Designer's Picks: The Voyage of Life
“I haven’t designed many angel talismans in the past – the right angel just never came. But this one stopped me in my tracks when I saw a photo of her on a friend’s Instagram last Fall. I love the paintings of the Hudson River School and Thomas Cole yet had forgotten this series. It felt right for the moment, so I got to work and based a few pieces on her. I think she is stunning. Sometimes you just have to wait.”
Look for the light, and trust your guide - now and always.
Top Necklace Styles in 2021
It’s 2021 and you deserve to treat yourself to a new necklace or may two or three new necklaces. As you prepare to add to your collection of quality boho jewelry created with artistic flair, take a moment to browse this list of best necklace styles for women in 2021. Each necklace has its own special vibe and represents current trends in necklace design and craftsmanship.
Boho Soul Pearl
There’s something timeless about wearing a string of pearls around the neck, and that’s proven by the everlasting popularity of the pearl necklace. This particular design is an updated version of a classic, spacing freshwater pearls on an 18-inch chain. There’s a place at the bottom to add a favorite pendant if the mood arises.
Ensemble Bright Silver
Have you ever been undecided about what necklace to put on for a frolicking good time at a party or fun social event? This gleaming necklace with its collection of precision-cut silvery glass beads may just become your party time go-to necklace. Light dances off of each bead with every move and it looks fabulous on an 18-inch chain. Attach a cool pendant or charm to the easy-open clasp at the bottom.
Peace in Unity Medallion
One of the most powerful words ever spoken or written is beautifully engraved onto an oval pendant made of shiny brass. Its simple message needs no explanation and resonates with all who view it as it dangles around your neck on a brass chain. Wear it when you want to spread a little bit of peace and sunshine out into the world.
Amor Fati Rosary
Express your faith by wearing a delicate Amor Fati cross embedded with sparkling crystals on a Y-necklace chain in the style of an Italian rosary. The unique cross has an antique look that is heirloom quality. Balinese pearls, gold beads and a larger crystal combine to create a stunningly beautiful necklace.
Bee Brave Pyrite Lume
Support the survival of bees by wearing this gorgeous bee necklace that is both a decorative piece and a reminder to save the bees to help save our planet. The beautifully crafted bee pendant has a gleaming pyrite body and silver wings of extraordinary detail. The silver chain features beads and sculpted metal. This necklace has powerful eco-friendly meaning, and it includes a universal message of empowerment.
Guided By Heart
In life, there are always decisions to be made, and those decisions may be large or small, minor or life changing. During times when you are faced with making decisions of consequence, reach for this strikingly unique heart-shaped pendant necklace. On front, the sterling silver pendant features a dazzling array of Kristal crystals, which gleam from various angles. On back, you can see the words, “Guided by.” The simple message encourages you to always follow your heart as you encounter one decision after another.
Good Verbs Becoming
Are you at a point in your life where you feel you are evolving? Expressing this feeling of discovery, growth and rising fortunes is easier when you wear this beautiful gold-plated sterling silver necklace. At the end of a golden chain sits a golden butterfly with a Kristal crystal abdomen that sparkles in the light. It’s a bright piece to wear on days when you’re feeling especially good about being you.
Evolution Y Opal
If you’re looking for a versatile boho style necklace with natural stones, this is a great choice. It’s y-necklace design is populated with opal and accented with brass discs. It looks good with countless outfits and you can enhance it with charms and pendants.
How to measure rings size at home
Isn’t it funny that you never think about the size of your fingers until you start shopping for unique rings to wear, and that’s when it hits you – you don’t know/remember what size ring you wear. In the past, you may have bought rings in person while having the advantage of trying on various size rings to find ones that fit one or more fingers. But that’s not an option at the moment. Now, you’re wondering if there is anyway you can find out by measuring ring size at home.
Well, yes, there is a way, and we can show you how to measure ring size at home. In fact, we can show you several ways to do this measuring and you can pick the method that’s easiest for you.
Paper Sizer Method
Find a free paper ring sizer that you can print out on a home printer. Carefully cut out the sizer with scissors, and also cut a small slit at the end where indicated. You’ll notice the paper sizer has numbers representing ring sizes printed on it. Wrap the sizer around your finger (not too tightly) and pull the pointed end through the slit to make it fit like a ring. The arrow should point to your ring size.
String and Ruler Method
Grab a ball of string, a pair of scissors and a millimeter ruler. Cut a length of string that’s long enough to go around your finger, and then some. Wrap the string around your finger just underneath the knuckle and use a pen or marker to mark the end of finger space point. Align the string with the ruler markings and check a ring size chart to find your finger size.
