Elokuun Kivi: Peridootti

Peridootti on silikaattimineraali oliviinin puhdas jalokivimuunnos. Oliviini esiintyy rakeisina, massamaisina muodostumina, mutta peridootti muodostaa suuria kauniinvärisiä ja läpinäkyviä kiteitä, jotka on helppo hioa jalokiviksi. Peridootista käytetään synonyymia krysoliitti, joka on johdoettu kreikan kielen sanasta kultakivi.

Peridootti on vihreään vivahtava jalokivi, jota louhitaan muun muassa Brasiliassa. Sillä on uskottu olevan maagisia parannuskykyjä, joten sen kantaja on saanut nauttia terveydestä. Sen on uskottu auttavan terveyden lisäksi karistamaan kateelliset tunteet sekä laiskuuden. 

Ominaisuudet:

Peridootti muistuttaa hyvin paljon lasia, se on hauras ja sillä on hauras simpukkamainen murros. Haurautensa vuoksi sitä on käsiteltävä hyvin varovasti ja hiotut kivet upotetaan tukevaan metallipohjaiseen korupohjaan murtumisen estämiseksi. Peridoottia voidaan myös vaalentaa kuumentamalla sitä, jolloin peridootin väri vaihtelee keltavihreästä kirkkaanvihreään. Peridoottia käytetään paljon koru- ja jalokivenä ja joskus siitä käytetään myös nimeä ksysoliitti,

Peridoottia kutsutaan henkisen ja persoonallisen kasvun kiveksi. Tästä syystä sitä suositellaan erityisesti hoitajille ja parantajille. Se auttaa vapautumaan negatiivisista ajatuskuvioista ja pitkään kannetuista henkisistä taakoista. Peridootti on erityisen hyvä apuväline mustasukkaisuudesta kärsiville henkilöille ja pariskunnille. Peridootin sanotaan olevan mielen terävöittäjä. Sitä voisi kuvailla myös eräänlaiseksi uuden alun kiveksi. Entisaikoina peridootin uskottiin luovan suojan taikoja, manauksia ja loitsuja vastaan. Peridootti on neitsyen horoskoppi- ja onnenkivi.

https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Pele

• Leijonan ja Neitsyen syntymäkivi
• Vähentää stressiä, vihaa ja syyllisyyttä
• Terävöittää mielen 
• Auttaa uupukseen ja apatiaan
• Pedidootin on uskottu vahvistavan immuunisysteemiä, aineenvaihduntaa ja kirkastavan ihoa
• 6.5 - 7 Mohrin kovuusasteikolla
• Peridootti innostaa kaunopuheisuuteen ja luovuuteen
• Käyttämällä peridootti korvakoruja, rannekoruja, kaulakoruja tai sormuksia on uskottu tuovan hyvää säätä
• Peridootin on uskottu olevan myös jumalatar Pelen kyyneleitä
  
  

Peridootti kaulakoru by FjeldDesign

 

Peridootin vihreä Swarovski kristalli nilkkakoru by FjeldDesign

Tsekkiläiset lasikukka korvakorut Swarovski kristallilla by BlueBellJewelry.
Vasemmalla: Peridootin vihreät kukkakorvakorut, keskellä opaakkipintaiset kukkakorvakorut ja oikealla tummanvihreät kukkakorvakorut

Sudenkorento korvakorut tsekkiläisillä lasihelmillä by BlueBellJewelry. 

Korvakorut ovat saatavilla myös muissa väreissä. kaikissa kullattu korvakorukoukku, joka on nikkeli, - lyijy, - ja kadmium vapaat. Vasemmalla vaaleanvihreät ja oikealla tummanvihreät.

Vihreä monisäikeinen rannekoru hopeoiduilla kaariputkilla.
Rannekoru on kevyen tuntuinen ja viimeistelee tyylisi. Saatavilla 9 eri värissä. 

~ Minna

Fall / Winter Jewelry Trends 2020

Before you know it, we will be switching out our swimsuits and sandals for sweaters and boots but don´t forget that all of those cold weather essentials look so much better with a little bling. So it´s time to thinking about the Fall 2020 jewelry trends.

For the Autumn and Winter 2020 season jewelry trends range from polished and elegant to ultraglamorous and a little bit gritty. 

Clothing fashion is now largely in the 70s and so is jewelry. The jewelry is now mainly big and showy and in this disco decade the jewelry is mainly gold toned.

