Holiday Etsy Guide: Jewelry

Oh yes, there will be jewelry! Of course I do love the fancy kind, but for me, my style, and my budget, I have to go for the less-fancy, more crafty variety of adornment. If you've ever visited Etsy.com, you'll know that there are a veritable plethora of jewelry designers showcased there; the ones I've selected for this post are my favorites. They're unusual, substantial, and really fall in with my style. When it comes to jewelry pieces, I like to make a statement. My clothes tend to be more simple, so on the occasions when I wear jewelry I like them to be noticed!

Shobha Ohal Designs

Shobha Ohal Designs are from Takoma Park, MD. I love the way she mixes images, metals, and symbols into rich-looking little gems. This Madonna Pendant reminds me of a traditional Catholic scapular, except this one is decadently dusted with gold for a very ephemeral result. The 3 Disk Necklace is also incredibly simple and elegant, looking much more luxe than its $65 price tag!

Leaves of Glass

Leaves of Glass offers "Urban Vintage Jewelry" with a decidedly Chicago-esque point-of-view. The designer Kateri Morton states: "Inspired by Chicago architecture, junk car lots, works of fiction, film noir, art deco design, and the magic that is vintage glass, Leaves of Glass designs marry delicate and industrial elements to create a look that's organic and urban." I think the mix of delicate vintage glass with unexpected, edgy elements is fantastic.

I adore these drop earrings entitled "Cold Shoulder" - gorgeous! I keep coming back to look at them again and again! The oxidized sterling silver lobster clasp is such an unusual finishing touch which really takes these to the next level of eye-catching.

My next pick from Leaves of Glass are also some drop earrings, which is unusual since when looking at jewelry, I tend to only look at rings and necklaces...Hmmm. They must be something! Well, they are appropriate for my situation since they're named "Make Up Your Mind". A gorgeous chunky cobalt-gold faceted ball tops a cascade of delicate oxidized sterling silver chains. The large-scale loops tie them all together...

(Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I loved these earrings so much that I, um...already bought them? Yes. I'm blushing to admit it. Here I am recommending products and then snapping them up for myself and my own gift-giving purposes. What could I do? I knew that the moment this post hit, someone was going to buy them! Lucky for all of us, the darling Kateri was able to re-post another set of each to her boutique, so all links are live and ready for shopping!) 

Leaves of Glass also packages their items in a lovely box with ribbon so they are ready for instant gift-giving... Sigh! Can I choose everything I want? (Oh...wait, I already did!)

t8designs

t8designs come from Delaware, and while the designer doesn't offer a full profile, they do cite some of their favorite films as Masculin Feminin,The Knack...and How to Get It and Paper Moon. Enough said. I love it. I am just drawn to this entire collection. It's mixed up, weird, delicate, full of unusual objets trouvés and romantic history - just like me! Gosh, where to begin?

The Tangled Antiquities Necklace features a great mix of all different kinds of chains, with an added surprise element: an antique optical lens from the 1890s. The overall look is really modern and punky, but the elements are sophisticated and dandyish. The Time Bandit Necklace has an actual Elgin pocket watch made of brass - chunky, heavy, and a total keeper. I am completely crazy about Prospecting for California Gold - a necklace that mixes a working compass, gold shavings in a vial, an optical lens, and a fantastic antique California charm that says "31" - for being the 31st state in the Union. (Hmmm...I'm turning 31 myself in a few days...ideas, ideas!) All of these pieces are a little "olde curiosity shoppe" but that's what I love: something you could never find somewhere else - just like Etsy!

Don't forget to look at other Etsy jewelry picks on Chic & Charming and SFGirlbybay!!!