Blue Crystal Hair Vine + Earrings for Winter Wedding Inspiration


Today’s post is a sneak peek from a styled photo session!

Over the weekend I sent a few items from my new collection of couture bridal accessories to a wintry blue wedding editorial. The full collection isn’t quite ready to be revealed yet (soon, I promise!) So today I’m swooning over the way Alyssa from Ginger and Blooms styled my sparkly teardrop earrings and silver crystal hair vine.

Scroll down to see the inspiration board we used for the editorial, along with a few teaser photos from Mikaela Marie Photography!

Blue winter wedding style inspiration, blue wedding dress, boho bride, custom silver crystal hair vine by J'Adorn Designs

Blue wedding dresses are all the rage this season and it isn’t hard to see why! The dress we used for this photo session was designed by Mywony Bridal, a made-to-order line of wedding gowns. Can you imagine wearing bespoke designs for your wedding jewelry AND dress?!

Icy blue winter wedding inspiration, silver sparkly teardrop earrings and crystal hair vine by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry 1

You can almost feel that icy breeze floating through her hair, loosely swept up in a style by Jewel Hair Design. I love the way my crystal teardrop earrings are peeking out to sparkle in this picture!

Ice blue winter wedding invitations with sparkly silver earrings and crystal hair vine by J'Adorn Designs

The freeform calligraphy style in these custom invitations fits in perfectly with the theme’s elegant boho feel. I love how the light blue ring box echoes the ink color, along with light blue stamps and some sparkling jewelry evocative of icicles.

Icy blue winter wedding inspiration, silver crystal hair vine by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry 1

This might be my favorite photo from the set! Hair vines are one of the most versatile types of hair accessories because you can twist, bend, and weave them into whichever hair style you choose. You might also consider having a custom hair vine made with crystals to match your wedding colors!

Blue Opal Silver crystal hair vine by J'Adorn Designs custom bridal accessories
Many thanks to my talented co-contributors for this editorial! I can’t wait to share more photos as they become available. And stay tuned for the big reveal of my new couture jewelry collection!

 

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How to Order Custom Jewelry

(( It’s easier than you think! ))

How to order custom jewelry + Easy custom bridal accessories for your wedding by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler and modern jewelryPhoto by Madison Short

It’s no secret around here that I love to make custom jewelry and accessories. I view it as the ultimate win-win situation for the client (you!) and the designer (me!). The person ordering the custom jewelry gets to have a bespoke piece of handcrafted art to wear that is 100% suited to their desires. Meanwhile, I have the satisfaction of knowing that the jewelry piece(s) I made will be immediately cherished. There’s no better feeling for a creator!

If you’ve ever wondered about how to order custom jewelry and bridal hair accessories from J’Adorn Designs, this post is for you. I’m going to walk through each step of the custom jewelry design process, from inquiry to gift-wrapped delivery!

How to order custom jewelry + Easy custom bridal accessories for your wedding by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler and modern jewelryPhoto by Madison Short

Step 1: The Inquiry

The first step in the custom jewelry process is as simple as a quick “hello.” Typically you would send me an email via the website contact form to express your interest. Here are a few inquiry examples:

  • “I am getting married next July and want to give my bridesmaids a meaningful gift to thank them for all of their wedding planning help. Can you make custom jewelry for each of my attendants according to their style?” (Answer: YES!)
  • “My wife and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this fall and I want to give her a special piece of jewelry that she can wear every day.  I’m not sure what I want to give her exactly, but she loves the color blue and turtles.  Can you help?” (Answer: YES!)
  • “I’ve been searching for the perfect hairpiece to wear with my wedding hairstyle. I haven’t found anything I like in the stores. Can you help me design a hair vine that will work?” (Answer: YES!)

We’ll exchange a few messages to establish a general concept and make sure we want to work together.

View More: http://madisonshort.pass.us/jadornPhoto by Madison Short

Step 2: The Consultation

Next we start talking about specifics! I’ll schedule a meeting with you in person or via video chat, depending on your location & availability. You should bring any photos, color swatches, and ideas along if you have a specific or loosely conceived idea of what you want. If you’re not sure, we’ll have a conversation to figure it out together. I may draw some rough sketches during our meeting and will take copious notes.

