New Jewelry, Website, Blogger Connections, Free Gifts and More!

New Website, New Jewelry, New Photographs, and a Fabulous New Collaboration! As much as I did not want fall to get here too fast, September, I am excited you are here.

I am so thrilled to announce a new online shop (which includes a surprise free gift with any one purchase through September 30)! I promise to remind you again about this later on.

I want to dive into ocean colors and some of my new handmade accessories. The beautiful thing about jewelry is that, I believe, you do not have to transition from summer into fall. You also (my philosophy) do not have to wear the same pieces everyday! Many of us "girls" collect jewelry (and accessories) like clothes! It is all about choices, your love of color, and your unique style! You can accessorize all year long with bright bold necklaces or minimal modern pieces. 

I love making jewelry that speaks to all types of girls and women. That is one of the reasons I have many different styles that I work with! I instantly fell in love with these beautiful natural agate slices and had to make beautiful boho luxe statement necklaces with them. 





 I picture these necklaces on a girl or woman with confidence and style. I was thrilled when, the Beautiful Fashion and LifeStyle Blogger, Catherine Grace O'Connell, reached out to me on Instagram, to collaborate with her. I have been following her for awhile now and I love Catherine's natural beach beauty and style. It is lucky to collaborate with someone you feel you have a lot in common with as well (we both are beach, fashion, and yoga lovers). 

Catherine is a talented and inspiring blogger as well as a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. She has had a fascinating career; from marketing, interior design to a Masters in Spiritual Psychology.  I love that this amazing woman (who by the way is in her 50's and you would never know it) keeps reinventing herself. She is truly an inspiration, having survived late stage lyme disease which almost took her life just over a year ago. 

I also changed my career path not too long ago (I left my successful business I created, teaching foreign language to children and adults, and dove into jewelry design, styling and photography! I have not looked back). I encourage you to read about Catherine, as she will encourage you to keep pursuing your goals, no matter what life throws at you. Here's a link to an Interview (if you're interested) to learn about her personal journey that's very real, raw, and authentic. She prides herself on her authenticity and vulnerability (I would say that is something else we have in common) She also lives in my home state, California, and believes, like me, that beauty starts from within! Our collaboration was meant to be.

I custom made two lavender agate necklaces (from the collection above) and knew one would look amazing on her.

Photo Credit, Catherine Grace O'Connell

Photo By Catherine Grace O'Connell

A Close up of my Lavender Blue Agate Design that Catherine is wearing.

If you want to rock the long boho beauty agate look like Catherine, I have the same necklace available in my online shop. I custom designed the second strand on her's, with freshwater pearls and sparkly silver beads, knowing it would enhance Catherine's bright smile. She paired my agate necklace with a beautiful white shear blouse and cool destroyed denim jeans (please visit her blog for the complete fashion details at www.CatherineGraceO.com).

Photo by Catherine Grace O'Connell

Photo By Catherine Grace O' Connell

Catherine has a strong and chic sense of style. Like her, I love color, and think you should wear what makes you feel beautiful on the inside (while complementing you on the outside as well). You see that in the gorgeous photo's in Catherine's Instagram gallery. 

The opposite of Boho luxe is modern and minimal. I am excited to share my brand new designs with natural raw crystals and sleek silver metal. The natural crystals are filled with beautiful healing properties. Amethyst is said to promote balance, protection, and peace.  I have an affinity for angels, winged creatures, and purple amethyst. I am constantly inspired by (not only travel, architecture, and fashion) natural elements. The angel wing and amethyst was the offspring of that inspiration. Amethyst is such a calming gemstone and the color is perfect for all year long. 

 

The next piece I chose for our collaboration had to be my silver pewter wing necklace. However, I hand-stamped and customized it with Catherine's name on it. 

 

Photo by Catherine Grace O'Connell

The wing can symbolize an angel, love, or freedom (like a bird in flight). I love that Catherine chose to pair a more modern minimal necklace with a fabulous blue fringy, beachy, boho dress (that embodies the whole idea that you can wear anything together, that makes you feel beautiful on the inside. Which will naturally enhance your beauty on the outside). She styled it perfectly! 

Photo by Catherine Grace O'Connell

I love personalized hand stamped jewelry and am adding more to my jewelry line. 