Fall and Winter 2020 Jewelry Trends:

Earrings:

• Shoulder-grazing earrings
• Oversized hoop earrings
• Polished gold doorknocker clip hoop earrings
• Rhinestone hanging earrings
• Gold tone faux pearl earrings
• Baby heart studs
• Mismatched earrings
• Cherry chain drop earrings
• Initial threader
• Gold heart stud earrings
• Gold butterfly earrings
• Ear cuffs
• Razzle-dazzle rhinestones

Necklaces:

• Ultra long necklaces
• Tassel pendant necklaces
• Statement chokers
• Crystal loop choker necklaces
• Chandelier necklaces
• Large necklaces
• Polished chains
• Charm necklaces

Bracelets:

• Large curb bracelet
• Multi-stone charm bracelet
• Charm bracelets
• Big bangle bracelets
• Glow stick bracelets
• Rhinestone bracelets
• Ethnic patterned bracelet

Other jewelry:

• Punky pieces
• Pearl jewelry
• Thick jewelry
• The haddy ring
• Large costume gems (gigantic stones, in round-, pear- and emerald cut shapes)
• Costume jewelry
• Heavy duty chains
• Star jewelry
• Paper clip jewelry
• Resin flower jewelry

Who doesn´t need a little bling in their lives? This season you have permission to wear shiny, sparkly and meaningful jewelry.

~ Minna

Learning New

One of the reason why I love to make jewelry is endless possibilities to learn new techniques and there’s tons of different kind beads and jewelry supplies. 

When I started to make my own jewelry more consistently my skills were basic level. I’ve always love to make my own kind jewelry and first one I made in kindergarten. I had long hair and my mom didn’t buy from me hair ties so one day in kindergarten there were box of different kind wooden beads and elastic cord. I was so happy that I finally could make hair ties. I wished that my mom would braided my hair in the morning but every morning was so hustling that she hadn’t time to do that. When I grew little older, I learned to do French braided to myself. 

Many years went by before I ended up back into jewelry making. I have made jewelry for my friend and myself but never sold any until I got chance to make jewelry for the sale. I was so nervous and hadn’t any thoughts what kind jewelry I wanted to do so I started to browse Finnish jewelry online stores and ordered few supplies. I made mostly flower earrings and simple stretch bracelets. I got more self confidence when people said nice things about my jewelry and actually bought them.

I opened my first a Etsy shop 2012 and year after that I opened second shop, BlueBellJewelry where I continued to sell cute flower jewelry but the path has lead me more Bohemian style jewelry.

Although I have done many years now jewelry, I find it so exciting to learn new. Couple years back I learned to do tassel earrings and brick stitch was firstly tricky especially when I needed to go second row and do same thing opposite way. It took me two days to learn it and I even had dream of it. 

I’m eager to learn constantly more and try to challenge myself time to time so I can evolve as a jewelry maker. Jewelry making is so relaxing and creative. You can make things always little bit better and little bit different way. Most important thing is to enjoy to make jewelry and have some fun.

Beginning of twisted two row seed bead bracelet 

Couple days ago I learned new way to make seed bead jewelry so browse YouTube and saw tutorial about “Tubular stitch” that is two row of seed beads that twisted nicely as you proceed. I learned it quickly since the tutorial was so clearly and made to friend my first twisted bracelet.

This was so easy and neat technique that invoked me crave to search more and my next goal is to make seed bead rope. 

I hope that some day I can make this kind jewelry. Love to learn this kind technique 

~ Minna 

Gift Guide 3/3 - Perfect Bracelet

Finding perfect bracelet could be difficult especially if you are going to buy it as a gift but also finding perfect bracelet for yourself that fit fit perfectly can be challenging.

Bracelets are available so many different variations ⎯ with clasp, stretchy ones, with charms or without charms, different beads and pearls, leather ones etc. 

What should you know before searching bracelet that will fit you? 

Firstly, you need to know your wrist size or if you buy the bracelet as a gift then recipient´s wrist size. The wrist size you can measure yourself at home, you just need couple things to do that.

Measuring your wrist size:

- Take pencil or marker

This image shows how you should measure your wrist size with strip of paper

- Take non-stretchy string or narrow piece of paper (it´s important that the string or yarn what you use for measuring your wrist size is non-stretchy because otherwise the measuring result can be wrong)

- Wrap the string/paper around your wrist and mark where ends meet or hold it with your other hand.

- Take a ruler and measure the result against the ruler

- Add half or one inch measure result so the bracelet what you are going to buy have some room move and you can also bend your arm normally

The perfect size bracelet is too big, if it fall out from your hand when you face it towards the floor. Bracelet is also too big for you if you flew out from your wrist when you gently shake it.

Perfect length bracelet should be snug fit but not squeeze from anything or feel otherwise too tight. Make sure you have enough room to use your hand normally (that´s why I personally recommend to add half or most often one inch more in the measure result). 

 Above image works on bracelets which have clasp but how you measure if the dream bracelet you want do not have any clasp?

Image on the left works for bangle bracelets and also cuff bracelet which do not have any clasp. They are meant to slide through your hand. The image have detailed instruction how you can measure if you are going to buy bangle or cuff bracelet.

Some bracelets are stretchy which will "forgive" minor measuring errors but if there are missing several inches or centimeters the stretchy bracelet will not look good in your wrist. Buying stretchy bracelet, I will recommend to use method that I have represented on the first measuring photo.

The stretchy bracelet can have snug fit or little bit loose but it shouldn´t be too tight. How you know when the stretch bracelet is too tight? Well, the beads or pearls doesn´t go evenly around your wrist. Most stretchy bracelets are made of strong elastic cord (usually translucent color) and if this is visible, your bracelet is slightly too small for you. Another good thing is to keep in mind when your stretch bracelet might be too small is when you take it off and pattern of the beads stays on your skin little while.

