Purse Charms: A Delightful Jewelry Trend

Often, when you see a new trend hit the marketplace, you have to wonder how long it will be before it's shuttled off to the clearance rack! However, every once in a while, you see something bound to become a fashion staple because it fits the criteria for long term popularity. My hot pick for 2007 is: Purse Charms.

What is a purse charm? It's a cross between a key chain and a cell phone charm. Clip them on your handbag straps or purse rings, they are as simple to change as a necklace, bracelet or any other piece of jewelry. There are three major categories that determine how well a trend will do in the marketplace:

• Versatility: You can literally clip these anywhere, purses, belt loops, etc. Get creative with your clipping!
• Customer Appeal: Unlimited styles, virtually any standard materials, etc.
• Wide Range of Prices: From a few dollars to tens of thousands

Evidently, some top designers feel the same. Dooney & Burke, Marc Jacobs are just two of the top designers specifically designing purse charms to sell as accessories to their handbags. So watch for more styles and colors as this jewelry trend takes off and hits the stores.

Want a quirky moment, a momento of a special occasion or a reminder of a goal? Keep it on a purse charm. It's the adult version of clipping all those keychains on your backpack as we see kids do nowadays. Purse charms can be any length and made out of any material including crystals, gold, sterling silver and wood beads. Chunky or chic, there is a style to match your mood.

It's fun, it's fabulous and it's bound to be around for a long time! This is certainly a trend that will earn it's rightful place in the fashion accessory world. And, I'm excited over this jewelry accessory, it's my choice for the 2007 Hot Jewelry Pick!

JoAnna Gilford is the Office Manager for Junky Jewelry?: Create your own style with vintage and fashion jewelry at http://www.junkyjewelry.com

Sports Italian Charms

Extend the delightful enjoyment of your favorite sport by wearing License Sports Charms, to show to the world whatever your favorite sport may be. You can share your Passion for a sports team such as baseball, football, basketball and others, choosing from our special collection of License Sports Charms, those that match your taste. Manufactured as the highest quality products, our License Sport Charms feature a selection of authentic team logos of the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and Major League Baseball (MLB) and many others.

The team logos in our License Sports Charms are those of the team franchise itself and licensed by teams, ranging from classic sporting themes to your own personalized bracelet with custom charms. Football, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Hockey, or you name it. If not you, it may be your closest friend or a member of your family who have their favorite sports and teams, which would make the creation of a sport themed charm the perfect gift. Sports fans love to collect pictures and all kind of souvenirs related to their favorite teams and players. There are License Sports Charms for every budget, large or small, but for those wanting to collect charms; some basic principles may help them out.

Before starting a collection plan it, or do it in the early stages of your collection. Do you want to collect only gold charms? Many people have a particular taste for this metal while others prefer silver; however it may be only silver colored or golden colored charms depending on your budget.

This is only important if you want to give your collection a consistent look and feel, otherwise multi-colored charms collecting is not bad, the same as selecting the category, whether sports, animals, flowers, letters or whatever to express your personality. The collection may include only one category, or a few of the many available categories or assorted categories.

Then after, purchase a bracelet that already has only a few charms so that way you can start wearing your collection practically immediately, and if you are serious collector-to-be, keep a written history about each charm with the date, giver, and occasion.

Your Charms registry may be written in a regular paper notebook, or using custom collectible program software, available for download on the internet.

Italian Charms over 3500 Italian Charms online. http://www.pamlicojewelry.com/

Cross Pendants Aren't Simply Two Intersecting Arms

Regardless of whether you are a religious soul or have become interested in the alluring arrangement of its shape, crosses serve as a deep sign of faith and have also become a popular fashion statement. Whether bejeweled with precious stones, 24-karat gold, or sparkling sterling silver, a wealth of crosses are available on the market that allow individuals to express themselves in any way, shape, form, or weight they desire.

