Meet the Designer: Nancy Neill

After being inspired by her mother’s jewelry designs, Nancy Neill left her job and took up full-time jewelry making. Now, over twenty-five years later, she continues to create original pieces that flourish at boutiques & museums across the nation.

Nancy spent her early life in New England, where participation in all things creative and her respect for history began. In her teen years, the family moved to Athens, Greece and began an adventure that would influence her for a lifetime. Extensive travel throughout the Mediterranean and European countries, visiting historical sites and art museums left a permanent impression.

Her college years were spent in the Midwest, where she studied art history to learn more about all the art she had experienced. Studies also included art education for elementary students. Later courses in interior design complete her educational background to date.

Career experiences include advertising agency work, owning retail home furnishing stores, and apparel store management which finally landed her in the San Francisco Bay Area as advertising and special events coordinator for a luxury Italian handbag manufacturer. This exposure to the world of fashion accessories in the naturally beautiful and creatively stimulating Bay Area began Nancy’s adventures in jewelry design.

It started as a hobby, when her co-workers kept literally buying the jewelry off her neck. And so it began… when her mother said: "If I were you, I would quit my job and start making jewelry full-time!" Nancy says, "Always listen to your mother!"

After heeding this sage advice, Nancy collected found objects, beads, buttons, charms and other findings to create unique one-of-a-kind pieces. Soon, her work was in many boutiques throughout the San Francisco area and grew to be a nationally represented collection.

She has since relocated to beautiful Fox Valley in Northern Illinois, where each piece of jewelry is individually crafted by Nancy and her jewelry artisans. Inspired by nature and the world around us, each item is carefully designed to celebrate nature, to commemorate events or remember visits to special places, or simply to express the individuality of the woman who wears it.

By using pewter and brass charms, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, unique glass beads, and metal jewelry components, Nancy is able to create matchless pieces of art that capture the essence of what is life.

Cliptomania is proud to offer earrings by designer, Nancy Neill. Visit Nancy Neill under Tomorrow's Heirlooms section. 

Gemstone Highlights: Turquoise

Cliptomania.com carries many gemstone non-pierced earrings. From Agate to Zircon, many of our designer's earrings include various gemstones from around the world.  Amid the beauty I wondered about some gem specifics. Questions like....Where did it come from? What gives its distinctive color?  Is it common or rare?  ..and many others.  Of course the internet is full of "sources" for anyone to draw information; however, I have decided to glean the technical information from a handful of "trustworthy" sites, and also cite from a fun site with a  mystic point-of-view giving origins, meanings and healing properties that some people believe the gems possess
.

Turkish Bazaar Collection: Michal Golan Dangle Clip Earrings

Because turquoise is one of my personal favs, I'm going to start with it.

Prized for many years, this beautiful stone was used by the ancient Egyptians in jewelry and worn by pharaohs and kings and is probably one of the oldest known gemstones. King Tut's solid gold mask (below right) has inlayed turquoise, lapis, carnelian and onyx. The name turquoise may have come from the word Turquie, French for Turkey, because of the early belief that the mineral came from that country (the turquoise most likely came from Alimersai Mountain in Persia (now Iran) or the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, two of the world's oldest known turquoise mining areas.)  Another possibility could be the name came from the French description of the gemstone, "pierre turquin" meaning dark blue stone.

Chemically, a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum, turquoise is formed by the percolation of meteoric or groundwater through aluminous rock in the presence of copper. For this reason, it is often associated with copper deposits as a secondary mineral, most often in copper deposits in arid, semiarid, or desert environments.  Even the finest of turquoise is fracturable, reaching a maximum hardness of just slightly more than window glass. The lustre of turquoise is typically waxy to subvitreous and its transparancy is usally opaque. Color is variable ranging from white to a powder blue to a sky blue, to a green-blue to a yellow-green.  The color depends on the minerals found in the area where it grew. The more copper in the mix produces a bluer stone. The more iron in the mix produces a greener stone.

In the ancient Persian Empire, the sky-blue gemstones were earlier worn around the neck or wrist as protection against unnatural death. If they changed color, the wearer was thought to have reason to fear the approach of doom. Meanwhile, it has been discovered that the turquoise certainly can change color, but that this is not necessarily a sign of impending danger. The change can be caused by the light, or by a chemical reaction brought about by cosmetics, dust or the acidity of the skin.

I found the general guidelines for caring for turquoise quite interesting. Prolonged exposure to the sun may discolor the gem. Being a phosphate mineral, it is also fragile and sensitive to solvents. Some perfumes and other cosmetics will attack the finish and may alter the color, as will most commercial jewelry cleaning

Turquoise & Jasper Multi Nugget Non-pierced Clip Earrings

solutions. Therefore, care should be taken when wearing turquoise and the use of sunscreen, lotion, or hair spray, which if used, should be applied before putting on turquiose jewelry, and then gently cleaning the jewelry with a soft cloth to avoid any residue build up.  It should also be kept in its own container to avoid scratching by harder gems, but the container should not be airtight.

