June 2017 - Custom Jewelry & Bridal Accessories by J'Adorn Designs

3 Summer Jewelry Care Tips

June 29, 2017 1 Comment

Make sure your favorite pieces keep shining long after sundown with this handy summer jewelry care guide.

Summer Jewelry Care Tips, How to Keep Jewelry Nice During Summer, How to Clean Jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler

Photo by Brooke Michelle Photography

Ah, summer… The days are longer, the nights are radder; the sun is brighter making the jewels even sparklier!

But while you accessorize your favorite warm weather outfits, keep in mind that summer’s extra heat and social calendar could pose a risk of damaging your favorite pieces of jewelry. (Cue horror movie shrieks!)

Take a deep breath; you don’t have to despair! Your favorite jewelry designer is here with a handy list of summer jewelry care tips to make sure your metals stay shiny and your stones continue to sparkle!

Photo by Madison Short

The single most important part of summer jewelry care is remembering to take it off!

More specifically, be sure to take off your jewelry before any of the following activities to ensure its shine & color will last:

Before you SWEAT
Before you SWIM
Before you SUNSCREEN

Photo by Olivia Reed Photography

1. Before you SWIM

When the ocean calls your name, all you want is to dive straight into the water. But stop for just one second to remove your precious jewels before making a beeline for the waves.

This quick pause can prevent your favorite gold necklace from turning green.

I don’t know about you, but a deeper tan is the only color change I want to bring home from a day at the beach! The same principle also applies for a day at the pool.

2. Before you SUNSCREEN

Practical wisdom tell us to apply sunscreen generously at this time of the year to prevent damage & premature aging. But did you know that the lotion you wear to save your skin can do the opposite for your jewelry?

Take off your jewels before applying sunscreen, and be sure to let it fully dry and soak in before putting them back on.

Photo by Olivia Reed Photography

3. Before you SWEAT

The third “S” to keep in mind when you remember to remove your jewelry is SWEAT.

Depending on where you live, a simple walk outside in the summer could result in a glistening brow or full waterworks. If perspiration reaches the places where your jewelry touches – your neck, hairline, hands, and wrists – it can quickly become a destructive force on the surface of your jewelry, particularly for plated metals.

So, consider how much you might sweat during your walk along the shore or bike ride to the farmer’s market and plan your outfit accordingly!

Summer Jewelry Care Tips, How to Keep Jewelry Nice in Hot Weather, Tropical Jewelry Care, by J'Adorn Designs Custom Jewelry Photo by Brooke Michelle Photography

Sound a little too involved?

If you don’t want to bother with removing your jewelry every time you engage in your favorite summer activities, you can always reach for non-plated metals or colorful statement pieces made of fabric, plastic, or glass when you accessorize for the day. These materials stand up much stronger against the elements of summer. Plus, they could add some unexpected flourishes of color & texture to your look!

Want to read more of my jewelry care tips? Check out my post, “5 Ways to Ruin Your Jewelry,” and learn what else you can do to protect your jewelry!

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Handcrafted Earrings for a Benefit Auction

June 23, 2017 No Comments

Bid on a pair of my handcrafted earrings and other works of art to support a great cause this weekend!

Artists & Makers Fundraiser Auction, Handcrafted goods for a cause, J'Adorn Designs handcrafted jewelry

I’m so excited to share about my contribution to the Art and Handmade Auction for Myasthenia Gravis. The benefit auction is live now and it runs through the weekend!

I’m part of a group of artists and makers from across the country who have contributed original works to an annual benefit auction to raise funds and awareness for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. The auction’s organizer, Kait Masters, is one of the amazing friends I’ve made through my role as a Tuesdays Together leader in The Rising Tide Society. She is a fellow artist who lives with MG, a chronic neuromuscular disease that requires constant treatment and management. You may recognize the disease as the one that Lucious Lyon has on Empire. I’m proud to have an opportunity to use my handcrafted jewelry to help people like Kait work toward a more full and healthy life.

Artists & Makers Fundraiser Auction, Handcrafted goods for a cause, J'Adorn Designs handcrafted jewelry

I contributed a pair of gold & turquoise handcrafted earrings to the MG fundraiser. In addition, there are many other works of original art & craft up for bid at this benefit auction.

To help peak your interest, here’s a look at some of my favorite items you can bid on at this weekend’s auction:

Artists & Makers Fundraiser Auction, Handcrafted goods for a cause, J'Adorn Designs handcrafted jewelry 4×4 acrylic on canvas – Art by Megan

Artists & Makers Fundraiser Auction, Handcrafted goods for a cause, J'Adorn Designs handcrafted jewelry Decorative Earthenware Pitcher – Judy Stockwell

Artists & Makers Fundraiser Auction, Handcrafted goods for a cause, J'Adorn Designs handcrafted jewelry Painted Pendant – Larkspur + Laurel

Artists & Makers Fundraiser Auction, Handcrafted goods for a cause, J'Adorn Designs handcrafted jewelry Painted coasters – Elysian Market

Check out the benefit auction on Facebook HERE!
Learn more about Myesthenia Gravis and Kait’s story HERE.