Brief History of the Cross

The geometric sign that is created when two lines or bars intersect with one another at a 90-degree angle is called a cross. It is this shape that serves as one of the most ancient of all symbols connected to humans. While the icon is often associated with a variety of religions (with great emphasis towards Christianity), the cross is not always meant to denote faith. Sometimes, a cross represents the world, the four elements, unions, and crossroads. Today, the symbol has become a popular piece of ornamentation with a vast array of sterling silver cross pendants and other selections that you can find online.

Different Types of Crosses

While the Christian variation is one of the most known examples of the symbol, you probably didn?t know that the first two centuries of Christianity did not utilize the cross, which was heavily connected to the pain and suffering felt during a crucifixion. Below you will encounter additional instances that utilize the cross design that are rather favorable in today's fashion and religious world:

Greek Cross: With a history that dates back to the 4th century, the Greek cross displays arms of equal length (like the symbol of the International Red Cross). The horizontal and vertical bars of equal length on the Greek cross pendant symbolize the intersection of the divine with humanity.

Maltese Cross: When the arms of a Greek cross taper into the center, this selection is referred to as the Maltese Cross. The outer ends of the cross may also display forked characteristics. This cross is often associated with the orders of knights since the Crusades.

Latin Cross: This particular cross exhibits a longer descending arm than other crosses and most often signifies Christ's crucifixion. Most sterling silver cross pendants that you see utilize this form of cross. The crucifix is a Latin cross with the body of Christ and is traditionally associated with Roman Catholicism, but by no means exclusively so.

Celtic Cross: This traditional-style crucifix melds style, religion, and culture into one significant symbol that possesses a circle that encloses the intersection of the upright and crossbar. The origins of the Celtic cross are in dispute?some say it?s a pagan cross symbolizing sun worship; others say that St. Patrick created it.

Mariner's Cross: Displaying the shape of an anchor, this stylized cross is often referred to as the St. Clement's Cross, which symbolizes the way this particular individual became a martyr.

In the world of jewelry, the above crosses and many more have all found their place within the selection of sterling silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants offered at most commercial outlets and online stores.

Varied Cross Styles

No matter what the intended purpose of wearing a cross, there is a wide range of styles marketed to the public. While some prefer the simplicity of a plain silver cross pendant, others choose to adorn their necks with crosses decorated with precious gemstones, such as diamonds and rubies. Either approach has been known to satisfy both the individual who views the cross as a symbol of faith and the other who may wear their piece to display beauty and style.

You are cordially invited to visit our online sterling silver jewelry store. We carry a lovely selection of sterling silver cross pendants that make excellent gifts.

Tiffany Pendant Lighting - Upward Versus Downlight

Tiffany pendant lighting options are as varied as they are beautiful. The storied and infamous tradition of glass-art lighting creations has been carried on to perfection by such manufacturers as Medya Tiffany and Dale Tiffany, Inc. While these are not the only companies manufacturing Tiffany pendant lighting fixtures, both of these companies do employ the same techniques and high quality materials used over a century ago when Louis Tiffany was still creating his masterpieces. However, while the quality of Tiffany pendant lighting made by reputable manufacturers may not be in doubt, the type of fixture to purchase may be causing some confusion.

Tiffany pendant lighting can be found in two basic varieties: upward or downlight. Upward Tiffany pendants are designed so that the light is bounced off of the ceiling and then reflected back downwards into the room. In other words, the upward Tiffany pendants are inverted so that their bulbs and shades both face the ceiling.

For Tiffany pendant lighting fixtures designed in the downlight style, the bulbs and the lampshades (or enclosures) are facing downward and directly illuminate objects below. Other than the directionality of illumination, there really is no other significant differences between the two varieties of pendant styles. However, this subtle difference is enough to make it worth your time to understand how it may affect the lighting in your home.

Tiffany pendant lighting fixtures made in the upward design are actually more traditional. Pendants were designed based upon the chandelier which originally used candles instead of bulbs to provide the illumination. Thus, the candles stood upward and light was reflected back off the ceiling downward. This is an indirect form of ambient lighting and one of its benefits is a reduction in glare.

