Black Friday is Coming Soon!

Yes, one of the best shopping days (weekend even!) of the year is just about a week away. I have some EXCITING things in store this year, so stay tuned! If you don't already, go ahead and follow me on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and TWITTER - in that order because Instagram is my fave! You'll be up to date by the minute that way - not just for Black Friday but the rest of the year too.

Pure Titanium Only Please

I thought I’d share this exchange between a customer and me because our conversation might help clear up some questions about titanium.

Hello!

I found your shop on Etsy when searching for titanium earrings. I definitely have problems wearing regular earrings, and I recently tried implant grade titanium studs with great success. My goal now is to hopefully replace the wires on earrings I own so I can wear them. It seems like you offer titanium wires, which is great.

My main question right now is are the titanium earrings and wires you sell pure titanium? I'm not sure if implant grade titanium differs from what you sell. Any information would be very helpful!

Thank you in advance,
Heather*

(*Not her real name.) 

I wrote back to Heather and told her that I use pure Grade 1 Titanium for all my earrings. Most titanium earrings on the market are produced from implant grade titanium, which is an alloy (meaning it’s mixed with other metals). And alloys are the most significant cause of reactions, which is why we enforce a strict Pure Grade 1 Titanium Only Policy here at Variya HQ.

Heather seemed to me like the type of person who would appreciate more than just a basic answer. So I sent her this link to a site that explains in detail all about the different grades of titanium. Here’s what it says about Grade 1 Titanium (the type I use for all my earrings):

Grade 1 titanium is the first of four commercially pure titanium grades. It is the softest and most ductile of these grades. It possesses the greatest formability, excellent corrosion resistance and high impact toughness. Because of all these qualities, Grade 1 is the material of choice for any application where ease of formability is required. These include:
• Chemical processing
• Dimensional stable anodes
• Architecture
• Medical industry
• Marine industry
• Automotive parts
• Airframe structure
• Variya earrings

Just kidding. I added that last one. But seriously! Marine industry? Airframe structure? We’re in good company, my friends. Variya's titanium earrings are not only allergy-free but ultra durable. I don’t even know what “dimensional stable anodes” are, but I like the sound of it.

The good news is: Heather and anyone else concerned about allergic reactions to earrings can rest easy when ordering from Variya. What sets my work apart from most “hypo allergenic” jewelry is that I use only pure grade one Titanium (and Niobium—but that’s another post) in my earrings. No alloys, no metal sensitivities, no allergic reactions, no more itchy earlobes!

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!

A Valentine's Day Love Story

Once upon a time, there was a lonely red bead. The red bead was pretty and shiny, and she had lots of friends. But she longed to meet that special someone.

Around that same time, there was a lonely piece of grade one pure titanium wire. The wire was strong and radiant and hypoallergenic, and he had plenty of wire pals to hang out with. But he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was somehow empty.

Then one day, a jewelry designer named Variya decided it was time to create allergy-free stud earrings that were really, truly allergy free. Variya had seen lots of earrings claiming to be allergy free, but often only the posts were made from hypoallergenic material while the earring itself contained alloys that would touch sensitive ears and cause an allergic reaction.

So Variya chose a pretty red bead and a sturdy titanium wire and twisted them together to create a stud earring that was a perfect mix of classic and edgy—and of course safe for sensitive ears.

True love at last! The red bead and titanium wire lived happily ever after.

Like any good love story, the love didn't stop there. Variya's customers were happy, too. The titanium glo earrings became an instant hit and sparked a colorful collection, leading to the happy match-making of many more single beads and lonely wires. 

One of the happy customers, inspired by her new titanium stud earrings, asked Variya to make three matching friendship bracelets that she could give to her two best friends. Variya adores custom orders and agreed immediately.

The perfect gift for a special friend. Stunning oxidized silver hand-wrapped and hand-stamped with a customizable tag and adorned with beads of your color choice. The bracelet comes in a beautifully wrapped gift box ready for giving.

Everyone loved the friendship bracelets. The customized tags on the bracelet reflected the character of each member of the three amigas: Old Soul, Beautiful Mind and True Friend.

