her fingers, arms and neck. Knowing she needed to expand her knowledge, she took several courses, and specialized in Art Jewelry (New School - São Paulo, Brazil).

Production began soon after with a team of dedicated goldsmiths, earning select clientele both within and outside of Brazil. In 1990, daughters Carolina and Paola joined the team and since then work has increased dramatically, strengthened by their youthful vigor and their combined experiences in Industrial Design, marketing and production.

Currently , Ruth acts as Creative Director and complements her research by visiting jewelry trade shows and attending and lecturing at universities . She also acts as a judge in competitions within the industry, and is part of the examination board of trainees. She has many of her pieces displayed in specialized journals and important books of jewelry, both in Brazil and worldwide.

' From an early age I was lover and collector of art, especially the Brazilian Art. This closeness and my constant visits to museums and exhibitions, coupled with my curiosity, helped educate my eyes. I started to have constant production, which has always been well absorbed by my clients in and out of Brazil, great supporters, always .

The recognized work is a good food for the spirit. I think the good performance of our work is the result of dedication, discipline, travel in search of rare, new research techniques, in short , a lot of  "sweating" ...

... joy, satisfaction in contemplating our parts, with many colors that blend, valued for diamonds that are deployed in large and small jewelry ...

The intention is to adorn women. Forgive me men, but has not learned to create for them .

Inspiration is talent? It is presumptuous to state, but the same great inspiration comes from nature. Leaves, flowers, insects, fish and all marine universe, the variety of stones that spring in our wonderful tropical Brazil, dazzling colors and shapes. I thank God for being born here ! '

Ruth Grieco

Today on Etsy - December 28, 2012

Today's find is a sweet little pair of aqua blue chalcedony and silver earrings by cleobelle. Wire wrap detail anchored the stones to the silver flowers, clear crystals in the center of each stone.

 

Perfect for bridesmaids, or for that "something blue". Dress them up, dress them down...enjoy!

Sweet & Pretty . . . take 4

Blue Hues

Just a quick post with this beautiful collection I discovered with gradiant blue hues....like waves of the ocean ....perfect for summer.

Beautiful Baubles 3

 

beautiful blue topaz earrings by fussjewelry

 

Delicate and Pretty . . . take 3

Today’s “Delicate and Pretty” installment features the definitely delicate workings of Licia Beads. Based out of Seattle, Washington, the creator has an eye for working with beautiful colour and materials that seem to bring her creations to life. Each is hand-made, and each a little different.

From the designer:“I began my beading passion (obsession) in 1990 and have been collecting and selling jewelry since then. I sold items while in school and at college to obtain a little extra spending money (which was used to keep me well caffeinated).


When I look at these, I envision a lush backyard garden party with butterflies and hummingbirds flitting around. These would look great dressed up for the evening or down for the office during the day, and are sure to garner compliments either way.

An afternoon wedding perhaps? A Sunday brunch with the family? I would also recommend just enjoying these on your own with a good book and a cool drink in the shade of that aforementioned lush backyard garden.

* * * UPDATE * * *

Licia has just offered a 10% discount for purchases made from June 01 until June 30, 2012. The coupon code is PRETTYINJUNE, it will be vaild during the whole month, but be sure to shop early for the best selection. All you need to do is input the code at checkout on her store page to receive the discount. It's so simple. Simple is good. Happy Shopping !

More Shoes - take 3

have I mentioned I adore shoes? Well, I do. Here are the pair I am lusting after today:



A girl could easily fall in love with this pair. And really? . . .wouldn't blame her.

Mother's Day Ideas . .by etsy

Looking for some last minute Mother's Day ideas? Here is a Mother's Day inspired collection of gifts sure to make mom smile.

Beautiful Baubles 2

oh how these would make a prefect birthday gift . . .. just saying (wink, wink).

Simple yet elegant design by Designs by Jocelyn. Dress them up, dress them down. Work, grocery shopping, dinner and dancing. Super versitle. Yes please !

Spring Earrings by silverbluedesigns

Spring is definitely in the air, despite the smattering of snow we received today. The crocus and daffodils are in full force, the cherry blossoms are out on the trees . . .and the buzz of creativity is in the air. All this excitement has turned my thoughts towards new beginnings. New projects, new job . . . .new wardrobe, perhaps?

Here are a few new accessories to inspire the new look of spring:

Pink and mauve are two colors that whisper spring. Here they work together in a pair of pink pearl and mauve blister mother of pearl earrings (left). Delicate blue and pink crystals accent the look. How very sweet. How very spring

Another color that heralds spring is soft green. Here green is presented in a pair of amazonite jade earrings with Bali silver flower accents (right). 

Denim blue is a staple year round. A great pair of earrings to match with your favorite jeans are these Montana Austrian crystal and silver pave earrings (below left).  Or try these navy crystal and ribbed silver bead earrings with pale rose quartz (below right).

