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February 15, 2018
The history that belongs to one of today’s most sought-after semi-precious stones, amethyst, is rich with both fact and folklore. As one might expect from a stone that has been given its own calendar month (amethyst is February’s birthstone), this crystal has a curious and fascinating pedigree.
Thanks to its gorgeous color and durability, amethyst was highly respected by ancient Egyptian civilizations and embellished many a British crown. Amethyst has long been used for its healing properties; the earliest known use stemming from the precise meaning of the name which is derived from the Greek word, amethustos, meaning sober or not intoxicated. It was believed that drinking from an amethyst goblet or wearing amethyst would keep a person from getting drunk and even protect them from poison.
Beyond period folklore, the amethyst remains incredibly popular and has been said to offer additional qualities of protection like dispelling negative energies and introducing positive, loving energy into a person or space. From strengthening the immune system and reducing insomnia to alleviating headaches and stress, this timeless gem offers both physical and emotional healing properties. It has been said that in order to receive the healing benefits, the wearer should keep amethyst in direct contact with the skin – on a necklace, perhaps.
Amethyst is quite popular and plentiful with large quantities found in Brazil and Bolivia. Around the world, amethyst can be found in Namibia and South Africa, the East coast of Canada in Nova Scotia as well as many areas of the United States, including Arizona, Montana, Colorado and the Carolinas - just to name a few.
A variety of quartz, Amethyst is a genuine example of finding beauty in imperfection. The unique colors that permeate this crystal are in fact due to iron and aluminum impurities. Without them, amethyst would simply be transparent quartz. And though a diverse range of shades adorn this popular variety of quartz, from light lilac to deep purple, all shades must be classified in the violet color family to be considered true amethyst.
If you're ready to add a piece of amethyst into your own life, customize your Joy Collection piece with this beautiful gemstone.
January 13, 2018
As we approach the two-week mark of 2018, many of us are assessing those resolutions we committed to, or at least considered committing to. Yet finding balance takes time, which is challenging for an overachieving female small business owner who is short on time (oh, I could go on and on about my to-do list!). But just as it’s not uncommon to set the New Year bar ambitiously high, it’s also not uncommon to see a few of those resolutions fall by the wayside. And in truth, it doesn’t much matter if you drop the proverbial ball but what does matter is whether you are showing yourself compassion!
After one of the busiest years of my life (2017 tested me in so many ways), I’m ready to take my own advice. So, I am dedicated to making 2018…
The year of realistic resolutions coupled with grace, compassion, and self-care.
Many of us are leaning in and prioritizing vitality and wellness. Here’s a list of a few things I do (and vow to do more of) that keep my cup full!
How do you intend to take good care of yourself in this New Year?
December 07, 2017
This time of year I usually start to feel busy, overwhelmed and worried about gift giving. I’m wrapping up a busy show season, and trying to find space to prepare for the holiday, and buy gifts. The compulsory aspect of gift giving this time of year can feel stressful and deflating.
Lately, however, I’ve been playing with the idea of gift giving and questions have been sparked in my mind: Why do I really give gifts? What does the word gift really mean? And I keep returning to the sentiment: When I give a gift, I’m really saying,
“You are such a gift to me.”
I’m honoring the relationship that I have with the recipient. It’s an expression of love or gratitude. So, the reality is, the person I’m giving the present to is actually the gift, and the object simply a tangible representation of that person’s role in my life.
I believe that anyone can make their special someone feel especially special without resorting to generic expressions or spending a fortune.
Gift
The word itself has many different meanings, including:
So, by definition, a gift can be any number of things - tangible and otherwise. So, this holiday season, I’m trying to explore ways to express love and appreciation for individuals - and the world at large! - in ways both traditional and novel, physical and non.
Honor Someone
I love the idea of enhancing or preserving nature as I honor a person dear to me. Does it offer that feel-good sentiment? Absolutely. Is it personal? Yes. Is it tangible? Somewhat. Can you keep it for yourself at the exclusion of others? No. How beautiful is that? It’s a perennial present that benefits not only you but the environment and thus, humanity. A gift in so many ways. These days, the opportunity to give universally constructive gifts has extended beyond trees. For example, the World Land Trust offers a host of ways to give a green gift. You can...