I made the second necklace (the aqua blue agate layering necklace) to go with Catherine's Wing. You can wear them separately or to add a pop of color to the wing, they look beautiful together. Catherine is the perfect model for the necklaces!

Photo by Catherine Grace O'Connell

 If you love the fashion you have seen here, you will love Catherine's gallery on Instagram (link) and her blog. I look forward to more future collaboration's with this multi-talented beach beauty! Feel free to email me on my website (in the comment box), or leave a message below or visit me on Instagram. I always appreciate your feedback!

Please do not forget my new online shop that I am launching right now! I will be adding more pieces to it all month long. In celebration of the launch, I am offering a *Special Free Surprise Gift to any one purchase (through the end of September)!  Thank you for joining me here and on social media. 

Be well. Be Real and above all else. Be Sparkly.

Marissa 

xo

Beautiful Handmade Jewelry and Fair Trade!

Hello Lovely Readers~

I am excited to share with you that my handmade jewelry is now available at a special retail shop on Whidbey Island, called, "Fair Trade Outfitters."  A selection of my handmade one-of-a-kind (or *two-of-a-kind) gemstone necklaces can be found there!

These are two-of-a-kind handmade designs that I am so happy to share with you. (These exact two will be available in my online shop and the other two at "Fair Trade Outfitters.") I added an array of beautiful sea aqua colored gems in both necklaces. The top necklace has a heart-shaped pink chalcedony quartz and a crystal clear blue topaz dangling from the bottom. It is a very fun necklace filled with natural beauty, happy colors and semi-precious gemstones that give off good energy.  I named it "Pink Beach Party."

Available at MarissaTDesigns.com and Fair Trade Outfitters in Langley, WA. (Whidbey Island). 

The necklace below "Pink Beach Party," is such a real stunner! I call it "Mermaid Dream Necklace." I was inspired by all things sea- life related. I used fine moonstones that dangle like fringe at the bottom (the one at Fair Trade Outfitters has little aquamarine briolettes at the bottom of the moonstones). I used only the prettiest aqua and green colored gem; such as: aquamarine, pearl, fluorite, and amethyst. I wire-hand-wrapped all of with fine oxidized sterling silver wire and chain. 

The Fair Trade Outfitters on Whidbey Island is also where I have bought some pretty clothing! The shop is filled with wonderful women's fashion clothing by many different designers. If you are not familiar with the Fair Trade concept, let me share a little about it.  Products that have the "Fair Trade" logo "come from farmers and workers who are justly compensated. Child labor is prohibited and the fashions are also good for the planet! Many of the clothing have organic dyes and materials. So, you are not only helping people in other countries earn fair wages, you are also doing something amazing for our planet by supporting fair trade fashion. (*Fair Trade).

The shop also has these wonderful soaps (and other great gift items in addition to my beautiful jewelry). I just bought a handmade soap bar (in the picture above) by the company Hand in Hand.  For every purchase from Hand in Hand, a child in Haiti (or a child in need) gets one month supply of water and a bar of soap. They have many fragrances. I bought Rose Water and smells like flowers!

Why stop there! Some of the other Marissa T Design necklaces in the shop are One-of-A-Kinds (*see below). A hand carved Ocean Agate Fish that I added many lovely clear quartz and some aquamarine too the (*recycled) stainless steel chain. The second necklace matches it but can be purchased separately. It is the top one that looks like sparkly diamonds (I added silver charms and the smooth clear crystal quartz briolettes to it). It adds the perfect light and sparkle to your face and goes so well with many of the wonderful tops and T shirts available in the shop.

I created a one-of-a-kind boho chic freshwater coin pearl (is the center necklace below) and shell necklace I collected the seashell from one of my favorite beaches on Whidbey Island. (Any shells I re-purpose in designs have been properly sanitized). You are not only getting one of my handmade pieces but literally, a piece of our island too.

I also really love creating personalized, monogrammed and hand-stamped jewelry! I have been (and will be) adding many more hand-stamped selections to my online shop. I created two custom (one-of-a-kind pieces for Fair Trade Outfitters). Here is a better look at one. I hand stamped "Whidbey" on both of them. If you love Whidbey Island and want to remember it forever, this would be the perfect piece for you or a gift for a local!

