We are proud to announce our Wedding hair pins and colorful jewelry designs by Looney Maiden Bridal and Bridesmaid Jewelry are featured in Seattle Bride Magazine’s Spring Summer 2010 issue which just graced the newsstands on January 16,2010.  Pictured below are lovely Hair pin bouquets of Violet and Mauve Swarovski Crystals and Pearls which are hand crafted to order. You can choose any color combination to have your hairpins hand formed for your very own personal expression and they create a uniquely soft and feminine look.

Seattle Bride Magazine Stylist Caitlin Hostetter introduces a jewelry portfolio on “Color Theory” encouraging brides to consider using color in their bridal jewelry and wedding hair accessories. 

Personally, I always love the idea of adding soft accents of color to one’s wedding jewelry and bridal hair accessories. Adding color in Swarosvki crystals and pearls can allows a bride to be able to bring in her wedding colors or even her personal color favorites.  We all have colors that have special meaning to us, so I say why not add those into your wedding hair pins, tiara headbands or bridal hair combs and create a special keepsake from one of the most important days of your life? If you want to be even bolder, add some color to your wedding jewelry to match and create a soft romantic look fit for a princess!

Hopefully this may inspire you to take the leap.  Don’t forget to take a peek at the Swarosvki crystal color chart and pearl colors for ideas. You can easily view wedding hair pins and bridal jewelry designs here to find some new inspirations.

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You can have your handcrafted bridal jewelry lariat back drop necklace created at an affordable price and with quality Swarovski crystal and pearls! If you are reading this, then you are probably one of the millions of online shoppers today.  You are seeking unique custom wedding jewelry that can be customized for you.  What is really great is that your perfect bridal jewelry can be right at your fingertips. No ore running around all over town, to every mall and boutique not finding that custom piece you want. There is plenty of lovely jewelry in stores, so don’t get me wrong.  When you want a custom piece though, that is when you will want to find an artist who can create your vision and the perfect wedding day jewelry set for you.

Here is a wonderful example of having a custom bridal jewelry lariat necklace created specifically for your wedding day look.  Our bride Lauren wanted to bring in the color of her bridesmaid dresses into her jewelry and give a truly vintage style flair to her look.  Her Swarovski crystal wedding lariat necklace was created in beautiful Blue Zircon crystals and the sterling silver was oxidized to create the dark metal look giving her that 1930′’s to 1940” era look.  I loved that she wanted to wear something different and true to her own personal style.  She and her fiance’ were delighted with the final look. She has so much fun energy and has recently started her own business as a Seattle event wedding planner.  I applaud her and know she will be very successful in this venture.

As you can see in the wedding photo above, the colors blended together quite well. The wedding colors were in teal/turquoise and vibrant reds and the entire effect was just beautiful and very personal. We created the custom crystal bridesmaid necklaces in the styles she chose which also featured back lariats which I wrote about on my previous blog article on bridesmaid jewelry.

Here was the final effect in a wedding day photograph. The bride and her bridesmaids all wearing their beautiful crystal lariat necklaces on her wedding day. How precious is that!

So you are probably asking how affordable can that be? Well, there are so many styles to choose from.  Typically, the handcrafted custom bridal lariat necklaces can range from $75 to $150 depending on styles.  You can choose a Swarovski crystal and pearl wedding necklace and have the lariat added on to the design or choose from a variety of wedding back lariat drop necklaces and have the design tweaked to your own personal style. The best part you ask? You get to choose your colors too from Swarovski crystal and Swarovski Pearl color charts!

I love customizing and it is always a treat to be able to create our bride’s visions. It truly makes my day. Take a little time to look at hundreds of unique handcrafted wedding necklace and back drop lariat bridal jewelry designs to become inspired. Most of all it can actually be a fun and exciting process and in the end you get the perfect bridal jewelry you want!

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Bridesmaid jewelry Crystal Lariat Necklace is a great newer trend in wedding jewelry ideas.  This type of crystal back drop style necklace is perfect for bridesmaid dresses that have a V or open back in which you want to add a dramatic effect.

