Sparkle for the Holidays

It's the sparkliest time of the year.  Yes, that's been scientifically proven.  Between Christmas decorations, Hanukah candles, and holiday parties, there are more candles and twinkling during the month of December than any other time of the year.  And when you go out to for your holiday shindig - whether the office party, the charity gala, or even the neighborhood spiced cider get together - why not be part of that sparkle?

In my small arsenal, two of my favorite things for party glitzing is a super sparkly, multi-chain necklace a friend of mine convinced me to buy (oh, the arm twisting!) and a pair of high-heel red shoes.  (Side note - every girl should own a great pair of red shoes, right?  I'm sure that's in the girly handbook.)

For more ideas for all your holiday parties to come, I turned to my friend Robyn, owner and designer of SydneyAustin Designs, hand-made custom jewelry.  

How to Accessorize for Your Holiday Parties

Scene: Formal Holiday Dinner Party

Go for Old Hollywood glamour! Think Great Gatsby! Anything that sparkles. Try a pair of long crystal or rhinestone earrings, jeweled headband or perhaps strands of pearls accented with a big sparkly brooch. Here is your opportunity to wear that statement necklace that you bought and you had no idea where/when you would wear it, but it was on sale and everyone has a statement necklace. 

Scene: Holiday Cocktails/Appetizers Party 

One statement/conversation piece will do here. A big chunky cocktail ring, colorful festive dangle earrings or rhinestone bangle bracelet. 

Scene:  Secret Santa/Ornament Exchange Holiday Luncheon

More casual but still festive. A pretty pair of gemstone hoop earrings. Try a rhinestone barrette in your hair. Several gold chain necklaces of various lengths with a great pendant. Lastly, add a crystal brooch to jazz up a plain blazer or cardigan. 

  

Where to buy Holiday Jewelry

1. SydneyAustin Designs on Etsy

2. Bauble Bar - online retailer with great statement necklaces

3. Charming Charlie - lots of jewelry at a reasonable price

4. DIY - make your own holiday jewelry. There are lots of tutorials on Pinterest and YouTube! 

Have fun!! Robyn 

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Craft challenge - Project 1: Beaded Bracelet

I have a beaded bracelet that "not me" broke. If you have any children in your house, you've probably met "not me". Sometimes she's accompanied by her friends "wasn't me" and "I don't know". Somehow, "not me" climbed up on the counter and got my bracelet out of the bowl it was oh-so pleasantly lying in and broke the string.  But at least "not me" saved most of my beads.  I've been sadly looking at my broken-string-lost-bead bracelet for a few weeks now.  Restringing the beads started off my craft month.

Granted, it may not be the most creativity-required project, but it did require some crafty effort.  I bought elastic beading string and some beads that matched (on sale at that!) - they aren't the exact same size, so I mixed them in with the others.  I used a beading wire from my stash of supplies to string the elastic then tied it to chain section of beads.  There is still a long string hanging off because I'm wondering if I should glue the knot or will it hold when I cut it?

In the meantime - here's my project for today...

      

 

Ta-da - my bracelet's as good as new!