For Tiffany pendants manufactured with a downlight design, there is indeed a tendency for increased glare. However, this possibility is minimized by the colored art glass shades which tend to diffuse light gently and thus reduce the possibility for glare. However, a downlight Tiffany pendant will better illuminate objects below but may not provide the same level of overall ambient lighting as an upward pendant.

Things will be better illuminated beneath the fixture but the corners of the room may appear darker because light is not first bounced off the ceiling. When the light is directed towards the ceiling, it is diffracted better so that all aspects of the room receive better ambient lighting. In downward pendants, the light is more focused but less distributed.

Quality Tiffany pendant lighting is available from a number of reputable manufacturers who construct the fixtures to the same or better standards than those employed when the art-glass fixtures were first being created. Innovations and demand have led to Tiffany pendants that are available in both upward and downlight varieties. Each type of pendant offers advantages and disadvantages when compared to one another but both are excellent lighting choices for you home. Deciding which Tiffany pendant lighting fixture is best for your home will depend on your particular ambient lighting needs, the size of your space, and the other furnishings in the d?cor.

Pamela Tice is the owner of numerous lighting and home decor websites including http://www.tiffany-lamps-store.com. Her store offers product and information about Tiffany Lighting and beautiful Dale Tiffany Lighting as well as stained glass windows and fireplace screens that add beauty and richness to your home.

Mother and child pendant: the gift of a mother's love

A mother's love is the greatest gift of all. With no requirements or demands; nothing is held back. Rare is the jewelry design that truly captures the emotion and power of maternal love. A Mother and Child pendant is a loving symbol of the unbreakable bond between a mother and child. No matter what a mother will always love her child.

A mother and child pendant is a stylized pendant depicting the embrace of a mother and child. They come in a myriad of different styles, using white or yellow gold, or even two tone. They can even be set with diamonds. For mothers with more than one child mother and child pendants come in twin or triplet styles. The original and most beautiful designs are those created by Janel Russell.

Janel Russell's story:

Janel Russell is blessed with two gifts: her creativity and her son.

When Janel was a young mother she enrolled in the Minneapolis Vocational School and studied jewelry manufacturing and design. Later Janel went to work for Gary Bonstrom at G. Allen Jewelers. After work hours were done Janel would stay to work on her own designs. She dreamed of creating a design that would celebrate her great love for her child.

Janel had worn a single pearl around her neck ever since her son had been born. It was her unconscious habit to constantly play with the pearl until it would literally wear out and need to be replaced. In 1980, after her pearl had worn out yet again, Janel decided to create a design that would showcase to the world the unbreakable bond between her and her son.

In 1980 the mother and child pendant was born. Janel proudly wore the beautiful piece, and soon friends and family were asking Janel to make one for them. The mother and child pendant became a phenomenon. In 1981, Kirchner Corporation, who arranged to market it in the U.S. as Mother and Child?, discovered Janel's copyrighted design. Janel's Mother and Child? jewelry line quickly became one of the most sought after family-theme jewelry items in history.

Where is the best place to purchase a mother and child pendant?

To get an idea of the different styles and prices that are available in a mother and child pendant it is convenient to view them online.

Just type "mother and child pendant" into an Internet search engine like Google or Yahoo and you will find several reliable websites that specialize in mother and child pendants.

The cost of a mother and child pendant is dependant upon the metal used and whether or not it is set with diamonds. In solid 14K yellow or white gold, a mother and child pendant should cost about $150 to $200. The same pendant with diamonds can range from $260 to $350, depending on the diamonds.

The bond of love:

Every mother cherishes the bond she shares with her child. A bond so strong that nothing and nobody can challenge it. A mother and child pendant signifies and celebrates that bond. A mother and child pendant celebrates love at its most profound.

Casey Buell is an expert in the field of gemstones and diamonds, and a contributor to the award winning mother's ring website located at http://www.momsring.com

Residential Art Glass Lighting - Design Trends in Chandeliers, Sconces, & Pendants

Much in the way jazz altered our concept of music, glass art has changed our expectations of residential lighting. In fact, glass art lighting is being hailed as one of the hottest new trends to hit luxury home design. According to 25-year Southern California interior designer Greg Griffith, G. Griffith & Co. of Destin, FL, “It’s emerging as a transitional point for a more energetic look. From Asian to 18th Century, every style and design can incorporate glass art lighting. The fact that these are actual sculptured pieces means you’re adding art to the room without cluttering the wall.”

