For a beautiful selection of handcrafted Victorian and Art Nouveau style couture jewelry, visit artisan Thea at her online jewelry store, Sparkle Plenty Fine Beaded Jewellery. Thea handcrafts jewelry using vintage, antique and contemporary beads and findings in her Los Angeles, CA studio. The designs are either one-of-a-kind or limited edition styles.

Here are a few samples from Thea’s designer collection of Victorian and Art Nouveau couture necklaces.

Below left: The Victorian-inspired pendant is the focal point of this couture necklace with emerald glass bicone beads and sterling silver. Below right: The focal point of this couture necklace is the antique vermeil plaque, which was made in Hungary about 100 years ago. It is set with deep green chalcedony surrounded by silvery-white blister pearls.

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Sam of Eclectic-Elements.com has a new line of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pendant necklaces. She uses bamboo tile beads about 1 1/2 inches long for the pendant and uses both new and vintage objects to adorn them, such as bits from antique handwritten letters, vintage money, washi and origami paper, charms, Czech glass and other beads. A finish is applied to protect the paper.

Below left: Bamboo bead with the word “delightful” from an antique handwritten letter on one side and a section of vintage money on the other. Below right: Bamboo pendant necklace - bead with the word “comfortable” from an old, handwritten letter found in an antique shop on one side and a section of vintage money on the other.

Below left: Asian washi paper pendant with charm necklace - dark tone bamboo bead with a segment of Washi paper and an Asian symbol charm dangle. Below right: Bamboo bead with a segment of Origami paper, Czech glass flower and aqua bell flower dangle.

Below left: Bamboo bead necklace with Washi paper accent. Below right: Bamboo bead pendant necklace with Washi paper accent and cloisonne bead.

These necklaces and more handcrafted jewelry can be found at Eclectic-Elements.com

St. Valentine’s Day is responsible for many jewelry sales and you may be overwhelmed by gift choices and special sales promotions. After looking through a few jewelry sites and stores, you'll often find that the jewelry selections begin to look the same. This is because they often are the same.

Men want to find unique gifts for their ladies; gifts that will be appreciated and loved (so that she will love and appreciate you more). Imagine how delighted your special lady would be to own a one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry design whether it’s your girlfriend, wife, mother or daughter. She will be delighted to know there isn’t another like it in the world. You can’t go wrong with original, one-of-a-kind handmade beaded jewelry.

So where do you find a truly unique jewelry gift at an affordable price, you ask? You needn’t look any further than StormRising Designs.

I recommend you take a look at the selection from designer Camilla Walton of StormRising. Camilla designs and creates one-of-a-kind beadwork and beaded jewelry including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She also creates a line of handmade fabric purses, beaded rings and watches. All at affordable prices.

Here is a preview of the lovely original designs you’ll find at StormRising:

Below Left: Unakite gemstone donut necklace with mauve glass beads; and green and gold Czech faceted glass beads. Below Right: Matching handmade earrings for the Unakite necklace: Mauve and green glass beads.

This pair is made with French wires but if this is not your preference, you can select to have this changed to clips, leverbacks or posts.

Below Left: Don’t Go Breakin’; My Heart handmade beaded necklace: Swarovski ruby and clear AB crystal beads with freshwater pearls, sterling silver clasp. Below Right: Cafe au Lait beaded necklace: Synthetic smoky quartz, Czech glass and “antiqued” freshwater pearls. Yummy!

Below Left: By the Sea art glass beaded necklace: Peruvian Opal, chrysoprase and bronze Swarovski crystal beads with unique glass seashell pendant. Below Right: Green Russian serpentine, black onyx, olivine and jet Swarovski crystal beads necklace. Sterling silver clasp.

Below Left: Hearts of Glass handmade bracelet: Amethyst glass hearts and Swarovski crystal pearl beads; two strands with pewter heart charm. Below Right: Persian Garden peyote beadwork cuff bracelet: Woven with gold-lined glass seed beads and dark green glass seed beads in Peyote stitch. Edge detail is Czech fire-polished glass beads.

Below Left: Aromatherapy Vial Pendant and Kyanite beaded necklace: Unqiue handmade vial pendant with stopper, borosilicate glass necklace. Steel blue kyanite stone, black onyx and Bali silver. Below Right: Fairy Dust Beadwork Spiral Rope Handmade Necklace: Lavender and gold seed beads woven into a double spiral beadwork stitch. The Peyote stitch slide is removable and decorated with a double row of seed bead fringe and Swarovski crystal beads.  Sterling silver toggle clasp.

