When a bride has a metal allergy…

When I got married 16 years ago, earrings for sensitive ears and necklaces for sensitive skin were hard to find. But today’s brides are lucky! Allergy-free wedding jewelry is accessible, affordable and as lovely as any girl could hope for.

I love making custom wedding jewelry! By the time a bride contacts me, she has already been planning her wedding for months, and her imagination is full of sparkles and dreams. So our discussions to plan her wedding jewelry are creative and fun!

As the 2016 wedding season approaches, I thought I’d share some photos from some of my recent custom wedding jewelry orders. Both of these brides had ordered titanium earrings or niobium earrings from Variya in the past, and I was honored they contacted me to create their wedding jewelry. Mira and Brittany were a pleasure to work with, and looked radiant in their custom bridal jewelry.

Mira has a metal allergy and had given up on wearing earrings after a bad experience in high school. But her mom, who also has sensitive ears, has had success wearing titanium earrings from Variya. So Mira decided to give us a try too. I’m so glad she did! She is a lovely customer and I was delighted with her on her custom designs. She looked stunning in her custom earrings and necklace made from Swarovski crystals and pearls.    

photo credit: Sean Cook

The pearls shone and crystals glittered on Mira's titanium earrings.    

Mira's necklace was made of glass pearls and a vintage style brooch.

Brittany has been a fabulous customer for many years, I was ecstatic when she contacted me for custom jewelry for her big day. We worked through a couple design ideas and the result were titanium earrings that made such a statement, she didn’t need any other jewelry! (If you click on the photo, it will open a bigger image so you can get a closer look.) 

 

photo credit: Erin Palmer

Brittany wanted a beautiful and subtle pop of blue to accent these lovely earrings

photo credit: Erin Palmer

Thank you to these lovely brides for sharing these stunning photos here. I'm honored that they chose Variya for their wedding day!

What's Happening Today: Custom Designed Necklace

This beautiful custom necklace was finished up and packaged as a very special birthday gift today.

While it's not the usual fare of earrings for sensitive ears that you read about here, the wearer-to-be does have skin that is sensitive to sterling silver, so this necklace is composed of natural brass.

What is most fun about this lovely necklace and what I just LOVE about doing custom work is the special meaning behind every custom piece. The significance of this piece is the gems: garnet, amethyst, pearl and rose quartz, and not in the way that you would probably first guess. 

Did you guess birthstones? Nope. 

This custom necklace was made for fans of the show Steven Universe! Gems are a big part of the story line, so I'm thinking it's probably I could get excited about!

I think this is such a creative and thoughtful gift. I did not know a thing about the show until I was commissioned to do this piece and although I still have yet to see it, I read a little about it and it's pretty interesting and creative. Here is a quick excerpt explanation:

 "It is the coming-of-age story of a young boy named Steven, who grows up in the town of Beach City while living with three magical humanoid aliens, the "Crystal Gems" Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. Steven, who is half-Gem, goes on adventures with his friends and helps the Gems protect the world from their own kind."- Wikipedia

Rose Quartz has a place somewhere in there too, but I haven't figured out where yet. Now I might have a new show to follow and I'm sure my son will be delighted to join me!

In the meantime, I had better get back to work on my titanium and niobium earrings orders for my wonderful customers with sensitive earlobes! Please feel free to contact me any time with a custom order request - I love working with my customers to come up with unique and meaningful designs!

12 Days of Variya Jewelry

Cue the trumpets! Tune the fiddles! "The 12 Days of Variya Jewelry" is about to begin...

ONE lucky winner.

Share a snapshot of your Variya jewelry on your social media venue of choice tagged #ilovevariyajewelry and you’ll be entered to win a free gift.

TWO happy earlobes.

My metal allergies were so severe I was reacting to my own wedding ring! I’d given up hope on ever wearing earrings again … until I discovered that my sensitive ears were happy with pure titanium. No more infections, no more itching, no more naked earlobes. I’ve been making titanium earrings I can wear since 2008, and my earlobes are so happy. (Yours will be, too!)

THREE sets of gemstones.

When you order these chic titanium or niobium hoops, you get your choice of three gemstone dangle drops. These classic hoops are meticulously hand filed at the ends for smooth edges and utmost comfort for your sensitive ears. Many of my customers tell me these are their go-to earrings for everyday wear.

FOUR fun shapes for your interchangeable hooks.

You can make almost any earring work for your sensitive ears. Mix and match from my interchangeable dangles or hang your own dangles from these pure titanium or niobium earring hooks.

FIVE(ish) dollars in your pocket.

Tis the season for free shipping! Shipping’s on me for anything you order from my Etsy shop, including custom wedding jewelry. So you'll have pretty earrings in your ears and extra money in your pocket. Merry Christmas!

SIX years on Etsy.

