Brainstorming earrings from Cecile Raley Designs

[KristinTech]

I've been thinking of some interesting CS dangly/drop earrings for a bit, and DH plans to surprise me with a loose CS pair from their etsy store for Christmas (I emailed him several ideas of ones that I like). I think I want them to be anywhere from 12mm-20mm as finished pieces. I love all colors, and I'm not picky about that part. I want the finished pieces to be colorful (I plan to definitely try to incorporate paraiba tourmaline melee if possible!). I know the "colorful" part will be easy with this vendor!

The custom/inspiration pages on their site have been very helpful, but I'm not quite sure what I want. I really like the idea of taking two pendants and turning them into earrings. What components/structure should I decide on? I love the dormeuse style. I like them very close and short to the lobe. I also like the idea of getting very small (3mm stone, so 3.5-4mm total stud) with a jump ring or two as added components to make the pendant earring "swing." But does that get into a fancier mode? I have shepherd hook pearl drops from PP, and I do like the way they swing--I am just not crazy about how my piercing looks to drag a bit. I think the little stud can help cover that up.

I want them to be of a style that I can wear with a t-shirt and jeans--they shouldn't scream "DRESS UP!"

I know that I can't make many of the critical decisions just yet since I don't know the exact shape or size of the CS pair I will get. There ARE many considerations that I can think through beforehand, though, so that I can be ready to go after Christmas and email Yvonne to begin the process.

Has anyone done a semi-custom (or custom) earring design with them? Anything I should consider as I begin to plan? I will include some of my own inspiration pictures later tonight when I'm on my couch and have more time.

(@missy I don't know if you're a regular reader here at the CS forum, but I wanted to be sure to tag you, as I am looking forward to your dangly earring expertise!)

 

[strawrose]

How about making them earring jackets? That way you can attach them to any stud or hoop. Does anybody know if she can customize the diamond hoops with different stones?

 

[KristinTech]

These are the dangly earrings I wear most often (usually have my diamond studs in 24/7).

One pair is leverback. They don’t articulate. They are freshadama rounds with the first pair of studs dh bought me when we were dating. I think they are three pointers!

The other pair are shepherd hook metallic freshwater from PP. Both of these pairs are “okay” lengthwise, but I’d prefer my new ones to be even shorter, I think—hanging a little closer to the lobe.

 

[missy]

@KristinTech Love your newest project and am excited for you.

Sharing my dangle thoughts with you.
I love them close to the lobe and articulating. Sexy and sassy and feminine. For me that is the ultimate dangle. You don't want the stone right against the lobe or it will impede the free flowing movement but rather just under the lobe.

Here is an example of what I love about dangles. And how I love to wear them.




Closeup of the earrings to show the details



Another perspective to illustrate they cannot be right against the lobe or that will impede movement but just a drop below it still close to the lobe but enough to allow movement.




Another pair of dangles. Just one stone vs the 2 stone drop.



There are so many dangle examples to illustrate all aspects of dangles in the thread I started a while back. Have you seen it? It might be helpful. Let me find it.

Show me your dangle earrings pretty please!

@diamondseeker2006 asked me quite a while ago to share some of my favorite earrings and so here I am. Better late than never. While I love stud earrings on others they just don’t look good on me so all my earrings are dangle earrings. Most of them antique earrings but for the purpose of this...

www.pricescope.com

What a sweet dh and I cannot wait to see what you create. I am here for you if you have any questions that I can answer and will be following along. Enjoy and have fun!

 

[ShinyPink]

Whenever I have Yvonne create something, I tell her what I like. I have never ask for something specific because I never know exactly what I want. I would send her the Information you gave us and have her sketch a few designs. She's really good and quick! She also can tell you what will work together, both in the design elements and in terms or colors/stones.

Have fun!

 

[KristinTech]

How about making them earring jackets? That way you can attach them to any stud or hoop. Does anybody know if she can customize the diamond hoops with different stones?

I wonder if I’d like a pendant charm on one of those littlest diamond hoops, hmmm...

