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

Necklace Fashion

Today I want to talk about necklaces and what´s trendy in this season.

In Fall and Winter 2019 season´s trendy necklaces are bold, statement looking necklaces with a lots of color. Necklace style goes more in bohemian way with all beautiful colors and tassels.

Also chunky chain necklaces, classic pearl necklaces, layer  necklaces and different choker necklaces are hot right now.

I have gathered few trendy necklace style in this season: 

• Chunky chain necklace
• Layer necklace
• Tassel necklace
• Multi chain necklace
• Industrial necklace
• Pearl necklace

I wanted to find good example photos of chunky chain necklaces but these were only one what I find and they were close enough chunky chain necklace style. The necklaces can be really thick right now and also it´s very popular to combine different jewelry metals together.

Chunky chain necklaces are itself very statement looking necklaces and they are very easy to combine with almost any blouses but will look best if you have very simple, one colored outfit. That  way, the necklace is focal point while giving edgy elegance into your business look. 

If you want to modify this style, you can always choose similar style which is little more delicate version of these chunky chain. From FjeldDesign can be found three excellent alternative choice of chunky chain necklaces. Friendly shop owner promise that her chain necklaces are lightweight and also there available matching bracelets too.

Delicate version of chunky chain necklaces in silver, gunmetal and gold.
These chains can be wear alone or combine them with together.

I have seen layer necklaces a lot on Etsy and jewelry stores. Layer necklaces are necklaces that consist at least two or three different length chains. Often layer necklaces have one simpler chain and one little longer chain. Charm or initial can be one or both chains. Wearing layer necklaces gives you modern look for day and / or evening time. 

Layer necklaces are very cool necklaces that can be wear with different blouses. I had once layer necklace which I loved but unfortunately it always tangled very easily when I worn it little while. As much as I would love to use it, I had to storage it in my jewelry box.

Different layer necklace styles. Layer necklaces are often made of chain but they can be also made of leather too to
create little more boho style layer necklace. Usually first chain is close to choker necklace length.

Tassel and classic pearl necklaces are also hot in this season. Tassels are often made of yarn or leather string. Tassels are easy to make yourself but I have to admit that my patience probably won´t last enough in order to make tassel from thin yarn. Tassels can be also bought separately if you can´t make them yourself or if you want to go more easy way.

In this season tassels are combined with long or regular length necklaces. I have seen many necklaces with just one tassel or with multiple tassels. Usually I have seen one tassel in long necklaces that are made of wooden beads Tassels can be also combined with chain to create more bohemian look.

Classic pearls never goes out of style. The pearl necklaces are hot in Fall and Winter season. Pearl necklace are usually seen on the bride in her wedding day but pearls are classics so they can be wear with almost any outfit - almost with any. If you usually wear business outfit, the pearls will give you softer look. The pearl necklace will look great with sheath dresses too and they can be use both day and night time. Most classic pearls are in white colors but if you cannot afford to buy real pearl necklace, consider to buy Swarovski Crystal pearl necklace or glass pearl necklace. Swarovski Crystals have crystal core in their pearls and they are more close to real pearl look and feeling but price will be little more affordable. If your wallet still said no but you really want pearl necklace, choose glass pearl necklace. Glass pearls usually have glass core and they have pearlescent look.

Classic pearl necklaces

Different choker necklaces are trendy in this season. Choker are usually wrapped around your neck and they are easy addition in almost any outfit. Choker can be one stranded or multiple stranded. I personally don´t like the choker necklaces yet I have crocheted couple one and planning to do more of them. Maybe my mind about the choker is about changing... Choker necklace is perfect addition when you wear something high neck clothes like evening dresses or t-shirts that come up pretty high to your neck but you don´t want to add regular necklace or want to different style in your look.

~ 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? 

Fall / Winter Colors 2019

I can´t believe Summer is already passed. I always looking forward it, planning what things I wanted to do and then by blink of the eye Autumn is here. Does this ever happen to you?

I want to awaken you gently for Autumn time. I know it´s hard especially if you happen to have vacation in July or August. It takes little time to get use to back to work or school again.