And for those traditionalists out there, you can still plant a tree in honor of a loved one via WLT, A Living Tribute and The Arbor Day Foundation.
Invest In The Moment
We’re all moving so quickly these days that stopping to enjoy the moment can at times feel like a bottleneck to the bigger picture. Yet, despite our greatest efforts to justify otherwise, there really is only this.present.moment. Honestly, I often have a hard time staying in the moment, though I know how important it truly is.
Of course, there are times when reflecting about the past and projecting into the future have served me well. It’s a crucial part of business planning and strategy. And yet, there’s no better feeling than the moment I watch someone connect with a piece of my art. So, what can you do to gift more presents - I mean, presence! - in the life of someone you love? I have a few ideas...
Gift An Experience
Gifting someone an experience can be a wonderful way to show that you care. I love it when someone who knows me well suggests we do something that they know I enjoy. To me, it’s such a thoughtful gesture. It means they’ve watched, listened, and gotten creative! These days, the process for identifying experiences is as simple as it’s ever been, with online coupons and the rise in home-stay travel. Consider what it is your friend or family member enjoys doing, or listen for the experience they’ve been talking about but haven’t had the opportunity to try.
Charitable Donations
Charitable donations are acts of generosity that are ways to honor the person you care about and a meaningful cause. There’s always good reason to find an organization whose mission you support but this time of year, it’s especially impactful. The holiday season is a time to reflect on all we have to be grateful for. For many of us, the list is long. What better a time to harness the power of giving than on the heels of Giving Tuesday and just in time for Hanukkah and Christmas? Align with a charity you care about by visiting Charity Navigator. Their A-Z Directory includes hundreds of thousands of organizations along with reputation-measuring data so you can make an informed decision.
Gift Grace
Some of the most powerful gifts are the ones we may never regard as such…
The person who lets you in when traffic is piling up and you’re running late.
The person who bends down to help you scoop up something you dropped on the floor.
The person who smiled warmly at you.
The person who gives you a hug when you most needed it.
And, the grace we’re given by others to live fully and authentically without judgment.
So many of these gifts are given us each day and though we may not see them in that way I urge you to take notice. Be both the gracious giver and grateful receiver of kindness, good deeds, and thoughtful gestures.
Get Personal
Finally, sometimes it seems there’s no better way to express your affection than with a physical gift. After all, there is something to be said for that magic moment when the item you adoringly hand-selected and wrapped with that special someone in mind, gets opened. The physical gifts that always mean the most to me are the ones that take my preferences and personality into consideration. As a jewelry artist, I aspire to capture the essence of my subject and transfer that character into my pieces. My inspiration comes from the natural world around me – leaves, flowers, raindrops, the sky, desert cacti, and many others. But what is really inspiring is the number of times a customer has told me that a particular piece speaks to them; that it feels like an extension of them. I can think of no greater a compliment. With that in mind, I encourage you to give a gift this holiday season that offers its recipient that same feeling. And if that gift happens to come from the Lila Clare Jewelry collection, well, that would be a gift to me as well :)
November 11, 2017
Is there anything more poignant, honest, and effortless than nature?
Anything more simple yet enchanting?
I was raised to believe that nature is both the constant and the catalyst for all creative expression. That belief has been my life’s guiding principle as it has been for many before me.
This truth is never more evident than in the case of Claude Monet and his landscape masterpieces. Regarded as one of the early architects of the Impressionist movement, Monet focused his artistic efforts on his unique and very personal interpretation of the world around him. Water Lilies and Wild Poppies Near Argenteuil, Houses of Parliament and the piece that coined the movement, Impression Sunrise, are express evidence that Monet’s subject of choice was always nature.
From my earliest memories of time spent exploring the forests of the north Georgia mountains to my most recent incarnation as a desert dweller in Tucson, Arizona, nature has played a significant role in my world as well. So, when Monet speaks of nature, it connects to a special place in my heart.
My curiosity and desire to explore has not ceased; it has been channelled into my art, my handmade jewelry, Lila Clare Jewelry. I seek to capture the fragility of the flowers and leaves I ran through as a child while paying homage to the arid elegance of the desert cacti I live amongst today. From the near-translucent blue of a gemstone, reminiscent of streams and oceans, to the simple yet delicate shape of a raindrop, I pour my energy into creating pieces that honor nature. Whether draped about your neck or dangling from your ears, it is my hope that Lila Clare Jewelry invokes the same feeling of Earthly connectedness for you as it does for me.
