Music Monday - "Jamelia" by CARIBOU

Who would you like to see wearing your jewelry?

Once a month, members of the EtsyMetal team are given a topic or question and then requested to blog about it simultaneously. This month's topic is:

Who would you like to see wearing your jewelry?

This is a tough question.
Naturally, I LOVE seeing my jewelry on anyone (and everyone)!
But, I would be thrilled to have any celebrity donning my designs. Who wouldn't be honored to have their life's work in the spotlight, even for just a moment? To answer the question, I have decided to fantasize about a few individuals whom I would enjoy adorning with Danielle Miller Jewelry...

The Young Starlet:
Emma Stone is one of my favorite young actresses. She is drop dead gorgeous without being overly girly and has a swift and quirky sense of humor that will get you thinking.

dreaming about Emma Stone wearing my Ridge Earrings & Porta Pendant

The Dame:
Helen Mirren seems to have mastered the art of growing old gracefully. She always looks fit, elegant and fabulous on the red carpet...outshining other stars 30 years younger than her.

dreaming about Helen Mirren wearing my Circles, Circles, Circles Necklace

The Local Gal:
Kimberly Kelly is a TV host for two Entertainment & Talk Shows on CBS WSPA in Greenville, SC. She is always so well put together and fashionable. She DEFINITELY should be wearing some Danielle Miller Jewelry! :)

thinking Kimberly Kelly would look great in my Marquise Chain Lariat

The Dude:
Jon Stewart needs some of my cufflinks, don't you think?

wanting Jon Stewart to flash his cuffs with my Abacus cufflinks

Please continuing reading my fellow EtsyMetal team members fun posts about this subject:
Rebecca Bogan
Beth Cyr
Maria - fluxplay

STUDIO SALE at the Artful Home

I rarely run discounts, but for the first time, I am participating in the Artful Home's bi-annual Studio Sale.
A handful of my one-of-a-kind pieces are 30% off!!!
The sale only runs from January 23 through February 8th....so act fast!

Geometric Drop Earrings & Necklace
(18k gold, sterling silver, peridot, pearls)

Cleopatra - Bib Necklace
(18k gold, sterling silver, blue topaz, pearls)

Dropping Bubbles Necklace
Sterling silver, 18k gold, pearls, iolite, peridot, amethyst

Circles, Circles, Circles Necklace
(18k gold, sterling silver, rhodolite garnet, pearls)

Rowena and Zack

Thanks to Rowena for sharing her love story and for writing this post for me....

Rowena and Zack met while students at Oxford University. Originally from the States, Zack stayed on in London after grad school and two years later he popped the question at the couple’s favourite place, the tropical conservatory at the Barbican Centre in London. Zack wanted Rowena to choose a ring that was just right for her so he proposed with a little silver bow to remind her to go out and find her perfect ring. That’s where Danielle came in! She created a beautiful (and eminently wearable!) ring with a chiseled silver band, one large black rose cut diamond set in a 18k yellow gold bezel and the second tiny white brilliant cut diamond set in a 14k rose gold bezel.
Having moved to the States for Rowena to attend grad school, Zack re-proposed at his childhood relaxation spot, Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu, California with the dream ring now in hand!

Danielle has also designed and created Rowena and Zack's wedding bands for their 2012 wedding at Boston’s Museum of Science.

14k yellow gold & 950 Palladium Reverse Radius Wedding Rings

Congratulations to Rowena & Zack! May your life together be filled with love, laughter and happiness!

Recent Custom Pieces...

Once again, I have neglected to keep up with my blogging. I am going to try my best to regularly post in this upcoming year. So to start it off, I will share a recent custom order I made...

A lovely repeat (& local!) customer liked my Geometric Series and wanted me to create a pendant and earring set using rubies from an old ring.
This was my initial sketch for her:

After a few meetings and a final sketch, this was the final product:
Sterling silver, 18k gold, pearl and rubies

She loved it! I am grateful to have such a lovely, kind and patient client! :)

Words are very unnecessary...Begin again. Begin again.

I remember and I will never forget.

A Few Tips on Buying Handmade Jewelry

Once a month, members of the EtsyMetal team are given a topic or question and then requested to blog about it simultaneously. This month's topic is:

A Few Tips on Buying Handmade Jewelry

Share a few of your personal tips when it comes to the purchase of handmade jewelry.

WOW! I could go into a lot more detail on some of these points...
So I think I will make a quick list now and then elaborate in a series of future blog posts.

• Uniqueness of design. It should speak to you. It is different than anything your peers have and that is a good thing!
• Listen to the artist's story. Most artists have a story to tell---about their inspiration, technique or materials. The story continues when you purchase the piece---you become part of the story!
• Look for quality craftsmanship. Handmade doesn't (and shouldn't) mean poorly made! (This is a pet peeve of mine. I will definitely elaborate on this in a future post!)
• Ask and understand about the materials. For example: There are differences between fine silver, sterling silver, silver-filled, silver plated, bi-metal, nickel silver, etc.
• Know your Budget. You will more than likely pay more for a handmade item than a mass produced item. Are you looking for everyday earrings or a large statement piece that you will only wear a few times a year?
• Care Instructions. Handmade does not mean indestructible. Love your jewelry and ask if there are any special care instructions to help it last for generations.
• Exchange Contact Info. The artist will more than likely want your address and/or email for their customer mail list. (You will receive notices when the artist is in a show in your area, if he/she is having a special sale, etc). And you may want to hold onto their business card in case you want to add to your collection or if you loose an earring and need a replacement made.

You can read more "Buying Handmade Tips" from other EtsyMetal members. Follow the links to their blogs throughout the day:

Rebecca Bogan

Beth Cyr

2Roses

Inbar Bareket

Cynthia Del Giudice

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