Soulfire Artisan Bead Giveaway

Hi everyone,

This is just a quick update to let you know that Soulfire Artisan (a bead and jewelry supply website) is having a giveaway!! They're giving away the following items: 

#1 A full 16" strand of 2mm multi gemstone round beads.

#2 A full 16" strand of 2mm strawberry quartz round gemstone beads 

#3 A 16" strand of 2mm clear quartz round gemstone beads 

#4 A full 16" strand of 2mm dyed lemon quartz round gemstone beads 

#5 A full 16" strand of 2mm Blue quartz round gemstone beads. 

If you're interested then check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/soulfireartisan and their website is http://www.soulfireartisan.com !!

To be eligible to be party of the giveaway all you  have to do is 'Like' their page on facebook and sign up for their newsletter here: http://www.soulfireartisan.com/newsletter/

For more information on the giveaway visit their facebook page and you may earn more entries!!! =) Exciting! Good luck to everyone!

Here's a look at what the winner gets!

New Jewelry Retail Website

Hi guys, sorry I've been MIA for a few days now, but it's been for good reason: I've been working extremely hard on this website http://www.bonanza.com/booths/LethalGlam where I'm looking forward to selling my creations! Sometimes I just can't help it and I design jewelry, all types too - bracelets, earrings, and necklaces in various styles, so I decided to try and turn that into a business. I hope everyone enjoys it and here's a quick sneak peek at some of the pieces up for sale:

The shop is definitely at a lower price point and it sticks to the motto I live by where you shouldn't need to have lots of money to look fabulous! I'll be putting up new pieces all the time, there's currently 79 lots up for sale so please check it out. I'll also take commissions for what you'd like to see or custom pieces!

http://www.bonanza.com/booths/LethalGlam

Pastel Dream Sunday

Pastel Dream Sunday by lethalglam featuring studded jewelry

Foil dress
fashion.1stdibs.com

ASOS bucket bag
$50 - asos.com

Studded jewelry
$15 - topshop.com

Pastel Bangle Set
$25 - oasis-stores.com






Pastels are all the rage this spring, so if you're obsessed with trends, make sure you adhere to this girly,  romantic one! I'm a big fan of the mint mixed with peach and pink with a hint of gold. Mesh is a great mix with this girly combination to add a touch of toughness! Hope you're all having a great weekend and wonderful Sunday, see you tomorrow with more posts <3 


xoxo,
Alex

Harem Royal Jewelry: Beauty as a Weapon

Jewelry Etsy shop Harem Royal owned by Screwpulous Jewelry makes some of the most interesting combination jewelry. The earrings, necklaces and pendants they've put out are absolutely phenomenal to look at, they are a juxtaposition of hard and soft, organic and metallic. The butterflies represent delicacy and beauty while the modern edge is given by the metals in the shapes of weaponry. The rough edge is for the modern girl that wants to be independent and free with a touch of sensuality and prettiness from the butterflies and wings.

All of the butterflies are real and the shop specializes in taxidermy which raises the question, would you want to wear this jewelry? I would only wear the pieces that don't actually have organic parts, but I don't think I would be okay with a deceased creepy-crawly around my neck or dangling off my ears. Beautiful though they may be, sometimes I think we go too far in our mediums. The artist could have easily just used butterfly replicas and achieved the same effect, or created them out of resin. Either way, he's a look at the collection:

How to make your own earring organizer!

This project is inspired by my mother-in-law because she's always making funky and weird household things with her own little touch of style to them. If you choose to do this project, I guarantee you that it will be uniquely you and nobody else will have one that looks the same. If you're not down to pay a pretty penny for most of those metal carousel hangars to put your earrings into, you may want to consider making your own earring organizer.

 This is better than placing your earrings in boxes, as you can forget which ones you own (if you have many like I do) and you might have a hard time finding the pair you want in the mornings. Having your earrings out in the open and on a wall, not taking up any space at all in your home, is an ingenius way to go about displaying them.


