Bridal Jewelry Sets, Custom Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings

Custom Jewelry for Brides

I've had the privilege of making custom jewelry for many brides over the past few years.  I really enjoy getting to know each bride, and wow, do I love to see "the dress."  Although I design and make one of a kind jewelry sets for brides, for me, receiving photos of the dress is always so exciting.

Each bride I work with has her own unique style and that is always reflected in the dress.  Most brides-to-be are excited to share with me photos of their dresses and it's important for me (and them) that their jewelry enhance, rather than compete with their dress.

Recently, I finished this custom set for an east coast bride which included a statement necklace of vintage pearls and sparkling antique rhinestones; and a custom bridal cuff bracelet that is truly one of a kind, and vintage earrings.    Visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/dabchickvintagegems, my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dabchickvintagegems, or email me at www.dabchickvintage@yahoo.com if you're interested in a one-of-a-kind custom bridal jewelry set for your special day.

Custom Wedding Jewelry Set

Vintage Pearl Statement Necklace by
Dabchick Vintage Gems

Statement Cuff by Dabchick Vintage Gems

Vintage Rhinestone Earrings

Wedding Brooch Bouquets: Eight DIY Tutorials

Make Your Own Wedding Brooch Bouquet 
Is there anything more exquisite than a beautifully designed wedding brooch bouquet?  I'm absolutely in love with these wedding keepsake bouquets.  You can use your own family heirloom pieces or find vintage brooches on Ebay, Etsy, or at local antique shops, and thrift stores.  I sell antique brooches in my Etsy shop just for this purpose, like this vintage tiara rhinestone brooch:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/80471976/brooch-vintage-crown-sparkling-tiara-pin

DIY Wedding Brooch Tutorials
You can find someone to make you a brooch bouquet using your own heirloom pieces but expect to pay upwards of $275 (not including any brooches you might need to purchase).  Or you can do it yourself for a whole lot less, particularly if you find inexpensive filler pieces, and use your own vintage brooches, pins, and earrings.

Here's my round up of eight DIY wedding brooch bouquet tutorials, including links, and credits.  Enjoy creating, and don't forget to stop by my Etsy shop for vintage brooches!

Fancy Pants Weddings
http://www.fancypantsweddings.com/how-to-design-a-brooch-bouquet/ 

The Bridal Guidehttp://www.bridalguide.com/blogs/the-budget-guru/diy-brooch-bouquet

The Wedding Bee
http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/10/21/brooch-bouquet-diy/

The Seamstress of Avalon
http://seamstressofavalon.blogspot.com/2010/06/brooch-bouquet-diy-part-1.html

Oops Im in Love
http://oops-im-in-love.blogspot.com/2010/02/crazy-two-days.html

You Tube Video by kqueen215
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeUKB6s_By8 

The Offbeat Bride
http://offbeatbride.com/2010/06/diy-brooch-bouquet 

The Budget Savvy Bride
http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/tag/diy-brooch-bouquet/

Looking for a Statement Necklace DIY? Check Out Indie Fixx.

Make Your Own Haute Couture Statement Necklace

DIY Statement Necklace Tutorial at
 http://indiefixx.com/2010/09/16/statement-necklaces-make-your-own-or-not/#

Check out Indie Fixx for a fun and fashionable Statement Necklace tutorial.  Plus, check out the blog for some lovely examples of one-of-a-kind statement necklaces.  Don't forget to visit Dabchick Vintage Gems on Etsy if you decide the DIY route is not for you.  I've got some stunning necklaces in my shop right now http://www.etsy.com/shop/dabchickvintagegems

Fashion Blog Features Dabchick Statement Cuff

Two New Discoveries

Today, I learned my gold statement cuff was featured in a fashion inspiration board on the the blog Saint Pink, and I found a terrific new blog for all things style inspiring, you guessed it, Saint Pink.  

Check out this fashion board featuring vintage items from Etsy sellers at http://www.saintpinks.blogspot.com/

Look closely and you will see my sparkling cuff available in my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/listing/70584777/wide-cuff-bracelet-vintage-rhinestones

Vintage Fashion Inspiration Board at Saint Pinks
 

Recycled Watch Band Bracelets: DIY Jewelry Tutorial

Recycled Watch Band Bracelets with Vintage Accents, A DIY by Dabchick Vintage Gems
I enjoy restoring, reconstructing, and restyling vintage jewelry especially when I can reuse fun trinkets like watches, watch faces, and wrist watchbands. I make statement necklaces, chunky cuff bracelets, and watchband bracelets from old vintage watches and charms I curate from auctions, estate sales, antique shops, and flea markets.

The attractive recycled watchband bracelets in the photo below were made from vintage expansion stainless steel bands and paired with assorted antique rhinestone pins, gold charms, vintage beads, and dangling charms. Each bracelet is now an intriguing conversation piece combining both old and new elements for a recycled modern vibe.

Recycled Watch Band Bracelets by Dabchick Vintage Gems

  Here are a few simple steps to follow to transform an attractive watchband into a distinctive bracelet:

1) Scour thrift stores for old watches with cool and distinctive bands in good condition, look for stainless steel for durability. You should be able to find them for $1-$5 depending on the condition of the watch face itselft.

2) Carefully remove the watch face and save for another DIY jewelry project or home craft. Most wrist bands attach to the watch face with spring-loaded pegs that you can remove with a small pin and pliers. Press down on the spring loaded peg with the pin and remove the peg with pliers.

3) Thoroughly clean the watchband. This is important; those suckers can be really dirty! I soak them in Simple Green, then I expand them and use a toothbrush to clean thoroughly between the links.

4) Next, you'll need to decide what closure you want to use and which decorative element works best with your band.

5) To close up your watchband, you can use large jump rings or jewelry wire in interesting shapes like scrolls to close up your band. Just insert your jump ring or wire threaded through the band where the spring loaded pegs were removed and close up your ring or loop your wire.

6) Attach a decorative ornament to the jump ring or wire. I like to use vintage pins and brooches, dangling charms, old earrings, and vintage beads to add a punch of style.

8) Slide the bracelet on your wrist and you are finished!

All my recycled vintage watchband bracelets are available for purchase in my Etsy shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dabchickvintagegems

Modern Vintage Jewelry: Restyling Watch Parts into Fabulous Statement Cuffs

Vintage Timepiece Cuff Bracelet by Dabchick Vintage Gems
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79243690/cuff-bracelet-vintage-timepiece-with

As long as I can remember, I have loved vintage costume jewelry.  As a young girl, I spent hours playing with my grandmother's modest collection of costume jewelry and listening to her tell me the stories behind each brooch, necklace, or ring.  Now, I salvage vintage costume jewelry whenever I can.  I scour flea markets and purchase items at estate sales and auctions to create one of a kind statement pieces with flair and a bit of flash...


I hope you enjoy my new collection of jewelry made from vintage rhinestone jewelry and watch parts.  Please visit my Etsy shop to see the entire collection.  

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dabchickvintagegems?ref=si_shop