October 26, 2017
What is the difference between gold-plated, gold-filled, and vermeil jewelry?
When it comes to jewelry, there are a number of techniques for creating that shiny gold finish we all adore. From gold plating, to gold filling, and vermeil, each approach can yield beautifully gilded pieces but - be informed - they aren’t all created equally.
Gold-Plated Jewelry
Simply put, “gold-plated” describes the process of applying a thin layer of gold to a piece of jewelry with a base metal such as brass or copper. To achieve gold plating, jewelry is placed in a liquid bath containing fine gold particles, which adhere to the surface of the metal in a very thin layer using electricity. The typical amount of gold plating used on jewelry is 0.05 to one micron in thickness. One micron is equal to one-thousandth of a millimeter – that’s thin! In fact, it’s important to keep in mind that this layer of gold is often so thin that it can quickly wear off exposing the base metal below.
Gold-Filled Jewelry
Like gold plating, gold-filled jewelry is made using a base metal such as brass or copper. The difference is in the thickness and the process of applying the gold. Gold filled requires that a substantially thicker layer of gold be applied, and the process involves the use of heat and pressure bonding to permanently fuse a layer of gold over the base metal. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates that the layer of gold must be 5%, or 1/20, of the total weight of the jewelry and the gold must be 10 karat or higher. Unlike gold-plating, even with daily wear, gold-filled jewelry can maintain its appearance for up to 30 years and can have up to 50 times more gold content than gold-plated jewelry! It’s a great choice for those who want the look and long-lasting wear of gold without the precious metal price tag.
Vermeil Jewelry
Vermeil (pronounced ver-MAY) jewelry boasts a layer of gold on top of a sterling silver base. Similar to the process of gold plating, vermeil requires that sterling silver jewelry be placed in a bath containing fine gold particles, which adhere to the surface using electricity. The main difference between the two is the quality and thickness of the gold needed for a piece of jewelry to be called vermeil. In fact, the FTC also regulates the use of the term “vermeil” requiring that the quality of gold used must be no less than 10-Karat and have a thickness of 2.5 microns. Furthermore, a vermeil piece of jewelry is considered more valuable than gold-plated jewelry because of its sterling silver base. The copper and brass base metals, typical of gold-plated jewelry, are less precious.
Here’s a quick reference chart to help you better understand each type of jewelry:
So, which is best?
Personally, I use both gold fill and vermeil for my jewelry but for different purposes. For instance, I use vermeil to give my existing sterling silver jewelry a rich gilded finish. I appreciate the higher intrinsic value of a precious metal base and thicker gold coating. On the other hand, when I fabricate (hand make from raw materials such as wire) a piece from scratch, I use gold-filled materials because they can be formed and soldered more easily. As a general rule, I don’t recommend gold plating or using gold-plated jewelry as it tends to wear very quickly but to each her own - especially if you’re looking to spend a bit less!
Interested in gold-filled and vermeil jewelry? Explore Lila Clare Jewelry’s gold-filled sterling silver and vermeil pieces from the Joy and Botanic Collections.
October 10, 2017
Fall is officially upon us! Call it my North Georgia upbringing - filled with days spent wandering through the forest, leaf kicking and collecting, and coming home to warm hugs and a blanket - but I simply adore this season. To me, fall is a beautiful metaphor for the cycle of life, serving as an opportunity to reminisce about the vitality of summer while anticipating Mother Earth’s deserved time for rest. And although temperatures won’t be dipping too far below 70° here in Tucson (at least not until December) I’m still eager as ever to pull out my autumn attire. So, what will you be seeing me in this fall? Like my jewelry, I look for clothing that is devoted to celebrating natural elements in a fun and artistic way! It’s all about my unique expression of nature in its perfect, stunning simplicity and my clothing often reflects that. Those who know me know that I’m a hopeless hippie at heart so this year I’ve been loving fluted sleeve dresses like this one by Oasis. The cut is sweet yet sophisticated and the color is a knockout for fall. Blouses with billowy arms always catch my attention and truly any fall-hued floral is a winner in my book, like this new Anthropologie dress.
