Holiday Showcase: 12/16/12 Moonstone Peacock Chandelier Earrings

Hello everyone! Hope you are all having a peaceful Sunday today.

For today's holiday showcase I wanted to show you these lovelies...

I call these Moonstone Peacock Chandelier Earrings. During the holiday season lots of people go to holiday parties. And if I had to choose, which of my jewelry pieces I would most likely wear for the special occasion, it would most likely be these earrings.

Note: Don't worry! These are new, as in, I have never actually worn these... :)

Ok! So lets get into the details...

Holiday Showcase: 12/15/12 Luna-Black Crocheted Necklace with Frosted Crackled Quartz and Black Crystals

  Today I want to show you all a piece that I made a while ago. It's a crocheted necklace made of black cotton, accented with sparkly faceted black czech crystals, and it features something quite unique as a center piece. I call this necklace LUNA.

LUNA- Black Cotton Crocheted Necklace w/ Black Crystals and Frosted Crackled Quartz

So why LUNA?

Well, first let me start with that center bead that I simply adore! What is it? Natural semi-precious stone-clear crackled quartz that has been given a frosted matte finish. I remember when I first stumbled upon this, while shopping for material, and I knew from the start that I had to use these in my jewelry!

Holiday Showcase 12/8/12: Green Fashion Bead and Peridot Crystal Earrings

Hello Lovelies!

  Yesterday I heard that Pantone, (who is responsible for forecasting color trends in fashion, interior design, makeup, and yes, jewelry!) had officially announced that the color of the year 2013 is....wait for it!.... Emerald Green!

 

  Which is great! Have always been fond of emerald, and knowing that next year (which is only a few weeks away- whoah!) this color will get some extra attention, I already have in mind to make a few pieces in ode to this color....stay tuned!

 

Tangerine Tango was this year's color of the year. Although the trends will be moving on, I certainly won't forget you oh tangerine! Haha, no really, why would I?

 

 Now for today's Holiday Showcase, I figured why not in honor of Pantone's announcement post a piece that's green?

Green Fashion Bead w/ Peridot Faceted Crystal Earrings

 

Ok, so, these aren't exactly Emerald Green, but they are green!

So instead, this post will be just a "green" one.

Holiday Showcase: Magenta Ornament Earrings 12/2/12

Hey everyone! Hope you are all having a peaceful Sunday.

   Now that it's officially December, some of us might already be starting to decorate our homes for the holidays. A few days before Thanksgiving, I've started to see Christmas tree vendors pop up in my area. Crazy right?
   I wasn't going to get one then, and probably will wait another week or so before I do (maybe two?).
However, decorating the Christmas tree is one of my favorite things during the holidays, hands down! Its just so much fun! Every year I try to decorate it differently. One year I went with a all-out silver theme with white lights, and last year I chose all the rich jewel-color ornaments that I had (I have alot of christmas tree ornaments- A TON!) with multi colored and white lights.

 Love to shop for ornaments, every year it seems I add a few to my collection.

Well, go figure, because I made a pair of earrings inspired by them. (!)

Magenta Ornament Earrings

Available on Etsy.

 But I wonder, does this now mean I am obsessed with christmas tree ornaments? Haha. Just kidding!

Inspired by Poinsettia- Holiday Showcase: Poinsettia Leather Applique Bib Necklace 12/1/12

Happy December 1st Everyone!

We are now officially in the holiday season!
I hope you all had a wonderful, warm and cozy Thanksgiving with your loved ones and friends.
I simply love this time of the year, regardless if you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, its a time to share with family and friends. Even a time to make new friends.

Today is December 1st--- 25 days of Christmas and holiday spirit, here we go!

With the holiday season kicking in full gear, today's showcase features a true holiday item.

                           Christmas Holiday Poinsettia and Crystal Leather Applique Necklace
                                                                 Available on Etsy

Holiday Showcase 11/25/12: Its Sparktackular! Amethyst and Purple Crystal Jewelry Set

 
   Everyone has something that they cannot resist, right? That one thing that we can't help but be obsessed about, and when tempted it's hard to say no.

