Summer Fruits Jewelry Trends: Juicy Watermelon



How juicy and sexy those lips look?

Fruit motifs jewelry is going to be very trendy this summer. Have you seen the Banana earrings by Prada, Pineapple necklace by Kate Spada and Fruit necklace by Les Nereides? They are some of my favorite seasonal fruit designs in jewelry this summer.



Chunky Ceramic Necklace, $40



I love all of the summer fruits. My all time favorite summer fruit is watermelon, which was my inspiration. Add a slice of fun to your wardrope with this handmade chunky ceramic necklace by A CupofSparkle.  In vibrant luscious watermelon green and red tones, your days will be brighter.



This chunky ceramic necklace comes in orange and multicolor combo as well. You can find them all in Etsy shop.

Black Onyx Necklace Jewelry

Black onyx jewelry is a bold and sleek way to accessorize your outfits in any season. Black jewelry is always fashionable. This onyx black necklace features a simple; yet, sophisticated design with jet black onyx beads, finished with sterling silver oxidized chain.

Black Onyx Necklace

   Onyx beads are believed to release negative emotions like unhappiness, and sorrow. It has protective energies.
Who wouldn't want that? :)

I got the inspiration for this necklace from the Mayan Ruins in Mexico. The untouched beauty and history of the stones in Chicken-Itza was fascinating. This uncut, oriental beads are very different then the other gemstone beaded jewelry you will see, as it is not polished, dyed or carved.
    To see more pictures and read the details, you can check this necklace from my Etsy shop.

Best of the week: Etsy Finds by A Cup of Sparkle

Do you enjoy watching the sunset?

Sunset Hanging Lamp by FligreeDesigns, $40

I find lots of enjoyment in watching the sunset. It is such a colorful and fabulous event. If you like the sunset, but; cannot see it that often, FligreeCreations's hanging lamp 'orange sunset' might be what you need for your living areas. This handmade, unique lights will bring your house the still of sunset for a peaceful, romantic mood.

FiligreeCreations is the best of the week Etsy finds by A Cup of Sparkle this week. Congratulations FligreeDesigns!

Personalized Keychains Inspired by Nature

Personalized keychains are now on sale up to 20% off between June 6th and June 16th. Bird nest designed keychains makes great handmade gifts for moms, baby showers, teachers or for yourself to carry this spring.

You can personalize this beaded keychains with any color and number of pearls or gemstones as well as adding cute ladybug, bee, bird or leaf charms. They are really fun and unique. Please contact me for custom orders or simply visit A Cup of Sparkle Etsy shop to see the available designs and colors.

Personalized handmade keychains

This handmade keychain designs can be also made to be a pendant upon request.

What happens when science enters into A Cup of Sparkle crafts laboratory?

     Spending most of my time in a biology laboratory at work, it was almost impossible to carry my daytime job to my A Cup of Sparkle Crafts Laboratory. Most of my family and friends have sceince related jobs- including myself and my husband.

I was actually recently on the cover of the Spring 2011 Algae Tecnonology & Business Magazine; which I was quite excited about... (the cover picture is on the right and you can read the article from the magazine)

  
Even if you are not working in a lab, you are probably familiar with the universal hazard signs. Why not put these signs under a cup instead of hanging them in a lab? So; here it is!



Set of 4 science inspired coasters
by A Cup of Sparkle

  Each of this set of 4 coasters in the picture above are some of the most frequently used signs in my laborotory: Radioactive, Biohazard, Flammable and Lab Coats Notice.  The colors are also the original colors these signs comes in.

Aren't those unique and fun? 

This beautiful coaters will be also great for a science themed party organization... or an awesome handmade gift that you can make for a science geek.

I hope this work and art fusion pictures will give you some inspiration. We already had some guests over to enjoy A Cup of Sparkle Tea of the coasters.
No, no.. our guests were not scared of the hazards- it might be only because they were also scientists :)

 **All the credit goes to my husband for this great crafts project.**

Cute Bird's Nest Petite Handmade Hair Pins

Hair accessories can be a fun way to update your hairstyle this summer and personalize your look. All you need is a set off fun hair pins that will add a beautiful and colorful touch even the simplest hair styles. Curly or straight, long or short; there are lots of easy hairstyles you can do using hair pins.


   This petite handmade bird nests bobby pins are the latest addition to the bird nest collection at A Cup of Sparkle. Every pin is made by me individually by using sterling silver wire.  The nests are wire wrapped securely to very durable wide silver plated bobby pins.  The eggs made of freshwater pearls that comes in every color you can think of.  These will make great gifts for your bridesmaids, for yourself to wear with a spring dress or for kids...that will make your little girl the cutest ever!

Here is the red and green pearl bobby bird nest hair pins by A Cup of Sparkle that are now available in my Etsy shop. Feel free to contact me for personalized colors or wholesale orders. 

Cute Green Pearls Handmade Hair Pin

Cute Red Pearls Handmade Hair Pin

What do you think my readers? Do you like them? 

Do you wear hair pins?

   A Cup of Sparkle Bird Nest brooch pins are now 20% OFF for the Memorial Weekend. Enjoy the big sale till tomorrow. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Handmade Modern Succulent Planter Tutorial

Succulents are really the perfect plants to have; especially in an office environment. They are very charming and very low maintenance. Succulent plants only need water every three to 10 weeks, depending on the temperature and lighting.

I wanted to make something special for my husband's new office this weekend. I decided to try making a planter after reading the blog post from Craftberry Bush featuring her homemade tiered terrarium. Initially I was going to make it a tiered planter more similar to hers; but, I ended up with something different with the sizes of ceramic bowls I could able to find after visiting 4 stores around my neighborhood.

    I picked a deep, round white baking bowl from the kitchen department and a toothbrush holder from the bathroom department for this project. I glued the toothbrush holder; which is tall and deep in the middle of the round bow with epoxy glue.

I added a layer of gravel, sand, and wet cactus soil in order. I didn't spend much time to think about the design; I just went to my garden and picked out some of the succulents I already had, pulled out some moss - which is easy to find in rainy Seattle and found some rocks; then, did some trial and error by placing the plants randomly on the bowl. I just kept stuffing moss, rocks, plants until it looked pretty.

My first version didn't have the tall plant at the top of the bowl. I thought I needed something taller to advance the look; so, I picked this red sensation-dracaena from a store.

I am really happy with the outcome and my husband really liked it. It was a fun weekend project! Happy Gardening season to all of you!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!