Custom Design - Vineyard

It's called "Vineyard" because of the lovely, very natural-looking mix of greens and purples. This necklace was a custom order from a client who wanted something special for her friend and workmate. She wanted something in purple and green and left it to me to come up with a design. Purple and green is one a favorite color combo, so it was a pure pleasure to create this necklace.

We started amassing stones with an eye on what would make nice contrasts, both in texture and color, and came up with first, a really unusual, substantial in size, purple African Opal focal stone. It's big at 1 3/8" square, and feels just weighty enough. It is the focal stone that makes this necklace a one of a kind (OOAK) piece of jewelry. It's the only one Adorn Me has seen in our jewel-hunting 'travels,' and it's doubt there will be another one just like it.

The African Opal is surrounded by two AB tanzanite swarovskis, lovely prehenite nuggets, large rich green oval Nephrite (or Jadeite) stones, Amethyst nuggets, lavender and purple czech beads, and little sterling silver beads throughout. It closes via a lobster claw clasp. At the clasp, you can see the large top-drilled amethyst nugget, attached with a daisy bali bead and silver ball headpin, which makes it look like a flower. The total length of this necklace is 17".

What fun it was to create this surprise gift!

The Trapeze Collection

Another new collection has been born; it's called The Trapeze Collection. Right now it's just earrings, but down the road it will include necklaces, too. The Trapeze is Adorn Me's own, original design. They are made using sterling silver wire (though in the future we'll also be using gold-filled) and various pearls, crystals and stones for adornment. The idea is that the focal pearl or stone balances from a trapeze that hangs from a silver circle.

The first example uses white blister pearls with top-drilled Aurora Borealis (AB) swarovski crystals suspended above. This pair hangs approximately 1 5/8" from the drop, which means from where the earring wire loop ends and the top of the earring begins. The pair costs $21.50.

The second pair is named after a friend who lives in a Mossy State. They have lovely moss green blister pearls on the trapeze, with sweet little coppery red fresh water pearls and top-drilled AB swarovski bicone crystals suspended above them. They are approximately 1 3/4" long and cost $21.50.

The great thing about this line is that they can go from blue jeans to little black dress easily.

This pair, Ultrapurple, was created using the most stunningly vibrant blister pearls we've ever seen. So vibrant they could have no other name. And so vibrant the true colors were hard to capture by camera.

The texture is silken smooth and the colors are spectacular, if you like pinky, bright blue purple. Yes, they flash all those colors.

Above these lovely blister pearls are suspended little moonstone chips and ocean opal briolettes. They are approximately 1 5/8" long and sell for $21.50.

Next we have a pair that look a bit like little, tiny handbags. They are made from cherry quartz rectangle stones with cherry quarts nuggets and peridot stones. They are almost 1 1/2" inches long and sell for $19.50.


The last pair are true elegance. They are made from a very unique stone called larvikite.

Larvikite is a soda, lime rich Feldspar, also known as a plagioclase. In this grouping of Feldspars the sodium aluminum silicate and calcium aluminum silicate combine into a three way crystal system. This crystal formation contributes to the flashes found in Larvikite and other plagioclase siblings like Labradorite and Rainbow Moonstone.
(Source: Ozark Rock Exchange).

Larvikite is a stone with lovely variations of gray and steel colors, some that flash brightly in the light and other parts, that when the light hits them, they flash a beautiful blue. They sit horizontally, reflecting the lovely silver-wrapped aqua quartz briolettes and little laboradite rondelles that hang above them. The pair falls from sterling silver leverback ear wires. They are approximately 1 1/2" from the drop and cost $25.50.

More Abundant Veni

A couple more Veni to add to the collection.

The first is black agate with a nice long sugar druzy. She has a sterling silver wire bail that includes a fresh water iridescent silver pearl, a montana swarovski crystal (kind of a dusky gray-blue) and a small hematite seed bead. These same elements are used on her silver belly bracelet. I used on the silver pair of tulip earrings, as well as some montana swarovskis, and tiny little hematite seed beads. It is strung on black faux suede cord with a sterling S clasp. It can be whatever length you like. It sells for $31.50.

