Mary Kay's Custom Mother of the Bride Illusion Bracelet Hairpins and Bar Pin

Designing these wedding jewelry pieces was so much fun. I'm passionate about color and the pairing of burgundy and beige was an exciting combination. Mary Kay's dress was a champagne color and since the wedding party color was burgundy, it was, well...meant to be!

In thinking about this design, I wanted to deviate a little from a full strand beaded bracelet style. Mainly because Mary Kay's dress was a sleeveless design, I just felt a bracelet with more 'umph' to it would look much better. The first go at this illusion style did not work out. But, I was not defeated. I tried a different diameter stringing wire and it worked perfectly.

As well, I wanted this design to be a mix of both gold and silver metals because Mary Kay planned on wearing her mothers fine diamond ring and earrings. This clasp matched perfectly with the Halo style diamond ring.

Mary Kay's Custom Mother of the Bride Crystal Pearl Illusion Bracelet (BCP219)

SOLD

This handmade bead bracelet features an elegant sterling silver circle clasp with sparkling cubic zirconia (CZ), burgundy Swarovski Crystals, bronze Swarovski Pearls and a scattering of aurora borealis (AB) Swarovski Crystal accents delicately woven on a gold stringing wire for a sophisticated illusion style bracelet. Measures 7-1/4".

Mary Kay was going to have a half up-half down hairstyle and had also requested 3-4 hairpins to match. This was the first time I've ever created these -and I loved it!

Mary Kay's Custom Mother of the Bride Crystal Pearl Hairpins (HP1500)

SOLD

These lovely crystal and pearl wedding hairpins were created using the same components as the Mother of the Bride Bracelet. Hand wired together were burgundy crystals, champagne pearls and a touch of sparkling AB crystals. Total length is 2".

If you remember, when I introduced Mary Kay's custom wedding accessories request, I had asked her for a little of the fabric from her dress because I had something in mind....

Mary Kay's Custom Mother of the Bride Beaded Bar Pin Brooch (LP1500)

SOLD

This handmade bar pin brooch incorporated the wedding colors hand wired onto a 1-1/2" bar pin. Mary Kay planned on pinning this crystal and pearl bar pin on the strap side of her dress (where it was just the chiffon overlay). My little secret idea was to take a clipping of the abstract flower from her extra dress material and use fabric stiffener on it to create another pin option.

Mary Kay had the option to wear just the bar pin or to use the abstract flower as a backdrop to the bar pin. She ended up using the flower backdrop with her pin and loved it!!

Mary Kay happened to be out of town when Lauren picked up all the wedding jewelry. But, when Mary Kay returned she had to say about her custom pieces:

I am so sorry it has taken me this long to tell you how exquisite I find the jewelry you designed for Lauren's wedding! My bracelet is just the right balance of classic and modern, the brooch looks great on the strap of my gown with the flower pinned behind it (great idea!), and the hairpins are beautiful tool. Thanks again!!

Mary Kay was even so kind as to think of sending me pictures via text, on the actual day of Lauren's wedding. I was so grateful to have been a part of Lauren's special day and I absolutely love working with Mary Kay!

Burgundy Crystal Cystic Hygroma Awareness Bracelet and Ribbon Earrings

It was nearly 4 years ago when I was first introduced to the cause of Hygroma Awareness by Elizabeth. She had requested a Custom Mothers Bracelet with Hygroma Awareness for a dear friend who had lost her child to this disease.

Just a little background on what exactly is cystic hygroma:
Cystic hygromas are birth defects that result in fluid-filled sacs caused by blockages in the lymphatic system (abnormal tissue). They are most often found on babies because these abnormal growths form while the baby is still in the womb. However, a hygroma can still appear after birth and are typically found on a baby’s neck or head.

In general, hygromas get larger, or grow, with your child over time. There is a good prognosis if surgery can totally remove the abnormal tissue. However, in cases where the hygroma doesn't resolve on its own (by 20 weeks into the pregnancy) or complete removal, through surgery, is not possible, the cystic hygroma commonly returns and can cause serious complications.

Burgundy Crystal Cystic Hygroma Awareness Bracelet (BA216)

This handmade beaded awareness bracelet was designed with rich burgundy Swarovski Crystals, representing Hygroma Awareness, accented with sterling silver beads, antique gold Bali style beads and burgundy glass pearls. Finished with a sterling silver awareness ribbon charm and our signature jewelry tag. Measures 7-3/4.