One of my lovely bride’s Lauren shared these beautiful photo’s the bridesmaid’s custom bridal crystal lariat necklaces I created for her wedding party. Her colors were red and turquoise and what a stunning way to add in that red color and create a truly unique look for her girl’s.  These necklaces were custom handcrafted and hopefully this article will inspire you to think about having custom made crystal or pearl lariat jewelry for your wedding party. These crystal bridesmaid lariat necklaces made a perfect gift and keepsake.

This picture is quite fantastic as the bride herself also wore a crystal back lariat necklace. The bridesmaids were so elated with their beautiful bridal party jewelry gift and they have been able to continue wearing these crystal necklaces for many occasions.  Being able to receive custom wedding jewelry was such a thoughtful way for Lauren to share how special they all are in her life.

Here’s the final look from the front.  The bridesmaid jewelry crystal lariat necklace was custom created as a two strand style with a single backdrop lariat in Siam red Swarovski crystals and antiqued sterling silver.   You can see the bridal jewelry is a perfect compliment to the bridesmaid dress and I will share more about that in my next bridal article.  I just think the final effect with this crystal wedding jewelry was absolutely amazing!

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The Seattle Wedding Show for 2010 will be this upcoming weekend January 16 & 17, 2010 at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. For our 7th year,  Looney Maiden Jewelry will be located in Booth 1224.   I always say look for the Lavender and Tanzanite Purple Velvet booth!  If you live in the Seattle local area, this is a perfect show to attend and you will be able to view all of my original bridal, bridesmaid and flower girl jewelry and hair accessories lines as well as see wedding vendors from around Washington state.

The Seattle Wedding Show offers more than 400 local, regional and national vendors, which includes vendors for event facilities, bakeries, bridal boutiques, caterers, disc jockeys, florists, jewelers, photographers, transportation
providers and wedding consultants.

There is also a huge Gown Sale area where you can purchase your gown directly with deep discounts.

This wedding exposition is truly a beautiful show and a great way to meet vendors one on one to obtain information and discuss your wedding needs. I love the high quality vendors they have in this show and many brides have told me this was their most helpful show for finding unique local vendors.

The Seattle Wedding show also offers a Fashion Show which on both days which can also help to inspire you with your gown search.

Here is some additional helpful information.

• The show is located at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center 800 Convention Place, 4th Floor Seattle, WA 98101
• Dates: Saturday January 16th, 2010     10:00am to 5:30pm (ticket sales open at 9:30am)  and  Sunday January 17th, 2010  10:30am to 5:00pm (ticket sales open at 10:00am)

What I really love is the Seattle Wedding show offers you a hand stamp to be able to come both days to the show for one admission fee.  This allows you to take your time and also come back and visit vendors for follow up information.

Come on downtown early with your closest friends and family and have breakfast and the mosey on over to the show and plan on spending a fun filled day.  You can visit  the Seattle Wedding Show for additional information and directions.   See you there!

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Bridal Jewelry can be customized to add in beautiful Swarovski Crystal color accents to create a perfect look for your wedding day accessories.  When adding color, there are a few simple rules to follow so that you have just the perfect amount of color added.

I always say, your bridal jewelry and wedding hair accessories should look like they were designed at the same time as your beautiful wedding gown. If you have color accents designs with your bridal gown fabric, whether Swarovski crystals or embroidery accents, you will need to decide if you want the color accent to be in the forefront of your wedding jewelry set or be the accent background color.

This beautiful Swarovski crystal bridal choker necklace, bracelet and earring set was a perfect wedding jewelry set for my bride in the first picture.  As you can see, a blend of Clear Ab and Siam red crystals were used to add just enough color to her beautiful bridal jewelry.  The Red crystals were able to play off the red embroidery on the bodice and yet did not overtake the look. Rather, this combination created that perfect balanced look.  I just love when that happens!

Now here is an alternate idea for using color in your bridal jewelry.  This Swarovski crystal necklace and earring set can be a perfect compliment for many of the blue wedding gowns you are seeing on the runways.  By using several shades of blues with clear ab crystal accents, the contrast effect is quite stunning and wonderful.  If you are thinking of using a lot of color in your wedding day jewelry, then my rule of thumb is either use your exact matching color as the majority or if a matching color is not available then go one shade lighter or one shade darker to create a pretty contrast.