How to order custom jewelry and easy custom bridal accessories for your wedding by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler and modern bridal accessoriesPhoto by Madison Short

Step 3: Sketches & Design Proposal

At this point you’ll pay an initial retainer of $100 to reserve time in my design schedule and to pay for the design options that I’ll create for you. After the design fee retainer is paid and we’ve had our consultation, I will send you three sketches to choose from for your custom jewelry design. These sketches come with two rounds of revisions so we’ll be sure to land on your perfect choice. You’ll receive a final sketch of the piece(s) I’m going to make and a formal proposal with a contract and invoice for your project.  Payment in full is due at this time.

How to order custom jewelry and easy custom bridal accessories for your wedding by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler and modern bridal accessoriesPhoto by Madison Short

Step 4: Sit Back & Relax While I Work

At this point, we’ve finalized the design and you’ve paid for your custom jewelry to be made. I’ll get right to work creating the accessories you’ve commissioned. All you have to do now is wait!

How to order custom jewelry and easy custom bridal accessories for your wedding by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler and modern bridal accessoriesPhoto by Madison Short

Step 5: Delivery

This is the most exciting part of the custom jewelry design process! Your jewelry will be delivered personally or by post, depending on your location and our agreement. The custom accessories you ordered will be freshly wrapped in a gift box or pouch, then finished with a satin ribbon in the color of your choosing.

How to order custom jewelry and easy custom bridal accessories for your wedding by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler and modern bridal accessories

Step 6: Rock it

Whether you ordered custom jewelry for yourself or accessories for a loved one, all that’s left to do now is enjoy it!

How to order custom jewelry and easy custom bridal accessories by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler_0330Photo by Madison Short

That’s it! Ordering custom jewelry can really be that simple! Send me a quick message to begin if there’s a special piece or set of jewelry you’d like me to make. I can’t wait to get started on your custom jewelry!

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Introducing Tuesdays Together Catonsville!

Introducing Tuesdays Together Catonsville, leader Alison Jefferies

In my last blog post where I wrapped up 2016 by sharing my Best 9 from Instagram, I alluded to some upcoming exciting news involving J’Adorn Designs and the Rising Tide Society. Well, today the wait is over and I am proud to finally announce:

I am leading Tuesdays Together Catonsville, a new local chapter of The Rising Tide Society! 

Rising tide society, let's make waves, introducing Tuesdays Together Catonsville, leader Alison JefferiesPhoto by Natalie Franke

A few questions you may have:

1. What is the Rising Tide Society?

The Rising Tide Society is an international movement for creative entrepreneurs and small business owners dedicated to educating and empowering creatives to thrive in the spirit of “Community Over Competition.” A movement dedicated to the people it serves, Rising Tide Society focuses on building community locally and transforming not only the creative industry, but also the world.

2. What is Tuesdays Together?

TuesdaysTogether is a meeting that occurs on the second Tuesday of every month for creative entrepreneurs and small business owners to meet in the spirit of community over competition and discuss industry-relevant topics. These meetings were created out of a need to connect with other people, share successes and struggles, and create long-lasting relationships with fellow creative entrepreneurs.

3. What is the purpose of Tuesdays Together Catonsville?

The main purpose of the Catonsville TuesdaysTogether group is to be a regular meeting place where local creative business owners can gather to support, encourage and collaborate with one another. Each month’s meeting will be geared toward a different industry-related topic.

Our TuesdaysTogether group will begin meeting in February 2017 with dates and locations shared in our Facebook group each month. 

Who is Tuesdays Together Catonsville for?

4. Who is TuesdaysTogether Catonsville for?

We are a society of creative entrepreneurs, men & women, from hobbyist to seasoned professional, usually gathering the second Tuesday of every month in the spirit of Community over Competition. Our meetings are open to everyone in the Catonsville area who fits this description!

