To Be or Not To Be...

There's long been a debate over whether or not white is permissible to wear after Labor Day. And today's Style Set answers with a resounding "Yes, please!"  The key is to mix varying shades and patterns of it strategically so as not to look like the Abominable Snow Monster. Our Soliloquy Necklace provides a nice edge.  It may take a little experimentation and practice, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be sporting your winter whites - no questions asked!

Happy Friday!

xxoo,

d. marlene

Teal Obsession

Do you love the color Teal as much as I do?  If so, you're obsession is right on trend once again for Fall 2011!  I especially love it when combined with shades of grey.  It makes for a most delicious feast for the eyes.  Today's Style Set features our Anna Bracelet in what Swarovski Crystal calls "Indicolite", but for the sake of practicality - it's our beloved Teal.  We've done this bracelet in gorgeous "Greige" for Fall 2011, which makes a beautiful combo.  So sit back, relax, and indulge!

Get the Look:
Anna Bracelets in Teal and Greige $95 available at d. marlene jewelry.
Sasha Peep Toe Pump $130 available at Zappos.com
Turquoise Chandelier - Macusso Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration
Nikkala Sofa - Ikea
Marianna Shift Dress $155 - www.monsoon.co.uk

Roots

Today's Style Set pays homage to my ancestral heritage.  I've always known I was of Scots-Irish descent, but names and dates ended somewhere before 2 or 3 greats.  So my new hobby is Ancestry.com. It didn't take me long to get hooked.  I wish I had known all the information I know now when we visited Scotland a few years ago.  But, now we have more reason to return! Enjoy!

xxoo,

d. marlene

Remembering the Plates

I love creating our Friday Style Sets...it reminds me of playing with Fashion Plates when I was young.  In the world of the plates, you had what seemed back then as endless opportunities to mix and match tops, bottoms, pattern, color, and yes - even faces. A bit of magic occurred when charcoal revealed the patterned plate chosen onto blank canvas, a.k.a. white paper.  I could play with the plates for hours and never get bored - there were always more combinations to discover and create.  Happiness.  I still have them...and while you're enjoying today's Style Set, I think I'll go play.

Introducing...our Left Bank Necklace! Faceted Sardonyx ovals are
flanked with yummy chocolate freshwater pearls and encircled with
brushed sterling silver. Will be available for purchase on the website soon!

xxoo,


d. marlene

Definition

fossil coral |n.| - a natural stone formed when ancient coral is gradually replaced with agate. The fossilized coral typically appears as small flower-like patterns in the stone. Sought by gemstone and fossil collectors around the world. Especially stunning on a bed of sterling silver surrounded by Swarovski crystal and antiqued brass chain as on d. marlene jewelry's Heiress Necklace.

Guilty Pleasure

I love paisley. Throughout life I've always been drawn to paisley anything - a scarf here, a jacket there, I even have a paisley pin cushion. In high school, I briefly considered a vanity license plate declaring our relationship. A few years ago I felt the need to admit myself to paisley rehab. I tried to avoid it. "I shouldn't like paisley, should I? What is it about paisley?" I asked myself. Then recently, I stumbled upon a Ralph Lauren paisley button down shirt that made my heart skip and mind wander.  I remembered our torrid affair. And inevitably, its teardrop self twisted its way into my closet.  But it wasn't alone...there were friends waiting that had survived my temporary moment of insanity.  And now that I've embraced it, we're one big happy family again. In today's Style Set, we think our Cecily Necklace complements the glorious pattern perfectly.

Happy Friday Friends!

xxoo,

d. marlene

The Ultimate Sophistication

Take a stroll through the city's best piazzas with today's Style Set feature - our City Bracelet! An agate stone is framed in a sterling silver herringbone weave on patterned book chain and secured with a magnetic sterling silver clasp.  Message me here if you'd like to add this must have piece to your collection.  Or, if you're in the Nashville area you can pick one up at The Loft at Henpeck Village Market!

Who Says?

Today's Style Set Friday is all about our Impression Necklace! This is truly a summer necklace at its best - 3 tiers of turquoise colored magnasite nuggets combined with smoky quartz and a gorgeous champagne simulated emerald cut diamond pendant suspended on a mix of sterling silver and antiqued brass chain. You can find out more about her here. For 20% off, just enter SAVE at checkout! Who says running errands has to be boring?

Ciao Bella!
xxoo,

d. marlene

Introducing: Style Set Friday!

Happy Friday! And welcome to our new feature called "Style Set Friday" where we'll inspire you with unexpected (and sometimes not-so-unexpected) ways to style d. marlene jewelry pieces! Today's set features our ever popular Siouxsie Earrings.  Rumor has it that a Monique Lhuillier sales rep picked a pair of these lovelies up at Gus Mayer Nashville recently...and you can too! Or, you can order yours here.  It's a no-brainer to pair these with your favorite Little Black Dress, but they're equally as stunning with your favorite pair of jeans or khakis! And as you can see, our studio manager thinks so too! Enjoy...and let us know how you've styled yours!

