New Boho Chic Inspired Beaded Jewelry

Check out the New Boho Chic Necklace and Earring Sets

Indian Kashmiri beads, crystal, glass, acrylic and metals combine to create these Boho-Chic Necklace and Earring sets. the beads hang on multi-strand cotton necklaces. 

Available at http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/PinkSunsetJewelryDesigns

Small Business Saturday

November 24th is Small Business Saturday®, a day to celebrate and
support the local small businesses that boost the economy and invigorate
neighborhoods across the country.
Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs is proud to take part in Small Business Saturday, and we’re encouraging everyone to Shop Small® here on November 24th.
Plus, we’re having a special Small Business Saturday offer! Shop with us online at www.pinksunsetjewelrydesigns.artfire.com on November 24th and you’ll get 
30% off everything in the studio (excluding gift certificates). Use promo code SBS30 at checkout.
To learn more, visit ShopSmall.com.

Bead Weaving Masterpiece

This bracelet is a custom order. I have made a couple of them but this one....wow. It's called a Capricho Bracelet and it is a very labor intensive design.

The bracelet actually has 2 layers. The first layer is made of thousands of seed beads woven, one at a time, in a net pattern. Then I go back and weave more seed beads and crystals onto the netted base. I am backed up with orders on this one, but I love making them. Here is the most recent creation.

The first layer is done and I'm adding  the crystals

The finished product.

The finished product...check out the sparkle!

Capricho Bracelet~~Bling!

And here are 2 others that I have done

Pearl Capricho Bracelet Bangle

Gold Crystal Capricho Bracelet

Gemstone Pebble Pendants

How cool are these pendants. Simple in design, but they make a bold color statement. Each of the pebble pendants is made with semi-precious gemstone pebbles set in a 2 inch by 1 inch bezel setting. The gemstone pebbles are set with Diamond Glaze for a brilliant shine. Great when you need a pop of color around your neck.

The gemstone pebble pendants are available in my Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs Studio for $18 each.

Wine Cork Jewelry Upcycling

A lot of my friends are wine enthusiasts. I even have one who has begun making her own label. I brainstormed and came up with some ideas for a line of wine enthusiast jewelry. I purchased unused authentic wine corks for different vineyards. I hand-cut the corks to fit into 2 inch by 1 in bezel trays.
I secured them in the trays and embellished them with flat back rhinestones. Voila! Wine Cork Pendants. I added matching chains and there ya go!

I've already had several fly off the shelf. I will also customize them if you have your own favorite wine lable.
They are available in my Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs Studio for $23 each. What a great gift idea for you or your wine enthusiast friends.

Jumbo Bracelet Stacks

I just love these new bracelet stacks. Jumbo beads are used to make them. Some of the beads are 3/4 in in diameter. My new obsession, Kasmiri and Maruti beads. These beads are on Indian origin and are made by making beads with a mixture of clay and marble then embellishing them with stones, beads and metal components. I am in love with these.

These jumbo bracelet stacks are sure to make a statement. The bracelet stacks have vibrant colors with accents of copper, silver and brass. You're sure to get looks wearing these layered bracelets.

Jumbo Stack Bracelets are available in my Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs studio HERE

Artisan Silk Ribbon Wrap Bracelets

Here is my new line of yoga bracelets. They are made with hand dyed silk ribbon that I was able to get from another artist They have gorgeous ombre color patterns and the silk ribbon has finished edges to prevent fraying.

Each silk ribbon wrap bracelet has a cluster in the center. The cluster can include semi-precious gemstones, crystals, pearls and/or cubic zirconia. Each cluster also includes charms with empowerment symbols like Om, the elephant, peace signs, hamsa hands, tree of lifet, etc.

Each stone or element is hand wire wrapped in either copper, cold, silver or brass wire.

I love the look of these and they can be wrapped around the wrist up to 7 times. They also have and extender chain for the perfect fit.

The yoga bracelets are available in my Studio for $33 each. Click here for more information or to purchase.

A Quick Guide to Caring for Your Artisan Jewelry

Jewely is an investment and can last forever if you take the proper care of it. Here are a few tips on how to care for your Artisan Jewelry. I've added a few convenient links for some of the products I discuss.

• Put your jewelry on last when getting dressed. This avoids over spray of makeup, lotions, hair products and perfume. All of which can cause dulling, pitting and degradation of gemstones.

• Do wipe your jewelry with a soft cotton micro-fiber cloth after wearing. This removes the oils, dust and dirt from daily wear.

• Do not wear your jewelry while working with harsh chemicals or cleaning solutions. They will have the same affects as makeups and perfumes. If this should happen, rinse your jewelry in warm water as soon as possible and let air dry before storing. 

• Do store your jewelry in airtight containers. Metals will oxidize naturally over time. Storing them in airtight containers, will extend the natural process. You can also place a  piece of chalk or an anti-tarnish square inside your container. This will help with moisture and oxidation control.

• Do store your jewelry pieces individually to prevent them from rubbing against each other. This could cause scratches and chips in the metal and gemstones. Store them in separate compartments in your jewelry box or in small zipper top plastic bags.

