Men Buying Jewellery

Bracelet - sterling silver, tension clasp

Recently I was asked ; Who buys jewellery? This question was put to me by a man, one who I felt would buy jewellery for the special person in his life. Without hesitation my answer was women - for themselves. Then I added that men were often sent to buy pieces that their wives or sweethearts had seen and liked.
He expressed concern that buying this way would result in the gift not being a surprise. My response was that receiving jewellery that you love is more important than the gift being a surprise, knowing from experience that most jewellery languishes in a box and is never worn. The surprise could be the timing of the gift or the manner of presentation.

Earrings in a Christmas stocking along with an assortment of favourite candies.

A strand of pearls wrapped carefully in a box with a beautiful silk scarf. The colour of their eyes or the colour that they wears often...or you can ask what their favourite colour is.

Rings and bracelets - more difficult to give as they must fit....too small is never a good fit. A trip to your favourite jewellery shop is the best way to get this one right. Dinner after would be fun too.

Asking your sweetheart to point out a few pieces of jewellery will lead to anticipation on their part, and will keep an element of surprise to your gift giving.

To those out there buying handmade jewellery, thank you.

Happy Holidays

Marianne


Meadow Rue Pendant - silver, on hand wound adjustable length silk cord

Silk - single strand freshwater pearls on hand wound silk -adjustable length

Jasmine earrings -silver, aquamarine - locking hook

Mixed Up Pearls

perfectly bridal - sterling silver swan clasp ( periwinkle silk )

Does a strand of pearls all have to be the same?

For some time I have thought not, but didn't know quite how to approach the idea. This past week I pulled out all the pearl strands and all the colours of knotting silk and went for it.
Composing, editing, making clasps, knotting. Random is not so easy for me.

A classic strand of pearls is a beautiful thing, this is something different.

Freshwater pearls have changed how we think of pearls. Their cost not as great as Japanese Akoya or South Sea. So why not mix it up a bit and have some fun.

all mixed up 18 " - sterling silver swan clasp ( rust silk )



all mixed up II 16" - sterling silver swan clasp ( silver silk )


These are only the beginning. I think that it is finally spring.

Have fun planting flowers.

Marianne

Pearls With a Twist

For the past few weeks I have been hand knotting pearls on coloured silk. Some years ago I was taught proper knotting techniques by Myra Waller who owned Waller Antiques in Victoria. I had something in mind but couldn't quite visualize what I wanted to do. I have always loved a traditional strand of pearls and thought ....why not knot the pearls using a contrasting colour of silk?
So I have begun. Using a slightly heavier weight of silk, a subtle hint of colour shows between the pearls. White pearls on black, blue on green....only the beginning. Hand made clasp - a simple ribbon textured hook. One strand hooked into the next for a longer or double strand. The new year will see time to design new clasps and a front closing pendant clasp.
I still love winding the Silk necklaces. Both pearls and silk feel so nice on the neck; especially in the winter. Warm.

grey pearls on grass green silk


natural multi-coloured pearls on steel silk with oxidized silver clasp


opera length Silk (shown doubled ) on dark silver silk


Off to the studio. More snow coming.

Enjoy your holidays.

Marianne