The tools you will need for this fun and inexpensive project are:

- inexpensive picture frame (from a thrift store or new, it doesn't matter)
- scissors
- fabric large enough to fit behind your frame
- picture hanging kit (if the frame lacks the proper hanging ability)
- sandpaper (hard and soft grade sandpaper)
- paint
- paintbrush or painting sponge
- something to cover the area you're working over so you don't create a mess - like newspapers
- wire mesh or screen of some sort (window screen can be found at hardware stores)
- heavy duty stapler or hot glue gun (gorilla super glue may even do the trick)

The backing of your creation can be as interesting as you want it to be, you can use produce bags, several wires wrapped around each other, fabric in any array of patterns, or even lace! Make sure that your picture frame is free of any nails or anything that can hurt you while manipulating it, remove nails using hardware pliers. You won't be needing the glass associated with the frame, so you can toss that out or use it for something else, or the backing that comes with it. Make sure you lay down some newspaper or rags before continuing on. First you will want to start sanding with a very gritty sandpaper to get any excess paint or spliced wood off your wooden frame and then smooth it out using a soft grit sandpaper. You don't have to do the sanding if you love the way your frame looks to begin with, but if you want to change the color of it, make sure you sand down the old paint first, and paint on a new layer of whatever color you choose.

Turn your frame around and have the back facing you while it is laying flat. Using your hot glue gun or stapler, stretch the mesh and append it taught to the inlaid part of the frame, making sure you're pulling it apart so that it looks straight and doesn't create waves. Cut the excess of the screen off using your scissors after you have secured it on all sides to the frame.

 Then you will want to glue your fabric to the back of your frame, making sure that the pattern is facing away from you and to the face of the frame (it would be a shame to put it on the wrong way, wouldn't it?). Glue one side and then pull it taught after it has dried and get an even spread across the whole frame. Cut off the excess fabric so it doesn't pop out along the sides of the frame. if your frame doesn't have a hanging kit attached, wait for everything to dry and apply it to the back of the frame. Hang your frame on the wall where you want it to be or just prop it up on your desk if you don't want to hang it. And it's as easy as that! Now all you have left is to hang your earrings in a creative way on your frame.

How to make your own feather earrings

Since feathers are all the rage in style and accessories of all sort, including hair extensions, scarves, and jewelry, I have come up with a way for you to incorporate them easily in your jewelry making. This is a very inexpensive project for those of you who are into the bohemian chic look of recent fashion.

Supplies you'll need:

• ear hooks for making earrings - from your local craft or bead store or online
• craft feathers - from your local craft store or they can be bought cheap online
• bendable wire (preferably something you can mold but that won't come apart later)
• charms, chain or anything else you wish to attach to your feather earrings
• flat-nosed pliers
• wire cutters

What you first want to do is pick out the feathers that you would like to use, whether it be just one pair or multiple kinds of feathers. You can use various sizes and shapes depending on what your personal style is or what you think would look cutest. Trim the stem of the feather so that there is only a little bit left for you to wrap your wire around. After this you want to wrap your bendable wire around the top part of the feather multiple times. Form a loop on the end of it that is going to be attached to the ear hooks and make sure you cut and tuck the end into the rest of the wire and press it together so that it doesn't stick out (cut using your wire cutters and press the wire together with your flat-nosed pliers). The wire can be in any color you choose and you can trim it after you are finished.

Open the loop of the earring hook and place the loop extending from the feather inside the open loop. Here is your chance to further customize your earrings by adding any embellishments you would like to the earring hook. Then when you are finished adding baubles, close the loop of the earring hook securely with your flat nosed pliers to let your feather dangle freely.

Diamond Buying Guide

If you're looking to get an engagement ring, an anniversary gift, or a piece of jewelry for whatever reason that has diamonds in it, you need to know some basics before delving into a purchase. There are 5 main pieces of information that you must have about your diamonds, also known as the 5 C's: cut, clarity, color, carat weight and certification (the last of these is by far the most important and we'll find out why later). The most important aspect of a diamond overall is its proportions and not just one subcategory or another.

