Jewel Box Friday - Pandora Bracelets

I've been tossing around the idea of doing a weekly post about jewelry. My DD makes costume jewelry, sometimes with semi precious stones and sometimes with gold and/or silver. She always coming up with interesting pieces. And of course, I'm always willing to "model" and sometimes buy the jewelry.

The latest creations are her version of the Pandora Bracelet. She and I have spotted the bead laden bracelets on celebrities (pictured in magazines). Everyone is wearing them. Here are few that are in my jewelry box.

The beads can be purchased at Fire Mountain Gems or Oriental Trading Company. Below are two more one for me and the other for me DS.

So, what do you think about Pandora Bracelets?

Spring 2011 Fashion Trends

I'm still sewing fashion show and winter clothing. But that does not stop me from looking ahead for fashion ideas for Spring 2011. People StyleWatch reports the following top ten fashion trends. How many are on your list of to make and/or to wear?

Coral Dress

Woven Bracelet

T-Strap Heels

Floral Print Peasant Blouse

Trench Coat

Floral Print Dress

Crossbody Bag

Clog Sandals

Chambray Jacket

Floral Necklace

Style Watching - Arm Jewelry: Bracelets!

In the February 2009 issue of O Magazine, they feature a variety of cuff bracelets. This is my favorite "arm jewelry". Sure, I wear other styles every now and then. But as a rule I wear cuffs, wearing two as I type this post. The cuff fits close to the wist and doesn't distract as I work at my desk or doing presentations. Most of the time, I'm perched upon my chair at the computer doing what I'm paid to do.

Most of mine are inexpensive, made of silver, copper and/or brass. This year I'm in the market to buy something a little more expensive. I searched the on-line stores (Saks and Macy's) to get an idea of what available. Here are a couple that I really like. Some high end the others in a price range that I can afford.

Sterling Silver Etched Cuff $58.65 Macy's

Links of London Cuff Sugarcane $425.00 Bloomingdales

Eliot Danori Crystal Floral $100.00 Macy's

Kara Ross - Small Gold Metallic Shirt Cuff $298 Saks

John Hardy - Wide Bamboo Sticks Cuff $1,395 Saks

Bold Necklace - Fashion Trend 2008

My best Christmas gift was crafted my DD. In August I posted five must haves and planned to at least make the dress and blouse. Needless to say, neither was made (yet).

The inspiration necklace was priced at about $2 grand. I expressed the desire for the bold gold necklace to my DD (jewelry crafter). She and I went to a new bead store across the street from Vogue Fabrics on Roosevelt to see what they had to offer. We picked up several types of beads, but didn't find any that resembled the bold gold necklace that I wanted.



DD made my first bold necklace from some black marbled stone. It's nice, but didn't quite satisfy the desire. Unbeknownst to me, DD went on a hunt and found an online supplier of gold and silver materials for jewelry crafters. This was her "Big" gift to me for Christmas, and she made a pair of earrings too!