May 24, 2013

Designers You Need to Know :: May Blog Partners Part 1

Donna Fox of Crow Steals Fire was hooked on jewelry design from the moment she started. Sound familiar to anyone? From a mom fixing a broken bracelet to a successful businesswoman operating and designing her own collections, Donna is an inspiration to anyone venturing out into unknown waters.

Donna’s site, Crow Steals Fire, offers a wide variety of metals and finishes with endless opportunities to personalize a gift for someone special. Donna’s blog is a feast for the eyes! She posts beautiful photos of her own designs,  products that inspire or excite her and great eco tips. Check out Crow Steals Fire today, for wonderful hand crafted jewelry made by a talented silversmith.

April_May-1-Blog

 

Alexis Gopal is a former doctor who turned her focus from a medical practice to perfecting her jewelry designs.  Her designs are upscale chic with a boho twist. Her pieces demand attention!

Alexis has a beautiful online shop where she displays her designs. She also shares inspiration and tips on her blog. Stop by Alexis’ online shop today for design inspiration or to pick out a special piece of jewelry!

We were really impressed with the creative way Alexis and Donna used Nina Designs jewelry components. It’s such a pleasure to see fresh uses for our components!

Do you want to be a Nina Designs blog partner? Email DeAnna@NinaDesigns.com for more information!

May 20, 2013

Your Suggestions Become Silver Charms

Do you have an idea for a silver charm or pendant you want Nina Designs to make? Do you have want a new version of an existing Nina Designs jewelry finding? We want to hear what you need for designing jewelry!

Add your suggestions to our suggestion box. Our design team regularly reviews our customers suggestions while designing new jewelry components. Nina Designs strives to provide our customers with beautiful, original designs that will inspire and delight.
customer_suggestions_w_text-blog

May 16, 2013

How-To Video :: Knot Pearls onto Leather

Looking for a new way to design with pearls? Our large hole pearls knotted onto silk or leather make an updated elegant design that’s sure to please. Learn the technique by watching our how-to movie.

pearlsleathersilk

To achieve this look, you will need: a selection of large hole pearls, silk or leather and a clasp. Our button clasp works really well with this design. Try making a piece with silk and a second with leather. Working with silk and leather is a breeze, the process is similar but your final pieces will have different looks. Experimentation and play is what designing is all about!

Are you interested in learning specific jewelry techniques? We want to hear your requests! Email: Nina@NinaDesigns.com

May 12, 2013

Sterling Silver Buttons for Jewelry :: Designs to Inspire

Filed under: Inspiration — Tags: , , @ 8:00 am

Nina Designs silver, gold plate and bronze buttons are a versatile, classic jewelry component that can be used for a variety of jewelry designs.

We’ve shown you how to use buttons for wrap bracelets. Now it’s time to experiment.

Nina Designs button charms and clasps work not only with our original deer hide leather, it can easily be used to close necklaces and bracelets using our thick 2 cm leather and any style of silk.

Nina Designs carry a wide variety of buttons: rustic sterling silver, hammered sterling silver, two hole, four hole, natural bronze, gold plated bronze or silver…there are so many options!

Explore our button collection and find the button you are looking for!

Button's for Jewelry Blog

Feeling inspired yet? I find that half the fun of designing is the experimentation and discovery! Watch a How to Video on using buttons for clasps.

Have you tried using a button clasp in any other ways? If so, send us a photo. We love seeing our customers designs!

May 10, 2013

Pantone’s Spring 2013 Colors :: Design Inspiration

Do you need spring inspiration for your jewelry designs? Is it time to mix up your usual color palate when it comes to how and what you design with? You are in luck! Every year Pantone releases their color report. The theme for Spring 2013 is “The Balancing Act.”

“The expression ‘balancing act’ is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “The same can be said for fashion as we look for balance between light and bright, classic and new. This season’s color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement.”

pantone spring 2013 blog

Nina Designs has everything you need to recreate this vibrant color palette.

Explore our leathergemstone and silk collections to find these colors and many more to inspire!

Pantone Fall 2013-Blog

For over 20 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season’s most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2013.

What do you think of Pantone’s color selections? Can you see these colors working into your designs?

May 7, 2013

Price Change :: Silver and Gold Plate Styles Reduced!

Nina Designs is thrilled to announce lower prices of our Sterling Silver and Gold Plated Silver jewelry findings!

Here is how the price change breaks down ::

-Sterling Silver and Gold Plated Silver decreased on average 8-10%.

-Gold Plated Bronze styles went down on average 9%.

-Beautiful handmade Bali styles came down an average of 10%.

-Hand finished Thai cast styles went down an average of 9%.

-Chains came down an average of 13%.