Cut

The brilliance of a diamond depends a lot on the way it is cut, this does not determine the shape of the diamond although people commonly confuse the two (even jewelers who aren't well-versed on the subject can get the two confused). The cut quality makes a big difference to the way the diamond looks and is the most important aspect of your buy. A cut can make the diamond brilliant or dull because the angles it is cut at determine its ability to reflect light and can make it appear as though the light is coming from within.  In a poorly cut diamond, the light will escape out of the sides or bottom rather than reflecting out through the top face of the diamond where you will see it. The criteria of the cut can be classified as: ideal, premium, very good, good, fair and poor. If you're going to invest money in a ring, this is where you want to max out your budget because it will make the hugest difference in the sparkle of the ring. The ideal cut gives you maximum brilliance and is the most beautiful diamond money can buy but can only be achieved in the round shape. Otherwise, it is acceptable to buy 'very good' quality cuts in other diamond shapes. 

Clarity

The clarity of the diamond refers to the amount of blemishes and inclusions you can see inside the diamond itself, usually caused from the cutting process or just naturally-occurring inside the stone. Blemishes are on the surface of the diamond and inclusions are bubbles or minerals or cracks inside the diamond itself. Obviously, diamonds with very few or small blemishes and inclusions are the clearest, however many jewelers will tell you that the human eye cannot see the difference between flawless and very slight inclusions. However, I can tell you from personal experience that it is possible to see very slight inclusions if you have good vision. The grade level will have a big impact on the overall value of the diamond and price. The Gemological Institute of America certification will send you a map of the diamond's topography which will show exactly where and what the blemishes and inclusions look like as well as the clarity grade for your ring.

Color

Color does not mean yellow, pink, or brown diamonds, those are not covered in this buying guide and you need to follow slightly different rules when purchasing one of those diamonds. However, when we say color we are referring to the presence or absence of color in a white diamond. Colorless diamonds are more valuable because they allow light to easily pass through them whereas diamonds which have color will impede the light from passing through to reflect that brilliance. The color scale starts at D and goes all the way to the end of the alphabet with D being the most colorless a diamond can possibly be. The untrained eye cannot see the 'color' until the diamond is classified as an 'I' or 'J'. If you are placing your diamond in white gold, you will want to try to get as colorless of a diamond as you can because the whiteness of the gold will cause your diamond to appear more yellow than it actually is. The diamond color should always be based on the mounting and jewelry you are placing it inside. Think of the ensemble as a whole and your preference in general, some people prefer the warmth of a lower-color diamond.

Carats

A carat is the measurement unit that is used to weigh the diamond but the scale is a little strange. One carat = 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. Whoever says the size of a diamond doesn't matter is lying. The size does matter tremendously, it is visible to everybody, and the size should also be based on where you want the diamond to be. For example, if you want the diamond to be in a ring and it will be on a small hand, you don't need to purchase one quite as big as for a bigger hand because it will overwhelm the person's features. Carat does not mean the same thing as karat, which is used to describe the purity of gold rather than diamond size. Make sure that the setting you choose is made to fit the carat weight of your diamond before you purchase anything! Also, if you choose to go with a larger diamond and cannot fit it into your budget, consider going with a lower quality of color and clarity.

Certification

Many people believe that certificates are the same as appraisals but this is not true. An appraisal merely places a monetary value on the diamond but does not certify that the diamond is of a certain quality or describe the diamond. A certificate specifies the quality of a diamond and gives a map of the stone's characteristics, pointing out all of the individual flaws and it is proof of the diamond's identity. A certificate does not attach a monetary value to the diamond because these fluctuate highly and are very dependent on the economy and supply. Loose diamonds are valued by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or American Gem Society (AGS), although you can get them valued at other labs around the world these are the two highest recognized authorities for diamonds (because of their stringent requirements) in the world. You should always ask for the certification of the diamond and double-check that you should be paying the amount asked and to make sure that you are indeed purchasing a diamond and not a cubic zirconium. Shop around and make sure that you are getting the best bang for your buck, after all these are quite hefty purchases. It is better that you are skeptical in this purchase rather than trusting the sales merchants who are always just looking to make profit and commission. 

