When in doubt wear red. {Bill Blass}

Carrying on a tradition from past years, and gearing up for Valentine’s Day, the Hourglass Gift Gallery will be having it’s annual Red Show during February 2012. “Replacing earthy fall colors with bright happy reds and red hues in hopes of softening our long winter blues!”  Here are a few of the necklaces and earrings I created for the show this year, inspired by native and ethnic adornment. Even though I do not use a lot of vintage pressed glass or cut glass beads in my primary jewelry lines, I am really drawn to the bright and textural colors, wonderfully detailed designs and variety of shapes.  Plus, they just don’t make them like this anymore so I feel compelled to collect them wherever I go –  these are some gems from my “little” stash.

The  bold necklace on the right is made from big vintage pressed brass beads and carnelian colored Italian lucite.  I LOVE Italian lucite – the colors are often complex (these have hints of cream and gray swirled in), the beads are warm to the touch and light weight so wearing a bold necklace does not wear you out by the end of the day (a slave to fashion).

The cultural influence here is Asia and India and the inspiration is tribal necklaces. These necklaces are playful and ethnic with a modern twist.

Contemporary in composition, yet composed of vintage blown glass (right) and plastic (left) beads, combined with vintage brass chain. The only thing better then a kick-ass red lipstick? Kick-ass red jewelry, of course.