• If your jewelry should tarnish, do not use chemical jewelry cleaners. Some gemstones are softer than others and the chemicals can break down the stones composition. 

• Use only a jewelry polishing cloth for cleaning. (for dirt and dust in crevasses, you may use a dry, soft bristle toddler toothbrush to loosen the dirt.

• Avoid wearing your jewelry during rough activities, this will avoid cracks, scratches and breakage. 

Artisan Jewelry is wearable art and an expression of yourself...............So take care of both of you!

Necklaces and Necklines~How to find the perfect match!

Not sure what type of necklace to wear with what outfit? It does matter. The style of necklace that you wear can enhance or detract from the look of both your outfit and your jewelry.  Here are a few tips to follow when choosing your perfect accessory. Following these will help to spotlight you, your outfit and your jewelry.

Plunging neckline:
A plunging neckline, believe it or not, usually does not fare well with a neck

lace even though there’s a lot to bare. It takes away from the outfit, which is already a statement. Instead, skip the necklace and accessorize with rings, earrings, bracelets, hair/head bands or barrettes.

Sweetheart neckline:
A sweetheart neckline gives a lot of room to work with since the shoulders are also bare. It’s a flirty style and looks great with a short bib necklace, chunky necklace, pendant necklace, and it can be simple or bold.

V-shaped neck:
A V-shaped neck always looks sweet with a Y-shaped necklace, pendant necklace, or a cascading necklace that follows the V shape.

Square neck:
A square neck dress or top looks perfect with short layered chains, a dainty necklace, or a short chunky necklace that creates a structured round curve to complement and balance the square shape.

Bateau neckor Boat Neck:
The bateau neck covers you up on top, so you want to go the opposite with a long necklace–layered or single.

Draped neckline:
A draped neckline paired with a necklace can look like too much is going on, so if you must, opt for a short dainty necklace.

Round neck:
Just like the bateau neck, a round crew neck style covers up the neck. A short necklace can compete with the neckline so you want to go the opposite with a long necklace. Go with a long pendant necklace or one with charms or tassels dangling at the ends.

Basic Guide to Chakras

There is a lot of talk about Chakras. What exactly are they? Here's a short intro Chakras and the gemstone that help to align them.

A Chakra can be thought of as an energy point within the body. Chakra Therapies have been used for thousand

s of years by the Chinese and Indian cultures to balance energy in the body. They maintain that imbalances at these points may result in emotional and physical upsets. They believe the body is entwined with the emotions and spirit. Upsets at critical periods of the life may manifest as physical complaints. While modern medicine is just now discovering the link between stress, our emotions and our health, gemstones have been used for thousands of years in moving and manipulating Chakra Energy, sometimes called Ch'i or Prana. It is believed by many Naturopaths that a Chakra responds to the energy produced by particular gemstones and are therefore thought to bring balance and align these energy points in the body.

 

7th - Crown Chakra
Transcendence
Gemstones: Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Opal, Moonstone
6th - 3rd Eye or Brow Chakra
Spiritual
Gemstones:Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Sodalite, Sugilite, Purple Fluorite, Dumortierite, Blue Aventurine, Charoite, Tanzanite, Dark Blue Kyanite
5th - Throat Chakra
Communication
Gemstones: Turquoise, Blue Lace Agate, Angelite, Blue Topaz, Blue Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli (light), Blue Chalcedony, Blue Calcite, Sapphire, Blue Opal, Aquamarine
4th - Heart Chakra
Love and Compassion
Gemstones:Green Aventurine, Rose Quartz, Malachite, Jade, Rhodochrosite, Pink Kunzite, Rhodonite, Pink Opal, Lepidolite
3rd - Navel Chakra
Will Power
Gemstones:Yellow Amber, Citrine, Golden Topaz, Yellow Calcite, Yellow Aragonite, Golden Tiger Eye, Rutilated Quartz
2nd - Sacral Chakra
Pleasure
Gemstones: Carnelian, Yellow/Golden Topaz, Tiger Eye, Orange Amber, Sunstone, Peach Aventurine, Malachite
1st - Root Chakra
Fear, Security, Survival
Gemstones: Black Tourmaline, Garnet, Hematite, Obsidian, Black Onyx, Dark Ruby, Smoky Quartz, Bloodstone
General Chakra
There are some gemstones that do not need cleansing, or that are said to be extremely effective in aligning all Chakras.
Kyanite - Besides being an exceptionally beautiful stone, Kyanite is said to effortlessly align all Chakras and never need cleansing.
Kunzite - Said to help pinpoint and move energy blockages.

I was a very bad girl! Bead Shopping!

I hit the bead show yesterday and picked up some yummy candy. It is always overwhelming and I always wish that I had more money to spend.  I tend to buy things that catch my eye. The only thing I wish I could have purchased were some unbelievable booulder opals from Queensland, Australia. One day.

Here are some photos of my latest purchases. Some of this may end up in the supply shop, so if you see something you like, leave me a note.

I bought a beautiful labradorite cabachon and rounds. Hoping to turn that one into a bead embroidery collar.