Work in Progress:: Kelly Green Bridesmaid Jewelry

Hello everyone! It has definitely been quite some time since my last blog post. My trip to Florida was absolutely lovely and a much needed break from studio work. I definitely got a ton of inspiration and I'm looking forward to sharing with you the new collection that will be out later this spring. But until then, I would love to share with you some custom orders that I am working on.

Today, I would like to feature a special green inspired necklace. My friend contacted me if I had any green jewelry. Her friend is getting married and she is one of the bridesmaids. She forwarded me an email with the inspiration for the necklace--- the kelly green ties that the groomsmen will be wearing.

She told me that she really liked my re-styled vintage collection and would love to have a piece of jewelry that incorporated vintage elements as well as it being a statement piece. I came up with some sketches and emailed the following ideas to her.

From those sketches I was able to find out what Maria liked and didn't like, which resulted in the following design.

The necklace will incorporate a mix of magnesite turquoise, a strand of silver colored freshwater pearls, a lovely vintage chunky faux gold chain plus two strands of green mother of pearl shell coin beads. Plus some lovely vintage art deco glass buttons in green which will be incorporated randomly throughout the necklace. I can't wait to share with you the final piece, but you'll have to wait until May for that! ;)

bridesmaid jewelry: Eileen + Walt

This past summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to make some lovely bridesmaid jewelry for Eileen. Eileen found my work while browsing through Etsy and was drawn to my La Petite Pearle- Necklace.

It amazes me, how Etsy is able to connect people from different parts of the world. I was excited to hear Eileen wanted me to make her bridesmaid jewelry. Personally, I feel truly honored (also, a bit anxious) to be a part of somebody's wedding day. I think it is such a unique experience to know someone has picked your work to have as well as share with others on their big day.

While discussing details about the necklaces and perhaps using different stones or patina, Eileen mentioned she wanted some earrings to match. I shared with her an option that is currently available (Modern Pearl- Earrings) in my Etsy shop and also forwarded her an image of ones that have been featured on my blog before. She initially liked both, but was drawn to the dangling earrings a bit more.

I had mentioned to Eileen early in our correspondence, that I enjoy featuring work on my blog. I really take joy in having the chance to get to know my clients; who they are, where there from, and what the pieces mean to them.

A special little detail, that I love to do for my brides is to give them the option to personalize their jewelry bags with their wedding date and their initials or names.

As you can tell from the image below, Eileen and Walt's wedding was on July 31, 2010. Each of the bridesmaids had their names placed on their jewelry bag along with Eileen and Walt's wedding date. Eileen had also mentioned that the bridesmaids dresses would be a blue jay color, which I incorporated into the outside packaging with the ribbon and custom stamped name tags.

I learned from Eileen that she met her husband (Walt) at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. They had been friends for a long time, however, they didn't start dating until a couple of years after they graduated.

Eileen said that "the wedding day was absolutely beautiful!" The weather leading up to the wedding day had been so hot (95 degrees plus) and on that day, they couldn't have asked for better weather (sunny at like 80 degrees). The day was filled with close family and friends. The bridal party was all family and friends from different aspects of each of their lives (work, college, life-long friends, church).

Thank you Eileen for sharing your story and for letting me be a part of your wedding day. Congratulations to both of you. Best wishes for a lifetime of love and happiness. And Eileen, thank you for sending over the photos of you with some of your bridesmaids--- you looked absolutely radiant!