www.karensugarmandesigns.com

The Fantasy of Winter White & Saltwater Pearls

Emily Necklace

When I came across these very generous Japanese saltwater keshi pearls at the last Tucson Gem Show,  I simply fell in love.  The creamy white/ivory pearls with their thick nacre and lustrous silky finish deliver such a luxe experience - it will spoil you for any other lesser pearls forever!  I added an offset oval antique-style reticulated diamond-encrusted bead in rhodium silver, and accented with just a touch of 24k gold vermeil to allow this necklace to easily be worn by lovers of either yellow gold, silver, white gold or platinum. This lady-like design is meant to be worn nestled in the nape of the neck.  Wouldn’t this be a most special necklace for a groom to bestow on his bride on their wedding day?

Sherri Conley Photography

Speaking of winter brides - wouldn’t this be the most romantic backdrop for a winter wedding photo?

via This Photographer's Life

The lattice infused winter white room with it’s sparkling crystal chandelier, was the inspiration for the Emily Necklace.

Source Unknown

This all white bathroom also caught my eye before the construction of the Emily Necklace.  It contains all the elements that I have used in other parts of my house - Calcutta Oro Marble, hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers and a mirror, very similar to my beloved French gold gilt mirror, with it’s darling little cherubs (found at Karina Gentinetta Disegno at 1st Dibs).  I would love to re-do my master bath like this if I could just talk my hubby down from the ledge!  You would think that after 28 years of wedded bliss - he would figure out this WILL probably happen!

Don’t forget to stop by Art by Karena for her 

Twelve Days of Holiday Giveaways Event.  

Enter for a chance to win these classic Maddie Earrings. 

  

Step Away From The Mall - Small Business Saturday Designs

Loretta Bracelet - Blue Sapphires & Creamy Button Pearls

JK Capri Hotel - This stunning hotel in Italy
was the inspiration for the Loretta Bracelet

I love the idea of this event since small businesses constitute such an important part of the US economy.  Small businesses not only contribute to their local economy, but also add a level of cachet and personality to their communities.

Four “Just Listed” bracelet designs that celebrate Small Business Saturday - all part of the Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale - Yippee!

Elise Bracelet - Charcoal Gray Moonstone Nuggets & Multicolored Moonstone Hearts

Christi Halcombe - This popular design color combination was the inspiration for the
Elise Bracelet

Bonnie Bracelet - 67 Carats of Emerald Nuggets & Creamy Petal Pearls

Tobi Fairley Interior Design - This jaw-dropping room
was the inspiration for the Bonnnie Bracelet

Analise Bracelet - Eight Strands of Tanzanite, Pink Sapphire Ovals
& Antique Pinchbeck Clasp

via Comfort & Luxury - The gorgeous periwinkle & pink colors with detailed
Moorish influence was the inspiration for the Analise bracelet 

Don't forget to stop by the web site this week-end.  Shopping in your jammies and saving 20% - what could be better?

Shopping In Your Jammies??? Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale Weekend

After the perfect Thanksgiving Meal. . .

With mountains of dishes to clean. . .

While the guys are watching football. . .

Perhaps a chance to dream. . .

A nap is really all I need,

To wake up ready and refreshed.

i’m going to Karen’s Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale,

It’s certain to be the best!

www.karensugarmandesigns.com

The Tableau Collection - Keepsake Lockets

Too precious! How many of us kept a lock of hair from our children's first haircuts?

Once I get and idea in my head, I can become a little OCD.  Such has been the case this past summer and early fall in my quest to find antique lockets, brooches and clasps that can be used to create little “Tableaus” or pictures.  Historically, these lockets were used to house not only photos of family members and sweethearts, but a lock of their hair.  The hair was often plaited, woven or styled to create a “Prince of Wales” plume.  An interesting fact I discovered - when men/boys went off to fight during the Civil War, they often left behind a lock of hair for their wives and sweethearts in the event they did not come home.  Someone recently said to me, “That’s creepy!”.  Personally, I disagree - as humans we have been collecting hair from our children (first curl/haircut), family, sweethearts and pets as little mementos since the dawn of man.  

Many of these gorgeous lockets and brooches have not survived with the original hair intact, so I think it is only fair to try and preserve the unique workmanship of these gorgeous lockets by incorporating them into little “pictures”.  I have filled the recesses of these lockets with very small gemstones and sometimes, if there is room, a vermeil charm that can tell a story.

via Project Style

Ava Necklace - French Paste Reliquary Brooch with rubies and carved labradorite leaves.

The Ava Necklace was once a reliquary brooch.  The brooch was filled with little rubies, a carved labradorite leaf and a Byzantine cross.  Most antique brooches have a pin that extends outside the diameter of the brooch.  Rather than snip the pin, thus devaluing the piece - a small round bead has been added for comfort.

Palmer-Weiss

Morgaine Necklace - 14k gold Cannetille turquoise locket with 1ct. white topaz.  How cute is this French Napoleonic Bee?