One thing I do in many of my designs, is add extra gemstones (so you get two or three necklaces in one). Both "Whidbey" Necklaces have aqua and lavender chalcedony briolettes added to them. You can take them off or wear both. They are two necklaces in one. I will be offering an array of hand stamped pieces in my online shop (I love custom orders and working closely with my online customers to make sure they are absolutely thrilled with their purchases).

So if you happen to visit beautiful Whidbey Island this summer, you know where to shop fashions and some of my unique one of a kind handmade jewelry pieces.  Shop Fair Trade Outfitters in downtown Langley and I always invite you to come visit me at Marissa T Designs. 

Be Real. Be Kind. Above all else be Sparkly.

Love, 

Marissa 

Beauty is Everywhere..

Hello Beautiful Readers..

Beauty is everywhere. Beauty comes in so many forms. In people. In fashion and jewelry. It comes in love and nature. There are so many forms and ways we can find beauty and be inspired by it.

If you have been following me, you know I will most likely lead you back to the sea. Lead you back to all things blue, all things salty (I know I was a mermaid in my past life).  I want you to see some of the new things I have been up as well (from the studio, accessories and photography). I am finally back to blogging. I hope I can inspire some of your senses.

The smell of the sweet saltwater, I can never get enough. If I could bottle that sweet delicious smell, I would. The sea was wild on this day.

"Recent Beach Day"

The Sea was Wild This Day. Once of the Beaches Where I Live, Whidbey Island. Washington (All photos by me. Marissa T Designs)

"Under The Sea Gemstones. Minimal. Modern. Simple. Beach Colors"

There is something so beautiful about the natural sea-like patterns on some gemstones. Jasper and Agate above. I love how the Jasper gemstone is called "Ocean Jasper." (The New Ocean Jasper Necklace just flew out the shop quickly. I will be making more soon/am offering a promotional price on "Modern & Minimal Sea Necklaces") It has its own

 sea like pattern that reminds me of beauty you would find under the sea.  I have a small and sweet collection of natural amethyst geode pieces. There is such raw and delicious beauty in these. You can see their natural purple beauty (above). They look like candy. Being a jewelry designer I am drawn to natural things that sparkle. What are you drawn to?

"Mermaid Treasures Along the Shore"

Sometimes the shells go on forever. 

"For Any Mermaid or Water Lover. The Mermaid Bracelet"

I have a thing for mirrors. I love this antiqued venetian mirror. I recently moved to a new house and am unpacking a lot of boxes. It's wonderful to find my collection of mirrors and find new places for them again. I love the all the extra light you can bring into a space with mirrors. After the photo shoot below, I think, I will be using more mirrors with my jewelry.

The blues are so soft and pale in these beautiful agate gemstones. I see these shades of blue in so 

many beautiful things. From home decor, jewelry, fashion to paint colors (wall and nails)!

Mirror, Ballard Design. Photo's  by me. Marissa T Designs

 "Beauty in Fashion. When fashion sparkles and has gemstones in it. Well, that makes me giddy."

I had a lot of tiny little pearls and crystals in my wedding dress (they were very tiny and spread through out), when I got married many years ago. Someday I will have to share a photo of that gown. It had a lot of layers of dreamy white organza.

Photo via Seabois/Tumblr

 I love wearing tops in these shades of blue! I have this French Trumeau antique mirror that is gold and the prettiest shade of aqua blue. I bought this when I lived on the East Coast (I love French and English Style Antiques). This was an amazing find that I scored in an online auction (on Ebay, from an Antique Dealer). You never know where you'll find a treasure you're looking for. What was one of the prettiest (treasures) things you found in the most unlikely place?

My Trumeau Mirror. Gold and Soft Aqua Blue. 

One of My Favorite Mirrors.

All the Chippy Goodness in the Gold and Blue Paint.

"Beauty in Nature. Beauty in Flowers. I can never get enough of both."

Photo by Me. Marissa T Designs. New Necklaces Coming to my shop. (The Small Ocean Jasper sold quickly. However more are in the making)

"Flowers from the Spring. A Beautiful Piece of Raw Amethyst & one of my many Hand-Stamped Necklaces. Breathe."