Aside from aesthetics, the benefit to glass art lighting is that it’s so flexible, it ends up resolving many design conflicts. Take, for example, the story of the Wisdom Window. This stained glass piece was created by a California glass artist to create a welcoming light at the end of a dark, New York apartment hallway. The artist created four matching sconces, but wanted the end of the hallway to feel like a window. He innovated a design where a diffuser sheet will be installed underneath the stained glass piece, and lit from behind.

One New York glass artist developed a unique way to illuminate her bathroom. She created her own mosaic glass sink and lit it from underneath to create a warm, amber glow. It also doubles as her nightlight. To underscore the look of an underlit sink, matching sconces are ideal. Some kitchen designers are commissioning glass art sconces and pendants to match underlit glass kitchen countertops. This creates interesting, ambient lighting in a more finished-looking lighting package.

Glass art lighting can be a subtle accent, or a prism through which the light bathes a room in a swatch of exotic colors. “I find many decorators driving décor based on the lighting fixtures,” says Seattle-based glass artist, Suzanne Guttman. “It’s easy to fall in love with a tentacled pendant light or chandelier and make it the centerpiece of a room.”

The Cost of Beautiful

Investing in gorgeous glass art lighting is less daunting than one may assume. A Bellagio budget isn’t necessary to incorporate museum-quality glass lighting into a residential design. Sconces range from $400 to $1,200; small pendant lighting (suspended by one point in the ceiling) ranges from $300 to $600; larger pendants and chandeliers can range from $1,500 to $10,000. Serious collectors consider glass art an investment as well as being an aesthetic piece, just as they would an original painting, or a piece of antique furniture.

Glass Art Lighting 101

Once a homeowner decides on glass art lighting, it’s helpful to know a little about the glass and where it should be used, based on its physical characteristics. Here are some tips:

Blown glass has some limitations to the size and diameter that an artist can create. Some blown glass lighting utilizes many pieces in its design to create a larger, more sculptural effect.

Cast glass is very beautiful, but quite unusual in lighting because it is very heavy to suspend. One glass artist has created a woven glass technique that takes on the look of woven fabric, and results in a glass art lighting fixture that feels like a glass blanket.

Fused & slumped glass is popular for glass art lighting. Through the use of molds, fusing allows the artist to create large diameter canopied type lighting, thus enabling a single shade to be up to 48” in diameter. This creates consistency in shape and wonderful, unusual textures.

Etched glass is another wonderful medium for flat panel lighting. Pieces such as The Three Graces, by glass artist Margaret Oldman, can be lit with plain or multi-colored fiber optics, depending on the look a designer is trying to achieve.

Mosaic and stained glass are similar, in that they’re both ideal for flat panel lighting. Artists will often incorporate Italian smalti glass, blown sheets of transparent glass broken into small pieces, or dichroic glass, which is coated on one side with a metallic-like mirror finish.

Buyer Beware

One thing homeowners should remember, especially with lighting, is to be sure that the glass artist they’ve chosen understands how the electrical specs will dovetail with the piece, and that they know U.L. standards. As founder of Glass Artists Gallery, I estimate that close to 30% of our first-time customers come to us because they had negative experiences commissioning residential glass art lighting on their own. We are very careful about screening the artists we represent to make sure they understand the technical specifications

In short, glass art lighting choices become a very personal way to reveal a homeowner’s fingerprint on the interior design. As George Bernard Shaw once said, “You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.”

For more information or to see thousands of images of art glass lighting, visit Art Lighting Gallery

Jack Healy is part owner of Functional Art Gallery, LLC - Functional Art Gallery - a growing family of online resources for the designer, architect, builder and discerning homeowner. The company focuses on handcrafted functional & architectural works of art for both residential and commercial projects. The Functional Art Gallery family includes Glass Artists Gallery, Sinks Gallery and Art Lighting Gallery. Together these resources provide the largest collection of artisan and designer products available in North America.

