December 6, 2011

Making Leather Necklaces

Filed under: How to Make Necklaces — Tags: , , , , — @ 5:35 pm

Learn easy techniques for making leather necklaces and finishing leather cords with silver clasps. Making leather jewelry is a breeze with step-by-step instructions and photos by Marcy Kentz. Marcy works here at Nina Designs as a customer service rep and on her free time she makes extraordinary leather jewelry. As you can imagine, we were thrilled when she offered to share her inventive techniques in our FREE online classroom.

You’d be surprised how easy her techniques are. And, you don’t need to buy specialized tools for working with leather. As you’ll see, besides the jewelry supplies, Marcy just uses a hammer, thumbtacks, scissors and glue! The lessons on making leather necklaces will start out easy and become more sophisticated as we go. After offering all the ways she can think of for finishing leather, Marcy plans to offer new design ideas for the front of leather necklaces and bracelets, so stay tuned.

Currently in our jewelry classroom, find lessons for finishing leather cords with a toggle bar, an S-clasp, and a silver box clasp. You can also find a three strand pearl and leather necklace and an imaginative steampunk leather bracelet. Enjoy!

Beautiful Leather Cord Necklace by Marcy

Finishing Leather Cord with Box Clasps

Finishing Leather Cord with Toggle Bars

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November 29, 2011

Winners of Bronze Claw Pendants

Filed under: FUN Contests and Giveaways — Tags: , , — @ 3:59 pm

Everyone loves Bronze Claw Pendants – especially when you win them in a blog giveaway! Last week we asked our readers: what are the ruling forces that govern your jewelry design? All comments we entered into a drawing to win this fierce bronze claw pendant, but I decided to go ahead and send one to each of the four readers who answered. After all, it is the season of giving! Plus, there is something to learn from each of the answers. They were thoughtful and well written. Thanks to Annette, Jean, Gaye, and Suzelle!

See the original post and be sure to read the comments for interesting design tidbits.

Bronze Claw Pendant

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November 18, 2011

Sketching New Silver Pendants – The Seafan Collection

Filed under: New Products — Tags: , , , — @ 10:57 am

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job at Nina Designs is sketching and designing many of the Silver Pendants and Charms we carry. The ideas for new styles originate from a variety of places: a mod 1960s style chandelier, a beautiful sprig of wildflowers appreciated during an evening walk, holiday themes like Day of the Dead, or inspiring photos from National Geographic. Both Nina and I have always admired ocean sea fans. They are delicate and lacy, yet sturdy enough to withstand strong sea tides.

Below are my sketches from our design process. We wanted the sea fan pendants to look both flowing and organic (not always easy in hard sterling silver). After completing the final sketch, I sent the specifications to Thailand, where talented silversmiths made a master model. Often, samples require several revisions before we’re satisfied with the final result. In this example, the sea fans needed just one round of modifications to reach perfection!

What inspires your creations?

Sea Fan: from sketches to final product

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November 15, 2011

Making Necklaces with Asymmetrical Elements

Filed under: How to Make Necklaces — Tags: , , , , , — @ 12:17 pm

Making a necklace with asymmetrical elements is a huge challenge for me. Most days making jewelry is fun, easy and effortless. The pieces come together and I follow their lead. As a Libra, I instinctively make jewelry with symmetry and balance. It takes a lot of thought and will power for me to break out of this mode of designing jewelry. Most of the time I go back and forth and then end up taking apart the elements that make it asymmetrical. As frustrating as it can be, I still find it to be a fun design challenge because my mind must work around my normal design instincts and it feels like putting together a puzzle.

This necklace went through many different phases before I got it here. It’s hard to pin point all the elements that make asymmetry work for me, but the most important one is balance. Although each side is different, they reflect each other. The bronze claw pendant is a strong center piece and each side cascades upwards from it. The curve of the claw pendant makes a nice space for the abstract link to nest. The gold chain pulls it together and helps balance the mixed metal components. I am satisfied with this as one of my few successful asymmetrical designs.

What are the ruling forces that govern your jewelry design?
Leave your answer as a comment to win one of the bronze claw pendants shown in this design. One entry per person. Deadline: Next Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011.

Win the center Bronze Claw Pendant by answering the blog question.

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November 10, 2011

Making Necklaces with Silk Ribbons and Charms

Filed under: How to Make Necklaces — Tags: , , , — @ 1:14 pm

With just a bit of silk ribbon, jewelry charms, and large hole pearls, you can make easy, budget friendly necklaces this holiday season. In fact, this gift idea is so quick & affordable, you can make multiples. Perfect for holiday stocking stuffers, party gifts, and hostess gifts!

Quick Gift Ideas!

To make silk necklaces choose colorful silk ribbons, match them to your favorite bronze jewelry charms, tie a knot at the top, then string on a large hole pearl. The pearl has a dual function, as a design element at the front, or as a way to adjust the length of the necklace at the back.

Voila! A thoughtful, handmade gift idea that doesn’t cost a bundle or take a lot of time. You could even make these in the car on your way to the party! Happy Holidays!

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October 27, 2011

Bronze Bee Charms Fit Right in at Alison Kelley Designs

Filed under: Blog Partner Jewelry Gallery — Tags: , , , — @ 1:28 pm

Queen Bee Necklace

Bronze jewelry charms fit right into Alison Kelley’s jewelry aesthetic. Her designs are modern with a bit of whimsy, and complimented with a soothing color palette. We are thrilled to have her as a blog partner. We sent her a goodie bag filled with bronze charms and pendants and she really knocked it out of the park!