Ring and Ruler Method
If you intend to buy the same size of ring that is similar to one you already have at home, you can use that ring to get an accurate measurement. For this method you need the ring and a millimeter ruler. Lay the ruler on a flat surface. Place the ring halfway over the ruler at a point where you can easily see ruler markings within the ring’s circle. Measure the diameter of the ring (inside area) and jot down the millimeter measurement and use the ring chart to pinpoint size. For example, a ring that is 17.3 mm is going to correspond to a size 7 ring.
Ring Sizing Tool Method
If you are not in a hurry, you can acquire a jewelry makers ring sizing kit that makes measuring fingers simple. These sets are inexpensive, and they can be useful for measuring fingers of all sizes and shapes. The kit includes a mandrel and ring sizer set.
Mandrel. This is an elongated cone-shaped tool made of durable metal. It has ring size measurements on its face, and there are usually U.S. ring sizes and millimeter numbers for comparison.
Ring sizer set. Metal rings in sizes petite to extra-large hang from a wire holder for safe keeping. Try on various rings until you find one that fits your finger. Slip this ring over the top of the mandrel and slide it down until it reaches its ring size measurement. That is your ring size.
Should You Go Up a Size?
Sometimes, you may find that a ring you want to buy doesn’t come in your exact size. This happens when rings are in whole sizes only. If you wear a half size, you should go up a size and add a ring size adjuster for a better fit.
Why are elephants good luck charms?
Those lovable large mammals we like to call elephants are one of the world’s most beloved animals. These gentle giants have been walking the earth in one form or another for millions of years, which makes it upsetting to think about their dwindling numbers due to habitat loss and poaching. Up until the past few decades, humans and elephants have co-existed amicably, for the most part. It’s a testament to their magnificence that throughout the ages, people have been fascinated by elephants, and many silently wonder – are elephants a symbol of good luck?
The answer is yes. For many, collecting jewelry and other items featuring elephants, do mean that those items come with the possibility of experiencing good luck. While there is no absolute proof that elephant objects bring luck, you can certainly enjoy beautiful objects crafted in the shape of elephants. If you love elephants and lucky charms, you can always combine the two by wearing elephant charms on a bracelet or necklace.
Meanwhile, have fun learning about the various ways people wish for good luck by owning elephant items along with their meaning.
They Bring Good Fortune
Elephants often represent good fortune. The reason why is lost to time, but any elephant image can be used to signify the coming of good things in a person’s life. Additionally, giving someone a gift of an elephant object can be a way of wishing them good luck. However, for good fortune to arrive, you must select elephant items that depict the elephant with its tusk raised in an upward position. Many makers of elephant jewelry, statues, etc. know this, which is why raised tusks are commonly shown.
They Attract Abundance
Elephants are associated with abundance, which is related to overall good fortune. Some cultures depict elephants with rain clouds, and this is a direct reference to them being connected to the bountiful harvests produced by farming communities.
They Provide Protection
In ancient times, some cultures enlisted elephants in the war effort. This was done by starting their training early, while they were still babies, and continuing their training throughout their growth. Men would ride elephants into battle, and you can find illustrations and paintings depicting elephants in various battle scenes.
Fortunately, they are no longer needed for this tough work. But this is where the idea of elephants being strong protectors originally came from.
They Represent Strength
You can just look at a fully grown elephant and know right away that this is one strong animal. They tower above us and they have an impressive girth, weighing anywhere from 4,000 to 14,000 pounds. They can use their mighty heft to knock over fences and lift or pull heavy objects that the average person needs a machine to move. And yet, they are for the most part, gentle creatures who won’t bother you, unless you pose a threat to their safety.
Elephants Create Close Bonds
Elephants symbolize family and friendship through close bonds. Most elephants live and travel within small to large packs that include individuals, youth and babies. They form deep relationships with each other, just like humans, making elephant jewelry a great gift for someone you love.
Elephants Symbolize Wisdom
Elephants are smart, and their millions of years of survival bares this out. It’s a joy to watch elephants appreciate a man playing beautiful piano music for them or watching them use their trunk to paint whatever inspires them to express their artistic talent.
Best Charm Bracelet Styles in 2021
More than any other type of bracelet, charm bracelets are widely known as a jewelry piece that allows you to self-express in a fun and meaningful way. This is probably why the charm bracelet is always in style and never gets boring to wear. In fact, they just keep evolving and getting better as new styles come along. We’re now in a new year and it’s time to reveal our list of the best charm bracelets for 2021. If you love boho style bracelets and charms, the following styles are ones to take note of because they can give your current jewelry collection a boost of beautiful vibrancy.