You probably haven´t think yet about Fall´s and Winter´s trendy color yet. So what colors are going to be trendy in this season? I´ve been doing little research and I´m using Pantone´s color chart to tell you more about upcoming season´s trendy colors.

Firstly, I must admit that most surprisingly trendy color was to me Pantone´s "Fruit Dove" color which is bright pink color that usually seen more in Spring time.

Here´s other trendy colors in this season:

• Chili Pepper (19-1557)
• Biking Red (19-1650)
• Créme de Pêche (12-1110)
• Peach Pink (15-1530)
• Rocky Road (19-1234)
• Fruit Dove (17-1936)
• Sugar Almond (18-1155)
• Dark Cheddar (15-1150)
• Galaxy Blue (19-4055)
• Bluestone (18-4217)
• Orange Tiger (16-1358)
• Eden (19-6050)

Following colors are classics:

• Vanilla Custard (12-0815)
• Evening Blue (19-3815)
• Paloma (16-0000)
• Guacamole (17-0530)

About Classic colors I must say that I use usually use Paloma gray kind colored clothes because I´m cat owner so their fur hair can be found all over my clothes. Gray shades are best and easy choice for clothes if you own pets. In gray color the pet hair won´t be so  visible as it would be Evening blue kind colored clothes. Evening blue is dark blue like night sky. Great color for any special occasion and good choice for black.

Classic colors are calming and peaceful that can be found every collection. This applies jewelry too, if you make jewelry collection. There must be some neutral colors too along with some eye-catching colors.

I must say I like all the colors that are trendy in this season. When I look this season´s color chart, I can´t help to notices that I´ve used similar colors in my latest jewelry too. Here´s couple examples:

Stop by in my Etsy shop to see more of my jewelry: BlueBellJewelry

Pantone color source: Fashion Color Trend Autumn / Winter 2019 - 2020

Crochet Choker Necklace

Today I wanted you tell you more about my crochet choker necklaces.

I got excited about crocheting last Summer. It seemed to come to me naturally after my Interior Design school ended. I found it so relaxing and even fun. My first crochet projects were bag handles and hearts.

I start to spend more and more time to learn new techniques. I´m not professional as a crocheting but I´ve always enjoyed crafts, learning new and doing things with my hands. 

I would love to show you my first butterfly that I made but apparently my cats has
destroyed them while ago so here´s couple butterflies that my grandma has made

I remember that my grandmother, who passed away two years ago was crocheting too. I remember that she has crocheted doilies and little butterflies for charity. She taught me to crochet little butterfly too when I admired them on her refrigerator door and asked if they were hard to make. When I came home, I search for yarn so I can make butterflies too. I got my first crochet hook from my mom and suitable yarn too. I made couple butterflies as fridge magnet but my first cat liked to stole them and play with them. My cat liked more of my grandmother´s butterflies than mine so I´m happy that I still got couple left that my grandma has made. It´s kind of bonus that you can make by accidentally easily cat toys. 😂

My version of crochet butterfly nowadays

Everything started when I found flower pendants and though what am I going to do with them. I looked my shop to see what kind of necklaces I already have and wondered how I going to use these flower cabochons. 

My problem solved when I was internship place beginning of this year and when I told co-worker that I make jewelry on my free time, she offered me her old jewelry parts what she has kept in her drawers couple decade. In home I curiously explore what treasures was inside the bag and found pendant settings. I tried on my flower cabochons and they were perfect match. My vision was to make a necklace from them but I wasn´t sure what kind necklace that would be.

One day I was sitting in my desk and suddenly my mind came idea of choker necklace. I wanted it to simple, not too wide and still beautiful like a lace. I found instructions which was easy to follow so I made my first crochet choker necklace. I attached my flower pendant into necklace and it was perfect new necklace to my shop. 

This kind of necklace adds modern
bohemian look into any outfit

I´m not actually choker necklace person but this is surprisingly comfortable to wear. 

