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M.I.A. 04/17/2012
 
I have not been paying as much attention to this blog as I should.  Things have been so crazy and business is really taking off, so I can't complain!!

So I am making a promise to myself that from now on I will try and post at least once a week with fun topics, quotes, fashion finds, trends, interesting information, promos and giveaways!!

STAY TUNED....we have a pretty big GIVEAWAY coming up as well as a Mother's Day sale.  The Mother's Day sale will take place in my Etsy shop, unfortunately with this website I do not have the capability of taking coupon codes.  It's a real bummer!!


 
 
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Image Source: Refinery29.com
As well all know the color blocking trend was HUGE for Spring/Summer and there is no end in sight for these very bold and vivacious colors.  There will be a twist this season...its not just pairing one bold color with another, there will be whites, blacks, browns & grays splashed in. 

Fall's palette will consist of the perfect union of neutrals and bright colors.  It is a toned down delicious twist on the color blocking trend and I'm pretty much in LUST with it!  

My favorite thing about Fall is that there will be a sense of continuity from spring, you will see a huge influx of yellow, purple, green, teal, pink & orangey-reds, these vivid colors will compliment the bountiful amounts of brown, grays, beiges & champagnes flooding the stores in September and throughout the season.  

It's going to be a very intriguing balance of colors this year.  I am excited to add these pops of color to my collection!!  Being bold is not just about wearing a chunky statement necklace, its about pairing, layering and playing with your jewelry.  All Ravishing pieces are made for just that...sassy, fun and flirty is what we are all about.

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AMETHYST & RED CORAL COLOR BLOCK STACK
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TURQUOISE & LAPIS LAZULI COLOR BLOCK STACK

F A L L | 2 0 1 1 | C O L O R  T R E N D 

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Above: Pantone Fall 2011 Color Trend (Image source: www.pantone.com)

S P R I N G | C O L O R  B L O C K I N G

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F A L L | C O L O R  B L O C K I N G

Top

Top (clipped to polyvore.com)
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Above: Yellow: Karen Walker/ Gray: Max Mara/ Red: Prabal Gurung/ Blue: Peter Som
 
 
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As you know or may not know.....I started Ravishing Jewelry as a hobby, making jewelry for about 8 years now (not including my time as a kid).  

I would come home from work and make jewelry on my couch in front of the TV for myself or friends, either for birthdays or holidays or weddings.  Since then, my hobby has transitioned from the couch and into a "studio" in my apartment, and from taking orders from friends to taking orders from retailers as well.

My FANS are who drive me every single day!!  YOUR continuous support, comments, critiques and suggestions through Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, various blogs and email keep me going!!

With that said...I am trying to grow my fan base on Facebook to 1,000 people!!  These are people who love jewelry, something unique and have an appreciation for craftsmanship!!  From now through April 30th, 2011 if you refer at least 10 friends to become a fan of my page you will receive a FREE GIFT (and it's a good one). 

DEETS:
Email Danielle at ravishingjewelry@gmail.com with:
  • Your Full Name
  • Your shipping address
  • Your friends Facebook names who became a fan of Ravishing Jewelry
  • Your favorite colors.
  • Your preferred metals (gold, silver, brass, pewter, etc).
  • Your favorite gemstones.
xoxo Danielle



 
 
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A little extra love will go a long way.  Caring for your jewelry is first an foremost the single most important thing if you want to wear it for years to come.

Many people misinterpret poor quality jewelry for bad care.  It's how you take care of your handmade pieces that determines its longevity.

Silver jewelry may tarnish or lose it’s shine over time.  This is a natural process caused by oxidation and wear.  Tarnish does not damage the silver and can easily be removed by rubbing the piece gently with a soft polishing cloth.  If used regularly, a polishing cloth can keep tarnish from building up.  Never use anything but 100% cotton as a polishing cloth since paper, polyester, and coarse fabrics often contain wood fibers or synthetics. These materials may impart fine scratches in the metal, especially on sterling silver. 

Do not wear your piece while bathing, swimming, doing dishes, cleaning with chemicals, or anything else where the jewelry would come into contact with abrasive soaps or chemicals. 

Something many people do not know......remember to spray your perfume on before you put any piece of jewelry on!  Regularly buffing your jewelry with a soft, cotton cloth will keep them shiny.  The other important key to lengthening the life of your jewelry is proper storage. 

Gemstone pieces should be kept separate so they don't nick or scratch each other and sterling silver pieces can be wrapped in a soft cloth enclosed in a sealed plastic bag to keep tarnish to a minimum.

Keep in mind that handcrafted jewelry is fragile and usually not meant to endure the beating that it may receive. Taking special steps to prevent damage to your handcrafted jewelry pieces will ensure that you always look great wearing your favorite pieces.

xoxo Danielle

 
 
It's a well-known fact that tassels are EVERYWHERE for Spring/Summer 2011. 

Good thing Ravishing Jewelry is already on top of that one. 

We have been doing tassels for a year now and still can't get enough!!

Check out the trend report here.


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Jewelry trends for spring and summer 2010 include chandelier earrings in teardrop shapes, big gem rings with a cluster of stones, cuff bracelets, and web necklaces

The winning trends for 2010:

- Big and bold
- Dramatic, unique, unusual necklaces
- Huge cuff bracelets with big stones
- Natural stones, eclectic natural look
- Swarovski crystals
- Black
- Multi-strand necklaces
- Pearls
- Cocktail rings with huge stones
- Big hoop earrings
 
 
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Here is a sneak peak to one of the Alice in Wonderland inspired bracelets......
 
 
Spring HAS arrived and I could not be happier....

Below are the colors I am completely obsessed with at the moment. 

> SS 10: Cantaloupe, Bermuda Blue, Guava, Ginger, Fairway, Pretty, Sweet Pea, Rhubarb....
> FW 10: Rose, Red Red, Wineberry, Bean Sprout, Blued Green, Greened Blue
, Blue Blue, Inked, Red Cabbage....

Amongst the neutrals of gold and silver metals and onyx and white jade beads, you will see a lot of greens, blues, pinks and purples popping up throughout my collection.

What's your favorite color/s????
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SPRING/SUMMER 2010
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FALL/WINTER 2010-11
 
 
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So this weekend, thanks to this monsoon-ish weather and time indoors, I was able to whip up a collection of Asian inspired earrings and necklaces.  The earrings pictured here are an example, that I happen to be wearing today.  They have an antique feel and feature fans and Palace Green Swarovski crystals, there is a silver option as well that really POPS. 

I also created a few lengthy necklaces, one is made of this antique gold metal chain and a large round locket hanging from a pale green stone, the second has a large gunmetal intricate fan accented by dangling crystals strung on a matte gunmetal chain and the third is a black cut-out circular pendant hanging from a gold/green/black painted ceramic tear shaped bead on a gold plated chain.

I just have to finish one more item and I will get them up on the site!

Ravishing Jewelry Tid-Bit: The fan symbolizes friendship, respect and good wishes.  Screen fans (similarly depicted in this jewelry collection) were invented by Japan and taken to China in the 9th Century.  These fans were held by aristocrats, Priest, Emperors, Empresses, etc.  Social significance was attached to the fan and it continues to be an important cultural symbol in East Asia.  At one point fans were even used as a weapon, dubbed "the iron fan". 

"Fan (implement) -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 16 Mar. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_(implement)>.

 
 
I am really excited for my Alice in Wonderland inspired stackable bracelets...they are going to be so fun.  Offered in silver and gold.
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