Elongated Links
Elongated shapes for jewelry chains are growing in popularity and they offer a refreshing change from the standard shorter length chain links that continue to be a favorite for many. And you can still wear those classic link bracelets. However, elongated links are proving to be a top favorite and bestseller for 2021, and we expect this trend to continue beyond this year, which is why it easily ranks number one on our list of best charm bracelets.
Hematite Beads
Hematite is one of nature’s most enduring minerals and this iron oxide is often found near bubbling mineral springs. It has a beautiful, rich dark grey or black color and when turned into stones or beads, it emits a strong calming energy that can help one concentrate or feel more grounded. Nature and celestial charm themes look fabulous with bracelets featuring beads of hematite.
Brass & Sterling Silver Links
Combining two different types of metal together in one bracelet can elevate both metals, and that’s the case with brass and sterling silver link bracelets. Both offer lots of shine and their color contrast works like a charm (pun intended). Brass captures the eye with its golden hue and silver gleams with mirror brightness. We like the way small brass links look with silver connectors and silver links as an accent. Jewelry designers can also do any number of fun designs with this pairing.
Glittery Beads
Can charm bracelets be fun and glittery? Yes, they can! Look for chain bracelets with faceted cut glass beads that glitter in the light like miniature disco balls. This style can be worn on a night out or during the day, just for fun.
Chunky Links
Go big and bold with charm bracelets that are crafted of chunky oval links. It’s the perfect style for someone who is outgoing or who enjoys bolder jewelry pieces.
Rope Links
The rope link bracelet puts a fun twist on the charm bracelet by intertwining rope-like metal links together. This creates a glamorous rustic/nautical jewelry piece that you can do a lot with when choosing charms.
Brass Bangle
The bangle bracelet is a timeless favorite for many who love wearing it just as it is or as a charm bracelet. A beautiful bangle made of quality brass is simple and elegant. It looks great with a single charm or several, and its versatile circular design can be worn with jeans or a party dress.
Choosing Charms
After selecting your favorite bracelet styles, it’s time to start looking at the latest charms for your bracelet. First, you may want to pick up some brass or silver charm clips to make attachment easy. Next, you can browse a collection of jewelry charms and see what charms offer the most personal meaning to you. Charms can help you express your likes, loves and passions.
Best Personalized Christmas Gifts for Mom - Make It Special
Personalized Christmas gifts for mom are one of the easiest ways to show your mom how much she means to you. Now, all you need to do is find the best gift ideas that make her happy. Let us help you out by suggesting some of Waxing Poetic’s most meaningful personalized jewelry gifts for mom.
Personalized Initial Gifts
Whether you’re looking for gift ideas for moms only or you’re interested in personalized mom and daughter gifts, you can satisfy both of these desires by choosing initial jewelry pieces. Moms of all ages and walks of life who enjoy boho style jewelry can appreciate the following handcrafted jewelry items. Initials make your gift personal in a way that no other piece of jewelry can, and that’s a big plus when she opens up her gift box to see what’s inside.
Custom Articulated Oval Monogram Pendant
Impress your mom with an elegant oval-shaped pendant made of the finest sterling silver. Her initials appear prominently in the center of the oval in shiny brass. Vintage brass accents at the pendant’s top and bottom enhance its classy, good looks.
Nomad Insignia A-Z
For moms who walk their life path with a spirited self-assured confidence, this striking single initial pendant is sure to be a pleasant surprise. A single letter is rendered in striking bold strokes, which is contrasted with slender sterling silver lines.
Heartbond Intertwined Initials Pendant
She’s always showing everyone else how much she loves and cares by giving to others in countless ways. Now, it’s time to give that love back to her in the form of this beautiful sterling silver heart pendant. Her first and last name initials are intriguingly intertwined for a unique custom touch.
Heliotrope Intertwined Initials Pendant
Her smile is as bright as the sun whenever she enters a room, and you want to let her know how much you appreciate her warmth, humor and wisdom. This beautiful sunburst pendant combines a dark sterling silver center with rays of bright brass. Her intertwined initials also gleam in brass and silver.
Write-On Cuff
Do you have a favorite phrase you’d like to put on a piece of jewelry for mom? Choose this cuff bracelet in brass or silver and your desired font style and we’ll add your words, or her name, to make it uniquely special.