Rings 'N Things

So....here's my Jasper Ring! I ran into a bit of a problem in that a tiny sliver of the bezel chipped off from top to bottom. I think I put a little too much heat on the connection, or maybe polished a bit too long. So I decided to turn the issue into a design element by filing it into a curve and repeating on the opposite side. I think it turned out nicely for my first attempt, and I can't wait to start my next class - possibly in July!

This picture really shows the beauty of the stone variation.

Just to whet your appetites a little, we're doing rings for Fall 2011 of Citrine, Silver Topaz, and the ever beautiful London Blue Topaz! I was so excited to find these lovelies at MJSA Expo New York, I nearly fainted. We'll have the emerald cut that I love so much and also some larger ovals. The London Blues are actually darker than in this picture, but you get the idea. Trust me - they are nice! Comment with your ring size so I'll be sure to have one for you!

London Blue Topaz

Progress Report: Brecciated Jasper Ring!

As promised, here's where I'm at on the Brecciated Jasper Ring I introduced you to in a recent post! The more I work on this ring, the more I love it. It's a simple design and really not "outside the box" at all, but a great project to build a good foundation of skills upon. I can't wait to complete it next week. I chose the stone because of its interesting variations.  And because I have practically nothing red in my wardrobe (does 1 top count?) and a deep red stone can add a splash of color to any outfit. But after doing a little research I learned that Jasper is thought to be a calming stone, bringing inspiration to those seeking balance in life. I don't subscribe to new age philosophy by any means, but it is believed to increase focus on goals and stimulate artistic inspiration.  Hmm. Who knew?  I am feeling rather light and airy today, which I'll attribute to the Brecciated Jasper Ring - because creating, learning, and working with metal and stone always makes me happy.

I attached the twist frame then trimmed, filed
and buffed the edge to a smooth round.

This is the shank formed of double half round
sterling silver wire - ready to be attached! 

When you see these pieces again, it will be as a completed ring!
And when you see me, I will more than likely be wearing it.

At The Bench

For a very long time I've wanted to learn the craft of silversmithing. Some say it's a "dying" craft, but because of my love of all things jewelry related I'm not ready to use such harsh terminology. A few years ago I took a class at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg called "The Missing Link". I'll have to show you the i.d. bracelet I made in that class sometime. This current class is in conjunction with Middle Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society and I'm really enjoying it! Not only is it fairly close to my studio, I'm learning skills I can use in my existing designs and gaining inspiration for future collections! So far, my only injury has been a seared finger from a blazing hot nickel, but that's another story. Enjoy these pics, and I'll keep you posted on the progress of my projects!

Project #1 - Twisted Sterling Silver Bracelet!
I wear this almost everyday. 

Project #2: Rose Quartz Pendant
The gallery wire I used for the bezel has
 a sweet inverted heart shaped pattern.
Simple and pretty - I like it a lot.

The base, bezel and bail are all polished sterling silver.

I thought you might like to see works in progress, and this is
the start of my ring! Believe it or not, the pendant started out
looking like this too.  I'm using fine silver - it will be interesting
to experience the difference of working with fine as opposed
to sterling silver.

Here I've added the Brecciated Jasper stone,
 just to give you an idea of what it will look
like when finished.

As Seen On...

We recently met ICM Awards New Artist of the Year Laura Dodd! She fell in love with our Anna Bracelet so much that...she took one home with her! You can get one here. This beautiful photo is by Kim Lancaster.

Gus Mayer Trunk Show April 29 & 30!

d. marlene jewelry on Talk of the Town

On Turning 40

Okay, I admit it. I've hit the big "40". For as long as I can remember I've always dreaded that number. But I can honestly say that this has been one of the best birthdays. Ever. For starters, my husband booked a trip for us to NYC! What fun! We enjoyed finding out of the way (to us anyway) places for breakfast, shopping (where I snagged my Club Monaco sunglasses), sight seeing....it's really not hard to forget life as you know it including any numbers that may or may not be involved when you're gawking at the Tiffany Diamond. AND on day 3 of our trip we attended the MJSA Expo (Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America). What more could a gem lovin' jewelry designer ask for? Well, friends, let me tell you...as of yesterday d. marlene jewelry is available in Gus Mayer at Green Hills Mall! Gus Mayer is Nashville's leading designer specialty retailer. Not bad for our inaugural retailer relationship. So all in all, so far this 40 thing isn't too bad after all. I think I'll survive it. And if my sense of self and sense of calm have anything to do with it, I know I will.