Breathe. Hand-Stamped on Fine Silver Pewter. One of A Kind. Green Amethyst and Freshwater Pearls.

"Beauty in Art" 

I enjoy meeting and making new connections on social media. I am so happy to be friends with the incredibly talented Gabrielle Heckenbucker.  Her work is stunning. I recently did a grid feature on four of my favorite artists to follow on Instagram. I invite you to click on the photo and discover Gabrielle's magical water color world.

Artist and Photo by, Courtesy of Gabrielle Heckenbucker , www.koloristik.com 

"Beauty in Soft Taupe Colored Woodland Creatures & Bright Green Boxwood & there is Blue Again"

"Beauty is All Around Us. Back to the Sea"

The Lavender and Delicate Pink Shade of the Sunsets in the Pacific North West make me dream out loud. The glacier blue water and snow capped mountains have a way of reminding me; that some of the most beautiful things in life (or moments) can be experienced in the wildness of the sea and sky.

The Mesmerizing Colors of Nature. Beauty is Everywhere.

Until Next Time.

Be Real. Be Kind. Above all else. Be Sparkly.

Marissa xo

Turquoise Waters, Gorgeous Jewelry and Island Life! A Pictorial Blog Post!

Hi Beautiful Readers! 

A lovely friend of mine on social media, recently tagged me to share some of my favorite photo's that I styled and posted in the month of February! I thought to myself, I cannot crop them all into a little square and share that way, because, well, I just have too many favorites! 

A pictorial blog post (with some added content). These are some of the pictures I have taken and posted throughout social media sites through the month of February. I love reading some of my favorite blogs to also see some of the photos clear and up close! Some of those beautiful details are more fun on a big screen!

A good place for me to begin is always with the ocean! I shot this on one of the many gorgeous beaches on the the island that I live on; "Driftwood & Turquoise Heaven!"  It is amazing how many different shapes and sizes of driftwood and tree trunks there are that grace the surf of our beaches. 

"Blue Waves, Sea foam & Succulent Love." I am in love with succulents. There is something about their colors and textures that make me want to photograph them and plant them all over the house! I finally bought my first and included this little baby succulent in the photo. I love so many gemstones. However, my favorite gemstones are all shades of blue. Could you tell? What is your favorite color gemstone? (For details on any of the jewelry, please click photo and/or contact me at the bottom of the page of my website, here. Thank you).
 

 From beautiful ocean inspired jewels to farm animals?! That is right. That is how you roll when you live on an island. It is a magical island surrounded, not only, by the glorious sea, but, many wonderful working farms and nature galore! It is a haven of amazing wild life and beautiful farm animals that inspire me creatively all the time. 
I do not live on a farm, however, it is so enjoyable to be able to walk a few residential blocks and suddenly you are in the middle of horses, rabbits, cows, goats, deer and sheep! There may be some alpaca around too! Among other beauties. 
This cute white sheep lives a few blocks away. I did not post the "baby shot," on social media. I will share it with you now. It is just too sweet!

 

Here are some of the beautiful babies who grow up and supply many of us with those soft wool sweaters. I love soft wool scarves and sweaters in the fall and winter. Don't you?

I am inspired by the soft feel of sand and the color of seashells that are washed ashore onto the aqua blue beaches. Labradorite and moonstone are my favorite gemstones and are what you see shining mysteriously below. They have all this fabulous iridescent flashes of color play when the light hits the gemstones. Blues, greens, yellows and reds.

I bought Amy Poehler's autobiography recently, Yes Please," and it was part of my pretty vignette that I styled and shot in the next photo. The blooms were from the bouquet my sweet husband gave me (from the Flying Bear Farm on Whidbey Island, WA). I called this photo, "Pink Flowers, Coffee, Jewelry, and A Good Read." If you like Amy Poehler and her work, I imagine you will enjoy her book (I haven't finished it yet, as I like to read many things at once. I may have to mention it again somehow in a future blog post. She is so inspiring and incredibly funny). 

I am in love with these natural raw slices of lavender blue agate you see in the necklace. They remind me of a treasure you would find beneath the sea. This is a one-of-a-kind necklace I made with freshwater pearls, golden citrine, and lavender blue iolite gemstones. If you prefer somewhat bolder pieces, I think this is such a beautiful spring and summer statement necklace. 