Personalized Lifestyle Gifts
Another way to personalize your mom’s Christmas jewelry gift is by choosing jewelry pieces that resonate with her personality or lifestyle. Here are some top choices from our collections.
Bee Brave Pyrite
Bees are beautiful and your mom is going to love receiving this gorgeous Bee Brave pendant for Christmas. Exquisite detailing in sterling silver and brass captures the essence of the bee, and sparkling pyrite adds the finishing touch of sweet richness.
Amor Fati Cross Pendant Necklace
This cross pendant crafted of sterling silver and brass has a wonderful hand-crafted vintage look that gives it timeless appeal. Rows of crystals gleam and sparkle in the light. This is a great choice for a mom who embraces her faith and relies on it for comfort and strength.
Kristal Binary Stars Necklace
Let mom know that she’s a star in your eyes with this bright ensemble necklace. A star charm with the word “you” inscribed on it dangles next to a charm featuring a constellation of Kristal crystals.
Kristal Earrings and Bangle
Her eyes will light up when she sees the glimmering brilliance of this elegant gift set with matching teardrop earrings and Kristal hinge bangle. It’s a stellar choice for a deserving mom.
Top Gifts for Your Daughter in Holiday Season
Daughters are special and watching them grow from a child into a thriving adult is one of life’s wonderful pleasures. By now, you’ve gotten to know her pretty well and you have seen her personality bloom before your eyes. This holiday season is a great time to give them a jewelry gift filled with meaning.
At Waxing Poetic, we conceive and create handmade jewelry that truly helps your gift recipient express herself in her own unique way. To start your gift planning, here are some great Christmas gift ideas for your wonderful daughter.
Gifts for Teen Daughters
Her teenage years are a time for her to explore who she is while asserting her independence. You can select jewelry gifts that let her express her feelings about family, friends and the journey of life that’s spread out before her. It also should be jewelry that makes her feel good inside and something she’ll enjoy wearing with her outfits.
Bee Brave Honeypearl Bee Charm
This bee charm is buzzingly cute and she’ll love its adorable body crafted of sterling silver and brass. The fine detailing of the bee’s upper body and wings make it easy to identify. The beautiful white pearl that forms its lower body represents how precious she is to you and all who love her. She may also appreciate receiving a gift that allows her to show support for a save the bees campaign.
Ever Open Heart Necklace
If your teen loves heart jewelry, this gorgeous heart-shaped necklace is an easy choice. Crafted of sterling silver, it’s a wonderful way to say “I love you” with a piece of jewelry.
Cheryl Strayed: The Path Medallion Necklace
This necklace features a pendant with inspired words to live by: When the path reveals itself, follow it. This simple message encourages her to always follow a path that is clear and promises to lead her to good things.
Gifts for Adult Daughters
You and your adult daughter have come to appreciate each other for the unique human beings you are, and your jewelry gift can be a powerful reminder of your special bond. These jewelry pieces help her express her individuality, her connection to you and the lifestyle she’s created for herself.
Amor Fati Single Cross Pendant
Amori Fati means “love of fate” and this handcrafted cross pendant gleams in the light from rows of twinkling Kristal crystals. Brass and sterling silver combine to create a timeless antique look that she’ll love wearing with casual and dressy outfits.
Nomad Insignia A-Z Pendant
She leaves a distinctive impression on everyone who meets her, and this initial pendant makes a great personalized gift for someone so vibrant. It’s a bold statement piece in brass and sterling silver.
Bee Brave Pyrite Pendant
Here’s another version of our popular bee pendant. This time, we’ve paired brass and sterling silver with pyrite, and it’s cut in a way that makes it sparkle in the light.
I Am Beautiful Cuff
Give your daughter a lasting jewelry gift that provides her with a constant reminder of how beautiful she is inside and out. Powerful words are etched onto a brass cuff.
Stanza Juliette Bracelet
Brass and sparkling Kristal crystals make this a special gift bracelet for a daughter who deserves only the best life has to offer. It’s also a charm bracelet and you (or she) can find an array of charms to add to this gorgeous piece.
Fall 2020 Sneak Peek
Mother’s Day Jewelry Ideas that Make Thoughtful Gifts
Hand-Crafted Jewelry for Mom
Letting Her Know She’s Always in Your Heart
Mothers, just like jewelry, come in different shapes and sizes — and we adore them all. When it comes time to honor the women who brought us (or our children) into this great big world of ours, a gift of jewelry for mom is a time-honored and straightforward, yet oh-so-elegant way of displaying your love, care and devotion for her.
