Design Your Own Caged Pearl Earrings

 This week I have made a new listing in my Etsy shop where you design your own caged pearl earrings.  That's right - you design them! In your choice of pearl colors and wire wrapping.

These earrings are so pretty - and they are such fun to make! If you are a DIY person, you can read my previous tutorial on how to make them yourself here.

For these pearl beauties, I use genuine Swarovski crystal pearls in a variety of colors. You choose both the pearl color and the wire-wrapping. Choose sterling silver, silver filled, 14K gold fill, 14K rose gold fill, bronze, or gunmetal wire wrapping.

These earrings are perfect for brides and bridesmaids, but they are simple and classic enough for everyday wear as well.

As always, thanks for visiting!

Irene


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Sun Catchers and Sun Prisms - A Bit Of Winter Therapy!

My family and I made a wonderful trip to Key West over the Holidays, and we had a marvelous time. The temperatures were in the high 70's and 80's - balmy and absolutely perfect!  It was so awesome to get away in the middle of winter to a little bit of what I would call paradise. In fact, I'm ready to go back!

Here's a few shots of us living the good life in sunny Key West:

Hubby & me enjoying a Mimosa on the covered porch of our condo.

Here we are getting ready to enjoy lunch at the Southern Most Cafe.

I just had to take a shot of this charming shop decorated for Christmas.
It sure didn't feel like Christmas though!

We spent four great days there. And then we came back home to reality.  We got on the plane to come home from Florida wearing shorts and flip flops on a balmy 85 degree day. We exited the plane in Charlotte to 40 degree rainy and cold weather.

And then it got worse - the temperatures have dropped to the 20's and 30's. I know I shouldn't complain - here in South Carolina our winters are mild compared to the northern states. But nonetheless, I am ready for spring!

So now that we are firmly in the grasp of winter, I have been searching for a way to connect back to the sun again. And I did what I often do - retreat to my jewelry and beading room. And in my quest for the sun, I made sun catchers. And then I kept making sun catchers. I started out just planning to make one. But one just wasn't enough - I kept going.  After all, maybe sun catchers are therapeutic - watching the sun reflect and dance through them is actually uplifting. And so I thought I would share the results of my sun catching therapy here with you:

"Jewels in Flight" Sun Catcher
Large round disc crystal prism, crystal beaded chain with hummingbird

Celestial Moon & Stars SunCatcher
Large baroque prism with moon & stars etchings

Close-up view of Celestial Moon & Stars Sun Catcher

"Queen of the Sun" Large Crystal Sun Prism.
Large crystal disc and beaded chain

Multi-Color Deco Sun Catcher.
Large crystal ball suspended on multi-color jeweled chain

Full View of Multi-Color Deco Sun Catcher

And I made a few rear view mirror sun catcher charms too:

Swarovski Crystal Heart Rear View Mirror Sun Catcher Charm.
Interchangeable heart charms

I made the crystal heart charms a couple of weeks ago - you can find a tutorial on how to make these in my earlier post DIY Tutorial Wire-Wrapped Heart Pendant.

So now you know how I created a little bit of sunshine for myself!

To see all of my sun catchers be sure to visit me on Etsy at DJAjewels.etsy.com!  You can find all of these designs and more here in my Sun Catchers section.

Till next time!

Irene

Most Versatile Lanyard Ever

Are you looking for a cool and pretty way to keep up with your eyeglasses and/or ID-Badge? Well, I know I have looked long and hard for just the right lanyard in the past. And that is why I started making eyeglass chains and lanyards. I sell these designs in one of my three Etsy shops: EyeglassChainsEtc.etsy.com.

Today I thought I would share one of my more popular designs. I make this lanyard in both silver and gold.

I use a pretty large link etched chain in bright rhodium plated silver and a soft matte gold. I place three matching large round links in the chain for visual interest and to function as eyeglass loops.

I added a detachable swivel clasp for use as an ID-Badge holder.  To use it as an eyeglass necklace, simply hang your glasses through one of the three large rings.  Of course, it also makes a very pretty long necklace if you don't need to use it for your glasses or ID-Badge.

Here are some examples of different ways to wear this pretty chain:

You can find this chain in my Etsy shop EyeglassChainsEtc.etsy.com.

I have listings there for both the Silver Lanyard and the Gold Lanyard.

Thanks for stopping by!  Till next time ...

Irene