Japanese Temari

 An ancient Japanese art form, colorful Temari Balls

Temari originated in Japan in the seventh century AD. Te means "hand" and mari means "ball". At first the mari was made using old clothing, such as stockings and tights, and the geometric patterns decorating the ball were embroidered using silk  thread.  Temari was therefore reserved for the wealthiest social classes since only they were able to obtain the expensive materials required. The servants of the wives of the Samurai competed to show their skills at temari-making. During the long voyages to the lands of their future husbands, young Japanese brides-to-be also used  a fine fingering technique to display their most beautiful embroidery. 

Fashionable Temari earrings

 

Temari, a luxurious craft, was used to celebrate important events such as births, birthdays or marriages. But tradition demanded that, however accomplished a temari might be, it should include a number of deliberate faults so as not to offend the gods, the sole possessors of complete perfection.  Gradually, with the development of cotton, this ball embroidery technique spread beyond Asia and became accessible to ordinary people.  The art of temari is now evolving, with
mothers making and embroidering balls for their kids to play with as they sing  nursery rhymes. In the twentieth century, temari gradually gave way to rubber balls, used purely as toys. However, even if a polystyrene ball has replaced the cloth one that formed the mari, the original art temari has been undergoing something of a revival over the past twenty years or so. There are numerous uses for temari and there is certainly no shortage of design ideas: jewellery, earrings, key rings, and etc.

 Violet temari earrings

 

Temari style necklace

 

 

  Temari montage cuff bracelet           

 

The colorful world of Temari Balls 

Feather Earrings VS Feather Hair Extensions

Feather earrings are wild, unique yet fancy. Feather earrings are all the rage in the fashion

world right now. They are the ultimate bold accessory, but they can be played down just as

easily. It is a must have item in the summer time. Long or short feather, peacock feather...... Feather earrings are a fun and trendy accessory that can totally set off an outfit if you know how to wear them.  

Mmm.... Sometimes you may want a new trendy look, like extend your long hair with colorful feathers. It looks stunning and may grab a lot of attention while you are walking on the street, at the restaurant or a hanging spots with your buddies.  

Alert: celebrities with feather earrings!

 

 

Long feather earrings with Ombre hair is the perfect match. Perfect for a night on the town, a show with friends, or a festival on the weekend. Agree with me? Long hair with feather extension is another trendy style for you? Feather earrings or feather hair extension, have you decide yet? Or you will go with both?  

 Beaded dangle feather earrings

 

 

Peacock feather earrings

 More peacock feather earrings

 

 Natural ginger cree turquoise feather earrings

Beaded Feather Earrings feature boho style beaded hoops dangling chain and feather chandelier tassels, Is crafted of Gold plating and natural feathers.

 

Diamond Studs Make for a Timeless Fashion Statement

The Oscars, Emmys, and People's Choice Awards are some of the annual events highlighting the achievements of popular screen, television, and stage stars. Millions of viewers tune in to see who won the latest "Best Picture" or "Best Supporting Actress" award, but there is another reason why audiences are enthralled by such programs - the ostentatious display of glamour is excellent water cooler fodder for the workplace!  

Fashion trends are apt to change at the drop of a hat, but some things seem to never change including the selection of jewelry worn, particularly timeless diamond studs earrings. Yes, fresh out of rehab Lindsay Lohan may look stunning in that stunning Dolce & Gabanna silk empire-waist dress, but more often than not she'll choose something like a pair of 14K White Gold Princess Diamond Stud earrings to complement her taste in fashion. Although we can't say nice things about her out of control living, Lohan remains a fashion statement when substance abuse doesn't hold sway.  