While we can't cover all possible jewelry gift ideas for Mother’s Day in such a relatively short post, we can at least give you some helpful suggestions. We’ll dish up a variety of accessories below, ranging from gold plated bangles and sterling silver pendants to mixed metal jewelry that will put an appreciative smile on your mother’s (or wife's, partner's, or grandmother's) face.
Gold-Plated Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Some women prefer silver, while others prefer gold. If you're not sure what kind of precious metal the mothers in your life lean toward, pay attention to the type of jewelry they typically wear or perhaps ask one of their dearest friends (hopefully someone who can keep a secret) for a bit of jewelry-shopping advice.
As you look around, you’ll quickly realize that some women definitely lean toward gold-plated jewelry, gold-plated chains, or are partial to tastefully designed gold-plated bangles that clang about. If you know someone who falls into this category, Waxing Poetic has plenty of outstanding Mothers’ Day gift ideas (in gold) that will bring joy to the women you cherish most.
Our impressive 18K gold-plated Good Verbs Necklaces, with doves, butterflies and other cleverly-designed pendants (with sparkling Kristal centerpieces) are refined, uplifting presents that let you express your love in the most playful ways.
If the woman you’re struggling to find the perfect Mother’s Day jewelry ideas for enjoys donning bangles on occasion (or on a daily basis), our Good Verbs collection has your gift-giving needs covered. The hand-wrought 18K gold-plated Giving Bangle — with a Kristal crystal in the palm of a tiny hand — exudes a stylish acknowledgment of the love and helping hands mothers offer us throughout our lives.
Sterling Silver Jewelry for Mom
If your wife, mother, or loved one shies away from gold and is more of a sterling silver jewelry kind of gal, Waxing Poetic has a sophisticated collection of sterling silver rings, sterling silver bracelets and other silver accessories that are bound to please her as well.
When on the hunt for Mother’s Day gift ideas, it’s hard to go wrong with a sterling silver bracelet. The sterling silver Artesima bracelet (also coming in brass) — woven by hand to create a sophisticated wirework lace — can be worn as a simple adornment. This beautiful bracelet can also be embellished with sterling silver charms to give it a little more pizazz, if so desired (not that it needs any help at all).
If you’re confident you know the ring size of the intended recipient of your Mother’s Day jewelry gift, you can impress her with our Kristal Stellarium Cocktail Ring, with its lattice of midnight Kristal crystals enclosed in a sterling silver bezel. And if the mothers you hang out with prefer something more subdued, our sterling silver Little Goes Far Openness Ring — with its large floral pattern, sparkling crystal petals and Kristal crystal center stone — will add a breath of fresh air to their jewelry collections. This eye-catching ring will likely soon become one of her favorite pieces to wear.
Mixed Metal Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day
Maybe the women in your life have no particular preference when it comes to silver or gold, or perhaps they like to mix things up a bit now and again That’s why we’ve put together our mixed metal jewelry collection.
Our Heart's Content Charm takes the mixed metal jewelry aesthetic and runs with it. This handsome charm is an amalgamation of brass, sterling silver and Kristal crystals. With a brass heart at its center, this piece can be hung from a bracelet (crafted from any metal she chooses) or a necklace, allowing the women you love to be creative, and put their own personal stamp on how this pendant should be worn.
If two-tone jewelry and two-tone bracelets seem like your kind of Mother’s Day gift ideas, our loose-fitting brass and sterling silver Connection Bracelet should definitely do the present-bestowing trick. With links alternating between brass and silver, this bracelet has been fashioned to work alone as a graceful accessory — and of course, blends well with an assortment of dangling charms.
When it comes to mixed metal jewelry in the form of pendants, Waxing Poetic has a stunning selection for you to choose from for Mother's Day. From our A Light Heart is Free Dove (sterling silver, brass and Kristal crystals) or our brass and sterling Silver Hand of Fortune Pendant (with its open palm embracing the stars) to our nautically-themed two-tone silver and brass Seaward Compass Pendant, or our Vista Pendant (evoking images of open horizons) — you'll find plenty of gorgeous mixed metal jewelry to hand out come Mother's Day.
Welcome to Nota Bene (both Latin and Italian for “note well,” which we do around here!). At Waxing Poetic, we make things, and get the chance to see them made real (and loved, and changed – by all of you). Here you will find tiny actions, tiny pieces, and tiny particulars of our process – the small (and not so small) things that matter much.
Enjoy!
Patti Pagliei, Founder
