Eat, Pray, Love Necklace Featured
My Eat, Pray, Love inspired elephant necklace is being featured by an ArtFire shop owner in an Earth Element collection. Check out this handmade necklace and the other great collection items.
3 Handmade Jewelry Gifts for Under $20: Just in Time Watches
Don’t let a limited budget stop you from giving a fabulous gift of jewelry. Here’s 3 great handmade beaded watches for under $20 from Rose of Sharon Jewelry.
Just in Time Watches
Pretty in Pink – this watch features bold pink faux pearls with delicate translucent opalite beads. The square face is modern and fun! $19.99 at Etsy.
The tumbled brown agate beads provide a soft neutral look for this lovely oval watch. $19.99 at Etsy.
These beautiful Fluorite tumbled beads are naturally beautiful and look great with the antiqued silver look of the round watch face.
Watches are an interesting form of jewelry combining practical needs with fashion looks. Check out the entire line of handmade watches and other affordable handmade jewelry from our A.F.F. Jewelry Collection at Etsy.
Special Subscriber Offer
Want to save $5 on your next purchase from our Etsy store? Simply convo me and tell me you are a Rose of Sharon newsletter subscriber and I’ll give you $5 back on any purchase through December 15th.
Please Note: Etsy has no way to accept discount coupons so this $5 will be an immediate refund after paying for your order via PayPal.
Tiny Beads, Powerful Looks: Handmade Jewelry
The term “seed bead” is perfect for the tiny beads that I’m “planting” to “grow” fabulous wedding necklaces. Learn more about seed beads today.
Betty created this lovely long multi-strand necklace with tiny seed pearls. (picture below) The focal is a crystal filled geode slice.
Seed beads are informally any bead the size of a seed – whether the bead is a teeny pearl, a thumbnail sized wood bead from Africa or a small silver lined cylinder bead. With such variety, these beads play a big roll in handmade jewelry.
The most common seed beads are glass beads in sizes referred to as aught which loosely defined means the number of beads you can fit into an inch. The most common size is 11/0 (eleven-aught) which is 11 beads per inch. Beaders work with beads from the smallest 24/0 (twenty-four aught) to 5/0 (five-aught). Seed beads come in literally thousands of color and looks. Visiting the seed bead aisle of a bead store will amaze you!
Most bead crafters working with seed beads are using them to weave patterns and designs to create a “fabric of beads”. These can be used to make purses, necklaces, decorative pieces and even 3-D sculptures.
The best quality glass seed beads come from Japan and the Czech Republic. The uniformity of size and texture is critical when creating pictures and designs where images appear.
Rose of Sharon Jewelry artists aren’t bead weavers but seeds beads still play an important part in adding a touch of color, a sparkling accent or to improve spacing between larger beads. You may not even realize the dozens of seed beads incorporated in one of our handmade jewelry designs but they were carefully chosen to enhance the one-of-a-kind look.
Lilac Sensation is a five-strand necklace with deep lilac seed beads interspersed with carved pink quartz flower beads.
The seed beads give a depth of color and the strands naturally twist for a lovely textural look.
Sandra Lee’s magnificent necklace – Social Climber – incorporates a rich blue strand of seed beads to carry the lampwork focal’s base color up through the necklace.
Seed beads may be tiny but they play a big role in making beautiful and powerful jewelry. You’ll find seed beads in our artisan jewelry at Rose of Sharon Jewelry, A.F.F. Jewelry Collection at Etsy, Adornable Anklets and New Life Jewelry Art at ArtFire.
Starting Family Time
Mom is arriving this afternoon for Thanksgiving. We’ve got plenty of beading projects planned. Mom even had to get another rolling suitcase to bring all the beads!
Our goal is to 1) not become consumed with taking product photos; 2) make some wedding jewelry for a potential April wedding fair and 3) master some new jewelry making techniques.
Mom is great a learning new things as she never gives up until she masters it. Me – I have limits and tend to tuck things away and try again later. That’s why I have a dedicated work-in-progress bin which is always full.
Wedding jewelry isn’t just white pearls any longer. Splashes of colorful crystals along with all the shades of ivory, creams and peaches. I promise show off some of our newest creations in upcoming posts.
If you’re interested in a custom design for your upcoming nuptials, we’d be glad to bring your dream to reality! Contact Sharon for information on custom handmade wedding jewelry.
I’ll try to sneak off early each morning to share some creative insights and write new blog posts – but mostly I’ll be enjoying Mom’s visit.
Mom in purple!
New Ravishing in Red Necklace: The Color and Sparkle of the Season
Ravishing in Red – bold and beautiful choker with matching dangling earrings.Holidays require sparkle and what better way to add some to your party than by wearing this beautiful red crystal and CZ heart necklace. Ravishing in Red is a brand new handmade necklace from Sandra Lee.
The bold red crystals are just the perfect shade
of rich red to amp up the look of the faux diamond-studded, golden wrapped red CZ heart pendant.
The single crystal strand has some swirled gold plated beads to continue the gold theme from the heart pendant.
Ravishing in Red – bold and beautiful choker with matching dangling earrings.
10 Tips on Giving Handmade Jewelry
Sharing gifts of jewelry is an intimate communication that speaks volumes about your relationship with the recipient. Whether you are celebrating Christmas or remembering an anniversary, jewelry is always a great choice.
The cultural significance of jewelry along with its "impracticality" makes it a special keepsake for any woman.
