BettyLou Jewels has just released two new collections of pretty & trendy pendants.
Their jewelry is made from high-end materials like 10kt gold, diamonds, sterling silver and accented with traditional glass enamel.  The two new collections have been inspired by two simple words, “Bliss” and “Spirit”.
Bliss is playful and colorful, with swirling bands of color on sterling silver. The pendants are accented with little touches of diamonds, and are jointed so they move gently as you wear them.

Spirit is more restrained and elegant, with simple gold and diamond elements showcased on natural agate or onyx.  The collection is available with the …read more

Today’s Etsy pick is for the woman who likes to wear jewelry that’s guaranteed to be different from anyone else.
In fact, it’s jewelry that you can customize yourself!
These nifty little pendants by Etsy jewelry & accessories designer, Spittin Toad, are actually little blackboards.
That’s right, you can write on your necklace, erase it and start all over again tomorrow.  The pendants are just over an inch square, so Spittin Toad recommends using a dress maker’s pencil (available from most craft shops) or a piece of sharpened chalk to write with.  Just use a damp cloth to wipe the necklace off and …read more

Pendants are a bit like the shy, reserved cousins of the statement necklace. They spin interesting tales and win attention for expressing themselves in one condensed punch.
They can be playful, like the ALICE and CHESHIRE CAT recycled tile Necklace with Swarovski crystals from Etsy…
Or perplexing, like this silver colored jack charm dangling inside what appears to be a metallic shell…
They can be brilliantly low maintenance — the image of this witchy woman is preserved in a bottlecap..
Or Byzantine in their creation — like Malt Brew, woven from vintage flowers, vintage buttons, swarovski crystals and leaf charms:
But my all-time favorite pendants …read more

Jewelry designer Beth Milner uses traditional, labor intensive jewelry techiques (no stamped pieces from China here) to create lovely jewelry.
Her jewelry has a clean, modern feel with unique touches from nature.  I love her “Double Bumble” pendant, hand-cut from sterling silver and mounted on a copper disc:

In addition, she uses 100% recycled silver and gold, to reduce the environmental impact.  In fact, you can even send in your old jewelry and use it as a credit towards a new piece of jewelry!
image: Beth Milner

Tomorrow is the first full day of summer, and what’s more summery than plump, juicy cherries?
Especially if you can wear them as jewelry!

The “Coral Cherry” necklace is a combination of hand-cut sterling silver leaves and stems and coral “cherry” beads.  The leaves have been hammered, to give them a leaf texture and then treated with a black patina for a soft vintage look.  Each necklace is handmade by indie jewelry designer Rubygirl.
image: Presents of Mind

Blend Creations, a Canadian jewelry design company, has teamed up with UNICEF to raise funds for various projects benefiting children.
How are they doing this?
By collaborating with nine artists to create a fun line of jewelry called “Metal For Monsters“.  Each stainless steel, laser-etched pendant is available in a strictly-limited edition of 10.  A portion of the sale of each pendant goes to UNICEF.

“A Monster Heart” designed by Anna Chambers

“Daily Metal Monster 01” by Stefan G. Bucher

“Munchy” by Jon Burgerman
images: Blend Creations

Today’s Etsy pick celebrates moms – don’t forget that Mother’s Day is  just around the corner!
Istanbul Designs is one of my favorite sellers on Etsy, and their special Mother’s Day necklace doesn’t disapoint.
The pendant is hand-etched and made from sterling silver.  Each pendant is created individually by hand, so there may be little differences between each one.

Each pendant comes with a 16″ sterling silver chain and comes with it’s own gift box.
image: Istanbul Designs

Prismera Design makes intricate jewelry using stainless steel, a material not that commonly used in jewelry.
Why stainless steel?
Well, for one thing – it won’t tarnish or discolor, it’s incredibly sturdy (allowing fine details to be cut into the metal) and it looks great too.
Check out these pendants from their “Nocti 1″ collection – they’re all night-blooming flowers:

“Large Primrose” necklace.

“Large Yucca” necklace.

“Large Cereus” necklace.
Stainless steel doesn’t usually stain skin, unlike lots of other metals.  It can also be a good choice for people who are allergic to metal.  Of course – test it first though!
images: Prismera Designs

Are you looking for a piece of jewelry for Easter, but don’t want something that looks like the Easter bunny left it in a 5 year olds basket?
Check out this lovely cloisonne enamel egg pendant from Treasured Finds:

The pendant features old-fashioned roses and forget-me-not flowers created in enamel.
The egg is decorated using fine strips of brass wire, soldered onto the egg.  Glass enamel particles are then melted into the brass to create the color and depth.
image: Treasured Finds

Looking for the perfect ‘every day’ necklace to give as a gift or to give yourself? I highly suggest perusing through the Forzieri website! They have an amazing selection of jewelry in styles ranging from simple and casual to ornate and delicate.
Forzieri is a global luxury dream loft highly focusing on Italian and European brands. Our collections have been enchanting the world since 1998 by featuring cutting-edge emerging designers, undiscovered master artisans and iconic fashion houses
This 18K white gold Flower Pendant Necklace ($320) is lovely as it is simple.  The flower is just darling and only about 0.39″! This is …read more