Handcrafted Jewelry News from a Maine Jewelry Store

As promised here is Part 2 of our “Sneak Peek from Orlando!”

The Group of Friends Vases by Jill Henrietta Davis:

Need gifts for a group of friends and you want them to be “the same but different’ for each one? These glass vases could be the answer. Each vase has a color coordinated ribbon tag that has a different friend quality and description on the back. For example, the cobalt blue vase has Loyalty as the friend quality. The vase opening is shaped like a heart too–such a nice detail.  The picture to the right is the owner/glassblower Jill Henrietta Davis in front of her ornament display.

The Group of Friends vases just arrived in the store so come in soon to see them in person!

The Michael Vincent Michaud collection:

The spring collection from newcomer Michael Vincent Michaud is absolutely gorgeous.  Soft shades of teal, violet and pink glass set in brushed gold make this line a standout.  I was surprised at the reasonable prices too.

Whimsical Wall Art:

Sun catchers, sandpipers and dragonflies…I couldn’t resist these unique pieces.

We hope everyone has enjoyed getting this sneak peek from the Florida trade show. Now it’s time to head off to the NYC tradeshow! Look for another blog post next week with more photos of what’s to come.

We found wonderful new work from American artisans at the ACRE show in Florida this weekend. And we are so excited to be able to give you a sneak peek of some of these wonderful collections that you’ll be able to find at Earrings & Company this spring and summer. There were so many wonderful items that we couldn’t even fit it in one blog post. So this is Part 1 of “Sneak Peek from Orlando”:

Headbands are big right now. These “headache-free” headbands by a Florida artisan are embellished with semi precious stones, Swarovski crystals and beads (and they fit little girls too).

Here are some new designs by XoVivo, from the DC area. Lightweight recycled aluminum cuffs, necklaces and earrings are funky, fun and inexpensive.

Cuffs cuffs and more cuffs! These are brand new from Elaine Coyne Designs and feature the most gorgeous Swarovski crystals.

Stay tuned for more beautiful finds in our “Part 2″ post…

October is Maine Lobster Month.  Who knew?

With that in mind I’d like to introduce our latest addition:  our very own Maine Lobster bead. Designed exclusively for Earrings and Company and cast in sterling silver this petite bead has a personality all its own.

http://shop.earringsandcompany.com/750LOBSTER.html

Earrings and Company has joined the bead frenzy!  We added Chamilia to our line up in November and what a great response we’ve had.  Chamilia is a competitor of Pandora charm bracelets and necklaces. Pandora is the brand most widely known because it has been around much longer.  We chose Chamilia for two reasons: 1- it is family owned and operated in America (Minneapolis to be exact) and 2 – the bead designs are intricate, fresh and bright.

All the beads are designed by Killian Rieder, the founder and owner.  Although the  sterling and gold beads are made overseas, the amazing glass beads are made in Atlanta, Georgia of Murano canes imported directly from Italy.

Finally the new watch line I found in February has arrived!  I was very excited to discover this guy at the Alternative Craft show in Philly.  He makes really cool watches with a variety of woods.  The styles include bangles with magnetic closures, wooden faces with “zig-zag” leather straps and more conventional-looking watches with two tone wooden links.

You know when you have your hair just so, then you go outside and a huge gust of wind comes along? I hate that.

I’ve tried those plastic headbands with the teeth. Within an hour of wearing one my head is splitting.

I’ve tried the combs and the cute little jaw clips. They just fall out.

Well, I found some stretchy headbands that work great. They come in lots of colorful patterns as well as solids to match just about anything in your closet. They don’t slide on your just-cleaned hair. You can wear them narrow or wide depending upon the look you want. There’s no plastic teeth to give you a headache.

Best of all, they stay put when the wind blows!

The company that makes them is called Violet Love and we have a full stock in the store right now.

Ok. I promise to stop whining about the weather. It is what it is. Eventually it will be safe to go outside.

We received a huge order this week. Thirty seven pounds to be exact. Fun and funky costume jewelry in all the new colors for spring. Lots of beads and crystals and glass. Pearls and shells and lots of dangly earrings. I especially like the hinged cuff watches in so many colors. They’re so affordable you can have one for every occasion.

Then there’s the silver. Loads of sterling silver earrings and necklaces. Anklets and bracelets too. It takes time to put price tags on all this jewelry! But it should all be out by the weekend.

We’d be happy up here in the north if all April brought were rain showers. A full foot of heavy snow last week cramped everyone’s style and put a damper on spring festivities. Some homes are still without power today. Oh, the price we pay for beauty and quiet.

Meanwhile, the store has begun to receive the first of many orders of new jewelry. Handmade creations of every stripe and color. New sterling silver pieces by Portland’s favorite, Julie Howison. Colorful glass bead necklaces and earrings by Penrose look like strings of candy. Handwrought sterling silver linked chains in great lengths for layering by Thomas Kuhner. New stretchy headbands by Violet Love that hold your hair in style without slipping or giving you that “headband headache”. Lots of fun!

Maybe I’ll just stay indoors for the time being. It seems more like spring in here than out there . . .