The next -- the one I call the Lemon Cream Venus -- is a bit more elaborate. My inability to really capture it well with the camera is frustrating.

The Lemon Cream Venus is a yellow and white goddess, though it looks like it has more and brighter yellow than it actually does. Its companion stones are yellow quartz (with a very slight green tinge) and clear, diamond-shaped glass beads, as well as AB large Czech glass seed beads and four little chartreuse round pearls. Her belly bracelet has butter jade and clear quartz.

Sterling silver, of course, is the only metal used. There is chain for the back part of it, which can be removed if it's too long at 27 3/4", and it would then be 21 1/2" without the chain. This lemony Venus sells for $75.50.

More Abundant Goddesses

Caramel Venus
These gals don't last long. The first one is still available; the second one, taken, though, as always I will duplicate, as faithfully as possible, for those who are in need. ;)

This first sugar druzy agate goddess is made up of shades of caramel browns, very light and medium brown, with a sterling silver-wrapped belly bracelet and a sterling wire wrapped pendant bail. On the bail is a nice squarish chunk of firey moonstone. She hangs from a chocolate brown faux suede cord, finished with sterling connectors. The cord isn't cut yet, as I like for people to be happy with their purchases and not have their pendants too long or too short, so if you decide you want Caramel Venus for yourself, you'll need to contact Adorn Me with the length of cord you desire.

Around her waist, on the belly bracelet, is a little moonstone chip and a four little 4mm labradorite stones. Labradorite is one of my favorite stones. It has a quality that's a little like opal, a little like abalone, but much more subtle. Often, labradorite has a kind of brown/grayish non-descript color until the light hits them and then you see little bits of fire here and there. And she has a nicely sized sugar druzy.

She is 2 3/8" from the top of the silver bail to the bottom of her rounded belly. She costs $25.50.

Another beautiful Ebony
Before she was sold, the other goddess was an ebony sugar druzy agate with gray striations here and there.

Again, I used the jet Czech glass coin disc beads, but this time, evenly spaced with little 4mm quartz crystal rondelles with a diamond-like sparkle and blue fire. There are four slightly larger stones near the middle, coin beads, that have little gray striations that rather match the striations surrounding her beautiful sugar druzy, though they're really difficult to see in the photo. She has little hematite seed beads in-between each bead, and some clear glass Czech seed beads with black centers right where the pendant bail hangs. At the sterling silver S-clasp dangles more hematite, a quartz crystal bead, a tibetian silver butterfly and a jet swarovski rivioli.

On her belly bracelet is strung more hematite beads and one of the quartz crystal rondelles.

She is 23 1/4" long and cost $60. A matching pair of earrings was included.

Again, if you like this one, contact me and let me know, and while I cannot match these OOAK little Abundant Venus goddesses, I have some black ones I can use to make you something just as gorgeous.

The Birth of the Abundant Venus Goddess Collection.

Yeah, I know, bad art pun. Can't help it.

This collection has been a good while in the making. I found these marvelous sugar druzy agates and instantly knew I must have them to make jewelry from. The Venus of Willendorf has long spoken to me -- from the first Art History class I attended many years ago.

She is also a kind of a mascot for feminism in some ways, and definitely for size acceptance, both of which I think are important. As women, we are taught that our bodies are to look a certain way and to deviate from the norm is to be an undesirable pariah. I reject this out of hand, but it took me decades to do it, having grown up a fat baby, child, adolescent, teen and adult. I used to buy into the mantra that women must be thin, and I, therefore, hated my fat body.

As I grew older, I started seeing the brainwashing we all receive about how unattractive we are unless we lose weight, wear this kind of makeup, diet for bikini season, and on and on ad nauseam. All of this is mostly for the purpose of amassing vast fortunes by diet companies, plastic surgeons, makeup companies -- basically the 'Health & Beauty' industry, and their lapdogs: advertising agencies.