 

The advantage of wearing diamond studs is simple: no matter if you are wearing Signature GUESS blue jeans or a Serafina wedding dress, studs always look great on you. What's more, if build your own appeals to you,then you can choose the style and stone that reflects your personality. When selecting build your own earrings, you can mix/match platinum, 14K yellow gold, or a 14K white gold band with your choice of stone. Simply choose either a three-prong or four-prong setting and build your own diamond stud earrings give you the customization you desire. Of course, karat size matters to most buyers so wearing 3.50 karat diamond jewelry studs when you are gardening may be a bit much. That shouldn't stop you from wearing earrings, but you may find that .25 karat earrings to be more appropriate. Just don't let the fashion police dictate your tastes; Hollywood certainly doesn't!

Guys need not feel left out when it comes to wearing diamond studs. Forest Whitaker has been spotted wearing shirt studs and cuff links while both Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise have been seen sporting a diamond stud earring while strolling around Los Angeles or New York. No, you won't see much Boy George excess when it comes to guys wearing jewelry, but some men seem to like diamonds almost as much as their lady friends do. Of course, if water cooler fodder is what you crave then showing up at the workplace wearing a pair of 14K white gold three-prong diamond stud earrings, one karat or more in size will certainly be a conversation starter. Just don't make the mistake of wearing them when your annual review comes up as flaunting personal wealth can adversely impact the raise coming your way!

 

David Beckham with diamond stud earring

In Flanders Fields

It is now the centenary of World War One, the Great War, the war to end all wars.  Unfortunately the madness that we thought must stop never did, and we find ourselves once more at a dangerous crossroads as evidenced by the many tinder dry flashpoints that blight the fragile earth.

Did you see Kate’s brooding picture in the papers, surrounded by a sea of red poppies? Do you know the symbolism and significance of this flower?

It was taken from a poem written by a Canadian soldier, John McCrae.  And it goes like this:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

       Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The larks, still bravely singing, fly

 Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

 We are the Dead. Short days ago

 We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie

          In Flanders fields.

 

 Take up our quarrel with the foe:

 To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high.

    If ye break faith with us who die

 We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

          In Flanders fields.

I recently bought myself a  pair of rather somber looking poppy earrings made of sterling silver, to remind myself of my own failings and human folly in general.  As they dangle from my earlobes on tenuous wires it feels vulnerable, and I imagine they could be torn from me by brute force at any moment with painful consequence. This I know must be a very poor approximation of what those poor boys went through, where too many of their lives were snatched violently away from them at the bloom of youth. May we never be swept up by such bloodlust again as we ponder Flanders fields.

 

In Flanders Fields...

Fashionable Paper Jewelry

When you picture jewelry, you might conjure images of precious metals, faceted gemstones, painterly enamels, and strands of pearls. Is paper the first material that comes to your mind when you think of jewelry? Perhaps not, but it will once you've seen this assortment of singular pieces. Jewelry made from paper is elevated to an art form. Each piece is also chic, wearable fashion accent.    

Paper  jewelry  designed  by  some  of  the  premier  artists  in  the  field,  encourage people to think outside of the box. Create a beautiful talisman pendant from assorted papers embellished with decorative stitching to add design, color, and texture or craft luminous earrings featuring a trio of graceful leaves formed with wire and translucent vellum.     Today's  paper  offer  incredible  variety:  from  plain,  stiff  craft  boards  to  wildly patterned of soft woven cloth. Shop for paper in home improvement stores, party and office  supply  stores,  and  from  online  suppliers.  Recycled  magazines  and  catalog are another  excellent  source  of  paper;  it  turns  scrap  and  waste  papers  into  a  stunning piece of jewelry. 

But  just  look  at  the  imaginative  creations  featured  below,  and  you  will  soon discover the beauty, versatility, and artistic appeal of paper jewelry .   This unique peacock necklace is made from paper beads lovingly handcrafted from craft paper. The necklace pattern is composed of paper beads in lustrous tones of blue, violet and green, with a tinge of copper.  Gorgeous isn't it?

 Creative Paper Jewelry By Spanish Artist Begona Rentero
 

 

Recycled Paper Jewelry by Holly Anne Mitchell

Twisted Bracelet (recycled yellow pages) by Francesca Vitali

  

Gray-Blue Paper  Earrings