You an easily see in the picture above that the bride decided to bring in a strong presence of red in her bridal jewelry set to match her beautiful corseted satin wedding gown.  If you choose a gown of color, then don’t be shy about adding color to your jewelry.  If the bride above had worn a neutral clear crystal choker, it still would have been pretty however it  would not give the same “pop” effect that using the red crystals gave her wedding day look.

Lastly, the bride above was wearing a white classic wedding gown but wanted to add her favorite colors of blues and purples into her bridal jewelry and hair accessory set.  Her bridal bouquet also had whites, purple and blues so she was able to create a theme and wear her favorite colors.  I thought it was such a pretty and feminine look and what was so perfect was that her wedding jewelry set and bridal hair comb were created together with matching colors.

So, my last rule is to have all of your jewelry created by the same designer. Most handcrafted jewelry designers should offer free phone or email consultations. Every day I am more than happy to provide ideas and advice on designs styles and colors as I know shopping on the internet can sometimes feel a bit daunting.

Take advantage of having a consultation  as not only can your custom wedding day jewelry be created in your perfect vision, but you might be surprised how affordable it can be!  By taking the time to research and contact the designer, you can ensure that your bridal jewelry and wedding hair accessories will match perfectly, not only in color but also in design style.

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Bridal Crystal Choker Jewelry has been used in weddings for centuries and is perfect for the bride who wants to add on an element of Regal Elegance to her wedding day look. I have been designing signature Swarovski crystal chokers since 1995, long before they became en vogue. Call me a romantic but I am very much influenced by Renaissance and Vintage Era’s.  These wedding jewelry pieces are truly my love! I always say, wearing a bridal choker is not for the faint hearted. Meaning, this type of bridal jewelry is bold and you want to be noticed!

In choosing your bridal jewelry choker necklace, it is important to think about the look you want to achieve. The crystal choker necklace in the photo above is perfect for the bride who wants a very Regal look.  This wedding choker is perfect for strapless gowns and can look very beautiful with gowns that have crystal beading. 

You may decide you would like to have some pearl added to your wedding jewelry. The pearl and crystal choker wedding necklace in the photo above has a more dramatic look with the pearls and yet the long drops are all crystal, giving you that sparkle.

Perhaps you want a crystal choker that encircles your neck. In the photo above, you can see that this wedding crystal choker does exactly that and can be worn with a variety of necklines. This Elizabethan bridal jewelry is very popular for strapless and off the should necklines.

For truly Renaissance crystal choker wedding jewelry, this bridal jewelry set pictured above is perfect for sweetheart and V necklines as well as strapless. When this bridal jewelry set was designed, careful attention was given to the design to make sure it lays perfectly.

This romantic bridal jewelry set is a great example of how to use soft colors to accessorize your wedding day attire. Shown in Vintage Rose and Crystal Moonlight Swarovski crystals, this wedding crystal choker set is a perfect for Blush gowns and gowns that have soft rose accents.

Now for Victorian Gothic bridal jewelry, you might enjoy this photo.  This crystal choker necklace was recently created in Siam Ab crystals which looks beautiful with Red or Black gowns and is available by custom order.

I hope I have inspired you with ideas around how to choose your bridal crystal choker jewelry.  Take a moment to look at the different wedding chokers designs available to find your own unique style.

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Receive your annual Looney Maiden Jewelry Holiday Discount on all wedding jewelry, bridesmaid jewelry, bridal hair accessories and Christmas jewelry purchase this month!  Yes, to all of my faithful customers who have supported me over all these years, take advantage of using your 10% off coupon online too. 

Here what to do to use your special discount.

• Copy and paste this discount code HOLIDAY2009 all caps to the discount code box on the checkout form and your order will automatically receive a 10% discount off your order total.
• There is no minimum order and this discount can be applied to all items including the bridal, bridesmaid and flower girl jewelry set specials on the shopping cart.  If you are thinking about purchasing your bridesmaid jewelry set specials, this can be a perfect time.
• As always, you receive Free Shipping on all of your orders with no minimum purchase required. You know I always try to keep it easy!
• This coupon offer is good through 12/31/09.

You might take a peek at our Top 10 ideas for Holiday Jewelry picks. As always, you get to choose your style and then choose your crystal and pearl colors for your personalized jewelry.

