Joy...

"JOY is a net of love by which you can catch souls." - Mother Teresa

In 2015 I'm choosing JOY.

I made myself a pair of earrings consisting of Citrine (my birthstone), turquoise (my favorite gemstone), and a metal piece that I hand stamped with the word Joy. Take a look at my new earrings.

Have a Joy filled week!

New Jewels...

I'm preparing for a big vending event this coming Saturday in Bethesda, MD. I'm super excited to see my line sister and other Sorors from my undergrad chapter! I am bringing my daughter along to help me at my table. While making new designs I always come across a piece here and there that I simply want to keep for myself. Currently the following are my personal favorites. They are available to purchase here.



Copper Butterflies on recycled copper chain earrings. I just love butterflies. These are very lightweight. Bohemian/Hippie style. These would look great at an outdoor summer festival/concert with a long flowy maxi skirt or cutoff distressed jean shorts.



Bright and Bold. Faceted tangerine jade gemstones with brass leaf components. Love these for a daytime garden wedding, outdoor patio lunch date, or hanging out poolside. Very resort looking.



Beautiful green and caramel agate gemstones. My photos really do not do these beads justice. Chunky necklace. Amazing for graduation party, after work cocktails, or bridal shower luncheon. I made matching earrings (if you are into sets).

New Glass Beads...

In preparation for an upcoming fashion show that I am vending in, I have ordered lots of gorgeous and yummy beads. Last week I received a shipment of czech glass beads in beautiful color combinations. Raspberry and pistachio combo and chartreuse and purple combo. Below are 2 earrings I designed using brass components accented with czech glass beads.

For more information on the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc Luncheon Fashion Show I will be vending at go here.






Pretty czech glass beads.



Leaf Vine Earrings with raspberry and pistachio czech glass beads.



Goddess Wings with brillant blue czech glass beads.

Uptown Saturday Night...

People close to me know that Uptown Saturday Night is one of my favorite classic movies. Everytime I watch it I laugh like it's the first time seeing this great film. I just love the styles from the 70's. Movies from the 70's are inspiration for my hoop earrings. I created a pair of afro lady earrings that remind of something that would have been worn to Madame Zenobias. I sold the first pair shortly after listing them. The pair shown above are available for immediate delivery!

Sterling Silver Not Required

3 Recent earring designs that do not contain sterling silver. Gorgeous gemstones (aquamarine, turquoise, and ruby crazy lace agate) with Copper and or Brass. Just right for Spring! Now available here.

I Miss You Like I Miss Summer

I really miss summer! It's cold in the Carolinas! I'm ready to shed a layer or two. I made these hoops while thinking about warmer weather. They are light, airy, colorful, and incredibly lightweight. I'm particularly fond of the yellow hoops! Now available in my etsy shop.

Fall Hoops

New hoops that are now available in my etsy shop. Love the pink & gray color combo. I named the 2nd pair "Caramel Apples." The great thing about these hoops is they are incredibly lightweight!

Back to School

I'm really pleased with these hoops! They are perfect for the Fall/Autumn. Just great casual, everyday hoop earrings! Rock them with jeans or your favorite Juicy Couture sweatsuit. I think they are great for the college chick! So great that I am offering FREE shipping to college students on my jewels for 1 week only! Stock up so you can look dope walking around campus! Discount details are on my etsy site: www.sydneyaustindesigns.etsy.com

It's Wednesday, so that means it's Hoop Day!

Today is Wednesday, so instead of calling it Hump Day, I'm calling it Hoop Day! Hoops are my favorite style of earrings. The bigger the better. They look great on everyone. The hoops shown above are my latest designs. I'm partial to the yellow ones! The color just pops! I call it Tequila Sunrise. The red pair is called Cherry Slush. Just random, cute names I give to my designs. Both are currently being sold on my etsy site. Get em before they are gone!!





Later on Twitter, I'm going to post a Twitpic of me wearing a pair of hoops in hopes that people will follow suit because I'm officially declaring Wednesday...Hoop Day! Hoping to start a trend ;)

Rasta!

May Birthstone Hammered Hoops

Army Green Fatigues

"I'm not dressed unless I have earrings on, like big hoops." Beyonce...

If you like Green, get these...they are HOT!

Why Did I Get Married?

So I could wear beautiful calla lillies! Vintage lucite calla lillies with czech glass beads attached with handmade oxidized sterling silver headpins are the perfect "something blue" to wear.

Guest Artisan ~ Delilah Pearl

I have decided to feature "Guest Artisans" once or twice a month who I think make "Hip Jewels." My first guest artisan is Delilah Pearl. Don't you just love her name?! It's sounds like a movie star. She lives in Philly. She is also a Soror of mine (Alpha Kappa Alpha) so please show her some love! Delilah Pearl... (Applaud)

1. How did you get started making jewelry? How long have you been a jewelry designer?I started making jewelry when I was around 5 or 6 years old. My grandmom Gloria would watch me during summer vacation and we would spend our time going through her jewelry box. She would give me the broken and mismatched pieces and ask me to create a new piece of jewelry for her. I started working with beads when I was in middle school and this is something that I have continued off and on ever since.

2. Do you do this full-time? Yes. I am a stay at home mom to an 8 month old baby boy and I design, make and run my jewelry business full-time. I am a little busy!

3. What materials do you like to use in your designs? I like to use colorful gemstone beads. My favorite is turquoise and coral. I like to use vermeil, I think the color is beautiful! I also like to use brass and lead free pewter that is made in the U.S. If it is bright and ornate, I like it!

4. Where can we buy your jewelry? Currently, my jewelry can be purchased through Etsy (http://gloriasjewelrybox.etsy.com/). I am working on getting my work into a few area boutiques. I also do jewelry shows and parties.

5. What are your future goals for your business? I would love to expand my buisness and began selling my jewelry on a larger scale. I have big dreams for this business!

Cops and Robbers

I wore these handcuff earrings the other day and I got lots of compliments on them! It's a great conversation piece! "Are those handcuffs??" "Yes," I replied. Then I giggled.

So I made another pair and a lady bought them for her friend who is a criminal prosecutor. So I made more! Dare to be different... go buy a pair from my etsy store! Or get a pair for your friend who is a judge, lawyer, police officer, FBI agent...

Art Deco Earrings

"I'm not dressed unless I have earrings on, like big hoops. I've always worn big earrings." Beyonce...

Femme Fatale

FaB Finds For Under $20

Be Original, Buy Handmade! Lots of new earrings in stock for under $20!

Carmen Miranda Hoops