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.

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

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