Karen Samuel and Coco

Karen Samuel and Coco
I have a Passion for Crystal

About Me

AnOccasionalPiece.com
Hi, my name is Karen Samuel, and I have been designing and selling Jewelry for more than 35 years. I am a Canadian, now living in the USA. The picture is me, taken some years ago with my dog Coco. This stylized photo was done as an advertisement for my five retail stores. I was making fabulous jewelry - Gorgeous Cascading Earrings, Necklaces, and Bracelets, using Swarovski hand cut crystals in a jumble of brightly colored beads. I wanted people to know how unique and exciting we were. Each store was quite distinctive, all Glass and Lucite, reflecting the Jewelry to it’s best advantage, like a jewel box filled with wonderful treasures. They were the first of their kind, and like those stores of the past, An Occasional Piece is a virtual jewel box, with special treasures waiting just for you.
View my complete profile

Semi-Precious Stones & Swarovski Crystal

Mixed Metals & Sterling Silver


Designer Jewelry from around the world

One of a Kind & Limited Editions


Opalite and Pearl Bracelet

Opalite and Pearl Bracelet
Opalite and Freshwater Pearl with Sterling Silver

Pear Shell with Liquid Silver

Pear Shell with Liquid Silver
Pear Shell with Sterling Silver

Friday, September 11, 2009

Fall 2009 Fashion Trends

Beaded Jewelry Designs - My Personal Favorite

Beaded jewelry designs takes center stage, from stones and sparkle to beads and bugles that scream "Notice Me!"
Bold Jewelry has become important statement jewelry and has arisen to a new level of significance for 2009.
Ranging from the wild, to the wonderful, to the downright wacky: out-there statement jewelry really made it's mark on the 2009 Spring/Summer runways,and it's here to stay for 2009/10.

Themes:
• Geometric shapes
• Exotic and ethnic inspirations
• Rich colors; prominent stones and gems

Geometric shapes in bold colors saw Cavalli extend upon last year's Art Deco Trend,while the likes of Ralph Lauren and Anna Sui embrace the exotic, the former with imperial-esque jewels and the latter with ethnic inspired beading.
Others such as Giambattista Valli and Christian Lacroix showed modern, avant garde beaded jewelry designs.
Bracelets took on various forms on the runways, from simple chains to chunky bangles. It was the ornate cuff that really took trend status.

How to Wear this Jewelry Trend:

The core difference between the previous season of bold jewellery and the 2009 trend is the clothing it's worn with. While 2008 was about playing down the clothing to make the jewels the stand-out feature, 2009 is not afraid to team wildly bold or colorful clothing with over-the-top accessories. Experiment with clashing colors and styles - make them as interesting as possible.
For more subdued occasions, there's always the option to pair statement pieces with a little black dress, or even jeans and a tee. Whatever your preferences, the bottom line is that when it comes to jewelry in 2009, the bigger and more exotic, the better.

Pearls:

Feminine pearls are the perfect trend-proof accessory to compliment the more structured styles of fall. Wear gray pearls with black for a sexy tonal look, or choose layers of creamy white pearls worn with a simple black sheath dress for a perfect cocktail look.

Any smart Recessionista will place her money on necklaces this season.

The best necklace is punctuated with some luminous crystals. Think ahine!

Think bold, modern and chunky!
Check out http://www.AnOccasionalPiece.com for all your jewelry needs.

On a personal note, I find fashion is a personal statement. Your body becomes the palette for your choices of clothing, accessories and beaded jewelry designs. You can express who you are and what you are about by how you make those choices. Fashion trends are simply that - trends- not law. Take those trends and turn them into who you are and what you want to say.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Necklace Lengths

Collar
Usually worn high on the neck, they measure 10 – 13 inches in length and generally 2 – 2 1/2 Inches wide, often 3 or more rows of beads. These collars are reminiscent of the early 1900's – the Victorian Age of opulence and elegance, but have gained popularity in recent years. They are worn mostly with formal attire.

Choker
A choker is worn sitting comfortably at the base of the neck with the length somewhere between 15 – 18 inches long. This classic, versatile length is so easy to wear ~ it works with all necklines.

Princess
The princess necklace is 17 – 19 inches in length. This length looks great with crew, high or plunging necklines ~ also a wonderful length for a drop or pendant.


Matinee

A matinee necklace is 20 – 24 inches. A standard length for pearls. Also an easy length to wear with suits or business attire.


Opera

The opera necklace is the “queen” of all the lengths. When worn as a single strand, it is refined and perfect for high or crew necklines. When doubled it serves as a versatile two strand choker. Traditionally, this 30 inch necklace is the most common length of all the necklaces.


Rope

The rope varies in length from 40 – 48 inches in length. It oozes charm and elegance ~ in fact this was a fashion favorite worn by fashion icon Coco Chanel.


Lariat


A lariat comes in many lengths, but the longer it is, the more graceful and versatile it will be. The lariat is a wrap-around style which can be knotted or looped. Depending on the design, this style can be classic or trendy. Fun to wear, be creative.

Friday, December 1, 2006

Opalite Sterling Silver and Freshwater Pearl Necklace