Don’t Forget To Accessorize!

Are you those people who have multiple projects going at the same time and you constantly rushing everywhere? If say yes, please take some time to read my blog post.

I’m one of those person who have always multiple projects going, I do little that and little other thing, third thing and so on. My head is full of ideas and I constantly perform different task thinking that after this I have time. Because of constant rush, I usually forget to put any jewelry although I have many beautiful pieces that my friends have given me and some I made. Why? Because I haven’t planned them beforehand!

This one of my favorite quote but this only applies when you speak English. In Finnish we probably can say this: "I only wear jewelry on days ending with "I" that way only Wednesday will be out since it´s only day that ends with letter "O".

Jewelry is a necessary accessory that will give beautiful finish to you outfit whether you dress casually home day, date night or office. Many forget to add jewelry in their outfit when they’re heading in their busy day. Me is one of them so how this can be avoided?

Many people have beautiful jewelry in their jewelry box and sometimes you might you make discoveries in your jewelry box and wonder why you haven’t wear this lovely piece of jewelry for a long time? Sounds too familiar?

Here’s my tips how to use more jewelry in everyday:

1. Plan your beforehand your entire week’s outfit in one day or evening whatever time suits you best

2. When you have planned your entire week’s outfit and hanged them in separate hangers, take your jewelry box and plan your jewelry. They’re as much important as how you dress to your work place

3. Place necklace in your hanger’s loop so you can see how the necklace will look like

4. Place your selected bracelets into your hanger’s loop with your necklace if ended up using the bracelet

5. Hang your earrings in the blouse button hole if they’re dangle earrings and if they’re stud earrings, place them next to your car keys or home keys so you can add the earrings while you’re heading into your busy day

If you have table or chair where you can leave your next day outfit, fold them lightly and leave your selected shoes in front of chair. Place selected jewelry on the clothes so you will remember to add them too.

You can also put your jewelry up for the next day like Christina from Lakemanhaus do: 

 These are her favorite things:

• striped rainbow cardigan

• beaded hoop earrings

• leather diffuser necklace

• English oak & red currant oil

• circle ring

• grey booties

I love the way how she shows her jewelry. This way you can easily see how the jewelry will look with your selected outfit and I´m sure you will use these jewelry when you have put them up in front.

Lakemanhaus have beautiful handcrafted jewelry with custom possibilities which she makes from high quality materials. Visit her shop here: Lakemanhaus

I used plan my whole week outfits and jewelry every Sunday evening what I will wear each day when I went to Interior Designer school. This planning saved precious minutes from my morning when I felt that I needed to rush already to school again. Plus I didn’t needed to “fight” with my closet that this shirt doesn’t feel good this morning. My usual conversation with closet went before planning something like this: “ Oh, did I take again this shirt, not this one, where the heck is that nice shirt that I desperately want to wear today. “

Planning your outfit and your accessories beforehand saves your morning time and your nerves when you most likely have busiest time.

I hope these tips helps you to wear more often your beautiful jewelry and if you feel that you need to buy some new jewelry, you are warmly welcome to visit my BlueBellJewelry’s Etsy shop to check what’s new.

~ Minna 

Jewelry Fashion In Different Decades, Part 2

This is my second part of Jewelry Fashion In Different Decades, if you haven´t read already the first part, you can simply click here to read it.

This time I will write more about 70´s, 80´s and 90´s jewelry fashion. I´ve been 80´s child so I remember some jewelry and of course 90´s jewelry is in more better in my memory because back in 90´s I was close to teenage age.

Jewelry Fashion in 70´s

70´s fashion style and jewelry
Top row: 3rd jewelry can be purchase at my Etsy shop: BlueBellJewelry
Top row´s Gold Peace sign necklace can be purchase at FjeldDesign

Disco dancing 70´s gave us a fabulous new wardrobe full of color, texture and retro patterns. Do you remember jumpsuits, fringe jackets, flared pants, maxi dresses or retro T-shirts?

70´s jewelry continued the gold trend with gold chain belts and necklaces, vintage tassel necklaces, and long bead necklaces. On the disco dance floor, gold was essential. Bone and ivory were carved into bracelets, earrings and necklaces.

In 1970´s colors were bright and bold. Colorful, large patterns were used in the decor and clothing. The most popular colors of the 70´s were mustard yellow, various shades of brown, blue and olive green. Homemade and tuned items were also popular.

