Happy Spring! Happy Bling! Who doesn't love Flowers and Jewelry!

Happy May Beautiful Readers!

Flowers Everywhere!

I love this time of year when everything around me is blooming! Flower buds are everywhere. Color is everywhere. Every plant seems to have new buds popping out.  What was sleeping during winter is waking up and saying hello to the sun. Can you tell I am loving spring time in Washington?

The Pacific North West, (my new home for the last 6 months now), has a long beautiful spring season. The enormous & gorgeous fir trees are always green too. Knowing they are there, giving color and oxygen is a good feeling. On the east coast, where I used to live, there is usually a very short Spring and a VERY LONG Winter. So, for me, to have evergreen trees literally ALL around me in the winter, is a breathe of fresh air. Spring on the east coast is unfortunately too short. You blink and then it seems as if you just survived a brutal winter and then comes the blistering summer heat and humidity. I kid you not.

  To my surprise, I had no idea flowers started blooming early here, in February and March. We had tulips bursting through back in March. The colors and varieties are exquisite. Being a flower and nature lover (and someone who lived for a long time on the east coast) I am appreciating and soaking up this special time. 

I went to the spectacular Skagit Tulip Festival (a month ago) that is very well known in Washington State. It is comprised of dozens of fields and fields of incredible tulips (Many farms are involved).You literally feel like you are in tulip heaven. There are some below and some other pictures I snapped around the island of the flora.  If you adore nature or just flowers (I don't think I know any girl who doesn't love flowers) you may find the pictures a petite feast for the eyes. 

Being a jewelry artist (& amateur photographer), nature is one of my primary inspirations for my creativeness. I have added some really lovely new jewelry pieces (I've recently made). All of which are inspired by flora and fauna. Or just simply, nature.  (Most of the jewelry listed is available for sale in my etsy shop for affordable prices).

Below are some fabulous pendant necklaces that I made. The one on top is a big gorgeous Ruby in Fuchsite natural gemstone. Like this one, many of my pieces are one-of-a-kind. The colors are like red tulips and its soft green petals. Click on photo if you wish to see all the interesting details. The middle one is not listed yet. The blue one is. It looks like a lovely feather to me. It is a natural agate druzy geode slice. I adore this one and I love bringing you luxury for less or better know as lux for less. They truly are statement pieces.

One more of the Feather necklace. It is amazing what natural organic gemstones look like. I added a cobalt blue druzy gemstone to accent the feather shaped gemstone. I believe the copper chain adds a bohemian and artistic feel to it. The warm color of the copper compliments the coffee colors in the pendant nicely. What do you think?

 These lovely earrings are very much nature inspired. Both the sea and flora are constant forms of inspiration for my jewelry designs. These natural gemstones are like looking into the sea. Beautiful flower colors too. If you look closely, they are not only blue, but have hints of purple  in them too. I added some tiny flower pink tourmaline stones as well. Click the photo for more details if you wish. 

I have always included a small handful of fresh dried lavender in organza bags (my packaging when I mail jewelry to my customers). Ironically, the last batch of lavender I had bought from Etsy and brought to Washington IS Washington grown lavender! Hmm, fate telling me something. The lavender on this island grows in abundance. Some varieties of it started blooming several weeks ago. Power walking on this island is like walking through some of the loveliest flower markets in Boston or New York City. It smells like heaven & looks like it too. I already bought some local dried lavender from our island, for future customers. There is a lavender farm on the island. 

I think two more pieces of bling are in order before I sign off. I've made this necklace with a one of a kind dreamy slice of lavender amethyst druzy. Modern. Chic. It is truly a statement piece (Lux for less). 

I sold these earrings not too long ago and made another pair. You can see below.  I call them, "After the Rain Earrings." One of my all time favorite gemstones is labradorite. It's a magical gemstone. It's grey, and when the light hits it, these amazing flashes of iridescent blue come out (a jewelry tip, it has to be very good quality labradorite to have the flashes of blue, green and sometimes even yellow and red). Modern. Simple. Gorgeous.  The spectacular intense purple of the herb, lavender, reminds me of this gemstone. If you like simple, modern, yet unique, maybe they're the pair for you.

I am off to my studio to create more pieces of jewelry. But, first, a vibrant power walk through town to get my adrenaline pumping and soak up more floral inspiration.

Smell the flowers. Wear a Colorful Necklace. Enjoy spring. You are beautiful, like a flower.

Oh yes, and above all else, please don't forget, 

Be Sparkly~

Marissa T. xo

My Love Affair with the Sea & Jewels. Part 2

Hello Beautiful Readers~

I had blogged recently about my love affair with the sea. Part 2 here we go. I can blog about this topic forever! Why? It is my main inspiration for my jewelry designs and I have such a special love for the ocean that I need to share it with others out there who I know can relate. Among many things, it is also a zen or yoga like experience for me. (Yoga. next blog topic).

Island County, Washington/One of my favorite beaches. 

There is something magical that happens to me when I'm near the sea. It's as if it's calling out to me. I always reply when it does. I have read about water and its healing benefits and have found a lot of interesting tid bits. One being, that the ocean has restorative powers that has been recognized for centuries. It's no wonder the Greeks bathed in springs to cure disease and simply, as way to help people come alive and gain strength. These days, it's amazing to read, how many spas all over the world, use water therapy.