       For me, it's my jewelry. Even after a long day of work, when I come home, it's my jewelry that I am ever so faithful to. Just to play with my crocheting needles and yarn, or with my wiring tools and beads, spells H-E-A-V-E-N to me.

   And if I really want to indulge, I head over to one of my go-to supply stores where I get some of my stones, crystals, and beads. This sounds like a cliche, but its so true for me, when I say that walking in and seeing all those beautiful semi-precious stones and beads strung and hanging from the walls.....now that is me like a kid in a candy shop! Mmmm--hmmm!

   Alas! I shouldn't be partial, but crystals and semi-precious stones are my Achilles heel. I can't get enough of them! I don't know if its because the combination that works so well, the light-play  that I can get (an insane and hypnotic sparkly effect when the light hits the beads) or what...!

     This jewelry set that I am about to show you is no an exception.

 

(photo by Margica)

 

Amethyst and Crystal Jewelry Set

click here to see on Etsy

 

 

 

Holiday Showcase 11/24/12: Sodalite Jewelry Set with Lapis Lazuli and Blue Lilac Aventurine

Hello everyone!

Last weekend I was unable to continue the Holiday Showcase series. I sincerely apologize and will try to keep up in the future.

 A quick announcement for my Etsy shop. The coupon code FALL10 has now been extended to December 1! Use this coupon to get 10% off on all my jewelry.

Ok, so lets begin!

(photo by Margica)

 

    Sodalite Jewelry Set with Lapis Lazuli and Blue Lilac Aventurine

                                               Click here to see on Etsy.

 

  A lovely combination with natural semi-precious stones: sodalite, lapis lazuli, and blue violet aventurine. This set includes a necklace with a drop pendant and slender long

earrings.

Holiday Showcase 11/11/12: Matte Agates, Metallic and Teal Crystal Jewelry Set:

 For the holiday season you can never go wrong with a little sparkle. That has always been my philosophy. And to be honest...why not? I mean, who wouldn't want to sparkle?

      Girls, when it comes to jewelry,  a little sparkle never fails to make you feel extra special.

Matte Agates, Teal, Black Metalic Crystal Jewelry Set

Click here to see on Etsy

 

Making my girls feel extra special has always been my objective in making jewelry. This jewelry set is no exception.

Holiday Showcase 11/10/12: Long Beaded Necklace with Unakite, Gold Pearls, Peridot, Amethyst and Copper Crystals

Hello Everyone!

I love long necklaces!
 
There is just something so chic about wearing a long strand necklace. Simply because there are so many ways you can wear one!
 
You can wear it simply as is, or tie a knot in the middle, (as did famously Coco Chanel with her long pearl necklaces).
 
 Double it or even it make a more layered look by wrapping it tree times around. Either way, long necklaces are so versatile and you can get so many looks with just one piece of jewelry.

 

 

 

Long Strand Beaded Necklace with Unakite, Gold Freshwater Pearls, Green, Copper and Amethyst Czech Faceted Crystals

Click here to see on Etsy.

Oh! and before I forget to mention, this piece is currently ON SALE on Etsy! Read for more info....

Its Election Time!

                                             Just found this picture on tumblr and reblogged it.

                                 

(photo courtesy of alexisreiko on tumblr)

 

 

Happy Election Day Everyone!

Holiday Showcase 11/4/12 Multi Faceted Crystal Drops Earrings

Hey everyone!

Yesterday I started a new weekend series called the Holiday Showcase, featuring holiday gift ideas from Margica on Etsy, and I plan on doing this every weekend for the holiday season--- Saturday and Sunday!
I already posted two pairs of metallic crystal earrings. Scroll down to posts before this one, and you can read about them if you wish!

Today I have another pair of earrings to show you. And yes, they do have metallic crystals as well!

                                               
                                                 Multi-Faceted Crystal Drops Earrings
                                                  (click here for item's page on Etsy)

   As you can see these earrings have larger Czech crystals than the one's I featured yesterday. They are a bit more chunky. Have no fear though, for these are very light to wear.

