Crystal

Crystal

We are in the middle of a heat wave here in the UK, hopefully today is the last day of it. Today is the longest day of the year which to some is a sacred day – the Summer Solstice. It is a special day for Neil and I too, the first two years we were together we did fabulous things on this day. In 2014 we went to Box Hill for the evening, I took drinks and dessert and we sat on a bench on the hill eating our picnic and watching the night fall. We were even treated to fireworks going off in the distance. That night for both of us was the night we knew we were in love. The following year we went to Stonehenge, actually we went the night of the 20^th to bring in the day of the 21^st. After taking a short nap in the parking lot at Stonehenge, we spent the rest of the day going around to other sacred Druid sites like Avebury and Silbury Hill. Unfortunately last year we were too busy preparing for our wedding to do anything like that.

I have a few designs waiting to meet the public. If you follow me on Instagram you’ve seen the preview of Crystal. I thought I’d bring out the elegant one first and now that I think about it Crystal was probably a fitting design to release this week. After all, people are leaving Stonehenge this morning and heading to Glastonbury for the festival. And Glastonbury is known for its mysticism, if you ever go there are crystal shops throughout town.  

These crystals are mystic though, they’re Swarovski. They are round, almost teardrop shaped and not flat the crystals in my wedding pair from last year. Also these crystals are iridescent and not truly clear. The crystals themselves are a third of an inch but they hang from a length of silver-plated chain, making the total length 1 and a quarter inches. The finding are all silver-plated as well and the earrings can me fitted with either fish hooks (shown), kidney wire or clip-ons.

I think what I love most about this pair is that they are simple enough to wear during the day and yet elegant enough to wear with something fancy. And once again the big perk of buying earrings from me is that if you would like the chain longer or shorter I can adjust it to your liking. I have several crystals left so I can probably make three pairs. Let me know if you’d like one.

£4.50 including UK shipping, $8.38 including US shipping

Happily Ever After

 

 

I’m a little obsessed with this chain right now. I just keep thinking of new ways to use it. It’s like this year’s wire. I keep having bouts of insomnia which leaves me exhausted during the day but when I’m lying in bed trying to sleep ideas pop into my head. This is one that came to me two weeks ago.

 

Each earrings consists of four chains (one for each flavor of marriage*; sour, bitter, spicy and sweet - see descrption at the end). Each chain has a different bead on the end; two 2mm pearls, one 4mm pearl, one 8mm pearl and one Swarovski teardrop crystal. Each strand of chain is also a different length. The earrings hang about 2 inches from the ear. The chain is sliver-plated, as are the findings; which as always can be fitted with either fish hooks (shown), kidney wire or clip on (additional cost).

 

As always these aren’t exclusively for brides or bridal party members. Anyone can get their hands on these. That’s all for the wedding line this year, but again you can see what’s still available from last year’s line and most of the pairs not in stock can be made.

 

£8.00 including UK shipping, $13.75 including US shipping

 

*Yoruba Tasting Ceremony:

From the age-old traditions of Africa, in which the wisdom of the ages is transmitted by story and ritual more than written word, we receive the Yoruba ceremony, a time for the tasting of four elements - the sour, the bitter, the hot, and the sweet - four tastes symbolic of the elements of marriage.

Taste now the sour, for surely every life of integrity admits to its share of times which
are less than perfect. As (Couple's Name) experience life’s disappointments as well as
successes, will we offer our love and support, without measure and without limit?
If so, let us all taste and say “we will.”

Taste now the bitter, for surely every life of depth will know it moments of denial and
rejection when we feel turned away by life. As (Couple's Name) encounter times when bitterness might take hold of their hearts, will we offer our guidance and wisdom, without measure and without limit? If so, let us all say “we will.”

Taste now the hot, for surely there is spice and passion in every enduring relationship.
As (Couple's Name) find and express their hearts’ deepest longings, will we offer them our respect and encouragement without measure and without limit?
If so, let us all taste and say “we will.”

And finally, taste now the sweet, for the abundance of life which has brought these two lovers here to be joined in marriage will continue to pour itself out for their enjoyment. As (Couple's Name) know the sweetness of married life in all of its ages and stages, will we offer our congratulations and benedictions without measure and without limit? If so, let us all taste and say “we will.”

 

 

Vivacious!

 

This is a great example of one of a kind jewelry just for you.

 

Last week I created some photo albums on TheDangling Journey’s Facebook page. My sister saw this pair in the wedding album. I told her I wore them to my wedding which she attended. So she asked if I could do them in Black … Voila!