Why Pendant Lighting Is A Must For Any House

History and introduction to pendant lighting fixture

Pendant lighting is comparatively a baby in respect to other type of lights in the same category starting from the Huge Chandeliers. Actually if history is right, Pendant lights came into existence just as a useful substitute but a less detailed version of Chandeliers with almost same features and functionality. In fact it derived its name from pendant, a jewelry accessory. Its typical history dates back to 2700 B.C. It started with hanging lamps of clay with light given by an animal fat burn which was the way Greeks devised. As time past, clay lamps were replaced by Glass. In the 80s, European pendants began to appear with exclusive use of glass designs as pendants with attractive shades.

The picture of the typical pendant light is a single fixture that hangs from the ceiling from a string or other kind of supporting device such as a metal rod. They are minuscule in detail as compare to the chandeliers and rather than having its lights exposed, the tip or the lower end employs types of shades which is for the same reason the fixture is described as the pendant light fixture. A pendant lighting fixture is also called a suspender or a drop and most often if single-hanging entities without the extra branches are used alone can give dramatic effect when two or three are used together suspended at varying heights. The light may be stripped to a bare bulb suspended from a cord, or housed in a decorative shade crafted from glass, resin, metal or fabric. During its earliest days, the pendant featured a crude type of blown glass shell, which eventually evolved into a huge style conscious make. Today, the variety of styles combined with customers demand has made pendant lights on par with other forms of lighting fixtures. A closer look around pendant lighting online store will surprise you with the extent to which this type of lighting has evolved.

The Why’s and What’s of Pendant Lighting

One of the crucial features of the pendant lights is its versatility. Pendants can often be found in living room, small foyers, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms and it can suit each space with equal ease. Pendants lights are much different from other types of lights and command the same respect as jewellery. They sparkle, enlighten, and soften a clean, austere environment. In actuality, pendant lights can be every bit as fancy as chandeliers, because one gets pendant lights studded with Swarovski crystals or dangling gemstones. One of the other most important benefits of pendant lights is it never needs re modifications of your existing space like drilling a hole in the ceiling as the case with recessed lights or hammering your walls for those classic wall scones. This drastically reduces the installation time along with peace of mind and yes, brings down your lighting investment. Pendant lighting fixtures do not have the grand scale of a tiered chandelier and are ideal when space and cost is a concern. Wherever space is an issue, mini-pendants can be hung from above, effectively freeing up space in the room for furniture and other things.

They are stylish, have a simple elegance, are functional and provide illumination in hard to light areas. Mini-pendants typically serve as task lights which define the work surface of a kitchen island or bar. Pendants can also be used to spice-up a room or to instigate authentic schemes. When hung in multiple, either multiple pendant fixtures or single pendant fixtures lined up in line, they can effectively set that evening calming mood. Another classic benefit of pendant lights is its wide options available in the market. It could be chosen for their varieties in different form, colour, pattern and texture and prices. Pendants are an eye catcher in it’s not something you want to cut corners on when considering a purchase. There are tons of styles and configurations available today and with a little persistence, you can find just the right fixture for both your décor and your budget. An inexpensive pendant gives you what you pay for and if it wears out, replacing it can be a chore that you won’t relish. A single pendant design fixture can cost very less to a five pendant traditional light costing bit more to the more traditional shade five pendant lights costing higher.