Cuff bracelet is like a bangle bracelet but

isn´t closed. Cuff bracelets are meant to

fit tightly on the wrist. Adjust the cuff so

it doesn´t pinch.

Finally few bracelet length that might help you buy perfect bracelet.

• Standard women´s bracelet length: 6.5 - 7 inches (7 inches is most common)
• Standard men´s bracelet length: 7.5 - 9 inches (8 inches is most common)
  
  Above measurements are only average lengths what women and men usually use but every people´s wrist size vary like ring size.

I hope you find your dream bracelet that pleases your eyes or when you look at the specific bracelet, it immediately remind someone close to you. I hope my blog post help you determine which length bracelet you should buy.

~ Minna

PS. Feel free to comment or share my blog post on your social media 😉

Bracelet Fashion

This week´s subject is bracelet and bangle fashion in Fall and Winter 2019.

As you may guess by now, the bracelets and bangles are big and statement looking in this season but they are also sparkling and colorful. Bracelet and bangle style seems getting vibes from modern hippie style. All boho and bohemian style bracelets and bangles has come back in style again. Don´t forget the tassel or layer bracelets and bangles too.

I personally love to wear any sparkling bracelet. I have always love any sparkling jewelry because they are naturally just beautiful to me. Little sparkle makes your everyday outfit little more special and why? There´s no reason. Does sparking jewelry really need a good reason to wear? Absolutely not!

I wear it simply because I want to feel myself little more glamorous especially if I´m feeling little down or the day is cloudy and rainy. Wearing sparkling jewelry will instant lift my mood and I don´t worry about rainy day. Beautiful jewelry really has the power to make you feel better about yourself and it will also give beautiful finish any outfit.

Sparkling bracelets and bangles are hot in this season and they will go with any evening dress and if you want to add little luxury in your daily outfit choose some sparkling bracelet or bangle.

Classic pearl bracelets are also hot and trendy in this season.

Pearl bracelets and bangles can be found so many different style. Most classic design is single stand

pearl bracelet which is classic and timeless pearl jewelry. Single strand pearl bracelet is perfect choice for with business outfit, for the bride or bridesmaids. Single strand pearl bracelet can be just with pearls or with some charm or initial.

If you looking for extra comfortable pearl bracelet, choose flexible bracelet. Flexible bracelet usually doesn´t have any clasp so they are easy to slide on your wrist. More durable bracelet is made of wire or strong beading thread. These ones usually have clasp and you have to know your  wrist size more accurately than flexible since these kind bracelets won´t be any flexible.

Glass and crystal pearls are more affordable choice instead of real or fresh water pearls. How can you tell differences between all these pearls? Let me answer to you. You can simple tell difference between real or glass pearls by their weight, shape and colors. 

Glass and crystal pearls are usually equally round shape and they don´t necessarily weight less than real pearls. Any jewelry maker who work with real pearl should know that each pearl separate with a knot so they won´t scratch each other. Also real pearls never comes in pure white color. The real pearl white is usually more natural white and color bend more in warm white / yellow white. The price is also good difference teller. Real pearl cost more than glass pearls. Real and fresh water pearls shapes are never equally round shape. They slightly vary from each other and even high quality pearls have minor shape  differences.

Pearl bangle bracelets are bracelets without any clasp and they comes in various design. Bangles can have one or several pearls in the middle of the bangle. Bangle bracelet can be also open ones which give you more space to slip it through your hand.

Bangles are meant to just slip through your hand so it´s important to measure it right before buying. 

If you like to buy pearl or any other bangle bracelet but don´t know how to measure it, you simply need to fold your thumb as far as possible across your hand. Measure across the widest part of your folded hand from the end of your thumb all around your hand. Add 3/4 - 1 inch (2 - 2.5 cm) in your measure result to get more comfortable bangle bracelet.

My memory wire bracelets are in top row and two bracelets in the second row are also memory wire bracelet. Last one is good example for wrap bracelet that be wrap around your wrist two to four times.

Also bracelet that are made from memory wire are good options. Memory wire´s best quality is that it always get back in its original shape although you stretch it. Memory wire bracelets are easy to wrap around your wrist. Your wrist size is not so important than regular bracelets since memory wire bracelet are flexible but in order that they go nicely wrap in your wrist, the memory wires also have different diameters so pay attention what dimension the bracelet is. I have also made couple bracelet from memory wire. I got excited when I saw wooden beads in gold, silver and copper color and I thought they would be perfect as a three layer bracelet.

Bracelets styles that are also hot and trendy in Fall and Winter 2019

In this season bracelets are also multi layer ones. Most common bracelet style is long bracelet that you can wrap two or more times around your wrist. Tassel bracelet and bangles are fun way to add a bohemian vibe to any look.

I hope you enjoy to read my blog post and if you got any questions about bracelets or bangles, feel free to comment below, I will try my best to answer to you :)

~ Minna