Yard work = Inspiration???

So, this weekend, I was out in the yard trimming the hedges alongside my husband.  My job was to that the hand held clippers and clip the Hemlocks that run along the back of the yard.  I am so not a fan of working in the yard but I was out there to work, so work I would.  There is a section of these bushes that sit really close to a flower bed we have that holds impatience and roses.  Well, the Hemlocks were starting to take over the space and hide the beauty of all the pink flowers we had there.  Well, then I started thinking....pink flowers....earrings....and next thing you know, an idea was born.

I had picked up these flower beads a while back with the intention of trying to make something with them, I just had not been inspired before now.  As I sat down with my garden in mind, I put together the following earrings...I used the pink flower bead as the focal point.  Next, I added a Swarovski peridot crystal bicone to act as a leaf, then, I used a sterling silver swirl to represent the stem, and a Swarovski crystal briolette to imitate morning dew.  I just love the result.  They are so delicate.  To me, it is like bringing the outdoor garden with you all day. 

What do you think? 

Fourth of July...celebrate with red, white, and blue!

With the summer officially here, the Fourth of July is just around the corner. I am not sure about you, but I love to display my holiday spirit by sporting some red, white and blue on the day we celebrate out country's independence. What better way to do that then with some holiday inspired earrings? Using some red, white, and blue crystals with a cute little star accent, I was able to create some simple designs to add a little pizazz to that summer bbq. Check out my latest creations inspired by the 4th and let me know what you think.

Tell me, how do you show off your holiday spirit?

Pink hearts

A friend of mine asked my to create a bracelet using pink and blue beads.  At first, I thought that would be an odd combination but once I started, I was shocked how beautifully the colors accentuated one another.  The bracelet was to be for a young lady and I was asked to add some girlie type features.  Being a girlie girl myself, that was no problem.  I had purchased some pink heart shaped beads and I thought they would be just perfect for this bracelet.  That, combined with light sapphire Swarovski crystal, cracked crystal beads, and some small vintage rose and white opal Swarovski crystal for a little pop, made for a truly exquiste design that would be perfect for a girl of any age, myself included.  Check out the design and let me know what you think.

Beach Inspired

I don't know about the rest of you, but I love the beach.....so naturally, I love things that remind me of the beach, especially when I am stuck at my desk for 8 hours a day.  It is the little things that keep me happy! : )
So, that has been the inspiration behind my latest designs.

Using sterling silver pendants, Swarovski crystal starfish, shell beads, and other pops of color, I have created what I like to think is the perfect accessory for the sumemr months.  Check out these designs and let me know if you agree.

Would you wear these designs?  Let me hear from you.

Bracelets, bracelets, bracelets....

I was recently asked by a friend to create 25-50 stretch bracelts for children.  He wanted something that would draw families to his table at Oceanfest in Longbranch, NJ on July 4th.  He wanted something inexpensive.  Well, this was going to be a challenge for me because sterling silver and Swarovski crystals can be pricey.  Using wholesale beeds and silver seed beads, I was able to put some designs together that I think will really work.  Some I would even want for myself.  Take a look and let me know if you agree....
Moms....let me know if these are bracelets your daughters would wear.  I would love to hear from you.

The full collection is on my Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/duchessdesignsbyandrea

Inspiration

Inspiration can come from anywhere.  For me, it came from one of my favorite movies, "Hitch".  There was just something about that movie that I loved.  In that movie, Eva Mendes played Sara Melas, a gossip columnist out to expose the "date doctor" Hitch.  But I digress.  In the movie and in real life, Eva Mendes is so stylish.  One pair of earrings she wore caught my eye and I had to replicate it.  Here is a picture of Eva from the movie and then my recreation.  Let me know your thoughts.  Was I able to replicate it? 

What jewelry have you seen in a movie that you would love to have.  Let me know....maybe I can create it for you.  I would love to try!!