One of my favorite jewelry designers, pequitobun, is going to be featured on tonight's episode of Gossip Girl!!! I am super-excited, and will be closely watching Jenny Humphrey in hopes of spotting a pequitobun one-of-a-kind!
Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry is a website of pure genius. It's a place where people can buy/sell/trade/give away their ex jewelry (ex-boyfriends, ex-husbands, ex-girlfriends, ex-wives, same sex exes - all exes are welcome!)“If it wasn’t weird to wear another man’s God jewelry around your new boyfriend, I’d keep this one”
"At least he gave me diamonds
Left overs from a short marriage, no need to wear them anymore, hope they make someone else happy"
The arm is still not great so unfortunately I can only tell you about a few of my favorites.
When it comes to glassworks, LingGlass delivers. She's from Singapore and is a stay-at-home mom who also sells on Etsy. She's been working with glass jewelry for more than 10 years and is quite skilled with the soldering iron. She's also super-nice and friendly!
Another great glass jewelry designer is Fiery Lion Designs. Caryn is based in Milwaukee, WI. She's trained as a silversmith and has been making jewelry for the past 12 years. Her designs are simple, clean and perfect. My favorite item in her collection are the Irish Flowers set against a deep green glass backing.
For something a little funky and kitchy cute, check out Imogen. Aurora and her sister make adorable little pendants with fun prints and a resin topping. My favorite is her, "Hello, my name is..." line that might be available upon request.
For metalsmiths, I turn to Stamp. Clare Stoker-Ring's designs are simple, understated and oh-so-elegant. She brings together, "the bright colors of her native Africa and the sparkle of city lights in her adopted home." I love her Constellation Cuff with it's simple beautiful design. Also check out her Volcanic Blooms earrings, torch fired with red enamel and accented with fused 24kt gold.
For some high-end fabulousness, check out the famous (and fabulous) 1ofmykind. These gorgeous pieces have graced the necks and ears of a number of celebrities, including, Fergie, Jessica Alba, Christine Lakin, Kelly Monaco, Tracey Edwards, Marissa Miller, Jolie Fisher and Anne Heche to name a few. The unique metal wrapping is a technique that adds a vintage and organic feel.
For something high-end and classy, visit Passementerie. 
It worked out well as a bad bout of repetitive stress in my right arm and hand prevents me from doing too much detailed work these days. Charm necklaces are usually not as fabulous as the multistranded bepearled and dangly sorts of things I generally like to make, but they do have a a fun, casual elegance to them! And maybe someday the back pain and nerve pinching will ease up enough for me to do some more involved pieces again. Until that time, I might have to stick with fun and charming...
Recently we've returned to designer, Alex Sepkus, and the question of the day:
Alex Sepkus' pieces are a combination of fun and elegance. The incredible metalwork mixed with gemstones is unrivaled. Although his style is certainly modern, there is a timeless old-world quality to his designs. Since I believe in living vicariously when it comes to owning diamonds, I really do hope that my co-worker picks out her wedding band from the Alex Sepkus collection! If I were her I would just sit and stare at my finger all day long. Very unproductive...almost as unproductive is sitting and staring at computer images of Alex Sepkus rings!
Images from www.vonbargens.com
While perusing the displays at Tiffany&Co, reluctant boyfriend in tow, I was drawn to the simplest of designs, the Tiffany silver Bean. My astute boyfriend displayed surprising confusion as to the significance of the Bean. Sadly, I had no good explanation at the time aside from girly exclamations such as, "Well, I like it!" or "...because it's pretty!" Determined to come up with a better comeback, I did a little research.
gamiworks makes all sorts of things based on the brilliant Japanese chiyogami (old-paper.) On offer are adorable magnets, coasters, jewelry and other accesories coming in an array of bright colors and graphic patterns.
And for something really unique, check out Jennifer Morris Beads. She makes her beads free form out of polymer clay, mixing in 24K gold leaf and sometimes fine silver. You'll also see vintage Swarovski crystals embeded in her gorgeous designs. It looks like she'll be stocking up her shop with some new goodies soon!
Maybe someday I'll have the gumption to make my own charm bracelet. Until then, I'll content myself with just using a cute charm here and there.
It's not that I have anything against bright orange or blue, or even anything against what looked to be some sort of polymer bead one might make in grade school. It's just not my style. At all. 
During my morning web perusal I came upon a link for 3 Doves Jewelry, a company developed by Kristine and Lara Zizic that features handmade pieces with elements of nature in brass, gold, coral, lava and gemstone. These little brass bumblebee earrings look quite familiar to me as I think I've used stampings from the same mold. 
One of my favorite shops in Allston is an adorable little spot called Pixi Accessories. Run entirely by cute little asian girls (or so it seems!) this place is filled to the brim with unique dresses, tops and skirts that are all fun, funky and fashionable. Unlike at some other trendy boutiques, one can actually afford the clothes tried on at Pixi (even if you are on a graduate student stipend!) Pixi Accessories also carries an array of retro shoes and hats along with a surprising collection of sparkling costume jewelry. Here is the place to buy a gaudy gold and faux pearl necklace à la Mode or a set of ridiculous hoop earrings. Personally, I am drawn back every time for the pretty little summer dresses in vintage-style fabric and the brightly colored flowing tops - perfect for the season! If only they sold online!