• Gold jewelry
• Peace sign necklace
• Flower and floral jewelry
• Ethnic jewelry
• Tassel earrings
• Tassel necklaces
• Tassel bracelets
• Feather earrings
• Statement necklaces
• Fabric jewelry
• Wooden jewelry
• Sequin jewelry

Jewelry Fashion in 80´s

80´s fashion style and jewelry

I was born in 1980´s so I can remember few jewelry that I owned back then. I remember having plastic electric blue colored teardrop shape earrings which I got from earring box where was different kind earrings and I loved to make friendship bracelets but what else where in fashion?

In the 80s, the colors were bright and usually in neon colors, which was repeated in both jewelry and clothing. Women’s hair was often creped and eye makeup was usually blue in color. Jewelry were big and bold.

• Plastic jewelry
• Lightning bolt earrings
• Sequin jewelry
• Neon jewelry 
• Punk jewelry (crosses, rivets, chains)
• Oversize bangle bracelets
• Big brooches
• Oversize hoop earrings
• Beaded necklaces
• Cocktail rings
• Woven friendship bracelets
• Charm bracelets
• Jelly bracelets

Jewelry Fashion in 90´s

90´s fashion style and jewelry

In the 1990s, clothing fashion featured off shoulder shirts, floral dresses, flannel shirts, crop tops, denim jackets, loose jeans and belt bags. Pastel colored hair were trendy and also oversized hair scrunchies. The most popular jewelry of the 90´s were choker necklaces. 

In Finland was popular in the class rings, best friend necklaces and parrot earrings which I owned back then. I remember doing a lot hair scrunchies in home and at school. In 90´s also Kaleva and Aarikka jewelry were popular. Kalevala jewelry has been made in Finland since the 1930´s. The classic, Finnish Aarikka has become familiar with its wooden and silver jewelry and interior decoration items.

• Large and oversized silver hoops
• Diamond stud earrings
• Dramatic drop earrings
• Chandelier earrings
• Oversized studs
• Big bracelets
• Flower bracelets
• Heart-shaped collar necklaces
• Tattoo choker necklaces
• Gothic jewelry
• Matchy-matchy earrings (earring color had to match your dress)
• Heart of the ocean necklaces
• Layer necklaces
• Pearl chokers
• Lace chokers
• Cocktail rings
• Crystal headbands
• Forehead headbands
• Scarves as a choker
• Safety pins everywhere
• Climbing arm bands
• Piecing jewelry

I hope you enjoyed to read these blog posts. At least, it was fun to write about it. So many style, fashion and jewelry have been forgot but writing this brings so many memories back in my mind. 

~ Minna

Spring 2020 Jewelry Trends

I´ve been little busy in my personal life and I have coming to a point when I needed to think my limited time so I have decided that starting April I´m going to write my blog every other week. I´m also out of blog writing ideas so this looser schedule gives me chance to search and write more interesting things.

Today, I´m going to write little Spring jewelry trends. Warming weather and Sunny days are finally brighten up my mood. Soon we can dress little more lighter and that´s best time to start wearing jewelry if you haven´t wear them yet.

This Spring jewelry designers have thought about beach vibes so it shouldn´t be surprise that this season hot jewelry are made of seashells and different metals.

This season designers mixing different shapes, sizes and metals to create the most eye-catching pieces!

Earrings are this season big, bold and statement looking mixed with shells, different metals and classic pearls.

Look for following earrings in this Spring: 

Gold plated wire asymmetrical earrings are hot in this Spring.
Shop these earrings: FjeldDesign

• Multi-layered hoops
• Statement earrings
• Mixed shape earrings
• Pearl earrings
• Seashell earrings
• Sphere earrings
• Big sphere earrings
• Hoop earrings (all sizes and shapes)
• Mismatch earrings
• Single earrings
• Pin drop threader earrings
• Clip-on earrings

Necklaces seems to have interesting textures in this Spring.

Lariat and layer necklaces are once again hot this season and also chunky chains but not classic heavy chunky chain necklace like some rap artist might have.

This Spring chain necklace needs to have texture or enameled and details are the thing.

Following necklaces are IN this Spring:

• Lariat necklaces
• Layer necklaces
• Textured chain necklaces
• Pearl necklaces
• Sphere necklaces
• Choker necklaces

Bold bracelets and cuffs are going to adorn the wrist in this Spring.

This Spring following bracelets are IN:

• Shell bracelets

• Friendship bracelets

• Pearl bracelets

• Bead bracelets

• Cuff bracelets

Everything from necklaces to earrings to bracelets will feature the strong and spherical shape. In this Spring all jewelry are playful with different shapes and sizes with a lot of colors. Jewelry materials seems to be very beach vibes and natural. So go and have fun with jewelry!

~ Minna

... and finally here is idea where to get this Spring hot jewelry:

Bridal Bangle Bracelet

GlamorousSparkle is handmade jewelry shop and friendly shop owner is happy to fulfill any custom order you might have.

