Gift one of the best baubles: our biggest, blingy-est feature for Holiday 2015!
By Alison Blackman for advicesisters.com
Deck the halls with boughs of baubles
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
‘buy them quick and do not dawdle
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
Clearly, these aren’t quite the words to that old favorite: “Deck the Halls” but, somehow, it seemed right as we’re talking about jewelry for you and for everyone on your gift list.
Jewelry is a very special gift that can mean a lot of things from “thank you” to “I like you” to “I love you” (and even, “marry me?”)
What follows is a gift round-up of more than a dozen unique items that free you from shopping the bland, “cookie cutter” designs found in every department store. Even better, you can order these online right now. I selected them to suit different budgets and personalities, but also because each has something special to commend it.
–Alison Blackman- – Editor in Chief, Advicesisters.com
Get them green with envy! SassyBelleWares designed by Stephanie Hovespian appeared in a bag of products from the Artisan Group, at a Consumer Products Event in NYC. The Artisan Group is a California-based, by invitation only, group of over 1,000 small business artisans who offer just about every type of handcrafted products you can think of. I’m leading off with this Crown Triple Strand Bracelet with Czech Glass Beads and an antique copper crown ($35.00) which looks so eye-catching and still is budget friendly. The beaded strands are 7″ and will fit most wrists thanks to soft, stretchy, elastic cord. The copper plated crown is 25mm x 36mm but it lies flat, so it won’t dig into your wrists (especially important if you type all day). A mix of 4mm Czech glass beads make it colorful and there is an 8x6mm antique copper plated bead on either side of the crown. If the crown design isn’t for you, check out the Sassy Belle Wares Web site and Etsy where you’ll find Stephanie’s other designs, including some for men (Rugged Beauty Wares).
Stack the odds in your favor: Once you discover Isabelle Grace jewelry you’ll can’t help but begin collecting their high quality, traditional to trendy jewelry at reasonable prices. Stack the odds in your favor that your gift will be their favorite, by giving one or more of the Swarovski Stackable Gemstone Bangles by Isabelle Grace ($62.00). I bring your attention specifically to these, because one bracelet can be enough, looking delicate and festive, but stacking a few really piles on the bling. Choose a gold or silver plated banglein a rainbow of colors (we’re showing just a few). The bling in these bracelets are the Swarovski “gems” (8mm, equal to about 1.5 carats). Even just one bracelet really looks special with those large, sparkling crystals on either side of the opening. You can wear this one easily with other bracelets you own. Check out all the fabulous jewelry on the Isabelle Grace Web Site.
Glamorous gifts that give back: If you want true glitz, true glamour, and true value and/or you want the items you buy to give back to worthy causes, check out Carolee Jewelry. There is so much to choose from to make your holiday fashion festive, or to give as gifts. We recently published a Carolee jewelry feature spotlighting the charity items and other pieces that are sure to make your holiday fashions even more festive but we’re suggesting the charity items as the best type of holiday gift. These include Carolee’s Top of the Rock Collection ($30.00 to $125.00) supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; the beautiful sterling Silver Water Drop Necklace ($150.00) that supports the efforts of Water.org, to provide access to safe water and sanitation, and the 2015 Stand Up to Cancer Gold or Silver-tone necklace ($45.00) featuring two charms: a Carnelian stone, and the Stand Up To Cancer upward pointing arrow. Stand Up To Cancer is an entertainment industry program that helps get new therapies to cancer patients quickly. For all of these jewelry items and so many more, visit the Carolee Web Site. Carolee is also sold in department stores nationwide.
Perfectly pretty pearl: Jinga Jewelery was on display at a Consumer Products Event in NYC. I was captivated by their unique, hand-made designs. Jinga is the collaboration of Elaine Helmig and Joy Daniels and is also a member of the Artisan Group, Jinga’s production and export is managed by a special group of “Balinese friends ” who are all skilled artisans and carefully hand -craft each unique piece of jewelry. Most of the Jinja collections feature coral, silver and pearl. I particularly liked these Sterling Silver and Mother of Pearl Earrings (Product code: ER-09034-B price $31.00) that have gorgeous, iridescent mother of pearl with silver accent and earwires. At 15 x 15mm they a just a bit larger than the size of a gum chicklet. They’re eye-catching but not so flashy that you couldn’t wear them every day. These, and othr affordable but pretty pieces, can be found on the on the Jinja Jewelry Web Site. Tip: Pearls can scratch. Store them in a soft pouch. Put your pearls on after you’ve applied your fragrance, hair spray, facial mists etc. Never submerge silver, stones or pearls in liquid jewelry cleaner. Use toothpaste on a brush –brush gently.
Save skin from the sun! Witner days are short and the sun isn’t shining so brightly, but the sun’s damaging UV rays are still out there. M. Mills Co has a line of “Pretty Aware” 2015 UV Detection Jewelry that not only looks chic and sparkly, each piece in this collection has a special “UV Detection bead” (a SolarActive crystal) that changes color from clear to purple, blue or magenta when exposed to UV rays. These warn you that the sun’s damaging rays are always out there and you need to protect yourself with UPF and SPF. You’ll wear the bracelets as a fashion piece, but when I wore mine on recent cruise, the beads did remind me to apply sun block more often (and wear my sunglasses and a hat).
Affordable and unique is the Softly Silver -Skin Cancer Prevention Bracelet w/ UV Detection ($68.00) with delicate silver toggle clasp, that sparkles with faceted, Czech crystal beads and silver spacers, along with the UV Detection Charm dangle featuring a little silver “sun” charm. The 7.5″ Standard size fits most, and the cord is stretchy so you can use the toggle, or just pull it on and off easily. Double the bling with the Double Diamonds and Rainbows UV Detection Bracelet ($148.00) that has two strands of sparkling, faceted, Czech crystals and the UV Detection Charm dangle . The 7.5″ bracelet features different colored beads (our was smoky topaz colored with hematite colored beads and silver spacers) . Visit the M. Mills Co Website and check out all the UV detection pieces including necklaces and accessories *there are jewelry styles for men, too.