Pre- Shopping guide for Pendant lighting fixture

First thing to look before going on shopping for pendant lights will be to know what will be its function and which part of your home will need them. Pendant fixtures are normally used for general or task lighting. Pendants can be used as stand alone lighting for a particular area or can be used in combination with other lighting fixtures, particularly in larger areas. Narrow areas that need lighting are ideal candidates for a single low pendant light. Considering the pendant size, they can range in size from two inches, to a multiple pendant fixtures that is 22 to 48 inches in diameter ideally suited to brighten from small task area in a kitchen to a bigger hallway. For example, for a pendant installed over a dining table, possibly choose a pendant no larger in diameter than half the width of the table. For an entry foyer, add the width and length dimensions of the foyer together and the calculated total equal the maximum pendant diameter. Nowadays pendant lights comes in varied styles and colours right from single glass pendant light fixture to 5 pendant traditional light to a 8 pendant lamp shaded traditional light fixture. Whatever style and colour you choose, decide whether you want to blend with the décor or want to make it a focal point. After looking at these aspects, the most important thing to look next is you’re lighting especially your pendant lighting budget. Luckily, today there are lots of style choices and hopefully you will find a suitable pendant lighting fixture that will respect your budget. Whatever budget you have decided, make sure it doesn’t compromise the quality which resides in the many details of pendant lighting fixtures. Quality in pendant lighting fixtures means authenticity in design details and fine craftsmanship. See to it that finishes are both durable and handsome. High quality finishes on pendant lighting increase durability and resist tarnishing. Brushed metal finishes and painted finishes have gained popularity and are top sellers today. To understand these entire factors better, possibly consult the light shop’s customer service department. A good store will have some lighting experts who will guide you in selecting needed pendant fixtures with in your budget and may also advice complimenting wall scones and other lighting fixtures.

We at For your Home really feel reading the above information, you will atleast check one pendant lighting fixtures today.

You can also read this article on our website’s News and article section at:

http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/pendant-lights-an-informative-guide-about-pendant-lighting-ideas/articles/35.html.

We at For your Home are specialist in helping you make better homes and gardens. You are always welcome to visit our online store at http://www.foryourhome.co.uk and our pendant lighting online department at http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/contemporary-lighting/c/373_484.html

Contemporary Pendant Lighting For Your Home

The right lighting accents can create the perfect ambiance to any room, on any budget, for any style. These are so unique and specific that professional decorators always start with lighting in order to bring out the attributes in a room and to draw a room together. Using the right kind can add a sense of joy and peace to a room. Obviously, darker rooms fair well with brighter rooms work well together. In general these can often be overlooked by amateurs and a floor lamp might be added as a last minute thought to the importance of lighting. If you are starting to decorate a room. If you are looking to accent an already decorated room, your task may be a bit harder.

This kind of piece gives a décor a freedom that others don’t. In reality, it can be more flexible and more decorative than almost any other style. Chandeliers tend to overpower a room while they provide enough where it is most needed but doesn’t detract attention from the rest of the room. In the center of the room is the most important piece in the room, then placing a more highly decorative piece in the middle of the room will accomplish this. The use can work in almost any room, provided that the style of the light compliments the rest of room. Naturally, high ceilings are most appropriate for pendant lighting while lower ceilings can use a limited styling when it comes to these kinds of ideas. Hitting your head every time you pass under the light will only detract from the room.

Simple and stylish pendant lighting can work well in simple living rooms, high ceiling bathrooms, and even some kitchens, depending on the style of the lighting and the kitchen. They can also get more exotic as the size of the room increases. Pendant lighting in the master bedroom nearly always leaves room for significant creativity and open ended styles. Home offices and rec rooms also have potential for pendant lighting. The most important key to using pendant lighting is using the light to draw the room together while considering how well it will light certain areas of the room.

In offices and living rooms, glare can be reduced through the use of pendant lighting. A glare on a computer screen or television screen can be highly annoying. Using appropriately placed fixtures can reduce this glare and create even lighting for more specified spaces. Since these are not easy to move around once it is installed, this consideration should be addressed prior to hanging the light.

Pendant lighting can be very expensive, and many people will opt for a $50 floor lamp over the cost of a pendant light However, the specialized world of pendant lighting allows for a higher level of creativity and personalization and is worth every penny of its higher than average price.

Des Smalls is the founder of SNSLamps.com which is a division of SNS Designs,Inc. They carry wide selection of unique table lamps. They offer the most popular housewarming ideas, such as tiffany style lamps, table lamps, buffet lamps for everyone.