Jewel Citizen

I've been saying this for awhile now but I definitely want to start designing my own jewels. This is the perfect way of making the necklace, ring or bracelet that is exactly how you want or to accessorise an outfit that you have in mind. Over the past few months I have collected and researched various different techniques on how to make a range of pieces and today I am going to share one with you.

What I enjoy most when it comes to my personal jewellery is a statement, particularly with neck pieces. Bold colours, beads and gold is definitely a winner. Below is a guide on how to create this costume neck piece. The colour of beads that you choose to use is completely optional and I think I may venture for a deep purple tone when posting my own edition. 

The best place to gather supplies for crafting your own jewels is etsy. Here you will be able to buy your cable wire, pliers, beads, and chains, and all at very affordable prices. My favourite bead tone at the minute is seen below. 

As soon as I start making a few of my own bits in the new year I will make sure to share with you guys but for now I will share with you a few of my favourite jewel pics of the past few months. 

Love C X 

All I want for Christmas.......

So I've decided to put together a little list of gifts/gift ideas that could make good presents for sisters, girlfriends, friends, secret Santa and also things that I would love to receive, so it's a mix of both really. This is purely based on my personal taste but it may give you an idea of what to get someone if you are struggling to think of something.


1. Etsy Phone Cover 

Over the past few months I have discovered Etsy, which basically is an online platform for really creative people to sell pieces that they have made or designed such as jewellery, clothes, personalised blogger templates and phone covers, just to name a few (there's much more). But as someone who loves a good phone cover I always find that etsy.com by far have the most original designs and completely unique from anything that you will find in any Carphone Warehouse shop. Also they are priced higher than your average phone cover but this is because they are one of a kind hand made gifts, and still reasonable to justify paying the premium. Below are some of the phone covers that I love which can be found by clicking into the Etsy link above.

2. Fur Gillet

For the winter it is essential to wrap up because it seems to be getting colder each year. So fur is the obvious choice, yes? And now I am mad about the idea of a fur gillet and was absolutely delighted to find this amazing one in my local Promod, and I wasn't even aware of this shop until recently. When I buy from the high street I usually try and stick to a specific budget and this would normally be out of my budget so I'm really hoping that if I drop enough subtle hints that it may just appear under my tree on the 25th........

3. Free People 

This next idea is inspired by a website called freepeople.com, which is an online fashion boutique based in Australia. I love this place because every thing they sell is bohemian themed and if I could afford it I would literally buy the whole website, but I can't! So for the minute I have just hand picked my favourite bits.

Khaki Vest $13

Denim Waistcoat $170

Beige Denims $22

Tan Ankle boots $145

Black Soft Leather Satchel $465 

All can be purchased at freepeople.com

4. Instagram Gifts

Instagram is fast becoming one of the most popular platforms for social media addicts. Personalli I cant get enough of it (@cicijewels) and think that these personalised gifts centred around photos that have been posted by your friends are a really nice and thoughtful gift. The following are just a few ways that you can create a really special gift for someone.

 StitchGram
This site allows you to personalise gifts such as pillows, christmas stockings, bags and purses.

Printstagr

These guys can professioanl print your instagram pictures and put it together like a book/memoir so you can remember those special moments long after your post has been published. 

Postgram

So if you have at least 50 images on your instagram account these guys can create a stunning poster similar to the one below. 

5. MAC Eyeshadow Palette 


AS I've stated previously, during the winter months I prefer to go darker and edgier with eye make up (even during the day), so I am always on the look out for colours that  1) I haven't used before or 2) that I haven't used in awhile. Right now I am searching for deep purple tones with a glitter underlay. It is also a common fact that investing in eye shadow palettes is definitely the way to go because of the variety of colours, tones and endless experimenting.  MAC offer a great palette containing four base eye shadows (of your choice) for 40 Euro. This is amazing value and will definitely make nay girl happy.

6. Downton Abbey Season 4 

If any of you follow me on twitter (@cicijewels) you will already know that I am OBSESSED with this series. Last Christmas I got the boxset with series 1, 2 and 3, and spent the rest of the month gripped by Lady Mary, The Crawleys and the waiting staff. If you haven't seen any of it, invest! And if you have I would say pick up season 4 because it doesn't disappoint.

7. MAC Lipstick and Liner 




So instead of picking obvious colours for my next lipstick purchase I decided to be a little bit more adventurous and I am going with brown! Normally I would not even think twice about this but while sampling various shades at the MAC counter, I really surprised myself at how much I warmed to the earthy tones. I finally settled on a tone : Lusturing  Lipstick  and Film Noir Lip Liner to match. A great fresh look for the party season which will be sure to grab some attention!



So that's it! My list is short but sweet and if I could have it all I would be a very happy girl :) Wishful thinking........

Hope you found this interesting/helpful.

Love C X 

Beads and Bright Ideas

So for those of you who have been following me on Twitter @CiCiJewels, you will know that the next creative step that I am going to take involves beginning to make my own jewellery. I love African style necklaces and bright beading on all the jewellery that I own and sometimes find it hard to find really unique pieces. I know this seems to be the "style at the minute" but I need to be able to have this style of jewellery even when the high streets don't sell it anymore. Therefore the best solution is to explore my own creativity and make my own.  The past few weeks I have been doing lots of research in local fabric and charity shops to find ideal pieces and supplies to start but nothing seems to popping out at me. Until I discovered Esty . This is a great website where you can not only pick up supplies at fantastic prices, but some really amazing pieces of jewellery are available to buy also.  

The bigger the design and the beads the better. I enjoy big rings and an even bigger statement necklace, and after scouring Pinterest for some amazing photos of the kind of pieces I am only dying to create, the following are a few that I think some of you may appreciate. 

If anyone has any suggestions as to other sites who can provide similar stones, gems or supplies for jewellery making please get in touch. 

Love C X