But my inspiration for fall fashion doesn’t stop there. I’m also so excited to show you all some of the newest additions to the Joy collection! (You didn’t think I was going to leave Lila Clare out, did you??)
This collection, which features dainty, elegant earrings and necklaces made from fine metals and faceted gemstones, is a customer favorite. Do you love the botanical-inspired necklaces and earrings but have warm coloring that you don’t think will complement their cooler tones? Fret not! All of the pieces from the Joy collection may be photographed with sterling silver and a chalcedony stone but they are all available in a selection of metals and stones. So, whether it’s a shiny or matte gold vermeil that you prefer, an Amethyst, Green Mystic Quartz or Labradorite stone, or some combination of those, you’re able (and encouraged!) to customize your piece to make it distinctly you.
And now, without further adieu, meet Joy’s newest additions:
*Click on the above images for more information & pricing!
November 22, 2016
When I created Lila Clare Jewelry, I was embracing a calling to get back in touch with nature, to work with my hands, to create, and to inspire. Over the past 6 years, I’ve learned so much of what it means to trust my creative pursuits and fall in love over and over again with jewelry making. Moreover, I’ve become increasingly encouraged by the countless individuals and small business owners I’ve met who are creating unique and remarkable handmade product. So, here are my Top 10 reasons why purchasing handmade product – be it jewelry, art, furniture, clothing, etc. – is the best way to show your support of a greater, more impassioned and holistic, good.
Reason #1: Handmade is Thoughtful
Each time you give or receive a handmade gift, you can rest assured that someone has put honest and genuine thought into it. Not simply the artist, who undoubtedly put thought and concerted effort into creating something original and from scratch but also the buyer and recipient, who clearly value the art of the craft.
Reason #2: Handmade is High Quality
Speaking of value, those who create handmade product understand the value of making that product the highest of quality. While it is tempting to get a deal rather than pay a higher price, it’s important to remember that spending less typically means you’re getting less; less integrity of the product, less trust in where it came from, and a lesser quality of material.
Reason #3: Handmade is Unique
Every nick in the wood, each wire-wrapped gemstone, and every brushstroke on the canvas of a handmade item makes it uniquely its own. When you buy handmade, you are paying for a commitment to authenticity and a guarantee that no two pieces will ever be exactly alike; and that is pretty priceless.
Reason #4: Handmade is Green
Buying handmade means that the number of hands your item passes through is far fewer than those of big biz manufacturers (and even then it is debatable whether real hands are ever involved). Keeping the process small ensures that the footprint of a handmade good is tiny. And, in a world where footprints seem to be getting bigger and bigger, there is certainly nothing wrong with each of us sporting a smaller proverbial shoe.
Reason #5: Handmade is Sustainable
The over-production of many products – especially those that require natural materials, metals and minerals – amplifies the potential for the unethical sourcing of goods. More often than not, artisans who specialize in handmade goods care greatly about where their materials come from and will pay more for that quality and subsequent peace of mind. Simply put, handmade items offer a more sustainable alternative to their “bulkier” counterparts. For example, I’ve put a great deal of time and effort into sourcing my eco-friendly sterling silver jewelry, buying my gemstones from a family-owned gem cutting business, and sourcing recycled packaging materials.
Reason #6: Handmade is Supportive
“Support your local economy.” It is a topic that is often discussed but not always upheld. The quickest, most effective way to keep small businesses open and keep the money you spend feeding into and through your community, is to support local endeavors. Buying local and handmade is a big step in the right direction.
Reason #7: Handmade is Human
I alluded to it in #4 but it is important enough to mention twice. No product made in a factory, on a machine, moved down a conveyor belt, packaged with mechanical arms, and shipped out via a flatbed truck receives the same attention to detail and consideration that a handmade item does. Handmade is not a buzzword, it is a genuine and authentic representation of the good you are investing in - made by hand.
Reason #8: Handmade is Customizable
Buying mass-produced products can feel cold and impersonal but the beauty of handmade is that many times, it can be made just for you. Personalizing your piece is something to take pride in. Just as you can select your preferred metal and color of stone in the Lila Clare Jewelry Joy Collection, so can you often request a customized piece from the artisans who specialize in crafting handmade goods.