We are not all meant to look alike or to have similar bodies. There is variety in every single organic thing on the planet; why should we human beings be any different? We are meant to be different heights, colors, sizes, and with differing personalities. It's part of our beauty, really, and just because some cannot see that beauty, it is not negated.

Part of the purpose here at Adorn Me jewelry is to include fat women in the process of having jewelry that actually fits. I don't know how many times I fell in love with a watch or a bracelet or a ring, only to find it didn't fit me. It wasn't for me. That will not happen here. I make jewelry in standard sizing, but also in larger sizing. And if you see something here that you like and I can re-create it larger for you, I will do so. I will also be making custom necklace extenders so that necklaces that aren't large enough can be made large enough almost seamlessly. I don't exclude any size, but it is important to me to pay special attention to the needs of my fat sisters.

With all of the aforementioned in mind, I introduce to you the first two pieces from what will be the Abundant Venus Collection.
First, Auburn Venus. Ms. Auburn is not a result of just simple pendant-making and bead-stringing, but aside from that also involves layers of wire-wrapping in the four inch length that holds the pendant. The last photo is a closeup of her lovely, crystal-filled yoni (as a friend termed it -- perfect, really).

This piece uses lots of Autumn colors. The stones included are bronze freshwater pearls, copper freeform pearls, agate, citrine and quartz nuggets, as well as copper and pink iridescent seed beads, a swarovski dangling from the figaro chain used as a belly chain around her waist and a tibetian silver butterfly. This necklace has a large 'S' clasp closure. It is about 20 1/4" in length and sells for $98.00. Auburn Venus is, however not for sale, as she sold before I could even put her up here. I can, however, make another necklace something like it, if you're in love with the stones and colors, though I do not have another Venus her exact color, but somewhat close. This last photo places more of a focus on the little tibetian silver butterfly that you can kind of see in the image of the whole necklace.

Next is Ebony. Ebony is made from a black agate with a nice sugar druzy. This necklace is perfect for evening and sparkles nicely in low lights. The coin disc beads are a perfect compliment to her round belly, and a great foil for the angular diamond-shaped beads.

She hangs from a wrapped silver pendant on a necklace made from black glass disc coin beads, leopard skin jasper (which didn't photograph as clearly as I would have liked), diamond-shaped glass beads and little hematite seed beads. All metal used is sterling silver. The necklace has an 'S' hook closure, and from it is a nice little drop of glass beads and a round 'disco ball' swarovski crystal. It is about 23" long and sells for $56.00.

In the closeups on the left you can get a slightly better look at the leopard skin jasper, and then a closeup of the sugar druzy, which is really the collection of quartz crystals that often form inside of a geode.

Note: Ebony Venus is now sold and will have a new home. :)

A Whole New Batch of Crazy.

Guess I'm on an earrings kick.


This batch is dominated by an agate called Crazy Lace. You can see why just looking at the photos.

This pair of earrings are all about texture and complimentary colors. Their focal stones are made of 18mm coin disc beads. They are very swingy, which I love. Note the little blue area that appears to have depth; it actually does. It has what looks like little pool of blue water in it. The little danglies are made of little 4mm celestial larimar rounds, carnelian disc beads, light orange agate chips, copper glass seed beads and 4mm swarovski bicone crystals in aqua, teal and aurora borealis. All metal is sterling silver. They measure 1 3/4" at the drop and are $26.

A bit about Crazy Lace Agate.

Crazy Lace Agate: Crazy lace agate, also known as Mexican agate, is an attractive, white, opaque stone, patterned like a beautiful, multicolored paisley cloth. It is a cryptocrystalline quartz, found in Mexico.

In ancient times, this agate was worn to placate the gods, and to give courage. It will sharpen your sight, help the eyes, illuminate your mind, allow you to be more eloquent and give vitality. It keeps the wearer well-balanced and serious. Lace agate strengthens the Sun in its wearer, and improves the ego and self-esteem. It gives you a feeling of consolation despite the hardships of life. It has been considered symbolical of the third eye, and the symbol of the spiritual love of good. It helps to banish fear. It is a good general healing stone. (Source: Truth about Crystal Healing, by Phyllis Galde)

I'm not sure how much I believe in the healing power of crystals and stones, but I always find the history interesting and figure it can't hurt. One of the things I love about this stone is its variety of pattern, and the paisley of which Galde speaks.