Salt water, it wakes up my senses. I must have been a mermaid or dolphin in a past life. In a future life, I would like to come back as a mermaid (or a character on "Downton Abbey," well, that's a whole other topic).  The pure joy I feel, from swimming in the sea, is surreal. I feel my limbs move through the cool salt water and I am invigorated. I am completely immersed in the moment. Me and the sea. If I'm lucky, this usually happens to me, when I meditate or practice yoga. I become more present and alive, in that moment.  The feeling of swimming in another world (the underwater world) is pure bliss. I feel calm. I feel wonder. I feel joy. There is something to be said about the healing effects of water. It can help you spiritually and physically.

Snorkeling is something I don't get to do enough of , but, I LOVE it. I recall a fun vacation in Aruba not too long ago, with my husband, Daniel, and my brother. Every day was "Explore a New Beach Day," for us. I remember one afternoon, I went out to snorkel and I think I may have been in the briny sea for more than two hours. Was I water logged? No! On the contrary, I could have stayed longer! Being in the seawater is intoxicating (for me) & experiencing all the spectacularly beautiful tropical fish, up close is surreal. I can swim and frolic for hours on end. There is nothing like swimming and floating through a school of thousands of  blue fish. If you haven't experienced this (and you love swimming), I highly recommend it. It is truly a magical underwater wonderland.
 

A beach in Aruba. I snorkeled here for hours!

I  feel renewed when I swim in the ocean (or power walk next to it). Do you experience this bliss too? I would love to know. I can't wait to swim in the sea where I live now (Pacific North West, U.S.). I hear I need a wet suit because of critters in the sea (jellyfish). I think I would wear heavy scuba gear if I had too. Some say the water is cold here. I used to swim in the ocean all the time when I lived on the East Coast. The cold water and I mix well. Recently, on a warm spring day, I went down to the beach to feel the water and it felt amazing. I was ready to jump in! It was calling me. When the sea calls out to me, I always answer it.

Aruba. The wild side.  The color of the water is unreal.

Aruba. The water is really that blue. 

I must leave you with some of my NEW jewelry pieces (designed by me & available in my etsy shop) that are all about my "love affair with the sea." Beachy. Boho. Chic. This necklace might make you feel like a fashionable mermaid.

Inspired by the Sea and Fashion. All these necklaces in ocean & sunset hues are available in my etsy shop.

Let me tell you about a special shipping promotion that I am having. If you buy 2 or more pieces from my etsy shop, you get free shipping! Last through Spring 2015! (applicable in U.S., Canada, E.U., U.K. and Mexico).

See you soon. Be well. Be in the moment. and above all else. 

Be sparkly~

Marissa T.

Fun Parties and Aqua Blue accesories....

Hello Readers~

Happy Monday. I had a very fun weekend. I hope you did too. I went to a gala reception for the opening of a new Art School. A big artist's reception where I met some other creative artists. A lot of delicious appetizers/wine and mini desserts. Did a bit of mingling and gathered some inspiration for my art. One bubbly woman I met, who I asked, "So are you creative as well? (Do you make anything?)". She replied with a huge smile, "I make love in the air." At least I think I'm quoting her properly. I thought that was a cute remark, making us both laugh. However, if more people actually really did put more love out into the universe, so to speak, well, that could make a much happier world. Really! My eyes gravitated to her unique and stylish necklace. It was several layers of blue gemstones (and some type of delicate fabric/all in a wonderful variety of aqua blue hues). I adore aqua with pink. She paired the necklace with a simple, but cute, fuschia pink sweater.  I love noticing fashion and especially, what jewelry people wear! Of course! The jewelry can never be missed! Another woman I met, a jewelry artisan herself had on some of her clever designs. The necklace was all silver, modern geometric shapes. Fun piece.

I also had a dinner party that my husband & I went too. Some lovely new friends on the island. The hostess is a divine cook with magnificent British shabby chic taste (I love this woman's style. She is in fact, British and has an amazing eye for fashion, home decor, and food). Not only was the company wonderful, we know it's always like going to a gourmet restaurant (every time we are invited over). She spoiled us with delicious goodies, like pate, garlic humus, beef bourguignon (wow), and a creamy sumptuous raspberry cheesecake. Many glasses of red wine were consumed. The gorgeous cheesecake had to be posted on my Instagram. @Marissa TDesigns. So many gorgeous pink raspberries! It was delicious too! My other friend, the daughter of the divine British cook extraordinaire, had some lovely jewelry on, round aqua blue dangle silver earrings that kept catching the light as she spoke. They could have been sea glass, but, I'm guessing they were sea blue chalcedony quartz. There is something so wonderful about women and how they love aqua and turquoise colored jewelry! My favorite color I work with is blue. Have you noticed yet?  Every single shade of blue. I can't and will never get enough of Turquoise hues... Inspired by my LOVE of the SEA. 

Want to take a peak at some new necklaces I just made? I haven't listed them in my etsy shop for sale yet. Just finished making and photographing them. This necklace is all about the sea (and turquoise hues). The stone in the middle is a subtle creamy white agate druzy gemstone. I think of blue water, waves, and soft sand when I see & feel this necklace. Do you like to wear turquoise blues?

This next necklace I made with some delicious blue opal and one fabulous coffee colored agate in the center. Paired up with bright copper chain. I love the combo of turquoise colored gemstones with copper! I currently have several pieces like this in my etsy shop. Copper is an amazing metal to wear. It's a cool, trendy metal (one that will never out of style) and it's also very healing and grounding.  Bet this would look very cute with a simple white T and jeans. Or that pretty pink sweater....

Boho Beachy Chic Necklace

Be well. Be Real. and above all else, Be Sparkly. ~Marissa T.