Turquoise is one of the official birthstones for the month of December as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is the planetary stone for Aquarius, Taurus and Sagittarius. It is sacred to many Native American's and was carved in the shape of animals and birds. These carvings were placed in tombs to attract beneficial spirits and guard the dead. Turquoise was also used by medicine men for healing and by warriors who fixed it to the end of their bows to insure accurate shots.

Turquoise is considered one of the oldest protection amulets, and was also known as a symbol of wealth in many cultures. Other meanings associated with turquoise include: protection from negative energy, ability to bring good fortune, aid in promoting serenity and meditation as well as providing energy, wisdom, balance, honesty, communication, strength, friendship and love.

www.cliptomania.com offer's many non-pierced gemstone earrings including those with turquoise. To see them, visit the gemstone page of our website or do an Advanced Search, the elongated box under the website name to find a particular gemstone.




Sources
Turquoise, www.geminfo.com, n.p., 2010, May 11, 2012.

Turquoise, en.wikipedia.org, n.p., April 18, 2012, May 11, 2012.

Turquoise Gemstone Meaning, www.crystal-cure.com, n.p., 2011, May 14, 2012. 

Happy Mother's Day!

This year in the United States Mother's Day is

Sunday, May 13, 2018

It's a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mother's on society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April and May. In most countries, Mother's Day is a recent observance derived from the holiday as it has evolved in America.  When it was adopted by other countries and cultures, it was given different meanings, associated to different events (religious, historical or legendary), and celebrated on a different date or dates. Some countries already had existing celebrations honoring motherhood that could be traced back to ancient festivals like the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival to Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration.

Their celebrations have adopted

several external characteristics from the U.S. holiday, like giving carnations and other presents to your own mother.  The extent of the celebrations varies greatly. In some countries, it is potentially offensive to one's mother not to mark "her" day.  In others, it is a little-known festival celebrated mainly by immigrants, or covered by the media as a taste of foreign culture.

We think mother's are special and deserve a day of honor and appreciation. So, this year why not celebrate your mother by giving her beautiful earrings from any of our over a dozen catagories including Gemstones & Pearls, Tomorrow's Heirlooms, Nickel Free and more! Do you have something specific you would like to find?  Try our Advanced Search feature (an elongated bubble under the website name) feature to look by designer, size, key word, etc. With over 15 years experience in non-pierced, clip-on earrings, we carry nice selections, including sizes from Pretty & Petite to the Big & Bold and everything in between.  Not sure what colors are in for Spring and Summer? We can help. Visit Spring & Summer Style Guide to get information on current earring trends and fashion color forecast. 

Together, we'll make your mother smile.

Visit:  www.cliptomania.com   



What is Dichroic Glass?

Dichroic glass has become very popular over the last couple of years. As I have visited stores here and there, these unusual and sometimes mesmerizing pieces of  art can be found in necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings and even wall hangings. Choosing a favorite, as I like to do when seeing a displayed array of items, can be tricky. No two are alike though may be similar. I think the pieces that fascinate me the most are the dramatic color changers. No wonder dichroic glass is also referred to as "chameleon glass."

Where did it come from?

Modern dichroic glass is available as a result of a materials research carried out by NASA and its contractors, who developed it for use in dichroic filters. However, it can also be traced back to the 4th century AD as seen in the Lycurgus Cup, which resides in a museum in London.  The picture on the left depicts the cup in normal light. The picture on the right depicts the cup photographed with a flash, showing it's green color though no light is coming through it. It is the only complete Roman glass object made from this type of glass, and the one exhibiting the most impressive change in color.

The main characteristic of dichroic glass in that it has a particular transmitted color and a completely different reflected color, as certain wavelengths of light either pass through or are reflected. This causes an array of color to be displayed, and the colors shift depending on the angle of view. Dichroic glass is an example of thin-film optics.

How is it made? 
Multiple ultra thin layers of different metals, such as gold or silver and the oxides of such metals - titanium, chromium, aluminium, zirconium, magnesium, or silica - are vaporised by an electron beam in a vacuum chamber. The vapor then condenses on the surface of the glass in the form of a crystal structure. A protective layer of quartz is sometimes added. The finished glass can have as many as 30 to 50 layers of these materials, yet the total thickness can be 30 to 35 millionths of an inch. The coating that is created is similar to gemstones and, by careful control of thickness, different colors may be obtained. A plate of dichroic glass can be fused with other glass in multiple firings. Due to variations in the firing process, results can not be exactly predicted, so each piece of glass is unique.