Be sure to go to Alison’s blog to see all her creations. The gemstone combo she paired with the bronze peacock feather is just lovely; and the gold filled chain is a perfect match! Her whimsical combination of tiny bronze charms with hand-stamped messages are super sweet too. I personally feel that all moms everywhere should be rewarded with one of Alison’s Queen Bee necklaces!

Follow Alison’s blog for a chance to win her fabulous Tree of Life necklace. Shop Alison’s jewelry on her Etsy shop.

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October 21, 2011

Bronze Feather Pendant Featured in Tesori Trovati Jewelry

Filed under: Blog Partner Jewelry Gallery — Tags: , , — @ 2:40 pm

Tesori Trovati Jewelry

Tesori Trovati is one of our latest blog partners and a wonderful jewelry designer who created a stunning necklace with our new bronze feather pendant. She very expertly combined art beads with pearls, silk ribbons and bronze pendants resulting in an opulent necklace with a warm berry palette. Her use of color is masterful. Get a closer look on her Treasures Found blog, and pick up her creations in her Etsy shop, Tesori Trovati Jewelry. Make sure to check out her “simple truths” charms. They’re adorable handmade charms with simple affirmations and a paired image on the other side.

If you make jewelry and blog about it, then consider joining in the fun. To become a blog partner, email juanita(at)ninadesigns(dot)com.

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October 5, 2011

Bronze Jewelry Findings Featured by our New Blog Partners

Filed under: Blog Partner Jewelry Gallery — Tags: , , , — @ 10:43 am

I am thrilled to introduce our new blog partners and share what they are doing with our bronze jewelry findings. It’s exciting to get our bronze charms and pendants into the hands of amazing jewelry designers to see what they make next. I especially love seeing how they mix Nina Designs jewelry findings with beads from their own stash. It’s unpredictable and fun, fun, fun!

Gorgeous necklace created by Jeannie's Blog. See what else she whipped up!

It’s going to be a blast. Check out what the first of our blog partners are doing. Many are hosting giveaways, so join the fun!

Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry Blog has scheduled giveaways for every Friday this month.
Alison Kelley Designs will also be making jewelry and hosting fun giveaways.
And Jeannie designed amazing necklaces with lots of texture. Stay tuned for her giveaways too!

Just so you know . . . each month we select a few bloggers and send them goodie bags. In exchange, all we ask is that you blog about your goodie bag and link back to us. Get creative! Craft a piece of jewelry, write a review, use them in design challenges, give them out as prizes in a give-away – what you do with them is up to you. Then, we link to you from our blog, Facebook and Tweet about what you’ve made. If interested I can send you more details; email juanita(at)ninadesigns(dot)com.

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September 23, 2011

High End Bronze Charms Jewelry

Filed under: Inspiration — Tags: , , — @ 10:17 am

As jewelry designers it’s important to stay current regarding trends in sterling silver and bronze charms jewelry. I like to peruse the web and see what’s being offered at places like Barney’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Net-a-Porter, and Ylang23. It’s interesting to notice changes and new trends. One thing I’ve been noticing lately is how many well-known jewelry designers are working in bronze as an alternative to sterling silver. While there will always be a market for sterling silver, there is definitely a new market opening up for bronze as well. I also noticed a lot of silver and gold plated bronze options.

Stay ahead of the trends with Nina Designs’ new line of bronze jewelry charms – in solid bronze, silver plated bronze and gold plated bronze.

Center of Truth Earrings with Nina Designs Bronze Charm

Some of my favorite high end bronze jewelry I just found:
Ashley Pittman at Bergdorf Goodman
Imogen Belfield’s Gold Plated Bronze Nugget Ring at Not Just a Label.com
Barse ‘Mayan’ Bronze Stretch Bracelet at Nordstrom’s
Mania Mania Immortals Ring at Zimmermann
Pamela Love at Barney’s
Love Heals at Neiman Marcus
Maria Nilsdotter’s Giant bronze spider ring at Brown’s of London
Catherine Michiels at Ylang23

Ashley Pittman at Bergdorf Goodman


Honeycomb Earrings with Nina Designs Bronze Charm


Catherine Michiels at Ylang23

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September 21, 2011

The Easiest Way to Make Fun Hoop Earrings

Filed under: How to Make Earrings — Tags: , , , — @ 10:38 am

Hoop da Loop Earrings

Fun hoop earrings lend the perfect flirty vibe to summer fashion. I love wearing large hoops with bright colored gemstones and silver charms. I especially love making earrings that are hoops within hoops. It’s super fun & easy. Just gather your favorite beads, metal spacer beads, and jewelry wire. Then string your parts onto the wire in a pattern you like and wrap the hoops closed. Then just hang the hoops within hoop earrings that latch closed.

A wonderful activity to pair with these vibrant earrings is Hoop Yoga. This Summer I’ve been including more and more yoga into my daily routine. I recently stumbled upon a great article in Yoga Journal about hoop yoga: a mix of dance, hula hooping, and yoga. The practice is fun, creative, and requires tons of balance! This is the perfect summer fun activity for a lazy day at the park. Grab a hoop, and get creative with your practice. Start by moving your hips, flowing into a groove and then move into triangle pose, with the hoop spinning around your outstretched arm. Have fun, be creative, and don’t be afraid to laugh!

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