Such a personal gift requires you to observe, listen and use your intuition when selecting the perfect Rose of Sharon original design. Below are some jewelry selection tips and gift ideas to help choose the right piece for that special someone.
Here’s our 10 Gift Giving Tips
1. Match the gift with the occasion.
A formal occasion such as a wedding requires formal jewelry. Special occasion jewelry can be more delicate than every day favorites.
Good choices for formal occasions are pearls, single strand necklaces, Swarovski or other crystals, delicate designs and 14k gold or fine silver components.
2. Remember the mood.
Looking for something to WOW her? Need to earn some brownie points or say I'm sorry? Go for the dramatic statement with a three-piece jewelry set featuring a beautiful necklace with matching bracelet and earrings. Think about what would make her smile (something she desires but might not buy for herself).
3. Choose a symbolic or spiritual stone or color.
For over 75,000 years, beads have been used to adorn clothing, hair, dinnerware and of course - ourselves. Across every continent, the universal gift of love has long been jewelry. Cultures around the globe have assigned symbolic meanings and spiritual properties to gemstones and other natural materials.
Perhaps she'd like a bracelet with her birthstone or Swarovski crystal representation. Or why not appeal to her spiritual side and empower her with a royal purple Amethyst or wish her a happy marriage with a string of pearls.
Red crystals represent true love and are a great choice for Valentine's Day. You'll find birthstone charts, spiritual guides and other information throughout the Rose of Sharon Jewelry site if you are interested in learning more about the symbolism of beads.
4. Select age appropriate styles.
The younger the recipient the more classic (demure) the look should be for long-term wearing.
Teens and preteens can be hard on jewelry so select more durable stones and materials and carefully instruct them on the proper care and cleaning. Look for sturdy clasps and "harder" materials.
When selecting jewelry for a more mature woman or anyone with dexterity challenges, look for pieces with easy to use toggle or hook and eye clasps.
Please be aware that Rose of Sharon Jewelry is not designed for children 6 and under. For raw material safety information, please refer to our FAQ.
5. Look for the right size and balance.
6. Peek into her closet.
What colors are found most often? These are probably her favorites so match or coordinate your choice so she can wear your gift often. Look at necklines to choose the right length necklace. Longer length necklaces are typically considered more informal.
7. Coordinate with her wardrobe.
8. Check her jewelry box.
Is she a gold or a silver gal? Or does she like to mix it up? If you only see silver - invest in a Rose of Sharon design that features fine silver (99.5% pure silver) or sterling silver (92.5%) beads and components. If gold tones are her fave, look for vermeil (gold over silver), gold fill, or 12 or 14k gold as the featured metal.
Does she have tons of earrings and no bracelets? The type of jewelry she wears most often is your best bet. Don't see any bracelets - then look for a necklace/earring set. If you are unsure of her wrist size for a bracelet or watch (and getting out a tape measure would ruin the surprise), go for a great pair of earrings.
9. Consider her lifestyle.
There are three types of jewelry - "Everyday" jewelry is comfortable, durable and looks great with everything from sweats to sun dresses; "I'm feeling pretty" jewelry adds a special touch to "out and about" outfits for work, shopping or play; "Look at me" jewelry makes a statement, tells people who you are or celebrates a memorable occasion. A busy Mom of twins might love a sparkly fun watch; while dangly charm bracelets or bouncy earrings could just get in the way.
10. Still lost?
A Rose of Sharon Jewelry gift certificate might be the answer. She can shop for what she'd like 24/7 from any Rose of Sharon Jewelry store and you'll still be the hero. We can even email you the certificate so you don't miss that important date! Rose of Sharon Jewelry gift certificates are on sale through November – SAVE 15%. Stock up now for all your 2010 and 2011 jewelry giving occasions.
Precious Pink: Handmade Pearl Jewelry for the Bride
Handmade wedding jewelry is a great way to build memories and start a family tradition. At Rose of Sharon Jewelry, we create all types of bridal necklaces just for you. We also love to create custom designs for your memorable day.
New Precious Pink Faux Pearl Set
This soft pale faux pearl necklace set is so Precious Pink. Created by Betty for the pink loving bride, this handmade necklace, bracelet and earring set feature heirloom quality glass pearls in the softest pink.
The 16-inch necklace features larger pearls in the front mixed with tiny pearls for interest. The choker continues up with smaller pearls and is finished with a romantic sterling silver toggle clasp.
The matching bracelet features the two smallest sized pearls from
the necklace and is finished with a matching silver toggle clasp. The bracelet fits wrists up to 7-1/4 inches.
Bonus Feature: To create a 24-inch necklace, simply link the bracelet and necklace toggle clasps together and you'll have a fresh new look!
The finishing touch to Precious Pink is the 2-1/4 inch dangling pink pearl earrings. The sterling silver chain and fishhook earrings continue the sterling look of this one-of-a-kind set.
Glass pearls have been used in wedding jewelry for centuries as they offer the finest detail and coloring without the big budget you'd need for cultured pearls. Don't forget First Lady Jackie O wore faux pearls as does First Lady Michelle Obama.
Don't know if you'll want a 3-piece necklace set? This heirloom quality trio is such a great value that you can share the extra piece or pieces with a favorite friend. Each piece is so classic - they'll remember who gave it to them for decades to come.
If you are interested in Rose of Sharon Jewelry creating personal bridal jewelry (for the bride and/or her entire wedding party), drop us a note at slfullen@roseofsharonjewelry.com and we’ll be in touch.


