Classy Glass! The glass pieces from the Lightworks Collection by ONYX XOXO are one of a kind, featuring beautiful luminescent glass pieces created through a dichroic process by glass artisans, by interspersing micro pieces of metal into stacks of glass that are fused together. Our berry-colored glass pendant is smaller than the one below on the spectacular choker, but you’d be amazed at how pretty this looks on just about any outfit. While The Advice Sisters didn’t get the large glass pendant shown with a spectacular choker that we’re showing on our photo (“Flora” Silver * Multidimensional glass necklace – $90.00) , but we did get the very pretty berry glass pendant on a simple chain (in our photos) that will be a coveted gift for any girl or woman of any age. Most of those pieces are under $100 but they look like they should cost a lot more. Buy these special baubles on the ONYX XOXO Web Site .
Simple & Stunning in Sterling: If you want sterling silver earrings, you’ll find a gazillion of them. But so many of them are just b.o.r.i.n.g., One pair that certainly isn’t are the Sterling Silver Beaded Earrings with Tear Drop Links and Turquoise Lampwork Bead ($39.00) from Helen’s Adornments (Helen is a member of the Artisan Group, and I received these earrings at a Consumer Products Event in NYC). The sterling silver earrings are about the circumference of a quarter, but they make a big impression with the pretty turquoise beads that dangle from the delicate hoops. You can buy these or similar hand-crafted earrings, necklaces or beads from Helen Kemp, Click here for the Helens Adornments Web Site
Softly Sparkling: For the woman who wants a bit of bling in the sort of necklace that goes with everything, travels easily, and is lightweight to wear, it has to be this pretty in purple sparkler Holiday Lights Necklace ($98.00) from Pine Tree Jewels by Marybeth Rich. The artist is also a member of the Artisan Group. The pearls are luminescent, the little smoky mauve Swarovski crystals twinkle in the light, but the only metal on this piece is the lobster claw clasp. Stuff this piece into your purse for travel as it takes no room and adds no weight and won’t set alarms off at security. Although it is simple, is is unusual. Each pearl and crystal bead set is hand knotted on luxurious, lilac silk thread. This piece will be a treasure for a woman of any age.
Beautiful Budget Bling: You’re on a tight budget but want affordable jewelry gift that looks more expensive than it is for gifts or for yourself? This Black Champagne Boho Wrap Bracelet ($29.00) from Hole in Her Stocking’s Etsy Shop is your answer! A similar piece appeared in a bag of products from the Artisan Group, at a Consumer Products Event in NYC (shop owner Jennifer O’Sullivan is a member). The wired bracelet is one continuous coil of alternating round gold beads and faceted black roundels — so simple, but so pretty! The coil unwraps and re-wraps to fit any wrist. The Hole in Her Stocking store has lots of other colorful bracelets and jewelry items, but black and gold is perfect for holiday parties and for gifts. This is a slam dunk “wow! I love it, thank you” gift.
A pin with personality: Not everyone loves pins, but if you pine for a pine tht has personality instead of the usual bows and circles, this pin from Glossatteer is your perfect match. What makes this pin so special, as are all the necklaces and pins in the Glossatteer collection is that they are made from old 35 mm Kodachrome slides, on which tiny people are affixed. The back tells you exactly where the slide was taken and when. None are the same. The one I received from the Artisan Group is similar to this one and it was just $30.00. If you want to get someone a truly unique gift, this is it, and it’s especially exciting if you like to take pictures. Give one to your favorite shutterbug and they’ll wear it, forever. Get these unique jewelry pieces on the Glossatteer web site
Sensational Stuff from “the Sisters”: 7 Charming Sisters sounds like a book title, but it’s a new online company that sells affordable costume jewelry with styles that will please different personalities. Seven colleagues (“work sisters”) who worked together for over a decade, got together to create curated collections of jewelry and accessories based on their individual personalities. The seven ladies are shown above, and offer earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more at prices ranging from about $13.00 to under $60.00. Here are just two gift-ables I really like, from the extensive collections:
the path to your heart necklace from 7 charming sisters $13.00
For quiet elegance in a trendy necklace, I selected “Life of the Party” Kimmie’s “Path to Your Heart” necklace ($13.00) featuring a delicate gold Y chain with nice lobster claw clasp and a ” Sisters” logo charm.” the thin gold bar and dangling triangle look flirty, but not gaudy. Made of metal alloy, the measurements are 16″ long, 1 3/4″ extender; 3 3/4″ chain pendant drop. It’s not expensive, but it looks pretty and would make a special gift for a younger woman or anyone who likes delicate jewelry.
Red My Lips choker and earrings set $40.00
I adore this Red My Lips set ($40.00) by “sexy nerd” Jessica. this one features a ruby red choker studded with sparkling red crystals, and matching drop earrings. You can’t imagine how sparkly this set is from the photo, you really have to see it in person. The choker has an adjustable lobster claw clasp (with the sisters logo charm) and is adjustable to a 22″ necklace to work with almost every neckline. The faceted red stones might not be rubies, but they glitter like fine jewels. The post earrings feature the same red stones, in two clusters of stones and a 2″ drop. This set gives you a lot of bling for your bucks and it’s a bargain. Get one for yourself and even the same old outfit will look holiday-ready. 7 Charming Sisters web site just launched in early November and is well worth a look.