Tuesdays Together Catonsville GroupPhoto by Natalie Franke

5. What can I expect to happen when I come to a Tuesdays Together Catonsville meeting?

  • Open discussions about topics relevant to small business owners (social media, websites, client care & more)
  • The opportunity to meet and connect with others in your area who understand the hustle involved in running a small business
  • A welcoming environment where you can share, learn, and make new friends in your industry
  • You’ll likely also get a big hug from me along with a cup of coffee or glass of champagne, depending on the time of day we’re meeting!

6. How can I get involved?

Joining is easy! Just head over to Facebook and request to join the Tuesdays Together Catonsville group. After you’ve been added, you’ll be able to participate in our online discussions. You’ll also be able to see where & when we meet each month!

J'Adorn Designs behind the scenes custom jewelry studio, photo by Madison ShortPhoto by Madison Short

So whether the tools of your trade are jewelry pliers, paintbrushes, a camera, a keyboard & mouse, a pair of scissors, or your bare hands, I hope you will join me in “raising the tide” for creative entrepreneurs in the Catonsville community!
Join us over on Facebook to stay up to date on group events and discussions!
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Most Popular Jewelry Photos: My 2016 Best Nine

Happy New Year, friends! 

I’ve been easing my way back into the normal routine of making my custom and modern jewelry this week after a whirlwind holiday season! But before we blaze ahead into 2017 (and it’s going to be a GREAT year, let me tell you!), I want to take a moment to look back on the most loved photos from the J’Adorn Designs Instagram page in 2016 and reflect a bit on each one. So without further ado…

My 2016 Best Nine:
Most popular jewelry photos of the year!

Most popular jewelry photos by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

 

1. Self Portrait from My 5th Anniversary Photo Session

One of my very favorite projects from 2016 was the anniversary photo session that I had the chance to plan & style with A. Griffin Events to celebrate my own 5th wedding anniversary.  The gallery has been submitted for publication so I can’t share too many details yet, but my style inspiration was an elegant interpretation of one of my favorite rock-n-roll music videos with a nod to the Art Deco and Art Nouveau eras.

And even though the photos by Bekah Kay were to-die-for gorgeous, the best part was being able to take a few hours with my partner during one of our busiest seasons of life to celebrate the life we’ve been building together for the past 5 years. This photo represents the joy of looking back on all those moments, knowing all that we’ve enjoyed and overcome together, and realizing that we’re even more in love today than we were on that sunny October day when we said, “I do.”

Art Deco Sapphire and Rose Gold Anniversary Fashion EditorialPhoto by Bekah Kay Creative

 

2. Custom Bridal Accessories for a Boho Baltimore Wedding

Last year broke all my previously held records for custom bridal accessories with more brides commissioning custom jewelry and hairpieces than ever before! 2016 was also the year that I added hair accessories to my lineup of modern bridal accessories, including bridal combs, flower girl clips & bobby pins, and customized bridal hairpin vines. This was one of my personal favorite sets of the year because the bohemian bride who wore it selected a combination of altered pieces from my pre-designed bridal jewelry collection and made-from-scratch custom accessories to meet her exact needs.

Custom bridal accessories for boho Baltimore bride, modern wedding jewelry by J'Adorn DesignsPhoto by Nichole Meredith Photography

 

3. A Bayside Wedding for High School Sweethearts

This was another one of my favorite weddings of the year. Not only because of the stunning bridal jewelry that I got to make for Olivia, but also because she and her groom, Anthony, are close friends of my family. I have known these two sweethearts since their last year of high school, and they were just as in love then as they are today!

Their wedding at Celebrations at the Bay was on a beautiful summer day. We danced all into the night as these two celebrated the marriage they had been looking forward to for years. Brooke Michelle captured this intimate moment between the newly minted Mr. and Mrs. just moments after their ceremony. The joy of that moment is almost palpable.

High school sweethearts married at the Chesapeake bay - Custom bridal jewelry by J'Adorn DesignsPhoto by Brooke Michelle Photography

 

4. The Prettiest Gold Druzy Earrings

This pair of simple, sparkly gemstone earrings were in my very first bridal jewelry collection! They continue to be a perennial favorite for brides, bridesmaid jewelry, holiday gifts, and stylish women of all ages. I have my own pair of these neutral druzy earrings that I wear almost every day because they match so many different outfits! This photo is one that I’ve used multiple times in my Instagram feed because it captures those crystal facets so perfectly.