This next set is also crazy lace agate, but they are purple and are 18x13mm rectangles. They have been paired with 14mm turquoise ovals, little silver rounds and turquoise glass seed beads. Beneath them swing amethyst nuggets, 4mm lavendar opal bicone swarovski crystals, as well as aqua and aurora borealis bicone swarovskis, and little seed beads of various colors. All metal is sterling silver. These are about 2 1/4" from the top of the drop to the bottom and are also very swingy. They cost $29.00.

Here is another pair that is somewhat similar in look to the aforementioned. Again, purple crazy lace agate, but this time with turquoise rondelles of a more blue turquoise than the previous pair. These are also adorned with little silver beads, various colors of seed beads, and various 4mm bicone swarovskis in aqua, lavendar opal, aqua, aurora borealis (AB) and tanzanite. These, too, have amethyst nuggets, but they are more spikey and are striped. They have great swing and really pick up and reflect, and refract, the light. These are reserved for a special someone, as is the matching pendant.

The matching pendant features a 40mm purple crazy lace agate (which is slightly more pink than the earrings, but it's hard to get these things to match perfectly). It will hang on a silk cord with sterling silver connectors.
Hanging from the focal bead, which is treated just as the earrings are, with turquoise-colored glass beads and little silver rounds, are a cluster of 4mm lavendar opal, aqua, AB and tanzanite swarovskis, seed beads, an amethyst spike that isn't showing up very well and an 3mm top-drilled AB swarovski crystal drop.

This pendant, like the matching earrings, are NFS -- BUT, unless a piece is intentionally one of a kind, I am happy to accept special orders duplicating past pieces that have been purchased by clients. Just drop me a line.

Ruby Zoisite

Also known as anyolite, ruby zoisite is the natural combination of ruby and zoisite crystals in a single specimen. Zoisite, the same mineral as tanzanite, provides an earthy green and black color while ruby lends pink and red highlights. Ruby-zoisite is usually shaped as cabochons or carved into decorative shapes, including animals and religious icons.

Ruby-zoisite was first discovered in 1954 in Tanzania. The name anyolite goes back to the word for green" in the native language of the Massai.

Ruby-zoisite achieves only hardness 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, and is thus not very resistant. Therefore it should be worn with care, never be cleaned by ultrasonic method and never come into contact with acids. The green zoisite rock carries black hornblende inclusions and large, but mostly opaque rubies. Cut and polished ruby-zoisite appears in an earthy green and black color with exiting pink and red highlights, due to the presence of ruby. (courtesy of GemSelect)

I really love these little triangular stone beads. I'm a huge fan of complimentary colors and these stones do it so well. They are paired with tiny little luminous pink seed beads, AAA white freshwater pearls, and dangling below are light-catching swarovski crystal hearts. They hang about 1 7/8" at the drop and are $22 before discount.

. . .

About Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz: Rose quartz is a gentle, pale to medium pink translucent form of quartz. It comes from Brazil. This stone has a soft and useful frequency, and does not conflict with any other stones. It is an important stone for the heart chakra, and for giving and receiving love. It helps to dissolve all burdens and traumas that have burdened the heart. Rose quartz assists in understanding and dissolving problems so the heart is better able to know love. As its presence is felt by the body, sorrows, fears, and resentments are replaced by a sense of personal fulfillment and peace. (Source: Truth about Crystal Healing, by Phyllis Galde)

This stone promotes the vibrations of universal love and inner serenity. It teaches that the many negative childhood experiences enable the self to learn how to love and nurture itself. It also enlivens the imagination to be able to create beautiful forms.