Reason #9: Handmade is Here, There, & Everywhere
These days, there are no shortages of artists, tastemakers, crafts(wo)men, and the like making the most exquisite of handmade items. Whether exploring your local market, art festival, boutique, or doing a basic online search for “handmade (insert desired item here)”, odds are handmade is an arm’s reach away.
Reason #10: Handmade is Soup to Nuts
Last but certainly not least, handmade is a “soup to nuts” endeavor. From conception to creation, handmade goods often stay under one small, mighty, and proud roof. And when you buy handmade, you’ll likely shake the hands that made your item. Is there anything better than that?
At Lila Clare Jewelry, I am so grateful for the opportunity to create 100% handmade, nature-inspired jewelry. The only thing more gratifying than knowing where my materials are coming from, being fully invested in the vision of my collections, and using my own two hands to bring that vision to life, is knowing that someone like you appreciates the holistic process and end product.
October 27, 2016
June 26, 2016
I use chalcedony in many of Lila Clare Jewelry's handmade jewelry designs, and it’s my most popular gemstone. It’s a luminous stone, and universally appealing.
Chalcedony (pronounced “Cal-Said-Knee”) is a rock form of microcrystalline quartz, which means it’s made of super tiny quartz particles. This stone is partly transparent and naturally occurs in a variety of colors, such as blue, white, brown, gray, pink or orange. The aqua color that I use is achieved by heating treating or dying white or blue chalcedony.
Chalcedony can be found all over the world, including the United States. You may recognize the name of gemstones that are types of color-banded sub-types of chalcedony, such as agate, onyx, carnelian and petrified wood.
The use of chalcedony goes back thousands of years, and it’s believed that the name comes from the ancient Greek seaport, Chalcedon (now Turkey). Royal jewelers in ancient Egypt used chalcedony, which was often set in combination with Lapis. Chalcedony was often used in bowls, beads, signet rings and seals in biblical times. Romans used chalcedony for seals, amulets or signet rings. In the 1800s, chalcedony was used in the Mediterranean as gemstones for rings and beads. Victorians used chalcedony for carved cameos and engraved images.
Chalcedony has many healing powers, and Native Americans used it to promote stability during spiritual ceremonies. It is a nurturing stone and helps eliminate any negative or unwanted energy, and balances the mind, body and spirit. I especially love chalcedony because it’s calming and instills a sense of peace and joy. I can feel that it’s grounding, much in the way being near water is centering.
You can find handmade chalcedony jewelry in Lila Clare Jewelry’s Joy Collection.
February 03, 2016
One of the questions I'm most often asked is where the name "Lila" comes from in Lila Clare Jewelry. It's not actually my name, but a word that I chose to name my business.
First, though, a bit of history. I worked in non-profits for many years, all the while creating handmade jewelry in my spare time. I didn't believe that I was creative enough, artistic enough, good enough to be an artist. But the pull towards it got stronger and stronger, and I started to listen to the voice telling me it was time to make the shift. It was a leap of faith, and becoming a full time jewelry maker was a tremendous gift to myself.
Throughout this process, I looked for words that would make good business names. I kept coming back to Lila, and I was deeply attracted to a simple word that holds so much meaning.
There is an old Sanskrit word, lila, which means play, richer than our word, it means divine play, the play of creation, destruction, and re-creation, the folding and unfolding of the cosmos. Lila, free and deep, is both the delight and enjoyment of this moment, and the play of God. It also means love.
Lila may be the simplest thing there is spontaneous, childish, disarming. But as we grow and experience the complexities of life, it may also be the most difficult and hard-won achievement imaginable, and its coming to fruition is a kind of homecoming to our true selves.
- From Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art by Stephen Nachmanovitch.
I use the word Lila because it encompasses the essence of my journey to becoming a working artist. For me, this work is how experience play and creativity in the world, and is a dance of love.
January 12, 2016
Welcome to the blog for Lila Clare Jewelry! I hope to give you a glimpse behind the jewelry; to show you my process, inspirations and passions.
So, who am I? My name is Clare, and I'm the owner, designer and maker of Lila Clare Jewelry. I started my handmade artisan jewelry business in 2010 after years of making jewelry in my spare time. I left my career in social work and learned how to silversmith. I now make sterling silver, gold and gold filled jewelry using the techniques of lost wax casting and hand fabrication (forming, soldering, hammering the metal).
Thanks for checking out the blog!