I opened my Etsy shop in 2009. Six years and over two thousand sales later, I still love making jewelry! I never get tired of hearing my customers tell me how they're so happy to finally be able to wear earrings once again.

SEVEN days till your order ships.

Seven days is the max you’ll have to wait from when you place your order till I send it your way, with free shipping,  tucked inside a pretty box. If it’s a smaller order, like a pair of these classic stud earrings (perfect for recovering from allergic reactions, by the way), I can usually ship within just a few days. So if you’re considering ordering jewelry for a Christmas gift, order soon and you’ll get your goodies with plenty of time to spare.

EIGHT million sparkles.

You will love the way these gorgeous druzy agate drops go from silvery grey to shimmery white. They’ll look exquisite under the lights of a holiday party. These are limited edition so get them before someone else does!
 

NINE years old.

My sweet niece just got her ears pierced, and rather than jamming cheap metals or alloys into those young lobes, she’s wearing pure grade one titanium that won’t cause an allergic reaction. Such a lucky princess.

TEN ... a perfect ten.

That’s you when you show up at a holiday party adorned in elegant Variya dangle earrings. Many of my customers have told me they’re thrilled to be able to wear dangles again. I know how they feel.

ELEVEN. 

The year David Guetta’s song “Titanium” was released (2011) and the average number of days it remains stuck in my head after I accidentally hear it on the radio. Nothing against the song, but I prefer my type of titanium. Pure, grade one. Pliable, yet durable. The answer to the cry of millions of sensitive ears! Check out this post to see what’s so great about titanium.

TWELVE pretty birthstones. 

For your custom birthstone jewelry, of course. And if you’ve never liked your traditional birthstone, don’t worry! There are alternates. My August baby friend who has always disliked the pale green peridot was thrilled to learn her alternate birthstone is sapphire. Contact me if you're curious about your alternate birthstone. I'll send you a chart to drool over. 

What’s so special about handmade jewelry?

Ever heard of “bespoke jewelry”? I hadn’t, at least not til the other day when I read this article on the New York Times website. If you’re short on time, I’ll save you a few minutes and summarize:

Bespoke jewelry = custom-made jewelry.

Evidently the trend is on the upswing and it’s helping lift high-end jewelry sales out of the slump caused by the 2008 recession.

Interestingly, I came across the article around the same time I got the disappointing news that Etsy—the formerly-handmade online marketplace—changed their guidelines to allow people to sell mass produced items. When Etsy started in 2005, it was a great alternative to the abundance of online marketplaces selling mass-produced products. It was a place where artisans could sell their handmade products. It was a place where shoppers could browse hundreds of thousands of artisans’ shops and they could have confidence that all the products were individually made by the seller. It was a place where we were all taking pledges to buy handmade: 

Handmade Consortium  

But now Etsy is focusing on “authorship,” which means as long as the artist came up with the concept, they can send it out to be mass produced and still sell it on Etsy. I’m not the only one who is upset about the change. As soon as the announcement was made, the internet was flooded with articles, blogs and forums where customers and creators expressed their disappointment.

It’s not like I have anything against mass produced products. I mean, that’s pretty much every item of clothing I own (with the exception of a hat I bought in Peru and my grandma-knitted slippers). IKEA makes an appearance in more than one room of my house. There’s no handmade stamp on the tumbler I use to polish titanium wire or the pliers I use to wrap it around precious stones. So of course mass produced is okay. I’m just bummed that Etsy is moving away from their commitment to handmade that compelled me to set up shop with them in the first place.

The Etsy announcement and the article about bespoke jewelry got me thinking. What’s so special about handmade jewelry anyway?

Whether it's a proud mama who receives a multicolored band of knotted strings from her little girl, or a wealthy traveler who commissions a custom-made ring from a chunk of sapphire she acquired on a trip to Madagascar, there’s something so very special about owning a piece of jewelry that no one else in the world has. This is why I adore handmade jewelry. Each piece is a little (or, in some cases, a lot!) different. 

Titanium Posts at Variya

These pure titanium pearl post earrings are one of my best-sellers, and I make a lot of them. Sometimes I make so many, I feel like I am mass producing them! I see these babies in my mind when I’m trying to fall asleep at night. But if you could come to my studio . . . [Sidebar: I don’t actually have a studio. I make jewelry in our guest room/office, and sometimes at my kitchen table. But writing "my studio" makes me feel glamorous.] Anyway, if you came to my studio/guest room/office/kitchen table on a day when I’m whipping up a batch of Titanium Grace earrings, and if you plucked two of them off the pearly pile, you’d notice small differences. The swirls go different directions. The spaces between the wire are different. Sometimes when I have an extra cup of coffee there's an extra swirl and I have to start over!

