Arosha Metal Jewelry
Twitter is full of artisans. That how I came across Italian artist and designer Arosha Luigi Taglia’s Etsy page simply called Arosha Jewelry Design. He offers unique handmade metal jewelry.
My top favorite piece is the Sterling Silver Anubis Ring. It is handmade and detailed with a polished zircon. As for size, you send yours and they’ll make to order. The sterling silver Anubis ring sells for $53. If silver is not your thing there is an 18K gold version with ruby for $520.
Next up is the African Queen Rosewood Ring. He currently has size 7.5 US and it is available for $100. As the description says “tribal” is a hot trend this year.
This Sterling Silver Circle Cuff bracelet by no means closes my favorites from this Etsy shop. I like both the matte and the black rhodium finish. He also does custom fit rings in this design. The Circle Cuff bracelet is $115.
The Arosha Etsy shop offers free worldwide shipping on purchases over $100.
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Topic Links
* Get your own Arosha Metal Jewelry from Etsy
Love Pamela Love
I just finished watching a video on Elle magazine that gave a short but sweet behind the scenes look into jewelry designer Pamela Love’s workspace. She seemed like an interesting woman and from what I could see from her pieces my interest was further piqued so I went looking for a website showcasing her pieces. It wasn’t hard to find. 
Browsing through her look books I found some totally rocking metal pieces. All of which I would never be able to afford (the $500 and up range). If I could afford it, this bracelet would be at the absolute top of my list. I would wear it everywhere (and nowhere). I love it. There is no price listed at her official website for the bracelet which makes it feel like one of those “if you have to ask you can’t afford” it moments but I found it with black leather at Forward for $572.
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Topic Links
* Check out Pamela Love’s Look Book
* Get your own Pamela Love bracelet from Forward by revolve
Leather Bracelets
This week while I was traveling through Etsy I was acquainted with cobbler Ray Holmes Custom Leather Shop. In particular, this exquisite Chocolate Wild Rose Floral Leather Cuff. 
I’m going to blame it on the Twilight movie and the character of Edward Cullen for my current attraction to leather bracelets. I know that this is not the first time I’ve seen leather bracelets in the movies but it’s the most recent. And yes, I’m aware that the bracelet shown here looks nothing like Edward’s crest wristlet. It’s better. It would be tacky to wear a bracelet with the Cullen crest, unless I was actually a Cullen. But to wear this cuff — totally hot.
Leather has always had a certain sexiness about it. And just because I mentioned Edward doesn’t mean that they are an item designated strictly for men (or vampires). Women can wear them too. And the intricate rose floral design on this cuff makes it feminine enough to do so.
The bracelet shown here is listed as small and fits a wrist 6 3/4″ when closed. Ray does custom requests so I imagine he’d be willing to make one to whatever wrist size necessary to fit.
After looking at the usual beaded jewelry artisans it was a nice change to look through all the leather designs. Ray is not the only leather bracelet (or cuff if you prefer) maker on Etsy. There are many more of varying styles, price ranges, and experience.
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Topic Links
* Get your own leather bracelet from Etsy
Coin Chain Necklace
Big is in when it comes to neck wear this season but it doesn’t work for everyone especially if there is a lot on top to begin with. If you want to add some big then this Coin Chain Necklace ($24) from Swak Designs is a good choice. It gives the appearance of being large without coming across as bulky. It also makes an calming noise when shaken.
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Topic Links
* Get your own Coin Necklace from Swak Designs
Sleeping Cat Beads
Last week on twitter a tweet quickly passed by about 20% off something something and out of curiosity I clicked the link. I was directed to Art Fire which turns out to be a similar shop idea to Etsy — artisans making and selling their wares.
Sleeping Cat Beads is run by Heather Rainbolt Kahan who has been producing “fun, funky beaded jewelry” for over two years. I was immediately attracted to a pair of whimsical ghost earrings that I thought were adorable (and of course tweeted about). Since I have no use for them, Halloween being over and all, I continued looking around. 
There were many items from necklaces, anklets, and of course earrings ranging in price from $8 to $135. Since this was my first time ordering from Art Fire I didn’t want to go crazy. I decided on a pair of Cranberry and Copper Earrings for $10. With the limited coupon provided in the tweet I paid $8 plus $3 for shipping.
My package arrived today, almost a week later. The earrings were professionally packaged in a zip bag and jewelry box along with an invoice, business card and a cute mini-mini notepad. And they look exactly as they did in the photo.