Shape

The shape is entirely up to you, you should choose whichever is your favorite and you will find most comfortable to wear. Personally, I love the round-cut diamond for its brilliance, light-refraction and practicality as well as beauty. 

I highly recommend that you purchase all aspects of your ring separately if you are going to purchase an engagement ring because you are much more likely to get a great deal. If you buy a ring from a department store or a jeweler, you will pay a huge mark-up and you may not be entirely in love with the design. I suggest taking a look at www.bluenile.com for the most accurate wholesale information on settings and diamonds. Go into a jewelry store and find out which size you are, which shapes and settings you like, and then build your own ring on the Blue Nile website and have it shipped home. You would be surprised what a difference it will make in your pocket.

Jessica Simpson Collection Review

What can you say about Jessica Simpson? People have plenty of opinions about her weight, singing and acting talent, and the things she says. But one thing nobody can debate is her business acumen. Her fashion empire has an estimated value of upwards of $1 billion, yes that's right, you read that number correctly. She started in hair extensions with Ken Paves (her celebrity hairstylist friend) and her company Hairdo skyrocketed to the top of the faux-hair industry. Due to her loyal following and quality products at reasonable prices, she admirably decided to begin her own fashion line. The first thing I purchased from her line (which was still in its infancy 5 years ago or so and producing only handbags and shoes) was the black 'Kaptiva' leather riding boots. These are absolutely stunning in person, the heel is the perfect length (not insanely high, perfectly wearable) they stretch in the calf right where I need it most and have a touch of trend with two silver buckle details.

For my birthday last year, I received this dress as a gift from my mother and her best friend and I am thrilled with the quality and style of it. It's a black and white color-block dress like none I've seen before, which has a slimming effect and futuristic appeal. The fabric is soft, it is properly lined and the overall quality is very high, I was pleasantly surprised with every one of the dresses I tried on by her (another one was a black sequined tunic that felt like a dream). At the mall, I was also enamored by her quality, interesting purses and fashion corsets which had beautiful bodices but were not over-the-top revealing. Either Jessica Simpson has impeccable taste or she has a wonderful team of designers working alongside her, or both. I think I would love to own any piece of jewelry from her collection, I haven't seen anything I wouldn't wear and I'm even completely amazed by the chain-wrapped jewelry collection she made consisting  of a necklace, earrings and bracelet.

Many of her pieces appear to be of superior product quality, the line doesn't cheap out on fabric or leave the hems with lackluster finishing. The selection of handbags and shoes is sure to please everybody, she seems to try to cater to a wide market. Her clothing is also made with her body figure in mind and I'm very thankful for that. It's very difficult to find clothes as a curvy woman, but she makes searching for the perfect ensemble very easy for all shapes and sizes. Her clothing comes in a wide range of sizes and shapes which are always classically fitting and flattering, even though she plays with color and patterns in the right way. The Jessica Simpson collection takes risks in all the right places, and it pays off in spades.  Unlike other celebrity lines, such as K-Dash by the Kardashians, her taste and style level does not disappoint, neither does the attention to detail and craftsmanship. So whatever her critics may have to say about her, they can not deny that she has proven herself to be a style icon, not because of the way she dresses herself but because of the way she is able to dress women of all shapes and sizes. It's refreshing to finally see a designer that is concerned with the way we all look, as opposed to ones that are only interested in dressing size 0 models. I'm going to keep purchasing from her collection, from the fabulous fashion tights she creates, to the shoes, and overall clothing collection, the price point is right and the quality is far superior to anything else in that price range. It reflects a style that is enduring and can be worn many years in the future, as opposed to the disposable clothing from many stores nowadays. 

Happy shopping!

www.jessicasimpsoncollection.com

DIY: Hairclips!

Do you have loads of broken jewelry, cute buttons, or antique post/clip-on earrings that nobody wears anymore? I have a great do-it-yourself solution to create your own hair clips! These can be snap-clips, barettes, pins, or anything you can imagine! If you're tired and uninspired with what you see in your local stores for hair accessories, then create your own. 