Then there are the pieces of custom jewelry—I mean, pieces of bespoke jewelry—which are totally, completely unique. A customer in Chicago often places orders for necklaces or earrings that incorporate a specific stone that has some meaning to her.

She’ll write to me: “I really love blue topaz. Can you make me something with blue topaz?”

Or she’ll send me a photo of a necklace she loves and ask me to create something similar but with pearl or smoky quartz.

These kinds of orders are a dream. It’s so much fun for me to get input from my customer and create a special piece that’s truly unique and meaningful to her. A piece no one else in the world has. Bespoken.

London Blue Topaz Teardrop Earrings. Exquisite. Limited Edition.

Custom Garnet Necklace

Because I hand make each piece of jewelry, my customers always have the option to customize their orders, even in small ways. Titanium and niobium earrings are hard to find, and pure titanium earrings are even harder to find. So those of us with metal allergies have really limited options in the earring department. People often contact me with specific requests for their sensitive ears or for their children’s sensitive ears, and I love being able to offer exactly what my customers need and expand their options. For example, earring posts are a standard length, which is a bit of a problem since human earlobes aren’t a standard size. So sometimes customers ask for longer or shorter titanium posts. Or they ask for smaller or larger titanium hoops. 

I hope Etsy doesn’t lose sight of how special handmade is, and I hope they work things out so that shoppers will know which products and shops are handmade and which aren’t. No matter what happens with Etsy, though, I’m 100% committed to keeping Variya 100% handmade.

Custom Bridal Earrings

The 2013 Color of the Year

I never knew there was an official color of the year until I stepped into the world of jewelry making. But now that I know, I’m all in! 

March is the perfect month to do my color duty and highlight this year’s Color of the Year—emerald.

For some reason, I’ve always adored St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe it’s my way of honoring the trace of Irish heritage way back down the family line. Or maybe it’s because I live in one of the snowiest parts of the country, and St. Patty’s Day tells me spring is just around the corner. Whatever the reason, as soon as February makes its exit, I start adorning my house in green (i.e. emerald), googling St. Patrick’s Day trivia to create a game for my eight-year-old, and hiding lucky little shamrocks around the house with surprises inside.

He is usually more excited than he looks here. Or maybe I am more excited than he looks here.

I even wrote a limerick to celebrate the delightful collision of St. Patty’s Day and the 2013 Color of the Year.

Ahem.

There exists a group called Pantone.
They name colors for all that we own.
Every year they will choose
a winner of hues and
this year it’s the em-e-rald tone.

And now, I’m pleased to introduce Variya’s 2013 Color of the Year / St. Patrick's Day line of hand-crafted, allergy-free jewelry. (Drum roll and Celtic music, please...)

When these emerald green goldstone globes sway from delicate gold figaro chains, they catch the light and show off thousands of sparkles from deep within. The pure niobium ear wires mean that most people with metal allergies can wear them allergy-free! For more photos or to order a pair, visit my etsy shop.

Stacked with seaweed quartz in varying shades of green, these pure titanium earrings are very light and comfortable. The polished titanium is meticulously hand-filed for an ultra smooth edge. You can order your pair here.

What's this? A matching necklace for the Siren Song titanium earrings above? You're going to want to check out this necklace in my etsy shop—there's so much to it, one photo doesn't do it justice. The Siren Song necklace is made with gorgeous green seaweed quartz and accented with crystals and antique silver. Agate chips dangle asymmetrically, just to keep things interesting. An antique silver scroll clasp finishes off this captivating piece.

To me, these earrings whisper elegance and romance. If only we had St. Patrick's Day dinner parties like we do at Christmastime. I'd wear these with a deep emerald green dress. Hm, I'm getting an idea... Emerald green jasper drops dangle from Celtic gold accents, and tiny green jasper faceted globes accent the piece. As with all Variya's earrings, these ones are friendly for sensitive ears.

Thanks for stopping by. You can go here for all things green at Variya.  Happy St. Patrick's Day, and may your 2013 be filled with good things of emerald hue!

Nairobi Sunset in Titanium

I'm always fascinated with the names of paint colors, and in awe of whoever comes up with the absolutely creative and unending names for millions of hues.  Once, while looking for the perfect shade of purple I came across "Nairobi Sunset".  I have never been to Nairobi (my husband has), but the vision that elicited in my mind's eye was incredibly gorgeous! .. of course now when I google it, it does not come up.. oh well you'll have to shrug off you 21st century propensity for suspicion and trust me.. it was a beautiful shade of purple.

Here are some beautiful shades of purple for your sensitive ears:

 

  Violet Hill : Niobium wires suspend delicate Vintaj natural brass diamond filigree accented with genuine amethyst and chalcedony drop briolettes in luxurious shades of purple.

