MIXED MEDIA Necklace
While we specialize in sterling silver jewelry findings, we also offer a variety of different mediums for jewelry design – like our line of satin finish gold vermeil, colorful silk cords and ribbons, and buttery soft leather cords in 17 fantastic colors.
Mixing metals and mediums has quickly become a popular and expressive new trend in the jewelry and fashion worlds. Popular materials include an array of feathers, chains, leather, felt, and much more. This playfulness in textures and mediums allows for new and unexpected creations. A fresh take on the ordinary!
For my mixed medium necklace, I incorporated a little of each of the different materials we offer, while keeping the look sophisticated and wearable. By maintaining a muted color palette of grays and greens, I was able to ensure the necklace wouldn’t overwhelm the eye. Braided gray leather with embedded gold circle links frames the necklace’s focal point of luscious labradorites and idocrase briolettes. The gold vermeil teardrop links mirror the briolettes’ form and offer a pleasant transition from the heavier elements to the lighter silk cording in back. Wear the necklace long over a cozy sweater, or short with a scoop neck top. It’s nice when the design is as verstile as the materials.
If you have yet to experiment with mixed mediums, grab some of your favorite items, and mix it up! Play around with size and texture. You’ll be excited and rejuvenated by the results! Do you have any unexpected materials or combinations you really like?
Tribal Spirit Earrings
With the feather silver charms in mind, I was inspired to create statement earrings with a Native American flair. Maybe it’s because I’m really drawn to it, but I’ve been noticing an overwhelming presence of earthy, tribal looks on the fashion scene lately. For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved this look. Growing up, my family would travel to Montana every summer and we would go to pow wows and Indian reservations. I was always in awe of the beautiful traditional jewelry with turquoise, silver and intricate bead work.
With these memories in mind, I was inspired to create tribal spirit earrings using feather silver charms and silver earring findings. I love working with leather, so I cut some leather cord into 2″ strips and poked holes at the top and bottom with an awl. I wire wrapped turquoise stones to connect the feather silver charms to the leather. Then I used silver jump rings to connect the leather to the silver earring findings so they would hang like fringe. I wanted the earrings to be long and have a lot of movement like the flow of the feathers on the headdresses worn during dance ceremonies. These earrings are fun, fashionable and remind me of those long road trips to Montana.
Alpine Chic Necklace
I couldn’t wait to incorporate our NEW Bear and Tiger claw pendants into my Alpine Chic Look for Fashion Friday. For me Alpine Chic brings to mind the three L’s: Lavish, Leather and Layers! Alpine fashion incorporates a few of my favorite fashion trends: men’s wear for women, and good ol’ vintage flair. With a distinct draw from men’s wear and family-friendly handmade knits, Alpine fashion trend straddles the line between kitsch and haute couture. You can layer your dad’s chunky fair isle sweater from the 70’s over a high waisted wool skirt (a la Dior circa 1950), belt it all together, add some beautiful leather boots (fur optional) and voila – you’re runway or ski lodge ready! Definitely my favorite winter look.
One thing I like best about this trend is the playful woodland aspect. Jewelry and accessories can be a great avenue to play up the kitschy side or get a little more creative with your look. We have an adorable array of woodland creatures silver charms, but as I said I was inspired by the three L’s. So I chose to combine leather cord, heavy silver chains, and mother of pearl claw pendants that I love and dainty pink pearls. The look is extravagant but wearable. Tough, with a touch of classic femininity.
What are some of your favorite winter fashion trends?
September 2, 2010
Three-Star General Pin
Once I got the idea I couldn’t wait to use this silver pin in my salute to military fashion. I love the world of khakis, camouflage pants, dog tags, and combat boots. My dad was in the Army for 22 years, so military fashion and camouflage has always been a part of my life. Growing up I lived on military bases all over the world from Fort Hood, TX, to Seoul, South Korea. No matter where we lived my dad polished his boots twice a week. And, I remember being curious about each change to his military uniform. Now, even the smell of black shoe shine, takes me back to those days.
So for Fashion Friday I was excited to create a piece of Military inspired jewelry. I planned on making a necklace featuring army green and khaki colored silk ribbon, silver ball chain, and rectangle stamping blanks that I was going to stamp to resemble dog tags. But, as I was surfing the net for Military Fashion I got another idea. I’ll make a Three-Star General pin. Fantastico!
This is what I came up with. What do you think? I think we’ll pass it around the office, so we can take turns being General!
August 6, 2010
Time Machine
I love steam punk jewelry that brings together old, mechanical parts,
unexpected jewelry links, and brilliant gemstones. It’s very distinctive and inspiring and I’ve noticed the increasing popularity of the Steampunk aesthetic in fashion magazines, blogs and online stores. Intrigued, I did a little research and learned that Steampunk is born out of futuristic and science-fiction ideas based in the Victorian era, and gets it name from the idea of life in a world that operates mainly by steam power (typically the 1800’s). Think H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, who wrote about futuristic technology: air, space, and underwater travel.
In my Steampunk inspiration I created a bib-style necklace with layers of oxidized chain draping above the antique-style gear. Below the gear silver charm I created a fringe of dark and sparkling garnets around a plump gray pearl and added our watch face charm. This creates a mixture of mechanical imagery and modern materials while playing into my favorite element of Steampunk: time travel.
Have you begun to delve into Steampunk style yet?
July 2, 2010
An organic take on the chain tangle trend.
I’ve been noticing many different silver chain tangles in the fashion magazines recently. Although some of them remind me too much of the early ’80’s, I do like the textural, fluid movement that is created from so many chain fragments. I decided to re-interpret it with a more organic twist.
Using scraps of delicate scored chain, I made a hunk of “Spanish Moss” that falls from our textured branch pendant. I wire-wrapped links of chain together to hold the cluster in place. I love the way it feels when wearing it: the chain cluster is weighty and delicate at the same time.
June 4, 2010
Tassle Chic
Once a decorative finish for drapes and upholstery, tassles have made a big impact in the world of accessories. Big designers in the fashion world have been using them to adorn everything including shoes, purses, dresses, belts and even jewelry. I first started noticing them in the magazines earlier this year and since then, I can’t look at a fashion spread without seeing them everywhere.
Inspired by this current trend, I decided to try to make a tassle of my own, but instead of using the traditional materials of decorative threads, I wanted to make mine with a variety of silver and vermeil style gold plated chains. By varying the textures and sizes on the chain, my pendant looks a little more edgy and contemporary and is perfect worn long on a chain with a little black dress.
What trends have you been noticing lately and how do you incorporate them into your jewelry design?
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