What you see below are hairclips that I have created from various necklaces, pins, hairbands, and just random crafts-flowers. The sky is the limit. As long as you can find closures at any pharmacy, Wal-Mart, or online, you can create your own stylish accessories that reflect your personality and swagger.

My rule of thumb is that if I can make a remotely flat backing out of whatever I have, it can go onto a metal clip-backing. Sometimes putting metal onto metal can be difficult if you don't have a soldering pen, but I have an ingenious and simple method of going about it: Gorilla Super Glue. That's right, it's just that easy, and if you're having a hard time with one piece slipping off the other, then take a piece of old cloth/leather from a piece of clothing you were likely going to throw away and glue that onto your clip first and then glue your applique on the other side of it. This will allow for some movement without snapping the glue apart while you're handling with your clips. Remember to cut off excessive parts of your pendants if you want to use them on your clips so that they don't tangle in your hair. I've received many compliments on my creations, so let your imagination run wild and don't be afraid to re-invent your jewelry, buttons and baubles!

Pieces currently awaiting transformation

Alex's Rules of Accessorizing

This guide will show you how to turn a pocketful of baubles into jewelry and accessory treasures that you can mix and match with your colorful wardrobe!

Playing with scale
If you're going to wear big or dangly earrings, I suggest not pairing it up with a big necklace or belt because you don't want the jewelry to overpower you. Remember that the focal point should always be yourself and anything that you put on should only accentuate your best features rather than drown you in bling. Sometimes less is more and if you have too many pieces, they will detract attention from one another. Chunky jewelry is definitely fun so don't shy away from big, beautiful cuffs, bold earrings, or wide belts. Remember that the most important aspect of accessorizing is the overall harmony of the pieces and the way they look together and how they accentuate your outfit.

Classical is always in
You can never go wrong with signature pieces like pearl earrings or tennis bracelets, they are as antique as Audrey Hepburn's style but as fresh as anything you see today. These classic pieces are good for anytime of the day or night, including casual day-to-day or formal events. If you have something that means a lot to you, never hesitate to put it on, our accessories tell a story and if they don't reflect your personality, you've missed the point. Don't try to emulate what you see on models and in magazines, something that is trendy one day can just as quickly be untrendy the next. Stick to what you feel good in, what looks good on you, and what you're likely to reach for when you get ready!


Masculine vs. feminine
If you have a man's watch and you think it's too bulky or masculine to wear, think again! Androgynous style is very socially prevalent so you can pair your masculine watch with a couple of feminine bangles and dress it up a little. Also, don't shy away from wearing bow-tie or tie necklaces and oversized scarves, especially if it's in an uber-feminine finish like crystals or silk.

Iconic shapes
We all have necklaces with peace signs, crosses, and various other religious or political symbols. Whether it be letters of a foreign alphabet, heart and star shapes, or Hello Kitty's face plastered on your accessories, remember not to go overboard. A good rule of thumb is to try to keep it to one symbolic show-stopper piece, the way a lead performer would be, and keeping all of your other pieces that day as back-up performers.


Antique and contemporary 

Wearing older jewelry from your grandparents or acquisitions from pawn shops and thrift stores is perfectly great, especially when mixing it with new styles of jewelry. Clashes in culture and time-periods can make for beautiful combinations of accessories. As long as the styles are cohesive and not divisive together, they can be utilized in beautiful ways to amplify your look. Mixing and matching silver with bronze and various colors of gold or pewter also makes for an interesting look, but try not to combine too many kinds of metals together at once. Underneath, you can see various styles of jewelry, some antique, some contemporary, some bronze, pewter, and various shades of silver. There is a cohesiveness between these pieces and they can be mix and matched for numerous looks with teal, brown, or silver scarves/purses and metal-tone belts.

These are merely simple guidelines which aide in the mixing and matching of what we have to create interesting combinations, rather than going out and buying a designated set of accessories for each outfit (which isn't necessarily financially responsible or viable). In the end, it's a matter of personal taste and preference. Some people enjoy matching colors, and others swear against it, as long as you choose colors that are complementary, you will look coordinated, and polished!