Affection in Titanium: A myriad of Swarovski crystal in shades of purple sparkle below a handmade oxidized sterling silver frame radiating with edgy class, swinging from simple titanium french hooks. (* on SALE this month!)

Blackberry Sorbet: Vintage ceramic and glass in hues of purple and violet swing from allergy free Titanium ear wires. 

Titanium Glo: A classic stud style with an edgy swirl and a splash of eye catching color! Iridescent beads at the center of allergy safe titanium.

Check out more from Variya here.  Contact us if there is something more specific you are looking for, we love custom orders!

Au Courant

Sensitive ears doesn't mean boring earrings!  Check out what's new for your sensitive ears, AND stay in style!

Niobium earrings with lovely turquoise howlite sway on a hand crafted brass frame accented with a wire wrapped brass bead. Turquoise and brass are a stunning combo!

Fabulous vintage style titanium earrings! Moonestone glows amid gunmetal chain and a teardrop frame dangling from titanium hooks. Totally rad. Word to your mother.

Long and elegant Titanium earrings featuring white freshwater pearls. A white freshwater teardrop pearl sways encircled in a silver frame accented by silver beads. A silver wrapped drop pearl delicately dangles from the silver oval frame. Exquisite and graceful with presence.

Check out more from Variya here.  Contact us if there is something more specific you are looking for, we love custom orders!

Welcome 2012!

Did you know Tangerine has the honor being the Pantone Color of the Year?  Yes. It is true.  (Tangerine Tango to be exact!)  Here are some selections to keep you en vogue for 2012.

Titanium Earrings with high quality tangerine faceted glass drops wire wrapped in sterling silver. Classic & stunning.

Gorgeous frosted tangerine glass wire wrapped and encircled in antique silver suspended from titanium ear wires.

An edgy necklace, beautifully crafted in stunning tangerine orange carnelian and gun metal. The eye-catching carnelian teardrop dangles from a front toggle closure offset by an asymmetrical gun metal bead surrounded by striking deep orange carnelian. A hip, irresistibly striking piece.

Beautiful frosted tangerine glass drops wire wrapped in oxidized sterling silver and cascading from antique silver colored chain. Two decorative links embellish the delicate chain on one side, finished with a lobster clasp and a 3 inch extension.

Check out more fab Titanium options here and don't forget - we love custom orders, so if there's anything you can't find, just ask and we can do it for you!

Holiday RED! (on your earrings, not your sensitive ears!)

May your earrings be red and NOT your sensitive ears!!  Here is a selection of some beautiful holiday reds!  Check out Variya for a variety of other fabulous colors and designs for sensitive ears:

These Niobium earrings are the definition of gorgeous! A myriad of Swarovski crystal in shades of red sparkle below a handmade antique brass frame radiating with edgy class, swinging from simple niobium french hooks. Perfect whether you have metal allergies or not!

A classic stud style with an edgy swirl and a splash of eye catching color! Iridescent beads at the center of allergy safe titanium. Plastic backs included to protect your sensitive ears. Perfect studs for recovering from allergic reactions.

Dazzling genuine garnet drops wrapped in natural brass dangling from brass fleur de lis on Niobium ear wires. Lot's of movement and sparkle, the deep red garnet is stunning with natural brass.

While we are thinking of the holidays, we have to share this exquisite bracelet with you!  The Life Story bracelet is a perfect sentimental holiday gift for any mother. A custom designed bracelet telling her family history.  It is a piece that adds sentiment to birthstone jewelry, telling more of the story. One strand of semi precious stone or pearls that begins with the birthstones of her parents, followed by pearls (vintage or freshwater) representing each sibling in her family. A second strand begins with her anniversary stone followed by the birthstones of her, her significant other and her children.  Finished with a charm that signifies something special to the her.  This piece is fully customized, click here to find out more.

Glittering Gold

Niobium is fairly new to the jewelry market. It's non allergenic qualities are comparable to Titanium. Don't be afraid to give Niobium a try simply because it is not as popular as Titanium. Niobium is a pure elemental metal, and is incredibly comfortable, AND it comes in fabulous options not so available in Titanium, like - GOLD!

Gold colored Niobium ear wires with dark and luxurious faceted smoky quartz framed and wrapped in gold.

Chic, classic golden Niobium Hoops. These simple hoops are meticulously hand-filed at the ends resulting smooth edges and utmost comfort for your sensitive ears.

Sparkle, sparkle! Gold colored Niobium earrings with high quality clear crystal faceted glass drops wire wrapped in gold. Classic & stunning.

Gold colored Niobium hooks suspend super light silver and gold colored brushed aluminum graduated circles. Lots of movement, lots of shine, without the weight and goes with everything!

Check out more fabulous Niobium here and don't forget - we love custom orders, so if there's anything you can't find, just ask and we can do it for you!