Category: Earrings

A Tale of Earrings

3/7/2019

Earrings have been one of the principle forms of jewelry throughout history. They serve as symbols of cultural or tribal identity, markers of age, rank or marital status, or provide protective powers.

Among the oldest earrings are crescent-shaped gold hoops worn by Sumerian women in 2500 BC. Around 1000 BC earrings started to be embellished with clusters of beads, twisted wire and pendants.

Then in the first century AD, the Romans introduced a new earring style: a disk or pendant mounted on a S hook. These styles became more lavish with the addition of colored stones and pearls.

Around 330, the center of influence moved from Rome to Byzantium (Constantinople) and earring styles changed again. Favored styles included hoops with multiple pearl pendants hung on chains and crescent-shaped earrings of gold filigree.

Between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries in Europe, earrings all but disappeared as hair and clothing styles covered the ear. However, by the late seventeenth century earrings once again became an essential element of dress. Earrings during this period were so heavy they had small rings attached so the wearer could tie them to her hair and take some of the weight off her ears. These heavy styles disappeared by the end of the eighteenth century as fashions became simpler.

Throughout the nineteenth century, designs ranged from long drop earrings to small single-stone and cluster earrings. Cameos and jewelry made of cut steel, seed pearls, coral and jet were popular. With the opening of the South African diamond fields in the 1860's and the introduction of better cutting and polishing methods, diamond solitaires became the most fashionable earrings.

It is easy to see how today's earring styles are firmly rooted in those of the past. Studs, chandeliers, drops and hoops are timeless.

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Fabulous Fall Colors

10/17/2018

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Fall is my favorite time of year. I love its rich, warm colors - rust, ocher, orange, red and brown. These colors influence the stones and metals I choose as I create jewelry. Here are just a few of my current favorites.

Chocolate Jasper - deep browns with just a hint of ocher make this a very versatile stone. It's perfect for every chocoholic - no calories!

Navy & Kelly green color-coated copper wire petite leaf earrings

Navy & Kelly Green Wire

Colored Copper Wire - fantastic hues like navy, deepest green, plum and burgundy combine to celebrate fall in a variety of earrings and rings.

Copper, Brass and Bronze - either in their shiny state or oxidized to give them a deeper tone. Earrings, necklaces and bracelets have a warm glow to accent any fall wardrobe.

Fire Jasper - rich rusty reds with a swish of gray. A stone you won't find everywhere.

Fired Agate - shades of orange from pale to deep make this an ideal stone for fall.

Goldstone - this beautiful brown stone with golden sparkles is man-made of glass and copper salts. When the light hits it, you'll say "Wow".

Smoky Quartz - its soft, translucent brown is the perfect accent for many fall-toned gems. It's equally lovely on its own with a touch of copper or bonze.

Fired agate focal & bead necklace with copper wire accents

Fired Agate with Copper

Tiger eye donut and beads with bronze chain lariat necklace

Tiger Eye with Bronze

Tiger Eye - the shift from deep to golden brown can be mesmerizing, like a tiger's eye seen through jungle foliage.

I enjoy sorting through all my treasures to find just the right combination of metals, gemstones and beads to create a unique piece of jewelry. And at this time of year, I go absolutely wild for all the deep rich autumn colors.

Enjoy fall and all its colors!

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Wire Wizardry - Classic & Colorful Wire Jewelry

6/7/2018

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I am captivated by wire. I love working with it to create one-of-a-kind jewelry. I have three collections - Paddles, Bubbles, and Scribbles - which celebrate wire in all its forms.

The earrings and necklaces in my Paddles Collection are created by hammering round wire until it flattens and forms a shape like that of a boat paddle. As I create each paddle, I turn the wire so you see the paddle shape when you look at the piece from the front and from the side. I drill a hole in each paddle, so it can hang from an ear wire or form part of a necklace.

For my Bubbles Collection, I form a loop in a piece of round wire leaving a long stem like a bubble wand. Sometimes I fill the bubble with colored resin. People say those bubbles look like balloons or lollipops. Other times I leave the bubble empty and hammer its edges so they catch the light. I create a small loop at the end of the "wand" so it can hang from an ear wire or be made into a necklace.

For my Scribbles Collection I scribble or doodle with wire creating fanciful patterns of loops and swirls. Sometimes the scribbles are formed in to centerpieces for necklaces using 10 to 30 feet of wire. Other times, I form them in to bracelets using over 40 feet of wire to do so. Scribbles Roses earrings and pendants are created by crimping round wire, spiraling it and then hammering it to create patterns that catch the light.

The thickness or gauge of the wire determines the look of the finished jewelry - delicate and lacy or heavy and substantial. The type of wire also contributes to the look. Sterling silver, copper and bronze wire are classic choices. However, using color-coated (enameled) copper wire can result in modern, fanciful or unconventional looks.

Pieces from all the collections are on my website and at the Prescott Art Market in the Prescott Gateway Mall.

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Earrings - A Woman's Best Friend

5/4/2018

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Earrings instantly add color, sparkle, or a soft glow. They draw attention to your face, complement your outfit, and indicate your style. They can be dressy, casual, flirty, simple or complex. Earrings are available in a wealth of designs, colors and prices. They can raise your spirits and give you confidence.

Earrings have been found dating back to 2500 B.C. Initially they were probably worn to repel evil spirits lest they enter the body through the ears. Earrings became, and still can be, an indication of the wearer's economic and social status and their religious, political or cultural identity.

Flirty Crystal Dangles

Earrings aren't just for women. Archeological evidence in Persia, biblical references and paintings all show men wearing earrings. Among sailors, a pierced earlobe indicated the wearer had sailed around the world or across the equator. It's believed sailors wore a gold earring so there would be proper payment for their burial if drowned at sea and washed ashore. Many men today wear earrings, including athletes, movie stars, celebrities and recording artists.

Clip-on earrings were developed in the 1920's and were thought to be more sanitary and proper; causing ear piercing to fall out of favor. Ear piercing revived in the hippie communities of the 1960's and became commonplace by the 1980's. Currently earrings designed for pierced ears greatly outweigh clip-ons.

The most enduring earring styles are hoops, dangles, chandeliers and studs. The size and materials change along with fashions. Big, bold statement earrings are the latest trend. They can be large, minimalist hoops or huge, sparkly clusters of crystals.

Whether you follow the latest fashion trends or are a traditionalist, within each basic style you'll find designs that flatter your face.

If your face is oval, you can wear any shape.
Round faces look best with styles that emphasize vertical lines.
If your face is heart-shaped, look for shapes that are wider at the bottom than the top.
Round and curvy shapes flatter square faces.

Earrings make great gifts for the special women in your life: mom, sister, grandmother, aunt or girlfriend. Give them, or yourself, a new best friend - earrings!