Neutral gold druzy earrings, champagne colored gemstone bridal earrings by J'Adorn Designs modern custom jewelry

 

5. A Statement Necklace to Have and to Hold

In my work as a custom and couture jewelry designer, my goal is to create jewelry that honors and reflects the most important moments and relationships in life. The accessories that I design are made to be worn, handled, gifted, and loved!

This photo comes from a wedding style photo session in early 2016. I collaborated with A. Griffin Events (she’s one of my favorites!) on this cool beachy wedding editorial. When I received the photo gallery from Lauren Werkheiser, I was simply blown away. She captured not only the beauty of this oceanic statement necklace, but the sentimentality I hope to inspire with each accessory I create.

Beach wedding statement necklace, modern gemstone and sea glass necklace, beach wedding inspiration by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelryPhoto by Lauren Werkheiser Photography

 

6. Showing My Sweet Tooth at The Bridal Event in D.C.

There’s no gentle way to put it: I am a sugar fiend. A sugar fiend who also loves cocktails! Both of these things were in abundance at The Bridal Event D.C., a unique party thrown by Grace of Bridal Bellhop and Jasmine of Jasmine Smith & Co. The Bridal Event involved a mock ceremony, a wedding photo session, and live demonstrations of all the vendors’ services who participated in the event. I had a blast at the party mingling with my industry friends and potential clients. I even got to enjoy a helping of gourmet cotton candy from Fluffness and a custom mixed cocktail from Mixin’ Mimi. What can I say? The job has its perks!

The Bridal Event DC 2016 Washington DC Wedding Inspiration, Jewelry Designer Alison Jefferies of J'Adorn DesignsPhoto by Evan Sanderson

 

7. Community Over Competition at Tuesdays Together Annapolis

It’s no secret that I’m an active member of The Rising Tide Society, an international movement that seeks to educate, connect, and empower creative entrepreneurs in the spirit of community over competition. I attend local Tuesdays Together meetings almost every month of the year in my home state of Maryland.
(I have some excited news related to this coming soon…!)

We took this photo at one of the monthly gatherings in Annapolis back when the organization had its headquarters on West Street downtown. This venue came to mean a lot to me during 2016 because I was lucky enough to spend a few months co-working there with RTS founder Natalie Franke and her team of genius young women. The office recently closed with RTS headquarters moving to San Francisco at the end of December, but I will never forget the sense of belonging and empowerment I received from this place and my friends who worked there for that season.

Rising Tide Society Annapolis Office Tuesdays Together Local Chapter of Creative EntrepreneursPhoto by Natalie Franke

 

8. Green Druzy Earrings and Oceanic Wedding Inspiration

This photo is another one captured by Lauren Werkheiser at the cool beachy wedding editorial from photo #5. I love the way the direct sunlight illuminates the inside of the mint green druzy gemstones along with the highlights of its facets!

Beach wedding jewelry, mint green druzy earrings for a seaside wedding by J'Adorn Designs modern bridal jewelryPhoto by Lauren Werkheiser Photography

 

9. Celebrating Love in Every Form

I came to a big realization in 2016. I want to use my custom and modern jewelry business to actively celebrate love in every form. It’s true that many of the handcrafted accessories in my collection are perfect for weddings and even made specifically for that purpose. But I also want to be clear that J’Adorn Designs is not exclusively for brides.

Love comes in many forms, including romance but also friendship, family, and self-love. The jewelry and hair accessories that I make are meant to celebrate love in every single shape, color, gender, orientation, and type of relationship.

The photo session that this image came from was inspired by the song “How Sweet It Is.” It was by far the most published editorial featuring my work this year. It’s meaningful to me because it shows the beauty, depth, and singularity of each individual love story. If there’s a relationship that you want to honor with a tangible keepsake that can be cherished for years, let’s talk!

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You Interracial Romantic Wedding InspirationPhoto by Corinne Kensington Photography

 

Raising my glass to all of your love stories and a successful new year!

With love, Ali 

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