In her shop you can find jewelry for your special day but also jewelry that you can wear everyday!

How To Host Giveaway In Instagram

Couple years ago I wanted to host a giveaway in my IG account but haven’t no idea what’s important, what I need to mention etc. So I researched couple weeks about how to host giveaway. As my research progressed in some point I felt overwhelmed about the information that I got. I felt like this wasn’t easy thing to do and yet many people host giveaways in Instagram and Facebook.

I decided to sleep one night as I usually do when I need to take distance on going problems. That’s pretty good to do with any matter if you don’t know or not sure how proceed on going problem. Somehow your thinking is much clearer after sleeping one night and you can solve any problem more efficiently.

Giveaway is pretty easy to host in Instagram and there’s isn’t much legal issues that you needs to be considered.

You will need three things before you can start to host giveaway:

• Instagram account 
• Product that you’ll be giving away 
• Photo of the product 

When you have these three things, you need to built up the caption of the giveaway. I like to include a separate photo that says “GIVEAWAY”. People will noticed it better if you have some kind stopping  image, otherwise people just scrolling the feed down without noticing that you have giveaway going because IG is all about liking someone’s photos.

So what’s important to write in the caption? I like to plan it beforehand and write it down in separate paper so you can read it over again and see if it’s clear enough. You can also show it to your friend so she/he can read it and give you feedback if it’s clear enough. 

When I think to do a giveaway, I like to start from rules. How people can enter your giveaway? It’s important that your rules are simple as possible. People don’t want to spend much time to participate your giveaway even if the product is interesting. So set up clear rules how people can enter your giveaway and are there any extra change to double the enter by tagging a friend. 

So your rules can be look like this:

1. Follow us (example @myigaccount) 

2. Like this photo and tag a friend who likes to have this product 

3. Comment a ❤️ On this photo

Or your rules can be look like this:

1. Follow 

2. Post your favorite photo of my/our feed onto your story. Tag me with hashtag (example tagging user myigaccount by using hashtag in front of the name, looking like this: #myigaccount)

3. Comment below two friends who would also love to win this.

You can decide what are your rules how people can enter your giveaway but I would highly recommend keeping the rules as simple as possible and not adding more than 5 steps. I prefer 3 steps because that’s pretty easy to remember what I need to do to participating any giveaways. Remember that when people are going to comment your giveaway, they won’t see your rules anymore especially if they hit comment button. Sometimes the Instagram gives a chance to leave a comment without hitting the comment bubble. 

After rules, I start to think the actual caption.

I like to tell firstly that this is a giveaway and little about the product that I’m going to give away. After that I decide if this giveaway open worldwide, only specific countries or locally. I also include in the caption how long is participating time and where I’m going to announce the winner. After the participating time is over, I go to modify the Giveaway post and write in the front: “GIVEAWAY IS ENDED” or “GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED” that way people know that they cannot no longer participate your giveaway.

After you have write the caption and setting up rules, you need to write this disclaimer in the end of the giveaway:

“Per Instagram rules, this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered or associated with Instagram.Inc. By entering, entrants confirm that they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.”

I found above text in some examples how to host a giveaway while I was doing research and many people forget to add this in their caption. I understand that the above disclaimer is very important which liberate Instagram from your giveaway.

FjeldDesign have great giveaway going until Friday so you can go see how her giveaway looks like if you thinking to host your own giveaway or go just enter the giveaway.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7IpAXTBMpD/?igshid=12uze4rn47mr9 if the link is not working for some reason, click here: https://instagram.com/fjelddesign?igshid=ptbyupehzhhm 

I hope my blog post help you to host a giveaway in Instagram and feel free to leave your comment in below if you have any questions about how to host a giveaway.

~ Minna 

Getting Prepared For Xmas, Part 1

❄️ Happy December 🎄

Can’t believe that final month of this year just begun. Here in Finland haven’t snow much yet and some weather forecasters have been predicted that there isn’t going to be any snow at Christmas time but whether there’s snow or not, the Christmas time itself is lovely time of the year.

🎤 Just before Christmas, I had my own tradition for several years that I went to see my favorite singer. I loved to bought ticket at her Christmas time concert and she sang very beautiful Finnish Christmas songs. As a fan, I loved to took picture of us and usually I bought her new cd. Unfortunately, the concert timing haven’t been good for me lately so I listen her songs at home while I’m making Christmas foods.

This time year is usually busiest time of most of us. Finland’s Post were strike about three weeks so had to close my little Etsy shop for end of the year but I’m using this “vacation time” for creating new jewelry.