All of your Holiday jewelry and wedding jewelry purchase always come in our individual signature Looney Maiden jewelry gift boxes which makes it easy for gift giving.

Of course, you may need to treat yourself to some new sparkles and mum’s the word.  What happens at Looney Maiden Jewelry, stays at Looney Maiden Jewelry!  I always feel part of the joy of holiday shopping is that I find items that I love too and normally don’t treat myself to.

Hope you enjoy using this Holiday discount code on your wedding jewelry, bridesmaid jewelry, bridal hair accessories and Christmas jewelry. You can view over 700 different jewelry designs to choose your perfect jewelry.

Happy shopping to you and my sincerest thanks for continuing to support my artwork in jewelry for the last 17 years!

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Purchasing bridal jewelry as a wedding jewelry gift can be a great way of adding something special to a bride’s day. Whether you purchase a necklace and earring set, a pearl bracelet or chandelier earrings, you want your gift to be special and create a picture perfect moment.

Here are some guidelines that can be helpful to follow.

• It can be very romantic for the groom to purchase a bridal jewelry gift. My rule of thumb is consult with the mother of the bride or her maid of honor for their advice on choosing her wedding jewelry. You can have them look at pictures online or take them for a day of shopping.  Even though the groom may not want to see or know anything about the wedding gown, choosing bridal jewelry can easily be done without knowing what her dress looks like.
• You might also want to purchase a bridal jewelry set that she will wear later at the reception or on her honeymoon. This can be a wonderful keepsake gift for her that she can wear for years to come.
• Try to find out and confirm from her friends and family whether the bride has bought her wedding day jewelry. Personally I think it is best to purchase wedding jewelry that can be integrated into the day or even be a keepsake piece.  Brides do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings by not wearing a wedding jewelry set they received and yet they may have already chosen what they are intending on wearing for their wedding accessories.  
• You can easily add in a fun wedding jewelry gift by purchasing her a “something blue” ankle bracelet. This is something she can easily wear and will have fun wearing long after her wedding day.
• If you know she has purchased a bridal jewelry set, find out where it is from and contact the designer about adding another piece of matching jewelry such as a bracelet.

Choosing to purchase bridal jewelry can be the sweetest gesture. Just keep the wedding jewelry gift guide ideas above in mind as you venture into the world of  pearls and crystal jewelry!

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Crystal Bridesmaid Jewelry Sets continue to be a popular choice as bridal party gifts. The never ending new colors that Swarovski offers makes it easy to choose the perfect jewelry gift for your girls.  What is really wonderful is that Swarovski crystal bridesmaid necklace, earrings and bracelets can be worn for many years to come.  The crystals do not loose their brilliance, henceforth why Swarovski is in my opinion the leading crystal manufacturer. I have vintage Swarovski crystals from over 50 years ago that are as beautiful as new!

I always live seeing new color combinations created for just the perfect crystal bridesmaid jewelry sets. Having your bridal party jewelry handcrafted means you get to choose the style of bridesmaid jewelry you want and then choose the color combinations you want from the Swarovski crystal color chart. Your girl friends will be so amazed and sincerely delighted to receive their special bridesmaid gifts.

Crystal bridesmaid jewelry sets do not have to break the bank.  They are actually very affordable especially if you are working with an artist directly. There are necklace and earring set specials that start at $28  so you can easily choose a  necklace, earring or bracelet set to fit your budget range. This also allows you to order exactly what you want for their gift.

I recommend purchasing Swarovski jewelry gifts created in pure 925 sterling silver and not silver plated or base metals as these show wear very quickly. You want their special wedding jewelry to last a long time and I think you will find the cost difference is quite small. 

Adding in crystal accessories to make your bridesmaid sparkle is just too precious. When you give them their gift, watch their eyes light up and sparkle.  Yes, that is the magic of Swarovski crystal jewelry!

Every day I receive emails from bride’s who are so thrilled with their bridesmaids gifts.  What I hear most often is “ I had no idea the jewelry would be of such high quality for this price” or “ I am so happy I purchased my bridesmaids quality jewelry that I know they will want to wear again.”  Yes, that tickles me as I know that their bridesmaids are going to feel ecstatic about their bridal party gift and every time they wear their crystal bridesmaid jewelry sets, they are going to smile and think of you!

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