Variya's customer sent a photo and wrote that, "We are so very happy with the finished bracelets! One cried and the other teared up when they opened their gift. Thank you so much for making me able to give them such a special and memorable gift."

Aww... see how the love just keeps on spreading? And to think it all started with one lonely bead and a solitary piece of wire.
 
In the name of love, why not treat yourself to a pair of these titanium glo earring studs? Consider it a Valentine's Day gift to your earlobes. If you're dreaming of a color you don't see in Variya's Etsy shop, just ask and she'll work her match-making magic.

Or perhaps you're looking for a Valentine's Day gifts for a friend. Consider a friendship bracelet that perfectly compliments the earrings and expresses your love for your friend.

Giving Thanks

I just love this time of year. Winter hasn't fully hit, thankfulness is in the air, and there's a day coming very soon when I can gorge myself on pumpkin pie without a bit of guilt. One more day, just one more day...

There are plenty of truly significant and deeply meaningful things that I'm thankful for. (People, for example. And pumpkin pie.) But on the lighter side, here are five small things I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving.

1. Semi-precious gemstones.

The reason I started making jewelry in the first place. 

These stones bring out the little girl in me. Shiny ones, sleek ones. Creamy ones, earthy ones. Dazzling, beautiful, glimmery, shimmery, satiny, glassy, iridescent, irresistible.

I bought some pieces of pyrite a long time ago and I've been mentally composing the perfect piece in my mind for months. Finally this week I got around to composing this Pyrite necklace and earring set. I'd be lying if I said I won't be just a little sad to see this one go.

The necklace features an edgy raw pyrite chunk with gorgeous green pyrite accented with faceted sparkling pyrite rondelles amidst luscious sterling silver mixed chain and wire, finished with a spring clasp. The titanium earrings are made with beautiful sparkling faceted pyrite teardrop briolettes that sway from luxurious long swaths of oxidized antique sterling silver accented with green agate, on allergy free pure Titanium hooks.

2. Spotify

The greatest music invention since the walkman.

I'm one of those people who works better with music. Scratch that. I'm one of those people who only works with music. Honestly, I won't wash dishes unless the right tunes are playing. So on behalf of all music-addicts, thank you, thank you, Spotify for feeding our addictions in a user-friendly way.

Looking for some creative inspiration? Or maybe just some great tunes to keep you company while you bake pumpkin pie? I shared a playlist with some of my faves on Twitter. Check it out @variya!

3. My camera

It's old. It's clunky. And I love it.

We've been through a lot together, this camera and me. I know all its quirks and idiosyncracies. I'm thankful for my camera because it allows me to convey the essence of Variya's handcrafted jewelry to my customers so they know what they're buying without having to trek all the way to upstate New York.

By the way, I'm running a sale from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

4. Wedding season

It's just around the corner.

Hooray, hooray! Wedding season is coming (right after Pumpkin Pie Day, Christmas, and a few cold, snowy months). Right up at the top of my list, along with semi-precious stones, weddings are one of the things I love most about creating jewelry. I adore working with a bride to create the perfect design for her wedding and seeing how happy she is to have the exact custom designs she dreamed of for her most special day.

While I'm on the subject, I have to send a Happy TWO YEAR Anniversary shout-out to my dear friend Christie over at Bedsidesign! It's hard to believe two years have flown by since I designed her nautical inspired bridal jewelry. Her fabulous husband gifted her with this piece for their one year anniversary last year as well. What a catch he is! Happy Anniversary Christie & Ian. I wish you many incredible years of bliss to come!

 

5. Etsy

They connected me to the world. 

I signed up with Etsy in 2009, and it's been a sweet three years. I'm approaching 500 sales in 10 different countries... all from my little jewelry-making corner at my house in upstate New York! Not that I wouldn't mind a trip to Tahiti to deliver a pair of earrings on my way to the ocean-side hot tub with a piece of pumpkin pie in my hand... Oh, sorry. Spaced out there for a sec. Anyway, if you're the crafty, creative type, here's a 2013 New Year's resolution idea for you: Sell your stuff on Etsy! Give it a try ... you just never know! And if you do, please tweet me @variya or message me a link to your shop so I can check it out!

Well, there's my list. I'd love to hear what's on yours. Happy Thanksgiving!