The Morgaine Necklace has a delicate chain of the most minuscule turquoise is interspersed with beautiful blue kyanite faceted beads and flanked by smooth spring-green chrysoprase rondelles.  The dainty chain is the perfect accent to highlight the gorgeous and complex 14K gold cannetille and turquoise locket (ca.1830).  The tiny glass compartment of the locket has been filled with 1ct. of white topaz while a grouping of kyanite, chrysoprase and sleeping beauty turquoise briolette amulets acts as the background for a regal little vermeil Napoleonic bee.  The locket can be easily removed and worn as a brooch.

Katie Stassi

via Design Fabulous

Siren's Song Necklace - Step-faceted aquamarine nuggets & mermaid riding a seahorse on a frothy wave of aquamarine bubbles.

Keeping pace with the recent New York Fashion Week’s Spring 2012 haute couture influence of the mermaid silhouette, the exquisite Siren’s Song Necklace is certain to make a splash.  The gorgeous and highly desirable color-saturated aquamarine faceted nuggets, only serve to enhance the diaphanous antique French silver paste locket (ca. 1900) filled with a 24k gold vermeil mermaid riding a seahorse in a frothy wave of aquamarine bubbles.

Now for the truth - I still have several of these lockets waiting to be made up - it seems as though I can’t resist the gorgeous designs.  If you are interested in having one made up with keepsake elements that represent your life, leave me a little comment or email me at karensugarmanitr@aol.com.

Put A Ring On It!

I came into jewelry designing rather late in the game after a very fulfilling career as an interior designer on Boston’s posh Newbury Street.  I love creating new designs with gorgeous colored stones and the transition to jewelry design has been (for the most part) a natural fit.  However, I have drawn the line (so far) at working with metals.  I am pretty much convinced that my use of a torch would result in either a mass of singed hair or homelessness due to an unfortunate incident involving a flame!!!

Diamond Baratta

Ophelia Ring

As a result of my “Fear of Flame”, I have never featured rings on my website.  Luckily, at my most recent gem show, I did locate a vendor that had some lovely cocktail rings and even had a chance to meet the designer.  I fell in love with the style and details of the designs and purchased a few to try them out.  Knuckle-grazing cocktail rings are on everyone’s mind - especially for holiday soirees. 

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Laurel Ring

I love rings and have collected many cocktail rings over the years that were antique/estate pieces.  Unfortunately, the style of these rings fell out of favor and I decided if I was not going to wear them, they should be placed in the safe deposit box for safekeeping.

Porterhouse Designs

Iliana Ring

I’m curious.....Are you on board with the chunky cocktail rings that are  so popular again for 2011?  

I learned a long time ago - if you hang onto something long enough - it will be resuscitated!  Now...where is that safe deposit key anyway? 

Is It Pink? Is It Salmon? No, It’s Honeysuckle!

My hubby and I have a long running tête-à-tête (25+ years) about anything in his closet which even remotely resembles what I consider the pink family. He refers to these shirts, ties, etc. as “salmon” (as in salmon pink - even when they are not).  The fact that he will actually wear these “salmon” (a.k.a. - pink) polo shirts and ties is a 180 degree change from our conversations early in our marriage.  I guess I finally wore him down, but now he thinks it was all his idea!

The color gods (Panatone) have deemed this fall’s color darling as “Honeysuckle”.  I am personally one happy gal - since it is one of my favorite colors.  Although I grew up with wild bushes of honeysuckle that were a pale yellow - I don’t even question where these color gods are from.  I’m just happy this is the color du jour!

Angela Necklace

Some time ago, I fell in love with these Missoni-striped rhodochrosite slices.  They have been sitting in my stash of gemstones just waiting to be made into something gorgeous.  No time like the present - they encompass four of the Panatone color forecast colors for Fall 2011 with their raw Herkimer diamond, andalucite, rhodochrosite and champagne citrine frills.  Gorgeous with chocolate brown suede and camel cashmere - these are perfect for autumn!    

Excessive Heat Warnings Today - I’m Swooning!

I know, I know - It’s hot where ever you are!  You’re right - tank tops and Daisy Dukes should never be worn by anyone over 15 - but at least they’re cool!  For those of you that have suffered intolerable heat this summer (and who has not) - just remember, 110 - 115 degrees is NOT uncommon for Arizona!

In the midst of all this excessive heat, I got a phone call last week from Maryanne at Beadboard UpCountry that she was sending me a batch of images from her upcoming knits trunk show.  Maryanne knows I am a big fan of the line and wanted to get my opinion.   When the images arrived, I swooned - not from the heat, but from the gorgeous designs and colors.  We decided that it would be nice to coordinate some of my jewelry designs with these chic ruanas, capes and scarves.  I spent several hours Saturday pairing up the images and having the absolute best time doing so. This wonderful line of couture knits is simply perfect for our temperate winter climate in Arizona.

If you are now swooning from fashion fever, click here to go to Beadboard UpCountry.  Now is the time to place your orders for some of these gorgeous knits.  When you’re all snuggled up and looking like you just stepped out of Vogue this fall - you’ll be so glad you did!


P.S. - If your favorite jewelry designs have already sold - send me an email (karensugarmanitr@aol.com).  Although the jewelry is one-of-a-kind and limited editions - sometimes, I can reproduce the designs.