New LOVE LIFE collection

LOVE Life collection is dedicated to the women of the new millennium, FREE from the constrains imposed by traditional jewellery, women who enjoy themselves and express their femininity by wearing jewellery like an accessory, changing it with the ease that one changes purse or shoes, depending on the mood of the day.

SUMMER/FALL 2009 JEWELLERY TRENDS

Here are some hot jewellery design tips for Summer/Fall 2009 - courtesy of Veronika Melnyk, a professional jewellery designer and instructor.

For all of you who are busy with your own home jewellery businesses I thought of some tips on the key trends that might be helpful.

As always we must begin with the colours.
There are 3 important colours for the season:

1. BLACK & WHITE. I believe using fabric wrapped beads, printed ceramic, and glass beads that are imperfect is a great way to achieve a crisp, but natural look for this palette.
2. YELLOW & CORAL is the warm pallet this season.
3. AMAZONITE GREENS & TRANSLUCENT TURQUOISE look great for a cool spring palette.

Try mixing matte and shiny beads for a beachy feeling. Touches of raffia for texture make a nice contrast, and using a brown or natural material to ground the colours is a new way to do blue.

• Seed beads
• Chunky wooden beads
• Swarovski crystals
• Freshwater pearls
• Citrine
• Amethyst
• Garnet
• Quartz
• Printed and painted shell

Good luck with designing your own jewelry collections, and do not forget to stop in for more inspiration at GlamourJewellery.com!

JEWELRY TRENDS for Summer 2009

Add a hit of warm colour with this multi-strand coral necklace from GlamourJewellery.com

THE ART IS COMING...

Browse and buy fine art online at http://www.glamourjewellery.com/ Flower collection by Veronika Melnyk coming soon.

Veronika Melnyk is an artist and a jewellery designer based in Toronto, Canada.

Veronika graduated from the Art’s school in 1996.
Had exhibitions in Ukraine, Germany and Poland. Her artworks are held in private collections in the U.S.A., Canada, Ukraine, Greece and Israel. Also, one of her work was donated to the St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Institute.

Veronika works in different techniques (watercolor, oil, acrylic, egg tempera) and genres.

In her jewellery designs, Veronika uses sterling silver, gold, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, gem stones and semi precious stones.

JEWELLERY CLEANING & STORAGE

Protect all jewellery from sharp blows, harsh chemicals, sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Chlorine and related chemicals can severely discolor and damage jewellery as well as loosen stones and settings.

Put jewellery on after using cosmetics, hair spray or perfumes to avoid contact with substances and chemicals which may cause damage.

Carefully wipe jewellery with a soft chamois or flannel cloth after each wearing to remove oils and salts. This is especially important for pearls.

Store jewellery separately, so it will not scratch other jewellery. Freshwater pearls are best stored in a special chamois pouch because of their softness. Never store pearls in plastic bags!

Storing beaded necklaces flat is highly recommended to reduce stretching.

REAL PEARLS VS. FAKE PEARLS

How can you distinguish real pearls from the fake ones? To find out the difference, you can put the "pearl" in your mouth and slosh it softly across your teeth. Does it feel very smooth? If it does, it's fake. The real thing feels slightly gritty.

There are other ways to test the pearls and one of the most reliable is to x-ray them. Just take them into a certified Gemologist and heave them do the testing. What you are looking for is round sphere and pockets within the pearl. Also, there are a few tests, which can help you to figure out whether your pearls are real.

1. Rub the pearls lightly across upper front teeth. Real pearls: should feel gritty or sandy. Fake: will feel smooth.

2. Examine the surface of the pearls with a magnifying glass. Real: appears unusually fine-grained. Fake: may appear grainy.

3. Drill a hole in the Pearls: The examine the hole with a magnifying glass. Real: The edges of the hole in real pearls are smooth and sharp. Fake: The holes in fake pearls may appear bumpy or ragged.

4. Weight: Bounce the pearls in your hand. Real: feels heavy to hold. Fake: should feels unusually light, unless they are solid glass beads.

5. Flaws: Examine the pearls for flaws and blemishes. Real: will have at least minimal flaws. Fake: If they appear absolutely flawless they are most likely fake pearls.

IN BLOOM

Pictures taken from magazines and color swatches will help your florist create a bouquet that will suit you perfectly.

Your bridal bouquet is a burst of color that will catch everyone’s eye as you walk down the aisle. A skilled florist will use the colors of your wedding, as well as the colors of nature, to create an arrangement that is a beautiful compliment to your bridal gown.

Start shopping early for your florist. Choose the one who understands your vision the best. Take a photograph of your wedding gown and a swatch if you have one. These will help your florist recommend flowers and linen colors.

Ask your florist to adorn your bouquet with details that will reflect your wedding style. Fresh flowers will bring a touch of the season to your bridal bouquet.