Just add a spring floral top and a light sweater, slip on your ballet flats and you're set. Perfect for a Saturday trip to the local market or brunching on a Sunday.

Delicate and Pretty . . .

Today's edition of Delicate and Pretty is brought to you by Huismus, and is a pair of one-of-a-kind earrings made with handmade glass lampwork beads and silver findings and ear wires.

glass lampwork beaded earrings by Huismus

Stay tuned for more great Delicate and Pretty finds to come . . . .

A New Look for Hoop Earrings

Here's a quick fix for giving new life to your existing jewelry.

These connectors and pendants by EverLuxe are delicate and light enough to be threaded onto silver or gold hoops to add a new dimension to your existing earrings.

Or, you could place them between a stud earring and your ear. Imagine a diamond or colored stone sparkling at the top of these.

They would look great with pearl studs as well. And at such great prices, you can easily create several new looks by changing and swapping the look to extend your jewelry wardrobe.

October is for Opals

Opal is the birthstone for October and the anniversary gemstone for the 13th year of marriage. The irony is that during the 19th century, opals were believed to be bad luck. This superstition is thought to have started with the writer Sir Walter Scott. In 1829, the heroine of his novel Anne of Geierestein owned an opal that burned fiery red when she was angry and turned ashen gray upon her death. This stigmatism prevailed, almost destroying the opal market until Queen Victoria finally dispelled the curse by giving opal jewelry as gifts at a royal wedding. The opal’s popularity grew, and in the early 1900’s the Diamond Commission resurrected this rumor because now opals were preferred over diamonds for engagement rings.

Opal is mainly from Australia, but it also comes from Mexico, Peru, Brazil and Indonesia. Australian opal comes in three varieties: Crystal Opal, Boulder Opal and Black Opal.

Black Opal is only found at Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Australia. This magnificent gemstone is the most valuable form of opal. Its dark background color, usually black or gray, sets the spectral colors ablaze much like a storm cloud behind a rainbow. Black Opal is so valuable that even wafer thin slices are made into doublets or triplets to give them enough strength and depth to set into gold rings and other jewelry items.

Boulder Opal is found in several mines throughout Australia.The main ones are Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Mintabe. It’s very easy to distinguish Boulder Opal from other varieties; it always has ironstone on the back of it. Boulder opals are usually a blue/green color with sparks of red, yellow, orange or purple.

The third type of Australian Opal is crystal opal. It has a white body with a rainbow of complementary colors throughout. Crystal Opal is transparent and is pure opal (hydrated silica.) It typically has sharp clarity of diffracted color visible from within and on the surfaces of the stonel. When held out of the direct light, Crystal Opal displays some of the most intense color. This is the type of opal used in inlay jewelry, which has the base of the setting blackened before the precision cut crystal opal is set into it.

Opal is a fragile stone because all opals contain water. The content varies but it can be as much as 30%. Over the course of time, the stone loses water, cracks and the opalescence diminishes. This also makes the stones sensitive to pressure and knocks. Opal jewelry (and all other jewelry for that matter) should be put on AFTER using hairspray or perfumes, as the chemicals will break down the stone and cause it to lose its luster.

Opal's internal structure makes it diffract light; depending on the conditions in which it formed it can take on many colors. Opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of these hues, the reds against black are the most rare, whereas white and greens are the most common. Stones vary in optical density from opaque to semi-transparent. For gemstone use, a stone’s natural color is often enhanced by placing thin layers of opal on a darker underlying stone, like basalt.

Regardless of which type of opal you prefer, there is no other gemstone that displays such an intense array of colors and spectrums.

Pudding 'n Lace . . Welcome !

I make a dessert for my family called Pudding ‘n Lace, which always earns rave reviews. I think it’s the smooth creamy texture of vanilla pudding paired with the crisp and spicy taste of lacey gingersnap tuille cookies . . . each is in itself lovely, but together they form a wonderful combination simply because their contrast in texture and flavours compliment each other. This is what you will find here: the blending of the things I enjoy in a way that complement each other. Many of them I will have created myself. Others are from fellow creators and artists that inspire me or whom I admire. Ideas for all things creative and sources to purchase them (both locally and internationally) for those not so creatively inspired but who still crave pretty things. Pudding ‘n Lace is the amalgamation, the fusion (or perhaps more aptly – the mish mash) of many of the things that I wish to share with you.

I am based in Vancouver, but have had the wonderful opportunity to travel through England, France, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, The Netherlands, Canada and the United States. Upcoming trips include Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton, New Zealand and Turks & Cacios. During my travels I have seen some wonderful things to inspire me which I have photographed. Some items I have been able to bring back with me. Vintage French silk covered buttons from Paris, intricate lace from Seville, smoked Gouda from . . .well . . .Gouda.

So grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine (naturellement, j'adore les deux), relax, unwind and enjoy.

Puddin’

. . . mmmm, french pastries in Paris