Crystal Allure Burgundy Cystic Hygroma Awareness Earrings (EA298)

These lovely handmade awareness earrings were designed to complement the beautiful awareness bracelet shown above. The design features rich burgundy round Swarovski Crystals accented with antique gold Bali style beads and a pair of sterling silver twist rings. Finished with sterling silver leverback ear wires and sterling silver awareness ribbon charms. Earrings measure 1-1/4 from the bottom of the earwire.

Mary Kay's Handmade Mother of the Bride Jewelry Inspiration

In the previous post on Lauren's Handmade Wedding Jewelry Details, I shared the details and inspiration for the Bridesmaids Jewelry and Maids of Honor Jewelry. This particular custom wedding jewelry group was large enough that it needed to be broken down into various posts. But, that works perfectly because then I get to individually highlight the jewelry and design details of both the Bridesmaids, as well as, the Mother of the Bride.

When Mary Kay and I first communicated, she provided me some details on her dress and also said she would be wearing her mothers' diamond ring and earrings (which were in white gold). She wasn't sure if she should have silver or gold custom jewelry created to coordinate with the white gold heirloom jewelry.

This was going to be the first time I've created handmade beaded jewelry to coordinate with existing fine jewelry pieces. To be sure I created pieces that would be perfectly paired, I asked for pictures, of both the dress and the heirloom jewelry -and it's a good thing I did.

It just so happened the diamond ring design was in the currently popular Halo style. While searching for those just right components I love to add to my jewelry designs, I happened across a clasp that I felt would be a perfect pairing to the ring.

Mary Kay's Mother of the Bride Jewelry would be designed around two elements: her dress and her mother's diamond ring and earrings. The dress was a combination of both soft chiffon and rich lace in a champagne color. I suggested Mary Kay go with the same pearl color that the wedding party jewelry was being designed with because: (1) it would complement the fact that she, as the Mother of the Bride, was connected to the bridal party, (2) because it appeared her dress was in the same color family and (3) the chiffon top of her dress was a direct complement to the chiffon bridal party dress.

Although I had seen a picture of her dress, I asked for a sample of the fabric just to be sure we'd chosen the right Swarovski Pearl color (plus I had a secret design idea brewing in my head....). The custom pieces Mary Kay requested were a crystal and pearl bracelet, hair pins and a brooch.

My goal with the beaded bracelet was to create a design that she could easily wear after the wedding, whether with casual or formal wear. It was also in my plan to incorporate both gold and silver into the bracelet design. This custom jewelry order will also be the first where I've been asked for hair pins (bobby pins) and a brooch!

Stay tuned to see how the jewelry turned out......

Lauren's Handmade Wedding Jewelry Details

In the Spring of this year, one of my favorite customers contacted me and I was so thrilled to hear from her and to hear the good news. Mary Kay's daughter, Lauren, was getting married! Both her and her daughter wanted to explore handmade wedding jewelry options for two Maids of Honor, three Bridesmaids and the Mother of the Bride.

I've worked with Mary Kay many times over the past eight years for gemstone jewelry, as well as, custom handmade jewelry. I was so excited to be able to work with her again and to be a part of Lauren's, wedding planning. Working with Brides is so much fun. I love hearing about all the wedding details!

bridesmaids gown source
artist's rendition hand sketched necklace

Bridal Party Wedding details:

• 2 Maids of Honor
• 3 Bridesmaids
• Jewelry sets with necklaces and earrings
• Maids of Honor jewelry sets would be slightly different than Bridesmaids
• Allure Bridals chiffon dress #1369 in burgundy (shown above in champagne)
• Bridal party would be wearing nude shoes
• White Calla Lilly flowers
• Groomsmen will be in slate blue

While out shopping together, Lauren had found a necklace style that she really loved and wanted to use as inspiration for her custom bridesmaids jewelry. I had my close and dear friend, Barb Deuel of Bronson Hill Art and Photography create an inspiration sketch of that very necklace (shown above). Thank you Barb!!

When the three of us met, I presented Lauren with a narrowed down selection of Swarovski Crystals and Pearls that I felt best fit her wedding vision. We discussed various design elements and bead setups that would most closely resemble the inspiration necklace that Lauren had seen. The final detail was for Lauren to decide if she wanted gold or silver metal. With her wedding colors of champagne and burgundy, she decided on gold metal.

My only disappointment with the creation of these custom wedding jewelry pieces was that Swarovski did not have a larger selection of burgundy crystals. But, that didn't stop this creative mind!

There were so many beautiful details put into the design of Lauren's Wedding Jewelry that I am going to be breaking them up into separate posts.