WEDDING FASHION 1.0

Searching for the perfect wedding gown should be a fun process, and trying on all the beautiful dresses and wonderful styles will make you feel like a princess. The stunning dresses on the following page can help you select one that is perfect for you.

Look through this and another bridal magazines to determine what styles you like, but go shopping with an open mind. Very often, gown consultants can direct you to a style you did not consider, but will be perfect for you.

Begin shopping early. Some designers can take six to eight months to deliver a gown. Make an appointment with the salon; you want to have the gown consultant’s undivided attention.

When budgeting for your gown, remember to include alterations. You also need to include undergarments, hose, shoes and jewellery.

Once you have selected your gown, you need to select your bridesmaids’ dresses on your own at first, so you can choose the style you like the most. Keep in mind all the girls’ body shapes and size while making your selection.

PLANNING CALENDAR

Staying organized when planning your first hiring tier.Wedding is all about deadlines. Just as every wedding is different, every couple’s planning schedule will be different too. In some parts of the country, couples can begin to plan their weddings 18 months to two years ahead of time. Other parts of the country won’t allow you to reserve space for your wedding and earlier than nine months in advance.

When planning your wedding, consider hiring your wedding vendors based upon a hierarchy of which vendors can do the least amount of wedding in one day. For example, your photographer most likely can only do one wedding in a day, so they should be among the first vendors you hire. Then move on to vendors who can do more than one event in a day. The following is a suggested order for planning your wedding:

PRE-HIRING ACTIVITIES

1. Complete guest list including addresses and phone numbers
2. Decide type of wedding to determine color scheme
3. Finalize budget
4. Choose your wedding party

FIRST HIRING TIER

1. Hire a wedding planner
2. Determine ceremony site
3. Determine reception site
4. Reserve hotel rooms for out of town guests
5. Select photographer
6. Select videographer
7. Select reception band/musician/DJ
8. Select ceremony musician
9. Shop for and order wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses
10. Select hair and make up artist and schedule trial run when your headpiece arrives

SECOND HIRING TIER

1. Select florist
2. Select linen company
3. Send out save-the-date and reservation forms (done at least six months prior to the wedding)
4. Select pastry chef
5. Select grooms and groomsmen attire
6. Order invitations
7. Select calligrapher
8. Confirm wedding rehearsal time
9. Meet with caterer
10. Attend menu tasting
11. Plan honeymoon
12. Arrange wedding day transportation

THIRD HIRING TIER

1. Select wedding favors
2. Send invitations to calligrapher
3. Mail invitations
4. Enroll at bridal registries
5. Plan rehearsal dinner, bridesmaids luncheon, golf outings and any other weekend parties.


ORGANIZATION

• Make a list of songs you would like played at your reception
• Purchase bridal party accessories
• Meet with florist and make final floral selections
• Make final linen selection
• Schedule final fittings
• Select ceremony music
• Discuss ceremony with officiate, choose reading for ceremony and arrange for your rehersal
• Apply for marriage license
• Contact floral and gown preservationists
• Write thank you notes for gifts as they come
• Design transportation insert for out of town guests
• Give ceremony musicians music requests
• Give photographer checklist for photos
• Give reception musitians music requests and introduction list
• Choose gifts for wedding party
• Breake in shoes
• Follow up on guests who did not respond
• Give final head counts catering manager, florist, pastry chef, linen company
• Set seating arrangements
• Write place cards
• Pay balances before the wedding

OTHER DETAILS

• If you are planning on having a facial, do it at least a month prior to the wedding. You don’t want estra breakouts on the wedding day.
• Do not tan too much prior to the wedding.
• Plan to relax the last few days prior to the wedding.
• Get lots of sleep and drink plenty of water.
• Don’t forget to eat something on the wedding day.

BRIDAL JEWELRY 101

Different types of pearl necklaces used in wedding jewelry

The various lengths of pearl necklaces include the dog collar, choker, princess, matinee, and opera. A dog collar is made up of several strands of pearls stacked up on the neck. A necklace that rests at the base of the throat is termed a choker. A princess-length necklace rests above the bustline. A matinee-length necklace rests below the bustline. An opera length necklace falls around the waistline. A lavaliere is a pendant on a necklace.

Matching bracelets

Bracelets can be worn with sleeveless, short-sleeve, and three-quarter sleeve gowns. You can combine a bracelet with gloves as a dramatic accessory worn over tight-fitted gloves. Most watches are not appropriate wedding jewelry for the bride or her maids.

Earring

A button earring accentuates a round face. A dangle earring widens a narrow face. A squared earring adds interest to a long face.

Jewelry for bridesmaids

Most bridesmaid ensembles can be enhanced with earrings and perhaps a necklace or bracelet. All maids should wear the exact same jewelry.