Color Trend - Lavender

Another great trend color for Spring 2009 is Lavender.

Purple had been a trendy color through the fall and winter, but now it is lightening up for warmer weather.

Pantone, the color experts, call this shade of lavender a softer, more summery hue extending the more mystical aspects of purple available last fall.

This romantic, feminine color matches well with all neutral colors, but it looks especially elegant paired with white, navy or grey.

For a more colorful mix, try wearing it with green or even a pinky-orange for some real excitement.

Complimentary colors in the same family look real fresh, so wearing a purple accessory with a lavender outfit is a chic look.

Lavender can play a major role in the color of your outfit or it can be an accent. As an accessory, try layering in a few strands with other colors or if you want a simple casual accent or a focal point for an elegant outfit, a pendant may be just what you need.

All of these designs are now available for viewing or for purchase on our site, just click on the pictures.

Color swatch courtesy of the Pantone.com fashion color report, 2009.

Top Droppers

Entrecard Top Droppers for March

Limitless Adventure
The Damn Nation
Margie and Edna's Basement
The Fashion Lovers
Alterity Art

Thank you to all droppers who have dropped by :)

Color Trend - Pink

I love following fashion trends, especially when it comes to color. By following the color trends, you are free to interpret current fashion based on what you already have in your wardrobe. By making a few simple adjustments, you can play along with what is fresh now.

With today being the first day of spring, I would like to showcase the new designs that I have been working on...one trend color at a time. Today I'm going to

think pink.

According to Pantone's Fashion Color Report, there are three pinks for spring 2009, everything from a light petal pink to a 1980's hot pink.

The softest and lightest of the three is Rose Dust. Pantone calls it a stabilizing neutral that provides practicality in a changing economic landscape. This pink is a soft color - a warm blush - that I associate with ballerina slippers. The nice thing about this neutral color is that it is very flexible and goes with almost every other color. I especially like wearing it with a medium, milk chocolate brown.

In the middle pink range is Salmon Pink. Think inside-of-a-conch-shell pink. Pantone says this pink is friendly, approachable and conveys an optimistic outlook. This color is almost a neutral and looks great with all skin tones. For a fresh look, try wearing it with navy, khaki or grey.

Accessories in bright, hot colors like Fuchsia are the perfect way to perk up your spring outfits. According to Pantone, this sensual and seductive color with its blue undertones is a real show-stopper, adding a sense of elegance to the palette. Bright colors look best in small doses - you don't want to wear it head to foot, but an accessory or two with your basics adds a nice fresh punch.

Have fun with adding pink to your outfits. Try layering in a few strands to add dimension or when you are feeling less is more, a simple pendant may be just what you need.

All of these designs now available for viewing or for purchase on our site, just click on the pictures.

Happy Spring!

All color swatches courtesy of the Pantone.com fashion color report, 2009.

Blog Fabulous!

My favorite lampworker in the whole world, Moon Stumpp, has honored me with the Blog Fabulous award! Thanks Moon:) You can visit her fabulous blog here - http://moonstumpp.blogspot.com I've been meaning to tell you all about her, so now seems like the time. First things first.

It's now my turn to nominate some blogs that I think are faulous. I think all of the blogs over at the Women's Blogger Directory are special, so I would like to pass on this award to the jewelry and fashion blogs over there, considering those are two subjects very close to my heart :

Rochelle at Shoe Porn -
http://shoe-porn.blogspot.com/ I bet you can figure out what that blog is about.


Karleen at Vibrant Jewels -
http://vibrantjewels.blogspot.com/ - she's definatly got a way with beads.


Alison at Ali Bali Jewellery -
http://www.alibalijewellery.blogspot.com/ her blog is not only about her creations, but other Etsy artists as well.


Congrats girls - now its your turn to pass on the award :)



Back to Moon's gorgeous glass. The reason her work is my favorite is because she is always exploring new ideas in shape, colors, glass and techniques. Each one of her beads is handcrafted over a torch flame and then embellished. The process of just making the bead is difficult enough, but then she puts so much attention into every bead the way a painter applies paint onto a canvas that each one is like a little masterpiece.


I've recently added these designs with her beads to the HDJ website. You can click on any of the pictures to be taken to that page for purchase or more info.

The Sisterhood Award

I'm catching up on some much overdue gratitude today. I was recently honored with the Sisterhood Award by my fellow blogger and Women's Blogger Directory founder, Alana Roberts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for the award, but more importantly to thank her for all the hard work that she does for the Directory, an international group of diverse gals who have come together for support and community. None of it would have been possible without Alana's vision and hard work. You can read more about the group and its members at

http://womens-blogger-directory.blogspot.com/

The Sisterhood award is given to women bloggers who show gratitude and attitude. There are rules that one must follow once awarded this honor regarding passing on this award to others.

The rules are:

1. Nominate women who show great attitude.

2. Link to them.

3. Leave them a comment so they know to come pick up their award.

I would like to honor three other members of the Women's Blogger Directory with the Sisterhood Award for their very active participation in the group and their comments and support of the other women bloggers.

1. Kimberly Michalski - a blogger from Columbus, Ohio who is a freelance writer and photographer. She has two blogs where she writes about women, money, politics, family parenting, writing, faith adds her own add great photographs as well. You can share her wit and wisdom at http://kimberlymichalski.blogspot.com/ and http://kimink.pnn.com/6875-the-latest-story

2. Marilyn Campiz - the blogger behind the Lotus Sutra Chronicles which features her thoughts on Korea which she says will "hopefully make you fall in love with this country, its culture and its incredible history."

http://thelotussutrachronicles.blogspot.com/

3. Rosidah Abidin - A German chemist living in Indonesia. Her blog is all about easy to follow art or crafts, photography and blogging tips for beginners, along with other simple notes and musings.

http://rosidah-abidin.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Kimberly, Marilyn and Rosidah!

