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 ;)

Hip Finds at Tar-jay

On a recent trip to my neighborhood Target, I snagged some great hip items!

The first item was a yummy colored (orange, purple, yellow, navy) scarf with fringe. I love it because it looks like Missoni. Missoni scarves retail for @ $200 on shopbop.com. This scarf is by Merona and it retails for $13! Woop!

The second item is a cute pair of sandals by Miss Trish of Capri for Target. The Miss Trish of Capri for Target line debuted in Target stores this past April. Her sandals have been a big hit online and in stores. Her regular line of sandals retail for $200 - $300. Her line for Target retails for $30 - $40. I snagged the last pair of Lion sandals the other day while shopping in Target for $30! I thought they were sweet because my kids are Leos. They look HOT on! So cute with skinny jeans, white blazer, and tank! This is the kicker...I was fooling around on eBay and saw that several sellers are selling these Lion sandals with a starting bid of $60! So glad I copped them for $30! Woop!

Check out the Lion's emerald green eyes!

I'll post pics of me wearing my hip items from Tar-jay later! Stay tuned!

10 Things I'm Feeling for June... In no particular order

1. ToyWatch's Neon Plasteramic in Ultra Violet (as seen on First Lady Michelle Obama)

2. The Flat Belly Diet

3. J. Brand's Bleached Ripped Jeans

4. Crisp White Fitted Tee Shirt

5. Glade scented candles

6. Beyonce's "I Am..." Tour (6/27 Greensboro Colisuem)

7. Army Fatigue Hoops by Sydney Austin Designs http://tinyurl.com/dcamwl

8. Christian Louboutin's Deva in beige ( For $1000, these are the Truth)

9. Getting my Logo!! (Still under-construction, but I'm loving it)

10. My pastor's sermon on Integrity (It was deep)

10 Things I'm Feelin' for April (In no particular order)

1. White Jeans

2. Bangles (Stack Em' Ladies!)

3. Random Acts of Kindness

4. Twitter (Come follow me)

5. Steve Madden's Trufle Platforms in Lilac (see above) They're FIRE right?!

6. My Swavroski Crystal tee that says "I'm BO$$Y" (Get it)

7. The way my daughter changes her nail polish everyday!

8. The Soulful Sounds of Nina Simone

9. Sydney Austin Designs' Handcuff earrings

10. My Hot Pink Tights by Hue

Featured Artisan: Charm & Jewels

This month's featured artisan is Crystal Carlton of Charm & Jewels. She makes the sweetest charm bracelets! I heart the bracelet shown above! Surprise, Surprise, right! ;) A note to my Sorors: This bracelet is for sale on Crystal's etsy site! http://www.charmandjewels.etsy.com/

It's too late for you to get b4 the Notable North Atlantic Regionals, but it will be too cute on your wrist this summer! See the mini interview below to learn more about Crystal!

1. How did you get started making jewelry? Designing jewelry really began with My Little Inspiration", Taya. I was working 4 days a week, 16 hours a day in the salon, and while on maternity leave I began making jewelry because I wanted to stay home with her, and that's why I started Charm and Jewels!

2. What materials do you like to incorporate in your designs? The materials I like to use most are the handmade lampwork beads and Swarovski crystals. I enjoy the lampwork beads so much because they can just about be designed however you desire, therefore I am able to create true one of a kind pieces!

3. Do you do this full-time? Unfortunately I am not able to do this full-time, but I am working on that!

4. How do you market your business? I market my business several ways, my designs are featured in several salons in the Akron area, including mine. I also have designs in several stores in the area as well. I've also experienced short term leasing in several area malls. And of course my etsy shops... including, Etsy Artists of Color, We Love Etsy, Etsy.com, Indie Public, and Art Fire. I also have an online store http://www.charmandjewels.com/ And lastly, I regularly donate to charities and auctions for even more exposure.

5. What are your future plans for your business? My future plans include growing my business and finding as many outlets as I can, until Charm and Jewels is my full-time business!!!

Rasta!

May Birthstone Hammered Hoops

Pink & Green Glass

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

Paint Splatter Ring

FaB Finds For Under $20

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

Got 100?

In celebration of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.'s 100th birthday, I designed these Centennial bracelets. The idea came to mind while attending the Centennial Boule this past July in Washington, DC. The bracelets consists of gorgeous freshwater pearls, swarovski crystals, and a sterling silver 100 charm. The concept has been well received by my Sorors. I just completed the 6 (Sold) shown above, with a little bit of help from my 2 year old nephew, Kaleb. Interested in purchasing one for your favorite AKA? Contact me for ordering details! Peace!

Tough Love Necklace

I recently acquired a love for brass! The mix of metals (brass and sterling) really make this handmade lampwork heart pendant POP! I purchased this lampwork pendant from glass artisan Kelly Wild, you can find her on eBay under the seller ID: wildaudrey. She is truly a master at her craft. I starred at the heart for a long time before I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. Extra beads would only take away from the true beauty of the pendant. The heart is amazing! KICK BRASS!

Carmen Miranda Hoops

Something for your...Hair





I make jewels for your wrist, ears, neck, and fingers. Now let's make something for your hair. I found the sweetest dichroic/fused glass cab beads at a recent bead show. I attached them to sweet bobby pins and ... Bling Bobby Pins were born! I'm pleased with the way they turned out. Take a look and judge for yourself.