End of Season Clearance Sale!!!

Since the fall and winter season is now upon us, I decided to mark down some colorful, summery items in my Etsy shop.

These are one-of-a-kind items so once they're gone, they're gone for good.




























I'm hoping to find new homes for these favorites soon. Snowflake Designs is moving onward and upward! Look for more elaborate wire work, more luxurious gemstones, and more upscale jewelry designs from me over the next few months.

Eat Dessert First!

We've all heard this concept applied to various aspects of life and it's certainly important to take time to enjoy the little things.



I think this philosophy applies to the world of jewelry too. Rather than being a quickly thrown together afterthought, I believe jewelry can be the perfect starting point for building a gorgeous wardrobe. An amazing eye-grabbing piece can really steal the show, enabling your basic neutral clothing to transition easily from one season to the next. It's also a great tool to highlight your best features- such as drawing attention to your decolletage with a fabulous draping necklace.



However, as with many other little luxuries, women tend to turn into martyrs when it comes to buying jewelry for ourselves. Perhaps you just feel that jewelry should be received as a gift from a loved one, rather than a gift for yourself. But consider this: Do you just keep wearing the same old shoes and carrying the same boring tote bag around for years because you're waiting for someone else to buy them for you? Probably not. You recognize that these are important accessories and you're probably happy to shop for them and even splurge a little bit when you find something you really love. So why give your jewelry less attention?



Or maybe you're battling your inner Scrooge and just can't bear the thought of spending your hard earned cash on something as "trivial" as jewelry. Think of it this way: Dinner for two at a nice restaurant can easily cost $50 to $100, even more. You'll enjoy the experience, savor every bite, maybe even tell your friends about it. But then it's over. Choosing quality jewelry over the Wal-mart variety may cost you an extra $50 to $100, maybe more. But you'll enjoy it every time you wear it- probably for many years to come!



We all deserve a little decadence, and it's high time we stopped viewing pampering as unimportant. Take time to smell the roses, enjoy a beautiful sunset, eat dessert first, and buy jewelry you really love!

Fall Jewelry Collection

Pumpkin, crimson, rust, amber, chocolate.... I adore classic autumn colors and I've been itching to add more of these shades to my jewelry lineup. Unfortunately, I had some delays in launching my fall jewelry collection. But here they are at last!




The October Necklace





The Nostalgia Pendant





The Amber and Rust Necklace




The Rhapsody Necklace



My next post will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how I created the Amber and Rust Necklace.

Stop By and Say Hello!

I'll be at the famous Grape Festival in Naples, New York this weekend (Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm). If you're in the area, please stop by and experience my jewelry in person. Try the pieces on and find one that's perfect for you!

If you haven't been to the Grape Festival before, you really have to check it out. Wine tasting, grape pies, lots of arts and crafts. I specialize in grape-themed jewelry which is always a big hit at the event.



This year I've landed a spot in the prestigious "King's Row," the area of the event that's reserved for the artists who are rank highest in the pre-event jurying. You'll find me right in front of the Town Hall.

If you mention that you've seen me on Etsy, you'll receive a free gift with purchase. I'll also be doing a drawing for some other goodies, including a gift certificate for my online store.

What's In a Name?

Some have asked me for the story behind my business name, Snowflake Designs. Here's the scoop:


Originally I set out to make exclusively one-of-a-kind pieces. Each and every item of jewelry that I made was unique and I never repeated any patterns or designs. No two were ever alike. Just like snowflakes.


There are so many beautiful gems, so many perfect pearls, so many intriguing glass beads, so many exciting new techniques to learn. I was certain I would never run out of ideas for new jewelry designs.


And so far I haven't.


But there are some problems with creating only one-of-a-kind pieces. I started to play favorites. A few designs turned out so well that I just fell in love with them and didn't want to see them go. Sometimes I would keep these items for myself, but the artist in me still wanted to share these creations with the world. So I started to think about how I could shift my identity.


As I started to do more and more repeatable designs, I found that my creativity was not suffering, but rather flourishing. The more time and practice I had with each piece, the closer it came to my original vision. And as I started to perfect my techniques, I became more confident to use more lavish gemstones, precious metals and other premium materials.


I started to wonder: Should I change my business name? Or could I simply learn to look at it differently?


Snowflakes are one of the most intriguing elements in nature. I have always been fascinated by their intricate details and multifaceted complexity. And it was a similar fascination with sparkling tiny things that attracted me to jewelry making. My approach to jewelry is also multifaceted, using a broad range of varied techniques and materials.


So, today you will find in my jewelry collection some repeating designs alongside some one-of-a-kind works. And the name Snowflake Designs will continue to represent my work, even as I continue to reinvent myself.

What to Wear Where?

Jewelry For Every Occasion

Recent trends in fashion have seen a change to bolder, more luxurious jewelry. Artisan gemstone creations and intricate wire work are hot right now and very fun to wear. But incorporating these styles into your regular wardrobe can seem challenging. Here are some suggestions:

Business casual
Choose one focal piece of handcrafted jewelry as a standout piece and keep your other accessories simple.

Dinner Date
Consider a delicate chain or pendant paired with dangling or chandelier earrings.

Weddings
Pearls are classic and always a great choice, but this can also be a great opportunity to wear a more formal extravagant piece.



Evening Glamor
Contrast a sleek, feminine outfit with chunky, artisan crafted gemstone-studded necklaces.

At Work
Spice up your business attire with an intricate wirework necklace, but keep the color choices simple and professional.

Casual
For a chic Fall look, pair jeans and a sweater with an eye-catching pendant in classic autumn hues dangling from a long chain.



Shopping
Looking for earrings to match your favorite necklace? Be sure to wear that necklace the next time you hit the mall so that you can be on the lookout for the perfect match

Sports
Use extreme caution when deciding whether to wear jewelry or accessories if you're engaging in sports or other strenuous activities. Jewelry can get caught, snag, break or just be a general hazard or nuisance. Consider skipping it altogether.

Barbecue or Picnic
Keep your accessories casual and limit yourself to just one piece. Outdoor parties are a great chance to show off simple, nature-inspired jewelry, like sterling leaf-shaped earrings.

Garden Party
Like a picnic or barbecue, you may want to have a natural theme. But since garden parties are a little more formal, try pairing a breezy summer dress with a more elaborate gemstone bracelet or necklace.

Cocktail Party
Intricate artisan jewelry is very much at home at a cocktail parties. Wear your best pieces and don't be afraid to stand out!




Travel
I suggest keeping jewelry to a minimum while traveling for two reasons: 1) if you accidentally leave your favorite one-of-a-kind jewelry item behind, you'll probably never see it again and 2) jewelry makes a great souvenir, so buy something new and indulgent while you are away.

Art Galleries
How appropriate it is to wear art while viewing art! Break out your wildest, most unconventional artisan jewelry item and you'll really showcase your appreciation for creativity and design.

Antiquing
Keep your eyes out for a fabulous new find while wear your favorite vintage jewelry. (of course!)

Wine tasting
Check out my collection of grape-inspired jewelry, such as this one:



I hope this post gave you some ideas about how to wear your colorful artisan jewelry. Your favorite gems shouldn't just sit in a box all year long! Find any excuse to wear your fanciest, most lavish pieces because you never know when the next formal occasion may be. Life is uncertain, so make the best of it and find pleasure in the (sparkly) little things!