The Color of Gratitude {Earrings-of-the-Month}

THANK YOU! With the holiday season looming, I started to think about how to represent abundance or gratitude. What colors meant 'thank you'? I wondered. I read that brown symbolized stability, reliability, and approachability. And being the color of dirt it's also associated with all things natural and organic. I love that.

In flower symbolism, dark pink roses mean 'thank you.' So, I created pieces this month with those two colors in mind. To me, brown + pink = the color of gratitude

My November 2013 EcoChic Designs' earrings-of-the-month selection feature smoky quartz, smoky topaz, garnet, pink moonstone, hot pink chalcedony, and bronzite. I'm very grateful for my subscribers support of handmade. Thank you.

"From the Inky Depths" Choker and Earring Set {Donation}

I’m always happy to support local organizations with donations of EcoChic Designs’ pieces. So, when a friend asked me to donate to a fundraising event for her son's school, I didn't hesitate. This choker - and coordinating earrings - will be up for bid at a fundraising event for MAOS at the end of this month...

From the Inky Depths

A hefty pewter octopus is the focal point of this choker and earring set. Inky purple, deep red, clear, and murky brown recycled glass beads, faceted smoky quartz nuggets, hematite rounds and twisted barrels, bronzite, ocean jasper are hand-wired with the sterling silver to create this one-of-a-kind piece. 

MAOS is an advanced college preparatory academy in a public school setting with over 250 students from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds throughout Monterey County. Some of their collaborating partners include: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Moss Landing Marine Lab, CSU Monterey Bay, Hopkins Marine Lab, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Naval Postgraduate School.

Wine and Chocolate

When I received an email from a friend of my dad, asking for a donation to her fundraising event, I didn't hesitate. Her event - a wine and chocolate soiree for Girls, Inc. - immediately got my creative gears turning. Wine and chocolate. Two of my favorites!

I created a necklace and earring set with small, deep violet pearls that remind me of ripe Pinot Noir grapes, bronzite and a milk chocolate-hued Kazuri bead.

Years ago a friend invited me to a Kazuri bead party. Click here to read the whole story about Kazuri beads. The short version: these are made by women in Kenya, giving them gainful employment through a marketable handicraft. Kazuri, in Swahili, means "small and beautiful."

Mint Chocolate Bracelet I

This chunky bracelet features both with deep smoky quartz, bright Russian amazonite, sparkling bronzite, and a pale green chalcedony. All are handwired with sterling silver to form this one-of-a-kind piece. it closes with a sterling silver toggle.

Click here to purchase this piece from my etsy site.

Mint Chocolate Necklace II

I recently got some rough chrysoprase nuggets -  bright opaque green and rich brown matrix - that remind me of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

I paired one of the nuggets with Russian amazonite, bronzite, green aventurine, and oxidized sterling silver chain to create this one-of-a-kind necklace that closes in the rear with a sterling silver toggle.

Click here to view more photos or to purchase this piece.

Mint Chip Necklace

I recently got some rough chrysoprase nuggets -  bright opaque green and rich brown matrix - that remind me of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

I paired one of the nuggets with bronzite, Peruvian opals, prehnite, recycled green glass, and oxidized sterling silver chain to create this one-of-a-kind necklace. I have a few more chunks of chrysoprase, so keep your eyes open for a few more mint chip creations.