Friday, November 13, 2009

Pretty pretty bling bling (custom designed jewelry)

A couple months ago I had a fun weekend as far as wedding planning goes.  I had searched high and low for the right jewelry (bracelet and necklace) to wear with my gorgeous Maggie Sottero Sabelle gown and had found some great ideas from the little site known as Etsy.com.  But when I continued to browse Etsy, other web sites and bridal salons and jewelry stores, I just could not find what I had pictured in my head.  I'm kind of weird, too because I have this thing about the little 'dent' in my neck where I really want it covered by the necklace.  It's like an insecurity about how it emphasizes how thin I am which I do not want to do.  Anyway...back to the search.

I found this on Etsy:




Gorgeous, right?  Very different and yet still pretty.  Not quite what I wanted to spend...above the $100 range but somewhat worth it.  And though I loved them, I was nervous about buying something online and I wasn't totally thrilled with the brooches in the pieces.  So I posted a status update on Facebook asking friends if they knew anyone who made custom bridal jewelry?  I was connected with a woman about 15 minutes from my home and she told me about this cool little antique/vintage swap meet that happens once a month at a local college.  So a month ago my sis and I trekked down there and found the most beautiful brooch and a pair of earrings.  I was so excited.  The more I look at the brooch, the more I fall in love with it.

And the honey knew that I was heading down there and out of the kindness of his sweet little heart handed me $40 to spend as I wished.  Well, the brooch and earrings came in at under the $40 so I was happy about that.  I met with Jeanette (the jewelry maker) and showed her the pieces.  I showed her the pictures I had found and she began pulling out pretty pearls and sparkly things and lots of bling bling.  We matched the colors to the brooch and my gown.  I asked her if it would be possible to take one of the earrings and use it as a brooch for the bracelet and she figured out a way to 'make it work' (in the infamous words of Tim Gunn).  I was THRILLED!

Granted, the prices she quoted me were not really saving me much compared to what I could have bought online but now at least I custom designed it myself and know that I will L-O-V-E it!  And it will be my something 'old' for the wedding day since I bought it at a vintage swap meet.  So, here they are...my necklace and bracelet (made out of a brooch and a clip on earring):










What about you ladies?  Anyone custom designing their jewelry or have ideas of what they want? 

10 comments:

Belinda C said...

Your jewelry is BEAUTIFUL!
I am actually going to attempt making my own necklace. I've already bought some of the supplies I will need...mind you, I have NEVER made any type of jewelry item before. But I think it will be fun, and very fulfilling if it comes out ok. If it doesn't, at least I tried. I'd go to plan "B" which would be to rummage through my mom's jewelry (she's got GREAT jewelry)for my "something borrowed".

Courtney B said...

I thought of doing something similar for mine, but then I found my dress and pearls wouldn't have worked with it. You did a fabulous job!

Shannon said...

Those are very pretty and will be a great heirloom to pass down to your daughter!

Kim said...

Just gorgeous! I love vintage pieces. The gown I *think* I want has a lot going on around the neckline, so I may have to forego a necklace. I will most likely rock a bracelet, though, probably from esty. Great finds and beautiful bling!

{Cassandra} said...

I have been drooling over that style of necklace for some time but I am not a fan of the hefty price tag. I think it would be a cute detail to wear with a turtleneck during the Winter season. This weekend, I am going to attempt to make my own. Hopefully it turns out as great as yours!!

A Los Angeles Love said...

Classic pearls and hand-picked sparkle: the necklace is beautiful and will be perfect with your wedding dress (and with fancy outfits afterwards too.) Pray tell, where is this vintage swap meet?

Born to be Mrs. Beever said...

The vintage swap meet is at Irvine Valley College (a local community college off the 405 fwy) and they have it from like 7 am to 12 pm or so on the first Sunday of every month. It was funny walking around with my sister because we kept saying how most of the stands there were just filled with junk and crap that people had from decades ago and hoped they could pawn off on someone. But every once in a while, we'd come across a place (like where I got my pieces from) that had hidden treasures and lots of them. It was a fun place to browse.

Crystal said...

Very, very pretty. I would never have guessed that it was a broach. Great job!

honey my heart said...

so beautiful!! love the design and detailing :) my jewelry was purchased from the store but now i wish we custom designed.

Mrs T said...

LOVE them. They are PERFECT!

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