(Note: Those pearl heads that you see, are actually pins that I used to hang these earrings on for the picture)

I made these in mind to look great with many different looks. Great to wear for holiday parties, cocktail evenings, or maybe even for a professional work day. Even with a rather basic day look, these earrings can bring a little something extra to your look.

Part 2 Holiday Showcase 11/3/12

  Onward to Part 2 of today's edition of the Holiday Showcase!

Earlier I showcased a pair of metallic crystal drop earrings (click here or scroll down to the prior post). Well, in continuing today's theme of metallic crystals I have another pair to show you!

Multi Faceted Purple/Gold, Blue and Red Orange Czech Crystal Drop Earrings

                                                     (click here for item's page on Etsy)  

 

I love to sparkle, and I know a lot of us women love to sparkle too! What is neat about these earrings is that you can wear them with almost anything. They are delicate and slender. Dressed up or casual, these add a special touch to your outfit.

 

Holidays are coming up, and anything that sparkles always seems to be trendy for the season. And don't forget about New Year's Eve!

 

Holiday Showcase 11/3/2012 Part 1

Ok! So its been a while since the last post. First let me say I'm sorry about that. I have been preoccupied with many things in my personal life. Needless to say I am back, and will try to keep posting as often as possible!

I have been brainstorming lately to come up with ways to make this blog more fun! (Haha... not that it isn't fun already...) Like for instance different types of posts, for certain days of the week. I've been noticing that alot of the blogs that I follow (and love!) do this, and frankly it does make reading a blog a bit more fun! So, I decided why not?

 Soooo.... to start, for those of you who are the early birds in holiday shopping, I thought it would be fun to start a Weekend Holiday Showcase! Holiday season is coming! So every weekend, I will put up posts to showcase holiday gift ideas from my shop Margica on Etsy.

OK! Lets Get Started!

                       Matte Metallic Silver and Iridescent Peacock Czech Crystal Drop Earrings
                                                     (click here for link)

  MATERIALS: These are wired in silver. I wire almost all my jewelry in silver, but especially for my earrings. I used lever-backs for the closure clasp. They are comfortable and will stay put; I find that these are great closures because you don't lose the earrings so easily from the ear.

The Delaware Waters

       It was a lovely July afternoon on the Delaware River, on our favorite route 209. After cooling down into its clear waters, my daughter and I had a wonderful picnic, and we were watching a couple of dragonflies zooming above and under the ancient rocks in a frantic dance that absolutely mesmerized our dog Muffy. She practically resembled an Egyptian statue, only her eyes were moving following the dragonflies. All of a sudden she plunged into the water as thousands of droplets rose into the air, creating an instant rainbow to the enchantment of my daughter.
      Yes, it was a lovely afternoon. Well into the night when everybody was sound asleep (swimming does wonders) I had a little bit of time to look into my box of wonders,where I keep my special stones. I looked at some Mongolian jasper and I said, "Yes! They do resemble the pebbles found in the Delaware river!" They have that blue-ish grey wonder in them. I mixed them up with some aqua and iridescent crystals to mimic the water droplets created by Muffy's jump. And so, Muffy's jump has been immortalized into a beautiful necklace. I called it "The Delaware Waters". Of course the woman who will wear it can apply her own story to make it hers. To each their own.

Happy 2 year anniversary!!! Whoo Hoo!

   Margica celebrates it’s 2 year anniversary on Etsy! First of all, I must say a heartfelt thank you to all our friends that visit us and supported Margica. In these 2 years we had 18,558 views at the moment, about 4,024 shop views and 14,534 listing views. Which I think is absolutely wonderful. For those of you new to the world of Margica, I will introduce you to what this shop stands for. I am an artist with a love to create beautiful things around me. A few years back in time I decided to dedicate more of my time to crafting beautiful original jewelry out of mother nature’s resources around us. Natural stones and crystals (that by the way, I simply adore them!) are combined with handmade beads of any imaginable origin, as well as fibers, and the list goes on and on as the sky is the limit to where imagination is concerned.
   Every single piece has a story to tell,and its up to you to make it your very own! They are meant to be worn by women who work 9 to 5, or just want to have fun in feeling beautiful and special. I pride myself in not repeating any of my designs. Every single piece is unique and it is meant to be worn by only one of you in this whole wide world! My jewelry is a pure labor of love and it arrives at your door with care instructions for years to come.
  Thank you all for your support! Special thanks to my visitors from Germany, Japan, Lebanon, Tasmania, and to all my international visitors who made Margica part of their interests!
As July is the anniversary month, we are offering a special offer valid throughout this July!
Visit http://www.margica.etsy.com/ and enter this COUPON CODE when you checkout your purchase. Get 15% off your purchase with this CODE: BIRTHDAY15.