Making these amazing pieces is certainly not a "Do-It-Yourself" project.  Limited supply is due to the requirement for very high-tech equipment and skilled artisans.


Dichroic glass adds flash, pizazz, sparkle and intrigue. It is  recommended to wear one piece of dichroic jewelry at a time to attract attention, comments or perhaps conversation, as several pieces tend to overwhelm and take away the mystery and uniqueness in each piece.

Cliptomania.com offers non-pierced earrings that are made of dichroic glass. Cliptomania's owner, Candy Santo, noted she had a hard time catching a good photo as the shine and color changing kept blurring its outcome. See these and other beautiful earrings at www.cliptomania.com.

Meet The Designer: Michal Golan

This will be the first in a series of blogs introducing you to jewelry designer's that are proudly featured at https://www.cliptomania.com/. With the over 500+ non-pierced earrings that we offer, a great number are designer, special, one-of-a-kind creations. Most of the designer's merchandise we carry can be found in the Tomorrow's Heirlooms section of our website; however, depending on the style and color, you may see them also sprinkled in other sections. We hope that you will take a minute to enjoy this as we spotlight the individuals behind the beauty we love to wear. 
 

MICHAL GOLAN

An Israeli born jewelry designer, printer and ceramist is the force behind the company that bears her name. Michal Golan draws from a range of influences to create designs that are recognized for their ornate and intensely colored arrangements of gemstones and crystals. She has a meticulous attention to detail which highlights her mosaic-inspired heritage and familiarity with Middle Eastern art.

Michal moved to the United States in 1976. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA in graphic art. She also holds a master's degree in studio art from New York University.

Michal's company was launched in 1982, first from an apartment then moving into a design studio and production facility in New York City. The companymaintains over 1,500 accounts in the U.S. as well as Germany, Australia, Korea and Japan, with her jewelry and art available in up-scale gift shops, galleries and museums worldwide.



Q: What is Recycled Comonents Jewelry?

A: It is jewelry made by using materials that are no longer wanted or are destined for the trash, and reworking them into something beautiful, unique and often playful.

From glass bottles and old vinyl records to pop can tabs and string the range of materials which can be made into jewelry items is practically endless. Many of these items are genuinely unique but most importantly, many of these items use materials which would simply end up in the land fill.

Fun, creative, unique recycled jewelry knows no limits in design or materials.  It has an appeal to those interested in being eco friendly but it is also for anyone who appreciates stylish, unusual and fun fashion.  It's fascinating to see what is being used and what will be used next. If you personally enjoy making jewelry, it can encourage you to see things we typically throw away in a new light.

These non-pierced earrings are made from recycled rubber.

#RB500 $13.25  (www.cliptomania.com)

Designer: Katherine Kornblau



In purchasing recycled, eco-friendly jewelry, you can be a part of the recycling process in its most creative aspect. While smaller amounts being recycled for jewelry may not make a big impact, every little bit helps!  More than anything else recycled jewelry is an expression of many desires.  The desire to conserve, the desire to find new uses for old or discarded items and the desire to explore creative designs with unlikely materials. While the ultimate goal is to help the environment there is no doubt that it is just as important to create something beautiful.

Most recycled jewelry is handcrafted. The materials have a history. The designs have a meaning. It is jewelry worn by those who like the unique and who find it appealing that their purchase does a little good.

Linked-chains & Color Spike Drop Clip Earrings

You can also buy fair trade recycled jewelry which helps to offer small scale artisans the opportunity to earn a fair and sustainable income while reducing the need to process new raw materials that may have sources of conflict.

All in all, its a win-win situation. As designers and customers continue to embrace these concepts of recycling and new use, you will be seeing increased availablity of unique creations that not only look good, but are good for the environment.

    

Content information taken from

www.recycledjewellery.co.uk/why-buy-recycled-jewellery.html

www.natural-living-for-women.com/recycled-jewelry.html
March 8, 2012

Spring Is On Its Way!

We can't complain. Indiana hasn't seen much of a winter this year. However, today being March 1st...well, it's the month that encompasses the first day of Spring, and moods already seem lighter today in its anticipation. Even the greenery of flowers-to-be is starting to peek upward asking, "Is it time yet? Can we come out?" Cliptomania's theme page has changed as we highlight this treasured coming season. Florals of color - muted or bright - will have you saying, "It is time."

Etched Cherry Blossoms & Mother of Pearl Clip Earrings

Blooming Amber Roses in Sterling Silver Clip Earrings 

                                              

Delightful Daises Non-pierced Clip Earrings

See these and many others at www.cliptomania.com, you're #1 source of beautiful clip-on, non-pierced earrings for ANY season!