Everyday is little bit different, some day specific jewelry feels uncomfortable and other day you wonder why I haven´t wear this. This happens me all the time mainly with clothes! So that´s why I have added in my choker necklace short extension chain so you have little space to adjust the necklace as you want.  

Some might think that white is too delicate color that gets dirty easily by make-up etc. I´ve solved that problem too since I can make this in other colors too. I got total 8 different colors where you can choose from and of course I can also get to specific color if you like. The yarn what I´m using is 100 % cotton. 

If you are interest about my choker necklaces, I have them in my shop: BlueBellJewelry.etsy.com and I can also customize this for you at no additional cost.

I hope you enjoyed to read my blog text and feel free to leave comment. I would love to hear what you think about and happily answer any question you have.

Have a beautiful day! 

~ Minna

Native American Style Earrings

I´m happy to share with you my first actual blog text.

Sometimes I want to tell you more about my making of process about the jewelry I made but I try to keep it short when I write it on Etsy listings. So I´m very happy that I started this blog where I can tell you more about my thoughts and feelings about jewelry making.

Today I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings about making of Native American style earrings. I like to call them simply Tassel earrings. 😊

I wanted to learn new way to make earrings that will fit my shop. I usually make very simple earrings and wanted to make earrings of seed beads. 

As a young girl I have made bracelet of seed beads but never earrings. Couple years back I thought to try my first Native American style earrings but at that time I didin´t got right size seed beads. So you can imagine that makes things little bit harder as I try to follow instructions.

 

Here´s my first three Native American style earrings that I made couple years ago

In the picture above you can see that my seed beads were little too big for this kind project. As a jewelry maker I have noticed that it´s huge difference between one millimeter either way. Trust me, it´s big issue when making jewelry. One millimeter extra can sometimes make the jewelry look totally different than you originally have thought about. That´s why it´s good to always have right size and right tools to make specific jewelry.

So I went to shop right size seed beads and thought to try it again. With right size beads the earrings looks little bit different and tassels goes more evenly and whole earrings became more delicate.

Here´s my tassel earrings in yellow seed beads and magenta colored bugle beads. Love the purple and yellow color combinations which are my favorite colors

This year I extend my learning and tried to make similar earrings without bugle beads. Somehow they are hard to find here in Finland. I can´t find right length and there isn´t available as beautiful colors like seed beads. 

Once again I followed the instructions which was actually in Spanish! I don´t speak Spanish but it was enough for me that I could see on the video instructions how it goes. This was so called mind blowing for me. It was like whole new world just opened for me. So many possibilities and new ways to make similar earrings flooded in my mind.  

Here´s my first earrings without bugle beads. I chose colors in black, brown and golden to create more earthy color combination earrings. I still got many seed beads that just waits for me to figure out what color combination I will use

Years back I struggled to make my first ones which actually took me two days to figure out how the beads should be stitched and now in a day I can make pair or two. 

~ Minna

About me

Hello everyone!

This is my first blog that I created for my Etsy shop. 
I have two blogs about jewelry making and one that I created when I was studied Interior Design. I haven´t updated those blogs for a long time so hopefully I will be able to update this blog. 😏

This is my first blog post so I thought to tell you more about me. 
I´m Minna and I graduated last Spring as a Interior Designer which was my long-term goal. Besides Interior Design studies I made my own jewelry and taking care of wellbeing. In some point I was too tired about everything so had to choose which is most important things right now, which things I can do later and where I should focus.

I love to go running in early morning when it´s most quiet time. I´m more morning person although sometimes I hate to get up early but love when I have time to what I love most: design and make my own jewelry. 

As a Interior designer and jewelry maker I love colors, finding different color combinations and make thing more practical and functional. I love also cooking vegetarian food, crocheting (I hooked on crocheting this Summer and finding it so relaxing) and learn new techniques about crocheting and jewelry making. In the future I wanted to start my own Interior Design company.

So that´s something about me in shortly. I hope you enjoy reading my blog where I plan to write little more "behind scene" things and my feelings about learning new and making jewelry which doesn´t show in my Etsy shop.

~ Minna