making my own wedding jewelry!!

[dietvanillacoke]

since this IS Pricescope, i thought i''d share that i''m in the process of making my own wedding jewelry!! i made the bridesmaid jewelry already and now i''m making my own. i''ll post some pictures of it when i''m done! i''m so excited.

the reason i decided to learn how to make jewelry is because i couldn''t BELIEVE the prices they were charging out there for stuff that seemed so simple to make!! and it IS simple!! it''s painstaking and time consuming, but i feel like it''s worth it, since it will be especially sentimental for me. plus i have four months to burn before the wedding, and instead of $150 for a necklace i''m paying under $20 in materials!!!!

here''s my inspiration: creme-de-luxe. i tweaked their designs a bit (used larger swarovski crystals, less pearls) but my jewelry looks almost exactly like theirs. i feel so professional.

but my fingers are so raw from bending wire!!

 

[Erin]

I''m impressed - great tip on saving money, too.

I saw this necklace at Zales made of garnets and pear shaped citrines and thought - I love the ''look'' of the necklace but I can make it without using real stones for something to wear for everyday. Plus, the time you put into making things as gifts make them all the more special.

 

[belle]

that is soo awesome!! i am a total diy''er, so i can truly appreciate your efforts.
i can''t wait to see the finished products!!

 

[Blue824]

dietvanillacoke -- not sure how much jewelry you have left to make, but picking up a simple pair of jewelry pliers might make your fingers feel better, makes the wire bending much easier! I used to make a lot of jewelry when i was younger, glad you''re enjoying making your own so much!

 

[LollyBear]

What a neat idea! I have been considering buying jewelry as my bridesmaids gifts, but that idea pales in comparison to handmade ones. I just wish I had the patience to do something crafty for them. I''m looking forward to seeing the end result.

BTW, The link you provided just goes to the website homepage. Would you mind posting the pic of the inspiration piece? It''ll be neat to see the two together. Thx

 

[MissAva]

What a fun and truly personal gift to give to your bridemaids. That will mean much more to them knowing that you made it. Please post some more pictures, or tell us which necklaces you are making replicas of. That is just so fun!

 

[researcher]

Oh, I''m so happy someone else is doing this!!! I found my DREAM necklace, bracelet, and earrings for my wedding, but when I found out the price (nearly $650) I about fainted. So, I decided to make my own. I bought the pearls (real) and Swarovski crystals, and saved myself $450!!! It was the best decision ever!!!

I didn''t make jewelry for the bridesmaids, but I did make jewelry for my mom and grandma.

At any rate, I can''t wait to see what your final project looks like! I''m sure it will be beautiful

 

[dietvanillacoke]

alrighty ladies! here is my inspiration:

<img src="http://www.creme-de-luxe.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/every_lariat.jpg"

and...

and here are my creations!!! i tweaked the designs a little bit, but now i'm afraid that the jewelry is a bit too chunky.

earrings:

another shot of the earrings:

earrings + bracelet:

another shot of the bracelet:

necklace:

closeup of necklace:

and here is the bridesmaid jewelry that i made!!!
if you look closely you'll see a red crystal on these... each bridesmaid has their own favorite color crystal (red, pink, green, and blue) since the dresses are a beige/champagne color. all my bridesmaids are the SAME HEIGHT and asian, with long black hair and very similar body type, so i had to make them distinctive in SOME way!!

closeup of bridesmaid bracelet:

and just for fun, some stuff i've made in the past few months!!

<img src="http://images9.fotki.com/v172/photos/5/57184/2144597/IMGP1098-vi.jpg"

 

[momothree]

Fantastic! You should be very proud of yourself!!!!

 

[MissAva]

Those are really cute, I dont think they look too chunky at all. And I really like that you did the on crystal on each peice to show the personalization to your bridesmaids, that was very thoughtful of you. Those green earrings you made looked very fun. You ought to sell your stuff to private gallery. A chick friend of mine just bought some very similair to that and they were...45$. Yikes. Anyway I think your bridesmaids and of course you! will look lovely on your wedding day. Congrats on your jewlery!

 

[fountainfairfax]

I think you did an amazing job! they don''t look chunky at all- I''m sure all of your bridesmaids will not only be proud to wear to wear something you lovingly made, but will also appreciate how great they look!
I agree w/Matatora, I think you''ve discovered a talent that could earn you a little extra diamond $$$

 

[Nicrez]

I had an idea to do this as well....You are SO smart and creative!!!!

Anyone know where I can get some nice faceted moonstone beads for a nice chunck torsade?

Your jewelry looks amazing!!! More pictures!

 

[JessesGrl]

Your stuff is so beautiful!!! Wow- you really should sell your jewelry, it is great!!!! I also love the creme-de-luxe stuff but in my opinion it''s a bit pricey. Recently I found a necklace that was my grandma''s from the 60''s-70''s and it looks exactly like the crystal chokers they make..I was very happy b/c now it has a bit of sentiment as well. Great stuff, you are talented!!!!

 

[dietvanillacoke]

thanks for the compliments everyone! i had so much fun making them, so much so that every night my fiance has to make a deal with me... he won''t spend hours on fantasy baseball if i won''t spend hours making jewelry. it''s really cutting into our quality time. heheh. but yeah, i''ve had a lot of fun making gifts for all my friends, family, and roommates, and it''s taken all of my self-control to not quit my job and buy a little store and start my own business!! i love custom made handbags (www.1154lill.com) and i would definitely do custom made jewelry.. have a few simple "templates" and have people come in and choose the style of beads / colors / sizes that they want, and in 2-3 weeks it would be shipped to them. it would be ingenious for those who are really picky about their jewelry (raising hand) and for bridesmaids'' gifts. that''s originally how i got into it; making my bridesmaids'' gifts.

talking about it makes me want to do it even more!! AHH!!

maybe one day after my future husband becomes a dentist and makes enough money so that i don''t have to work in a steady job anymore... maybe maybe i will start my store.

till then i will continue making gifts for my friends... can you believe that my bridesmaid jewelry cost less than $15 per set to make, and mine less than $30??? well i already had the pearls so that doesn''t count, but still!!! the prices out there are freaking CRAZY!!!

 

[FireGoddess]

DVC that jewelry is just awesome. Truly inspiring. I wish I had the patience and the creativity! Those pieces truly look like things people pay LOTS of money for...and no, they definitely don''t look chunky. Love them!

 

[LollyBear]

WOW, DVC, those are gorgeous!

I never would have guessed they were homemade. You are quite the talent. I''ve never seen neckalces with those hanging strands down the back. What a neat touch. I can''t wait to see photos of them ON

.

 

[flopkins]

DVC those look fantastic!!!!

 

[JCJD]

Those look great!! I bought my BM's each a garnet pendant, I bought my MOH who can't wear metal a red, white, and black beaded choker necklace, and I made them either beaded bracelets or beaded earrings (two of the four don't have pierced ears). I thought they were pretty nice, until I saw your creations!! They seriously look professionally made!

 

[kittykatmax]

If you don''t mind my asking, where did you buy the findings? You did a terrific job on the jewelry!

Best,

Natalie

 

[dietvanillacoke]

thanks again everyone!! someday i will pursue my dream of having a custom jewelry store.. until then, gifts for friends will have to do!!

i bought all the beads, wire, and findings at beadworks in cambridge, MA and boston, MA. some of the findings i bought at craft stores (like large packs of jump rings). the clasps and other findings i wanted to be careful with sinc eone of my bridesmaids is highly allergic to any impure metal. she''s not good with sterling silver either but claims that wearing it for just one day will be just fine.