Black Inspiration

I was recently asked to make some black earrings for a client. Ideas and inspiration exploded in my head. I believe with jewelry designers, artisans, this is how it happens sometimes. 

It's either feast or famine, right? 

Dry times of "making" can be so discouraging. I get through the "dry spell" by looking through my past work, cleaning my work space, and then just randomly digging through my supplies. Generally that's all it takes. Beads and components start coming together like magnets. 

However, this was not one of those dry times. This time, the inspiration was flowing like a river in the winter. It's like being filled with a spirit and your hands are not your own. For a few hours you are in another dimension being guided by a muse and when it's all over... you can sit back and bask in the glow of your creation. (hopefully) or be applaud by it- that's happened a time or two as well. 

Back to the black inspiration. 

 I am thrilled with how this came out. 

These earrings feature micro faceted Black Spinel gemstones, flower charms created from bits of recycled pure silver, and small fine silver hoops, hand forged. Available at Art & Soul Jewelry. I see a matching bracelet in the future!

See the rest of my Black Inspiration here!

peace, blessings, and INSPIRATION~

Throwback... Monday

I know, I know.... it's not Thursday, but I'm still in "website reno" mode, and there's so much to do... 

I figured I'd show off a pair of earrings that I made a little while ago.

It may not seem like much at first glance, but there's a lot of significance in this design:

A mixture of geometry in jewelry... circle, square, triangle

Sparkling Farah Earrings by Nathalie Lesage

Think of the 3D shape of the Swarovski Cubes - Dimensions, the past, the present, the future..

 all belong in the collective energy of the cube.

The circle, representation of the Circle of Life. Never-ending, everlasting.

The triangles, found in the Triquetra charms: I have a Triquetra tattoo, and although it has many meanings throughout various cultures, for me, it stands for the Holy Trinity.

Protection, divinity, clarity.

There's usually more than meets the eyes ;)

Have a wonderful day!

Nathalie

http://www.NathalieLesageJewelry.com

http://www.TheCraftyTribe.com

Chains and Leather

We're into the swing of the Holidays, and this means lots of parties coming up!

Are you ready for it?

In my humble opinion, just like a woman's wardrobe is not complete unless she owns "That little black dress", the same goes for her jewelry box... You've got to own that perfect pair of earrings for your nights out on the town:

A little bit mysterious with the Black Spinel gemstones and Hematite Beads...

A little bit edgy with the Sterling Silver chains...

Textures that catch the light and dazzle the room...

A touch of Fire Engine Red lipstick and nail polish... your favorite black dress and it is time. to. party.

Black Leather Holiday Style by nathalie-lesage featuring black tights

I looooooove leather, and I couldn't resist creating a couple of Polyvore boards

featuring black leather :)

Of course, the board above features a more 'upscale' style, but these Black Spinel/Hematite Hoop Earrings would work equally well with this more casual leather outfit:

Black Leather Holiday Style 2 by nathalie-lesage featuring lace up ankle boots

Now that is versatility!

You can find my Belinda Black Stones and Chains Hoop Earrings HERE on my website.

Enjoy the Holiday Season!

Nathalie

http://www.NatLJ.com

Basic Black

What is the main color that fills your closet? Mine has a lot of black. I don't want to be that "emo" girl who always wears black but I am drawn to it. (no offense emo girls!) I love wearing black and it's easy to fit any other color with it, so it's a good go-to accessory & clothing color. 

These earrings are another take on my beach glass/stone earrings. The only two stones I found that were so beautifully smooth and really *black. All the other stones I collected on this day were some sort of gray. I really love the look and feel of these smooth stones. 

photo by Cindy Pack free for personal use

They pair well with the silver and add a nice contrast to the metal, even in it's rustic patina'd state. 

My original idea was to have the asymmetrical rings hanging side by side. But I was inspired by some of the many asymmetrical earrings I've seen here on the EE blog and I mixed it up a bit. I'm really pleased with how they came out. 

Available at Art & Soul Jewelry 

http://www.artandsouljewelry.com/

Found black stones, handmade fine silver rings, and black stone beads from Alexanders Bead Bazaar (Seattle, WA). 

What's your go-to color? 

Peace~

Cindy 

Not So Basic Black

I reversed my usual process for this post and assembled my Polyvore outfit first and then made earrings that would coordinate with the ensemble. In the outfit below, I chose purple as an accent color and used pattern and texture to add interest. The earrings are Sterling silver with black ceramic beads that have some shades of mauve and gray, and a little dash of sea green African vinyl beads for additional color.

Back when I was still wearing stylish shoes and my clothes were sort of an "investment", I had some basic black pieces that served as my wardrobe foundation. Black is such a versatile color and has the added benefit of making us look thinner. I would still include pieces in colors that are within my palette. But Instead of having to start over each year in order to have the trendy colors of the current season, all I had to do was add a few new accents, maybe a couple of new tops and a pair of shoes.

The idea is to have basic pieces that can be worn with multiple components, to add contrasting colors and patterns, and to select styles that will be wearable for more than one season. The concept applies to jewelry as well. Start with the basics and then inject your own personality.

Business Lunch by bohobeader featuring high heels

Helmut Lang / Ports 1961 draped top / Stella McCartney long pants / High heels, $22 / Purple bag, $51 / rag & bone

To see more of Gloria Ewing's jewelry, click here or here.

Bewitchingly Framed

The allure of black brass is not lost on me. It pulls me in and seduces me into using it. I find it brings a slightly dark romantic side of me to life. The side that likes to dream of vampires and fairies or witches... I used to write short stories and had many such characters in them. Time travel, castles and mythical creatures would swarm into the stories.

 I see a bewitching young maiden with flowing red locks of hair, garbed in a long gown of green velvet, with large eyes of the same green. She walks on the moors enjoying the breeze blowing through the heather...

Can you picture her wearing these earrings? Maybe even a matching necklace...

Let your imagination roam...

Marie

Find these and Many many other pairs of fantastic earrings in my ETSY SHOP!!