Custom Jewelry, J'Adorn Brides

Customized Bridal Earrings and Bracelet Set for a German Bride

June 22, 2017 2 Comments

How one #jadornbride made a pair of pretty bridal earrings perfect for her wedding in Berlin

Opal bridal earrings crystal vine jewelry for German wedding hochzeit

Today I’m sharing a real-life example of how to order custom jewelry based on a pair of bridal earrings from my shop!

When #jadornbride Rachel first reached out to me, it was because she had fallen in love with a pair of beautiful bridal earrings from my collection. However, she was looking for a slightly shorter pair of earrings for her wedding in Germany. I assured her that she could have both the size and look she wanted and I worked with her over a series of emails to customize the opal and gold vine earrings she loved into a pair that was perfect for her!
Custom bridal earrings, opal teardrops for German hochzeit wedding by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry

Side by side comparison

The original pair of gold bridal earrings that Rachel fell in love with featured long opal teardrops below a delicate crystal vine. To make them slightly shorter I swapped out the long teardrop for a shorter opal teardrop stone. I couldn’t be more pleased with the way the customized pair of earrings turned out, and their #jadornbride agrees!

Opal bridal earrings crystal vine jewelry for German wedding hochzeit

A Bracelet to Match

Rachel also ordered a matching bracelet to complete her bridal jewelry set: the Crystal Vine and Pearl Bracelet (pictured below) from the J’Adorn Designs jewelry shop. I custom-sized this piece for her as well because she thought it might be too big for her tiny wrist. I simply removed one of the vine links and added a small gold extender chain to ensure the perfect fit for her bridal bracelet!

Crystal bridal bracelet crystal vine jewelry for German wedding hochzeit

A Rave Review for Customized Bridal Jewelry

When Rachel received her customized bridal jewelry set in the mail, she sent me an email to let me know just how much she loved it! She said:

“The earrings and bracelet are just beautiful!!!! Just what I was hoping for, if not even more beautiful in person!! I’ve shown photos to my best friend and my sister and they’ve described them as stunning and exquisite!!”

Custom Jewelry, Know Your Bling, Style File

Statement Earrings for Sensitive Ears

June 14, 2017 No Comments

Sensitive ears don’t have to limit your bridal jewelry options. Here are my top 3 tips for choosing statement earrings for sensitive ears!

If you’re planning your wedding and have been looking for the perfect pair of statement earrings to match the dress of your dreams but have the “blessing” of sensitive skin (or, as I like to call it, “biological good taste“), chances are you’ve been frustrated by the selection of cheaply plated earrings at the bridal salons.

But having sensitive skin doesn’t have to limit your options! Your ears can sparkle as brightly as you want with a simple quality upgrade.

Rose Gold Teardrop statement earrings for sensitive ears by J'Adorn Designs bridal accessories

This post will guide you through 3 important features to look for when selecting statement earrings for sensitive ears. Additionally, you can click any of the photos in this post to shop my favorite picks from the J’Adorn Designs collection that fit the bill!

Gold and blush leaves statement earrings for sensitive ears by J'Adorn Designs bridal accessories

1. Choose earrings with sterling silver or real gold posts if you’re sensitive to metal quality and weight.

A sturdy post with a secure backing will make sure your earrings stay put with minimal “swing” during the day.
I always recommend a higher-quality precious metal for any pair of statement earrings for sensitive ears. Even if the earrings are not heavy, materials like sterling silver and real gold are gentler on the skin than base metals. Most of the earrings in my shop already feature sterling silver or gold filled components, but you can always ask for an upgrade too!
If your earrings are heavy, high quality metals will help your sensitive skin be a little more forgiving of the weight and motion that might occur.

Silver Teardrop Bridal Statement Earrings for Sensitive Ears

2. For dangle earrings, choose lever-backs over open hooks.

Lever-back earrings, or hook earrings that close completely in the back, are a style that I always recommend for brides. This is because a closed earring is much less likely to fall out than one that is open! In my experience, they are also less likely to slide around inside your pierced earring hole, which makes for an extra level of comfort when wearing earrings all day.
Once again, quality metals are key! Look for lever-backs that are sterling silver or at least gold-filled in quality. For a refresher course on metal quality & terminology, check out this previous blog post.

Gold vine boho statement earrings for sensitive ears by J'Adorn Designs bridal accessories

3. Choose earrings that are as lightweight as possible.

It is possible to wear a pair of large-sized statement earrings for sensitive ears without lots of weight. (Just think about the feather earrings that were popular a few years ago!)
Wire-wrapped styles are often lighter weight than solid metal frames with pronged stone settings.
Alternative materials like lace, feathers, and even colorful acrylic are all creative options for adding a unique “pop” to your statement earrings without weighing down your earlobes.

Customized statement earrings for sensitive ears, by J'Adorn Designs bridal couture

If all else fails, you can always go custom!

If you’d simply like to save yourself the headache of testing every piece of jewelry against this list of criteria, you can always commission your own bespoke pair of statement earrings for sensitive ears! J’Adorn Bride Jill went this route and was thrilled with the results.

Whatever you choose, be sure to remember that it is possible to have the look and feel you want when it comes to your bridal jewelry!

Custom Jewelry