Jewelry for a Cause

The necklaces of mine that won first place in two categories of the Bead Star contest are now up for auction on Ebay, with all proceeds of the auction to benefit the American Heart Association.

This one can be bid on here ...

Ebay Auction for Fantasy Filigree . The current bid is only $12.50!

And this one can be bid on here....

Ebay auction for Sand, Sea and Sky . The current bid is only $23.50!

This is a great opportunity to not only get some beautiful handcrafted jewelry at a great price, but to help out a very worthwhile cause at the same time. To see a list of the other Bead Star auction items, check out their list.

Vintage Jewelry - Green and Chic

Vintage jewelry is a truly green and eco-conscious fashion choice because it reduces consumption by using available products rather then using up resources to create new items. In addition, many of these pieces are made of brass, a more affordable alternative to precious metals. The market price of silver or gold these days is just going through the roof! There has always been a great deal of discussion over when an item is old enough to be labeled vintage. The most common answer that I hear is any item over 25 years old, as used when describing older cars. The antique label is used when an item reaches 50 years old.

Personally, being that I was a young adult 25 years ago and that seems like yesterday to me, I prefer to use the vintage label on any parts that I use in my jewelry which are from the 1970s and earlier. Almost all of these parts are new old stock, which is another way of saying that I have obtained these bits and beads from dusty old warehouses where they have been peacefully stashed since they were created many years ago. They have never been used before.

I have scouted out these amazingly well crafted and unique parts in small quantities over the years, creating a stash to draw inspiration from today. Because I was able to buy these items at prices from days gone by, my vintage designs are usually more affordable than the designs created with newer and pricier contemporary parts. The downside of this is that I can't replace these items, so when they are gone ... they are gone for good.

For those of you who are avid vintage collectors, I try to use all vintage components in my jewelry designs that are presented in the vintage category of heartsdesirejewelry.com , but on occasion I do mix contemporary items with the vintage. These items will be clearly identified in the listings. As for the vintage kimono panels that are used in the shibori-edged shawls, those are recycled and have been used before. When a kimono has been worn past its prime, there are often still quality pieces of fabric left among the frayed or damaged pieces. By carefully removing the stitches from a kimono, these panels can be re-used for other purposes. I back them with silk and adorn them with trims that are sometimes quite old themselves.

In all cases, I try to obtain an accurate age range and location of origin on the old parts by asking my source and using my knowledge & experience. If I am unsure of those facts, I tell you in the description. If you are unsure, just ask! I'll do my best to answer any questions about the items that I make and sell.
If you would like more info about any of the designs shown here or to purchase, simply click on the picture of that item.

Go Big or Go Home

It seems like the phrase "Go Big or Go Home" has been poking my life an awful lot lately. I'm not sure why I even noticed, but those of you who are familiar with my work, know that I don't have a problem with large scale when it comes to my designs.

Such is the case in the Bold Bijoux necklace. This design all started with the big, voluptuous center gem...the fat oval shaped and beautifully faceted whiskey quartz. I was playing around with the rest of my gems trying to find a combination that I like and this is what I came up with. I love the way the colors are an unusual mix, but it all works.

The beauty of a long design like this is that when worn with a plunging neckline, it adds just the right accent and really directs the eye up and down. If you don't wear plunging necklines, but still want to get the benefit of the vertical line, you can create one by wearing this necklace over a jewel neckline or even higher turtleneck. Either way, it is a real fasion forward statement making accessory.

For more info or to purchase, click on one of the pictures.

Got Gowns?

Just a quick note to help spread the word about the Princess Project in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1992, the PP has been promoting self-confidence and individual beauty by helping high school girls, who normally can't afford it, get outfitted for their prom.

I have donated jewelry to the group and hope that any of you reading this will also consider making a donation to such a worthy cause. I can only assume that this year there will be a much greater need than in years past.
Please help :)

If you are unable to donate a dress or other accessories, they accept cash, corporate and in-kind donations. For more info, check out their website.

Happy Birthday March Babies!

Aquamarine, a member of the Beryl mineral family, is your modern birthstone if you were born in the month of March. It is also the gemstone for the 19th anniversary.

The color of Aquamarine can range from a very pale, almost colorless, light blue to a deeper or greener aqua. Multi colored Aquamarine has been sold in many colors including yellow and pink. While those gems are also in the Beryl family, they are more accurately called Heliodor (yellow) and Morganite (pink).

Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin words aqua - for water - and marina - for sea. According to Roman mythology, the gem originated in the treasure chest of mermaids and was sacred to Neptune, god of the seas. They believed the stone would protect wearers from drowning or other perils while on or in the water. Ancient sailors traveled with aquamarine crystals to ensure a safe journey and prevent seasickness.

Since early times, aquamarine was thought to bestow insight, courage, and happiness on the wearer. It was also believed to increase intelligence and make one youthful. The Romans believed that aquamarine would heal ailments of the digestive system as well as the mouth and throat.

It was also thought that this stone ensured a long and happy married life. People of the Middle Ages believed that Aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons as well as help with a good night's sleep and cure eye troubles.
Is there anything this stone can't do?

The traditional birthstone for March is the Bloodstone, a dark green gem with red flecks. It is a form of silica quartz.

A Christian legend traces the origin of Bloodstone to when Christ was hanging on the cross and blood dripped from his wounds onto pieces of green jasper that were laying at his feet.

As always, you can find more information about the jewelry pictured here on the Hearts Desire Jewelry website by clicking on the pictures.