A Blog Reborn with Nature and Sparkle Everywhere!

After a long break from blogging, I am ready to start blogging again for my shop! For the beauty of jewelry, sparkle, nature, love and life. I have been very busy making and selling my jewelry designs while I was not blogging. I could tell something was missing for my online shop (another way to share my story, show more behind the scenes, and share more exciting collaborations to come). I was honored to be interviewed by a beautiful European Shoe Company this Summer who make exquisite shoes (The company is all about Sparkle, keep reading).

First, I am very excited to share my new copper designs! I am obsessed with the purity (99.9% copper), quality and color of this copper! Copper is an essential mineral found in plant life and in the human body. Copper is said to be a very healing metal (You need to use Pure copper which is 99.9% that is not coated) to get the health benefits when wearing on your body. My copper is that pure. Copper is said to help with inflammation and arthritis in the body. I find it interesting too that holistically, it is said to be the grounding metal for the human body and spirit. Silver is the metal of the spirit and gold is the metal of the mind. If you would like to learn more about the healing benefits of copper I found this great article here all about it.

Do you see the cute paw print on the copper bar?! I have been happily donating a portion of any online sale and artisan market sales (all throughout the summer and continuing into the fall) to an organization close to my heart and directly connected to the beautiful island I live on in the Pacific Northwest.

It is the, W.A.I.F. Whidbey Animals' Improvement Foundation.  Any purchase you may make will be helping an animal or pet owner very much in need. I encourage you to click the link above and see all the wonderful things the W.A.I.F. is doing to help dogs and cats!

I am doing this for a few important reasons. The first is, in honor of my fur baby, Morgan, who passed away over a year ago (it keeps his spirit alive). I cannot tell you what a trying time it has been without our little love. He was 16 when he passed on. We had him since he was a puppy and as you can imagine, 16 years with a special love like that, is beyond beautiful! My husband and I miss our chocolate Labrador, Morgan, every day. However, his long life and all the special things he taught us should be celebrated! In his honor, I donate to the W.A.I.F. and keep creating more hand-stamped jewelry for animal lovers.

Beautiful Copper Vertical Bar and Circle. Other Sparkly beauties..

Our Dear Morgan. His eyes always sparkled! The sweetest Chocolate Labrador. Ever.

These are so popular. Click to find them. I use fine silver pewter and the smaller ones are deluxe rhodium plated.

The Perfect Copper Name Bar next to the cutest puppy ever. Don't you think so?!

The second reason I am donating a portion of my online sales, is as important as the first! I love animals beyond belief. I am one of the biggest animals lovers on the planet. This is one of the reasons I relish the island I live on now. There is an abundance of amazing wildlife, farm life, and sea life to enjoy! Okay, well now I have to show you some!

We have Deer Everywhere. Here they are hanging out in our yard.

Watching these beauties leaves a sparkle in my eye. I am always inspired by their beauty, grace, colors and movement. So on to more Sparkle! I have been obsessed with crystal quartz this summer and will continue to be implementing more crystals in my designs!  My more elaborate Elestial Crystal Pieces have been selling at the artisan markets and online. I am currently working on making more!

Elestial Crystals are special type of quartz (they have a bit of citrine in them) and they are tuned into the angel realm. They are healing (like powerful crystal quartz) and are said to protect from negative energy. They are said to be a very grounding and calming gemstone. Below are my popular earrings that I cannot keep in stock and several more elaborate necklaces that have recently sold too.

I will be making more of these gorgeous Elestial Crystal Quartz Necklaces for Fall and Winter Season. The silver satin finish of the leather and bright sparkle of the quartz is perfect for everyday or holiday parties!

The Silver leather I use (I also use gold) is the perfect transition into the interview I was featured in for Roccapina, a European Shoe Company. The silver satin finish is just like the shoes.

 They are all about crystals and gorgeous sparkle. You can find my interview here. Look at the beauty and detail in their shoes.

Photo by Roccapina.

This is Mellie the designer, who interviewed me. She is a woman I can relate too and I admire.  I do use the hash tag #IhavethisthingwithSparkle for a reason.

Melie. Desinger of Roccapina. Photo by Roccapina.

I also want to say hello with a photo of myself. My Handmade Gemstone Jewelry, Made with Intention. Always ocean, nature, and fashion inspired.

Thanks for reading. As always. Be Well. Be Real and Above all Else. Be Sparkly.

Love xoxo

Marissa

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 

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