In addition to the one-of-a-kind unique jewelry available for purchase online, Camilla also accepts custom orders. If you don’t find exactly the piece you want, don’t hesitate to contact her. Many necklaces and bracelets can be resized and this information can be found with each item listing.

Camilla is currently offering a special Valentine’s promotion through February 8, 2007. Visit her site for details. Be sure to check out her web site throughout the year for all your unique jewelry gifts which are sure to be a hit for any holiday or occasion! Sign up for her newsletter to receive special promotions available only to subscribers.

All of the above handmade beaded jewelry and much more may be found StormRisingDesigns.com The latest designs may be found here

All jewelry designs and images on this page are owned and copyrighted by StormRising Designs.

Want to make it easy for your guests to keep up with their drinks? Want to make it fun too? Sam of Eclectic-Elements has the answer with unique, handcrafted wine glass charms - jewelry for your wine glasses.

Custom designed and crafted by Sam in Albuquerque, New Mexico, these drink identifiers will delight you and your guests. Think about it, no more abandoned drinks! Your guests will also feel more relaxed and secure knowing they aren’t drinking from another’s glass.

Pictured Above: Bunco - 8mm acrylic dice beads and seed beads.

Also known as drink markers, these wine glass charms may be purchased in sets of 6, 8, 12 and 14. Sam offers several designs from simple to funky to elegant. Your family and friends will want to know where you got these unique glass charms, so go ahead and buy a few sets for gifts!

Pictured at left: Wine glass charms are a great way to dress up your dinner table. Note how the wine glass charm shown on the inset would dress up this place setting.

Check out the images below for more designs from Eclectic-Elements.

Below Left: Asian - made with Asian symbol charms and seed beads. Below Right: Simple - Matte Crow beads and seed beads.

Below Left: Elegant - glass beads and seed beads. Below Right: Geologic - semi-precious gemstone stone chips and seed beads.

Below: Mah Jongg - tiny plastic novelty Mah Jong tiles and beads.

Wine glass charms are made with stainless steel memory wire and lead free, food safe pewter spacers.

Click here for Wine Glass Charms Be sure to check out all the wonderful handcrafted jewelry at Eclectic-Elements.com

Are you a collector of tea accessories with a particular passion for tea ball infusers? Can’t seem to locate the shape or design you want? No problem…you can have a one-of-a-kind sterling silver tea infuser made just for you. And there won’t be another like it in the world!

Kevin Ard, an American artisan is one of the few in the world who exclusively makes tea accessories. He designs and crafts infusers out of sterling silver or gold depending on the client’s preference, sometimes using both metals for a piece. The infuser can even be adorned with jewels! Ard’s unique tea infuser designs are hand-crafted works of art which are beautiful, functional and precise.

Above Left: A commissioned tomato design, 1.75 inch diameter, additional holes in the bottom.

A project begins with discussions with a client to get an idea of the shape and design the client envisions. Armed with this information and inspiration, Kevin begins drawing. He presents several drawings to a client for final selection of the design.

Once a design has been finalized, Ard begins the tedious process of making the components. Each component of the finished piece is handcrafted with the exception of the chain. He uses a process to ensure the infuser is strong, durable and will last for many, many years. He particularly enjoys knowing that his clients use his designs. These one-of-a-kind infusers are sure to become treasured family heirlooms and passed on to future generations.

Left: A silver and gold case adorned with gold tea leaves and genuine blue topazstones. The cap twists off to reveal a modern tea infuser (see additional image below). The leaf design is repeated on the infuser’s smaller lid which is securely stored inside the case. 1″ diameter, 3″ in length.

Kevin Ard’s silver infusers make a great cup of tea which he personally tests before passing the infuser on to his client. Ard’s tea infuser designs range in price and begin at around $900. He never reproduces a design.

Below: The silver and gold tea leaves case with infuser.

Below: Sterling silver tea infuser with raised gold dots and carnelian cabochon stones; the swirl pattern offsets the clean lines and smooth design of this piece. Approx 1.25″ in diameter and 3″ in length

More information about the artist and how to order a silver tea infuser or other tea accessories may be found at KevinArd.com

Designs and images are owned and copyrighted by Kevin Ard.