Samba Rhythms

   This weekend we had an invitation to the most colorful barbecue of the summer. A good friend of ours celebrated his birthday Brazilian style. He and his wife shared with his us, his friends, the beautiful traditional food and music of their native country. My favorites were the blissful cocktails made with Cachaca, a rum with a faint tequila scent that is not as sugary as other rums made of sugarcane: Caipirinha, Copacabana, Batida de Carneval, and Macadas Milk.
   His wife prepared an endless array of extraordinary salads, Brazilian rice with black beans and a slow cooked (about 3 hours) pork roast OUT OF THIS WORLD!! And of course, the BBQ worked full time till the late hours of the evening. The New Moon and the clear starry sky served as the perfect background for the soul tempting sambas rhythms.
  I decided this year to change the usual white shorts and t-shirt with a more tropical look. A T-Dyed dress in the colorful hues of tangerine, blues, purples, and greens. To accessorize the look with an even more tropical feel, I created two necklaces using an eclectic mix of natural stones, handmade ceramic beads and crystals.
  This is the way to travel to Brazil in one's own backyard. Happy Birthday my Brazilian friend!

To many happy returns!!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/102884474/amazonite-unakite-red-new-jade-and

http://www.etsy.com/listing/102885068/green-fire-agates-red-new-jade-howlite?ref=v1_other_1

UPDATE!

    Hey Everyone! Yes, it has been a while since my last post...sorry, been crazy busy! I recently added a few pages to the blog. I linked my Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter pages, so feel free to pop in and say hello, or not.

Just started the Tumblr and so far so good! More pics to come. Feel free to post a comment and let me know what you think!

margica.tumblr.com

Route 209 to the Delaware Gap

    Currently my daughter is home from school for spring break. This past Saturday we decided to spend the day out in the great outdoors, to see how lady spring has decorated one of our favorite places --- the Delaware Gap.
     As soon as we crossed the Hudson river Mother Nature saluted us with clear blue skies. I cannot describe this amazing feeling that I get whenever we cross the Tappan Zee Bridge. Away from the city life, away from the conglomeration and high stress from day to day life. With the city behind us and only the road to the Delaware Gap before us, I just can’t help but feel so happy and giddy! It’s funny how you notice the differences when you’re out on the road. The beautiful trees that are beginning to blossom (quite early this year too!), and the many, many hawks circling above them. They are so majestic! And so large too. I can’t imagine how big they are in person, they must be enormous if we see them down below so large. Anyway, there were so many, I mean literally at every bend and turn there would be at least 7 or 8 at a time. We simply lost count!
       The Delaware Gap is a favorite spot of ours because 1) if you love nature and its landscapes you can understand, you are surrounded by these beautiful mountains that envelop the Delaware river with each bend. 2) There are grounds where you go fishing, and go picnicking with your family and pets! Our Muffy loves it there! We go to our usual spot marked by a rather large weather battered limestone rock.
     We had a lovely picnic at the Gap. Muffy chased all the ducks on the banks (got real muddy too), picked a few pebbles for my jewelry. She has a special talent for this; loves to grab large pebbles in her mouth  and then plop them on my lap. Too cute :)
     After the picnic we headed onward on Route 209 landing in Milford, PA. It is such a lovely historic town with lots of little boutiques and shops. Unfortunately due to current economic times a lot of the local businesses have closed out of business.
     We did though find a neat thrift shop hidden behind an art/antique boutique called “Calling All Angels”.  I must say that I found the neatest tangerine suede leather blazer for an astonishing affordable price ($1!), plus it was in mint condition. I got it for my daughter and it looks really chic on her. Likewise my daughter found a really nice red wind jacket for me too. We met with the owners of the shop and they were so lovely. They told me a good deal about the town and their shop with a noble cause.  “Calling All Angels” is a thrift shop, in which all proceeds (after paying rent) go to the local Food Bank supporting over 150 needy families in the area.  Yes, we found some neat items, but the story behind this place gave quite an impression on me.
        Wrapping up, on our way home there was this guy out on Route 209 in this funny costume holding up a sign “Honk if you Liberty”. I couldn’t help but smile and honk!