A little coffee goes with everything! The coffee that I brew nearly every day is a delicious organic espresso roast from the island (Useless Bay Coffee. I have to say this is some of the best espresso I have had in a long time). I am not a snob by any means. However, a coffee snob, that I am! It tastes like the espresso you get in Italian cafe's. I have been to Italy and I kid you not). I would never joke about good coffee! Ever! What is your favorite blend? I know there are a lot of coffee lovers on social media. Including myself!

It is time for a beach break! I do not think anyone could get enough of a relaxing and hypnotic ocean view! When I watch the sun sparkle over the sea it does wonders for my heart and spirit. It is amazing how every picture I take always looks different.

 

I love hand stamping jewelry! I have made many in the past and I am currently in the process of making a lot more (as fast as my two hands can go. Being a one woman show who does it all for her business really keeps me busy around the clock. I am so passionate about my work and where it can go that I love every minute of it and the possibilities are endless). Okay, I got side tracked there.

Here is the new mermaid necklace that will be available soon. The mermaid necklace (also available with, "Dog mama," "Mom," "Aunt," "Boss Babe," "Lady Boss," "Beach Girl," "Yoga Love," and "Wanderlust." (Or custom order what ever you prefer). 

The mermaid necklace comes with an aqua sea blue diamond shaped druzy that is removable for a two-in-one look (also pictured, the perfect aqua druzy bar. Like a wave on the sea. And a raw aqua crystal quartz). When chocolate has a flavor called, "San Juan Sea Salt," and wrapped in shiny silver, well that had to be included. If you love chocolate though, like I do, Seattle Chocolates are amazing! 

I love nearly everything that sparkles, glitters, shines and gives off light. I found this gorgeous photo via bloglovin and this nice fashion and beauty website They all hate us. She looks like a sparkly fashion boho mermaid who loves unique handmade gemstone jewelry!


 

 Time for some sea air. The moon was full the day I took this and there was a swell. The sun was already set and the sky was lit up by the magic of the moon. The water glowed. The waves were rolling in. I love sharing my personal photos of moments that truly inspire me in so many ways. I especially love sharing my beach photography because I know many of you can relate to captures that make your soul dance, like this one does to mine.

 

This is the same day. you can see the big beautiful full moon. It was so bright and full and the sky was the softest shade of lavender. It was a magical night.

After mentioning the magic of the moon and its light, this photo fits right in. Three beautiful sparkling simple modern necklaces. One is a really stunning moonstone, bezel set in sterling silver. Actually, that gemstone is said to have gotten its name from the moon, because of the magical light play it holds. The other two very pretty necklaces are beautiful petite druzy's. Like silver and black diamond (affordable ones). They are super for layering or perfect on their own.

 

The silver druzy above is even more sparkly in person! I did not share this picture on social media because I really think it needed to be seen larger to appreciate its full beauty! It is a really fabulous photo by a wonderful blogger friend, Shelbi. I feel so fortunate that I have had the pleasure of getting to know her thanks to social media. She is a lovely, down-to-earth, and very talented blogger (among other things) who has a terrific Instagram gallery! I recommend you check out her beautiful fashion and interesting book reads on her Instagram). Also feel free to check out her great blog, The Nobby Life.

Photo, Shelbi, The Nobby Life. Necklace. Marissa T Designs

 

I would love to share with you a vignette that I styled and shot for Valentine's Day! After a long and rainy winter on the island I was excited to find a few flowers in the garden! I was determined to make my own little floral arrangement for the photo shoot. Happily I found these purple, pink, and white blooms which were the first pretties to pop up in February. What is better for Valentine's Day than jewelry? Not too much! A long pretty hot pink lariat! 

A tiny bottle of Hermès Calèche pefume somehow added the right visual touch to the photo. What do you think? This darling bottle of perfume was a gift. I do not really wear perfume, but, it smells wonderful! All it takes is a tiny little drop!
 

I hope you have enjoyed my personal pictorial blog post with some snippets of information here and there. I hope you found something that peeked your interest and simply enjoyed the photos. Thank you for stopping by and I wish you a beautiful weekend filled with love and light!

Be Real. Be Kind. Be Sparkly. 

Marissa xo