Hellooooo, Spring! As much as I love winter, it’s always nice to see buds on the mystery tree in my front yard and the perennials in my flower bed popping up for another year. Later this week the temps are supposed to drop again, spring you’re just so fickle! That means my day-to-day wardrobe will be full of pieces that are great for layering and stripping off, here are a few I’ve got my eye on…
Last week I wrote about Sandra Fettingis and her latest exhibit, and today I’m sharing another of her talents – Sandra is also a talented jeweler! She creates the best minimal acrylic jewelry that I want hanging all over me. Get a load of those earrings, wouldja!
Let’s face it, the chances of being able to afford diamond earrings this massive are slim to none. (I’m sorry.) However, this pair of Pear Diamond E/R sublimate printed earrings are closer within budget. For a fun surprise check out the reverse side – it’s a vintage print taken from an antique biscuit tin!
Elegant. Modern. Porcelain. By Loumi makes the most beautiful jewelry, and is a relatively new line having just launched in 2012. Every piece is made by hand in the artist’s studio in France, then packaged and sent your way. One of my favorite pieces in the spring collection is the Melia square brooch, I wish more jewelers created pins!
Last week I took a trip to the hardware store to pick up some spray paint to give new life to my filing cabinet and happened to walk down the fasteners aisle. Where inspiration smacked me in the forehead. So many shapes, weights, and options just waiting to be gussied up and turned into something beautiful. When I came home and sat down to start creating the other piece of the puzzle seemed to be waiting in my bathroom (stay with me here) – in the form of nail polish. I have bottle upon bottle of every color in the rainbow, have never finished one in my life, and love the lacquered finish. Here’s what I ended up with.
These Hex Nut Rings were the first piece I came up with. They’re chunky for sure, but quite the statement. I love the metal finish sans any sort of color, but decided to play around with some different combinations – just painting the edges a dark navy blue, painting half fuchsia half purple, etc. These would also be fantastic strung on a chain and worn around your neck!
These Washer Brooches may be my favorite piece, I plan on clustering several different sizes together to wear at one time. Some monotone and probably one patterned. Pro Tip: While painting such a broad flat surface is to dab the nail polish rather than brush it on. Don’t be afraid to load it up with paint either, it ends up leaving a great enameled finish.
I love these Washer Hoop Earrings! I painted them with a gold flecked black polish and can’t wait to wear them out. Pro Tip: Be sure to paint the edges and backs of these guys as well as the surface. I think with the next pair I’ll do a contrasting color on the backside. Don’t be intimidated, they’re surprisingly light to wear!
I couldn’t resist doing a small pair of Washer Stud Earrings as well.
Lastly I created a large Washer Pendant, though I’m not thrilled with the black cord. I’d rather have used something like a beaded silver chain and hope to find some to replace this with. But I really like the pendant itself, especially with the swoosh of purple on navy. You could also use a smaller washer here for something more delicate of course.
MATERIALS
• 3/4″ hex nuts (or whatever size best fits your finger)
• large washers
• small washers
• earring backings
• pins
• cord or chain
• Gorilla Glue (hot glue didn’t hold all that well)
• varied colors of nail polish
Sidenote: After some confusion in the Reader Survey I just wanted to point out that the images above are linked, as well as the numbered descriptions. No need to scroll up and down. Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
Valentine’s Day is for friends, family, kids… and yes, couples. Hands down I think the best part of any holiday is the hunt to find the perfect gift – something that’s equal parts surprise and want, personal and sweet, useful yet slightly extravagant. Not everything has to be clichéd hearts, boxes of chocolates, and red roses you know. So it’s lucky for us that Uncommon Goods has helped everyone out by amassing a fantastic selection of Valentine’s Day gifts for you, your love, and the both of you to enjoy together! See all of their available gifts right here.
FOR HIM:A technically drawn Dog Blueprint of his favorite pooch. // Custom Beach Cufflinks as reminder of that incredible beach vacation you two took together. // A Wood Bow Tie to dress things up for date night.
Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post, however all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that keep Design Crush going!