Yes, jackets are always an option! I worry that the my would be “too fancy.” Maybe I’m overthinking that part!

 

[KristinTech]

@KristinTech Love your newest project and am excited for you.

Sharing my dangle thoughts with you.
I love them close to the lobe and articulating. Sexy and sassy and feminine. For me that is the ultimate dangle. You don't want the stone right against the lobe or it will impede the free flowing movement but rather just under the lobe.

Here is an example of what I love about dangles. And how I love to wear them.




Closeup of the earrings to show the details



Another perspective to illustrate they cannot be right against the lobe or that will impede movement but just a drop below it still close to the lobe but enough to allow movement.




Another pair of dangles. Just one stone vs the 2 stone drop.



There are so many dangle examples to illustrate all aspects of dangles in the thread I started a while back. Have you seen it? It might be helpful. Let me find it.

Show me your dangle earrings pretty please!

@diamondseeker2006 asked me quite a while ago to share some of my favorite earrings and so here I am. Better late than never. While I love stud earrings on others they just don’t look good on me so all my earrings are dangle earrings. Most of them antique earrings but for the purpose of this...

www.pricescope.com

What a sweet dh and I cannot wait to see what you create. I am here for you if you have any questions that I can answer and will be following along. Enjoy and have fun!

Thank you! Yes, I love your other thread, and I appreciate that close up to show the components. I’m going to include my inspiration color palate in a separate post...

 

[KristinTech]

Whenever I have Yvonne create something, I tell her what I like. I have never ask for something specific because I never know exactly what I want. I would send her the Information you gave us and have her sketch a few designs. She's really good and quick! She also can tell you what will work together, both in the design elements and in terms or colors/stones.

Have fun!

I am glad to hear that she likes to operate that way! As soon as I know what pair she picked out, I’ll compose my email! I’ll keep you guys updated.

 

[KristinTech]

Inspiration color palate!

Blues, red/pink, and gold

What color gold with these colors? Yellow?

 

[KristinTech]

These are screen shots I took from her website, showing some components that I really like.

My two favorites are Lily and Tudor. I’m worried that Tudor (lower right) would be too heavy, but Yvonne can help talk me through that. I love the compass points. I’m always drawn to compass designs—our family loves to travel, and I just enjoy adventures with dh and the kids.

 

[KristinTech]

I’ve decided on the medium Lily (15x15)— two shades of blue and a pink tourmaline to keep these earrings affordable for me. Trying to incorporate four colors into the design wasn’t going to work for the look I wanted.

More details to come when I finalize the details with Yvonne!

 

[KristinTech]

A really rough sketch I made in between Etsy messages with Yvonne.

White gold leverbacks, with the medium Lily connected by jump rings. The front of the leverback will have her small trillium soldered to the leverback on the wire. I drew this with the tip pointing up, but we are thinking it may look better design-wise with the tip pointing down (tip to tip with the flower petal of the medium Lily). She will chat with the jeweler about it. I’m not sure if the scale is quite right for the small trillium and the Lily. Hah!







Just a pic showing the simple ring connection for the short dangle:








Small trillium studs to be soldered that will have paraiba tourmaline (second down):




I’m pretty excited!

 

[KristinTech]

They are ready! Can’t wait to post some ear shots.

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow, you totally nailed your inspiration! They are striking and so pretty. I look forward to seeing them on.

 

[ShinyPink]

WOW! Those are incredible! I love the colors! You are a lucky one!

 

[CSpan]

those are gorgeous, to many happy years

 

[strawrose]

They turned out so gorgeous!

 

[bespokecarmel]

Beautiful choice of color.

 

[KristinTech]

I will have more pictures once the sun finally shines! I love these, I think they are the perfect size. About the size of a dime. The colors are gorgeous in real life. Hubby has deemed them, “The most fun thing you own.” I’m attaching a billion pics.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Beautiful earrings! They look really nice on you, too.

 

[Sunstorm]

Stunning! I am a huge dangle fan myself and love colorful earrings as well. I love this design, the colors, the Paraiba touch. They look awesome on you and you can wear them casual or when you dress up, very versatile.