List of FUN things to do in 2012...

  It is now a week into the new year 2012. Wow, already it seems like time is flying! I am with my daughter now, who in a week will be returning back to campus for the semester. We created for fun a list of things that we would dream of doing if given the chance in this new year. So here it is. A list of 5 things from each of us that we would love to do.

Me
1. Find a treasure!--- I mean....who wouldn't want to? A classic dream for the child in you!
2. Go deep water fishing--- and get a catch worthy to take a picture with and hang it up in the local fishmonger's shop's hall of fame.
3. Visit Louisiana--- gumbo and crawfish, yum!
4. Visit the Finger Lakes---- so many geodes have been found there, and not to mention beautiful raw gemstones.
5. Quit my day job!--- And do what I love instead! Create jewelry and paint!.

My Daughter
1. Go skydiving.
2. Go parasailing.
3. Learn how to sail a boat and be good at it. (What can I say except that she is a bit more daring than I am-----hehe....that what she thinks!)
4. Visit Prince Edward's Island--- A place where one of her favorite books is set in, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
5. Take a Road Trip with Mom, Muffy, and MISS Minnie.

  Well hope you enjoyed our list of fun things that we'd love to do this year. What would you love to do this year if given the chance?

A piece for my daughter

       A new year, a new beginning, new strength, new hopes and the list can go on and on...
Every single piece of jewelry that I create has a certain symbolism and meaning; stones, crystals, and fibers are paired to create a meaningful piece with its own special power. Each year I dedicate the first piece I make to my daughter-- she is my first customer, I please her, I please the world.

   For my new design I was inspired by the ivy plant. Its everlasting vitality, strengths and survival perseverance is to be admired. The snake-like design of the cord enhances the symbolic power of the ivy. The round shape of this choker makes you think of the continuity of the life cycle and infinite possibilities. I sprinkled 12 crystals (each representing a month of the year), AB (aurora borealis) fire-polished, that are of the icy blue reflections of the polar skies. The deep ultramarine ribbon color reminds me of something we both love, the ocean, and of our enchanting vacations out in the Outer Banks, NC.

Cin Cin--To A New Year....

  Happy New Year Everyone!
Although we are now in January, it certainly doesn't feel like it here in New York. Usually at this time of year, we go out of the city and go skiing with our friends and spend New Year's Eve together. This year---no snow. So, my daughter and I decided to spend it together at home with our dog Muffy, and cat Minnie. We had a lovely New Year's Eve! For dinner we had roasted orange duck, and lemon rice spinach. May I say--- it was delicious! As the ball dropped in Times Square on TV, I popped a bottle of a girly pink bubbly (Barefoot Bubbles Pink Moscato) and my daughter and I celebrated and welcomed the new year 2012!
  The Christmas tree filled the air with an enchanting smell of pine, the candle flickering, the crowds outside cheering, and our bubbly flowing in our fine crystal flutes....oh, this will be a wonderful new year!

  In the following morning after having fluffy blueberry/blackberry pancakes, we decided to take a drive out to Long Island and visit one of our favorite places---The Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay. Many of my jewelry inspirations came from this place. At this time of year the camellias are beginning to bloom. They have a special greenhouse dedicated to many species of camellias (the largest collection in North America),. The original collection was purchased by Mr. Coe in 1916 from the Isle of Guernsey, many of the original plants are still blooming today.

           Here are the first camellias to bloom this season. More to come in the next few weeks.

I like to call these "snow balls".

                                                               Pink ruffles. Aren't they lovely?

This is the Main Greenhouse filled with seasonal poinsettias.

Pink Poinsettias