In place of the pearls I used Onyx beads. And just like the wedding earrings these feature Czech crystal Chambala beads, crystal rondelle spacers and the Swarovski peardrop. Of course they are called Aisha after my lovely and vivacious (which is what Aisha means) sister. She said these earrings are her to a tee. I couldn’t be happier.

You too can have one of a kind jewelry made just for you. And as long as my supplier keeps their next day order turnaround I can get the earrings to you in 1-2 weeks depending on your location.

I actually had something else planned to post for today but since the supplies came in right away I decided to post these especially. This years Christmas line  will be starting next week.

£12.50 including UK shipping, $20.00 including US shipping

Wedding Blues

Wedding Blues for me, great designs for you!

So we have had a major setback in our wedding planning. We gave notice two weeks ago and last week we were informed that the Home Office would conduct an investigation into whether our relationship is genuine. So we may have to postpone our wedding until the investigation is finished. This is especially frustrating for Neil and I because we just went through a Tribunal with the Home Office in December. They would not grant me a Visa because they didn’t believe our relationship was genuine. At the tribunal once the Home Office representative saw our evidence he conceded that our relationship was genuine. Also the judge stated in his decision that our relationship was genuine thus awarded me the visa. Now the Home Office wants to investigate us again.

We were in the process of booking the reception when we got the news, we’d actually just gone to see the venue and were talking out whether it was feasible (there are some complications).  Before we got the letter last week I was making earrings for myself to wear to the wedding. I took a look online to see what was out there and find some inspiration.

I’ve made two of the pairs based on what I saw online; using them as guidance to create my own. I’ve also started working with some new materials and it’s so exciting! These are the first two pairs I made. I made them two weeks ago but after making them felt that I needed larger beads.

Design 1

 

Both of these pairs contain shell pearls and crystal rondelles. However this pair also contains Swarovski crystal peardrops and small Czech crystal Shamballa beads. I really love these two!

Design 2

After I made them I ordered more materials and larger beads but received them after we got the bad news. So I really didn’t feel like making anything for a few days and I was trying to get in touch with someone who could help me. But yesterday I needed to blow off some steam so I made several more designs.

The rest of them I’ve only made one earring so far. I only bought enough supplies to make something for myself so I didn’t intend to post and offer them for sale. I saw this design online a few weeks ago and made it yesterday. This may be my favorite! These are made using crafting wire. I’m so happy I found this material, I’m trying a lot of new designs using it. This pair has a larger Czech crystal shamballa bead, two shell pearls and a crystal rondelle.

Design 3

This design has a Swarovski peardrop crystal, a Czech crystal shamballa bead and a shell pearl bead.

Design 4

 

This design is very simple. It contains two glass beads, one smooth and one cut, and two pearl beads. The beads are in ascending order. It is the only design featuring repurposed beads.

Design 5

 This design I tried something different. There is a cut glass bead on top, with a crystal rondelle separating it from a sideways square glass pearl bead. But if you prefer I can switch the order and put the glass bead on the bottom.

Design 6

Finally this design I also made using craft wire. There is a Swarovski peardrop crystal dangling from the end, with a wire spiral separating the peardrop from a long twisted glass pearl bead, then a rondelle and topped by a shell pearl bead.

Design 7

As I said I had no intention of offering these for sale, but why not? What’s good enough for me is good enough for you. There may be some other brides out there looking for the perfect earrings to wear for their special day. Or you may need earrings for your flower girl, bridesmaids or mother-of-the-bride. Or maybe you just like the idea of crystals and pearls.

Now, because I had to purchase the materials from a retailer instead of using the repurposed or recycled materials I usually use, these designs will be pricier. Also because of customs I will not ship any of these outside of the UK. Since supplies are limited act fast, I only have enough Swarovski peardrops for two pairs of earring so if you'd like one of the designs that feature them you should let me know ASAP. Once supplies run out I will be able to make more as long as I can get the materials from the retailer, but that will add about a week. So if you like any of these bridal beauties act fast.

All other designs made to order.
Design 1 in stock  £8.00 including shipping or $12.75 including US shipping
Design 2 made to order £12 including shipping or $16.29 including US shipping
Design 3 made to order £9.00 including UK shipping or $13.85 including US shipping
Design 4 made to order £12 including UK shipping or $16.29 including US shipping
Design 5 in stock £6.00 including UK shipping or $10.10 including US shipping
Design 6 in stock £6.00 including UK shipping or $10.10 including US shipping
Design 7 no longer available
Design 8 (my wedding earrings) made to order (see Wedding pictures) £16.00 including UK shipping or $22.50 including US shipping

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Prices include shipping. Shipping available to UK and US.
For purchase leave a comment or send an email; payments are accepted through PayPal. Items will be shipped once payment is confirmed.