-Machine made clasps were decreased by 15%.

Due to an increase in labor costs in Thailand, our Natural and Silver Plated Bronze styles have increased 8%.  The global metal market has shown recent trends of silver and gold prices remaining low. With Thailand’s minimum wage increase taking effect and the weak US dollar, we have no choice but to raise prices on Natural and Silver Plated Bronze.

The price change has already taken effect.  With our silver and gold plated silver styles decreasing in price, this is a great time to stock up on your favorite components or try a new style you’ve had your eye on.

Price Decrease Blog May 2013

There are many challenges to international business and a volatile silver market. We are committed to continuing to bring you inspiring, unique designs and outstanding customer satisfaction.

Nina Designs values each and every one of loyal customers, thank you for your continued support and business!

 

May 3, 2013

Purchase Silver Findings :: Fund Microloans

Filed under: philanthropy — Tags: , , @ 10:00 am

Meet Debra and Marco, a jewelry designing couple who directly benefit from Nina Designs customers; our customers support global artists by purchasing sterling silver charms, pendants and findings. Support  global artists through MicroLoans by choosing to shop with our company. It’s a positive cycle to be apart of!

Debra and Marco met in Mexico after college. Marco explains the transition that lead the couple to pursue art : “After several successful professional activities that benefited society, I was ready for a change in my life and I found myself attracted to art. So we both began researching the art of glass, both with the same restlessness and both destined to join forces as we dominated the technique of dichroic glass.”

What is dichroic glass?  Dichroic glass is an ultra-thin coating of metal oxides and quartz, grown as a crystal structure on the surface using a highly technical vacuum deposition process. Originally produced for the aerospace industry, it now provides a medium for jewelers. This technique is what gives Debra and Marco’s glass jewelry the beautiful, iridescent glow.

Debora and Marco-Blog

“Our work is the result of considerable glass technique research that we carry out together, creating a rainbow of colors that reflect our love of the art and of each other.”

Nina Designs is proud to lend support to such an amazing artist couple. Visit Debra and Marco Novica shop to explore their  light and beautiful jewelry today.

May 1, 2013

Celestial Jewelry Exhibit :: Jewelry Design Inspiration

Filed under: Inspiration — Tags: , , @ 8:00 am

Jewelry lovers, behold a feast for your eyes and a spark of  inspiration. The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles has an impressive exhibit that is an 150 foot hallway displaying the history of the universe, in jewelry!

A volunteer of the observatory, Kara Knack, spent twenty-five years collecting any and all celestial themed pieces of jewelry. The result of her hard work is now on display in out of this world exhibit made entirely of earrings, necklaces, brooches and more. This is a must-see for any jewelry lover who can make the trip.

Go on your own out of this world jewelry adventure today! Check out our selection of silver and gold plated celestial charms and add your personal universe of jewelry!

Celestial Blog

April 28, 2013

Celebrate Mothers Day with Silver Jewelry Findings!

There’s no better way to express appreciation than with the gift of beautiful, heartfelt jewelry. From personalized stamped charm necklaces to unique charm clusters, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show someone special how much you care.

You don’t have to be a mother to admire family jewelry. A necklace made with a collection of meaningful charms that represent memories or loved ones is a great gift to a special someone or yourself.

mothersday-blog

Getting started making  personalized, family inspired jewelry is a breeze! You’ll want a cluster of charms that are meaningful as the base of your design. Think of travel destinations, favorite animals or hobbies, inspirational quotes, initials, birthstones or zodiac signs. If you want to add some sparkle to your design, wire wrap gemstones or pearls onto jump rings so you can easily slide them onto your finished chain. Charm holders and links make great addition to cluster necklaces.

This same design concept can work easily as a bracelet. Instead of finished chain, use a chain or charm bracelet. As long as your design comes from a place of love, it is sure to please.

Don’t forget, Mother’s day is May 12th! It’s not too late to order something special today!

What is the most meaningful piece of jewelry you’ve ever received?

April 26, 2013

How-To Video :: Make Leather Cuff Bracelets

Nina Designs deer hide leather is the ideal blank canvas to explore new designing techniques. These wide leather cuff bracelets are the perfect accessory. The designs were made with men in mind but can easily work for anyone looking to introduce some edge to their style.  Watch our new how-to video to learn how to achieve this look.

For this project you will need: a large focal point charm or pendant, (we used the Large Double Wire Infinity Link,  Honeycomb Charm and Gothic Cross Pendant) a bundle of 2 cm Deer Hide Leather, a box clasp, 22 gauge silver filled soft wire and glue.

If written instructions are easier for you, check out our blog with instructions detailing how to Make Leather Cuff Bracelets.

Older Posts »