The last pair have a very simple design and made from 11x7mm grade A Russian Rhodonite chicklets beads and 6x11mm faceted grade AA rose quartz rondelles. They are subtly set off by little iridescent pink glass seed beads. As with most of my jewelry, unless otherwise stated, all metal is sterling silver. They hang about 1 3/8" from the drop to the bottom and sell for $15.00. This pair has been sold, so NFS.

More coming soon. And look for the opening of my Etsy store soon, as well.

Two new pair of earrings.

Of course people have varying preferences when it comes to earring length and weight, so I try to satisfy that by making a variety. Lately I've had a long-earring-jones, so I made two pair that are quite substantial, being a bit over 2" long.

"Springtime" is the name of the first pair.

This last Winter was a pretty severe one. Spring comes and it's like waking up from a slumber. These earrings express some of that joy of color and vibrant awakening.

These earrings are are about 2 1/8" long, from where the ear wire ends and the drop begins. They are made from two lampwork barrel beads with flower designs in shades of reds and pinks, white and aqua embedded in green apple glass. The beads are nestled between two silver accent beads and little turquoise seed beads.

Dangling from them are silver-wrapped 4mm garnet coin beads, peridot nuggets, white freshwater pearls and more seed beads. The ear wire is sterling silver.

These next earrings are called "Still Waters."

I tell you, these were the hardest darned earrings to shoot and try to represent accurately. They are made of large pieces of faceted quartz in the most delicate, watery aqua color, and they just kind of washed out under the lens of the camera.

These earrings are 2 1/4" long from the beginning of the drop to the bottom-most beads.

There is a hole in the upper third of the beads, from which dangle varying lengths of delicate sterling silver figaro chains.

At the end of each chain are silver-wrapped freshwater pearls, copper seed beads, peridot nuggets, turquoise seed beads, as well as 4mm aurora borealis and aqua bi-cone swarovski crystals. They're great on someone with short hair, and feel very swaggy. Not for sale, as these are sold.

Welcome!

Welcome to Adorn Me jewelry!

Jewelry, and even more specifically, a love of stones, metals, pearls and elements of jewelry-making, has been a lifelong passion -- one that has never dimmed or dulled over time.

Adorn Me jewelry has a focus on making unique pieces that will never have its exact match, even when the same materials are used, because of the differences in stones, and because the technique is far removed from assembly line jewelry (have done assembly line type of jewelry creation and it's mind numbingly boring -- never again!).

Adorn Me makes jewelry for all sizes of bodies, but there is a special focus on very large women who have a hard time finding unique, beautiful necklaces, bracelets and anklets in their size.

Adorn Me is happy to take special orders. If there is something specific you are looking for, please drop an email and we'll set it up. The contact form on Adorn Me's home site at AdornMeJewelry.net is set up for that, but there's not much else there yet, as making jewelry has been priority one so far.

This first set was custom made for a client who likes bracelet and earring sets.

My client likes this enough that she now wants a matching necklace, which will be in the works shortly. Materials used are pink-y plum blister pearls, fresh water pearls, amethyst nuggets, a variety of glass beads, Swarovski crystals and sterling silver. She prefers a lobster claw clasp on the bracelet, so that is what was used. The bracelet is 9" long and the earrings about 1 3/4" from the ear wire drop.

These next photos are of the set in alternate lighting, so the colors show up a bit differently, and just for the heck of it, a closeup of a fresh water pearl and one of the glass beads.

Wire-wrapping is a time-consuming art, and therefore fetches a higher price than when just strung beads. It's a joy, though. Been doing this for decades now and it doesn't get old.


This last photo is of the focal point of the bracelet. It is a cluster of pearls, amethysts and glass beads held together by sterling silver wire. The blister pearls spark iridescent hues of blues, purples, red, pinks, fuschia and silver, while the fresh water pearls have their own soft glow. Finally, the glass beads give off their own varied glimmer. This is an excellent set to wear dressed down a bit during the day. But at night -- at night, dressed in your finery, a set like this would flicker, twinkle and spark on the surface of your skin.


Still working on image quality and trying to make improvements. I just think I will need a new camera at some point, so please forgive the less than stellar photos.