I’m very happy with the service and love the earrings which work really nice with my skin tone. Ordering at Art Fire was super easy. I didn’t even have to register; although that was a choice. I recommend checking out Heather’s jewelry designs as well as the many other artisans.
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Topic Links
* Get your own earrings and other jewelery from Sleeping Cat Beads
Shopping the Breast Cancer Site
Lindsay at Lindsay Curvy reminded me of the Breast Cancer Site (BCS), a great collaborative charity site that allows shoppers to support a few causes while they shop — child health, rainforests, literacy, animal rescue, hunger and breast health.
Since it is breast awareness month I’ll stick to the one store. Depending on the item, a purchase from The Breast Cancer Site will fund between 1.0 and 3.0 % of a mammogram. This web site has the expected tees and keychains but they also have many unexpected pieces. Here are a few of my favorite:
“Jewels of India” Floral Leather Sandals for $11.95
“Hope, Faith, Love” Triple Wish Hoop Necklace for $14.95 (currently buy one get one free!)
Pink Ribbons & Hearts Apron for $10.00
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Topic Links
* Get your own Jewels of India sandals from BCS
* Get your own Faith, Hope, Love necklace from BCS
* Get your own Ribbons & Hearts Apron from BCS
* For more information on breast cancer awareness check out the Susan G. Komen website
Lapis Lazuli Jewelry
At the top of my list of favorite stones sits Lapis Lazuli. I was first introduced to it in grade school during our studies on Ancient Egypt. I have been mesmerized by it ever since. Over at Etsy there are many artisans who create beautiful pieces with lapis. Here are just a few of my favorites:
Lapis Lazuli Ring by CatherinetteRings – $50
Blue Rain Necklace with 1960s Japanese Glass Faux Lapis Beads – $42.50
Lapis Lazuli Meditation Beads – $22
Check out Esty for over a hundred other options!
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Topic Links
* Get your own Lapis Ring from Etsy
* Get your own Lapis Necklace from Etsy
* Get your own Lapis Meditation Beads from Etsy
I Heart ShanaLogic
I know it’s not Valentine’s Day but that is no reason not to celebrate love and hearts. ShanaLogic, an online Indie shop has many ways to channel your inner love child. 
The Sweet Heart is my favorite. It is a resin pendant filled with red glitter. There is an 2″ extended enclosure for those with thicker necks or liking a looser fit. It’s currently selling at Shana Logic for $10.
The Punk Heart is a jet black choker that comes with it’s own little key allowing you to put it on in off. It’s hard to tell from the image but it’s shiny not matte. It sells for $32.
The Sprinkles Heart is made with a surgical steel chain and real sprinkles! I think the sprinkles and the chain are a perfect complement to one another. This 16″ chain is selling for $16.
The Double Heart is a double layer bracelet with two hearts that shares the same key. Aww, isn’t that sweet. The 6 1/2″ bracelet also has a 1″ extender. This bracelet sells at ShanaLogic for $20.
ShanaLogic has free shipping on orders $75 or more with the coupon code: FREESHIPUSA.
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Topic Links
* Get your own hearts from ShanaLogic
Creating a Look
It all started with me falling in love with this Red Smocked-Waist Button-Front Top from plus size trendy clothing shop, Torrid. They have a new play toy on the site that allows customers to collect pieces to create a new look. No more switching between screens to see if one piece looks good with another.
It’s super easy to use with point and drag features etc. If you have a profile at Torrid you can save it. Here’s what I found to go with the red top:
Look break down: Red Smocked Top (545529) $44; Wide Leg Black Pants (529205) $58; Hobo Bag (543307) $22; Red Patent Heel (532478) $22; Sunglasses; and Bracelets (549595) $10. Total look:
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Topic Links
* Get your own Red Smocked Top and accessories from Torrid
Night Sky Earrings
One of things I loved doing (and still do) growing up was gazing at the night sky. My girlfriend and I would lounge on our backs, side by side on the dock for hours; our eyes directed toward the night sky. We talked about nonsense most of the time but it was also one of those times where you could relax and talk about nothing and not feel uncomfortable.
I love the stars (and the moon, can’t leave out the mystical moon). Arts vs Crafts over at Shana Logic also loves the night sky. One of their artists created these adorable Night Sky earrings.
These earrings are long — 3″. The black star dangles at the end of alternating red and black fire blasted glass beads from sterling silver hooks. These artist rendered earrings are an affordable $20.
Make sure you take a few minutes to enjoy the night sky tonight!
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Topic Links
* Get your own Night Sky earrings from ShanaLogic