I’m hooked on crocheting and tried first time ever to crochet earrings. Long time I searched the tutorial and finally found it. Had to admit that first it was so confusing to crochet because I had no clue which part I’m making so had to blindly follow the tutorial.

First almost finished crocheted earrings.
Love the shape and in the end it was pretty easy to make

Second one was little more quicker to make since I felt like I know what I’m doing and in the end I made a pair for my friend too. She love everything pink so naturally I made her pink earrings. These earrings are so lightweight to wear and love the teardrop shape too. I’m going list similar earrings in BlueBellJewelry as soon as possible.

First one is my friend’s earrings that I made for her and second one is mine in black 

Because my Etsy shop is under vacation mode, I’m attending couple local Christmas sale event. One is already behind but two more is coming up consecutive Sundays. Love these sale events where you can meet people, hear their thoughts, comments and wishes about jewelry what they wish for. I’m happy to develop my jewelry and without people’s feedback I wouldn’t know if I’m going to right direction. 

I took short video of our sale table which was end of the November. My friend kindly shared her table with me and we broke our personal sale goal 🥳 My friend is making all kinds of pouches, baskets and bags from recycled fabrics. Her shop is currently on vacation but she will be back in beginning of January so check her shop out for unique bags and pouches by visiting at AnnikaLDesigns on Etsy. Annika is friendly shop owner who can also make custom orders.

~ Minna

Earring Fashion

Today I want to tell you about upcoming season´s earrings trends and what kind earrings are hot right now. 

Fall and Winter season earring trends seems to be big and bold. A lots of bling bling and colors. Earrings are now oversized and large statement looking earrings. What else earrings are in this season? 

Earring fashion seems to go more bohemian style but there are also some unexpected earrings too. 

Following earrings are hot in Fall / Winter 2019:

• Tassel earrings
• Hoop earrings 
• Seashell earrings
• Long earrings
• Pearl earrings
• Polymer clay earrings
• Resin earrings
• Oversized earrings

Most extraordinary earrings are made now from safety pins. This isn´t new way to make jewelry since it has been seen in catwalk before. Many designer has been used safety pins on their model. Safety pins jewelry considered timeless now since they have been around enough. I must say I never really understood safety pin earrings but out of curiosity, I tried two ways to do them myself.  

First one is most easy way to do these fashion earrings yourself. Here´s instructions how you make these yourself.

                                           You will need:

  

My version of safety pin earrings. Adding couple orange seed         

beads and brown Czech glass bead as a focus bead

• Safety pins (any size you like)
• Two jump rings (4 mm or 5 mm is a good size)
• Earring hooks with loop
• Beads of your choice

       STEPS:

• Open safety pin and add the beads
• Close the safety pin
• Open the jump rings with pliers
• Add safety pin and earring hook in the loop
• Close the jump ring
• Repeat same steps with the another one

If you want to earrings to be mirror image and not similar with each other. Hold the earrings in your hand and see which way it will hang naturally and place safety pin other way.

Second way how I tried to made the safety pin earrings is more advantage. In order to make these, you must be familiar to work with wire and of course, little experience how to make your own jewelry never hurt. 

I watched a tutorial video but it wasn´t really good because it didn´t say how long wire you will need, where to bend and how to bend. So that´s why you will need little experience of wire working. I tried couple times before I manage do them. Love to challenge myself and you always learn in the process your own way to do these. 

My way to do safety pin earrings. Really enjoy to learn how to bend wire. As you can see, I tried couple times

before I managed to do safety pins. I added beads of my choice and earring hook

In addition to classic silver and gold earrings has become much more colorful earrings. In my last blog post I told you Fall and Winter trend colors so naturally earrings getting color vibes from these too.

Colorful earrings in different style. Most of this collage earrings are tassel earrings but also different feather earrings are back in style. In this season earrings are big, oversize and flashy. Forget small and minimalist earrings in this season and buy statement earrings that are allow to be big and combine them with simple outfit 

Pearl earrings are classic earrings that never goes out of style. They can be add with almost any outfit. Most simple pearl earrings are classic stud pearl earrings. I bought couple years ago really big pearl earrings to wear them with sporty casual style outfit. 

Classic pearl earrings are easy and beautiful addition in any outfit. Adding the pearl earrings gives you little luxury look

Different hoops are also great choice in this season. As you know, they are now big and maybe little oversize in this season. Celebrity women seems to favor the hoop earrings. 

I been looking for perfect hoop earrings for awhile now. Found from H&M inexpensive hoop earrings set in three different sizes but as much I would love to wear them, they didn´t last. The hoops went broken after couple use times. So hoop hunting continues... What size hoops you prefer - small, medium or big?