Simply Adorned

At convention last year, we got our first look at the Simply Adorned jewelry line from Stampin' Up!  I absolutely could not wait to order it when I got home, so you can only imagine my disappointment when the release date was pushed back…..WAY BACK!

Well, I'm happy to say that you can now order from this line and that the wait was well worth it!  I ordered the 1" x 1" charm and the 24" chain (to start).  I sat down to make an insert for my charm, and within an hour, I had more than a few inserts completed.

 
On this charm, I used the "M" from the Monogram Sweet alphabet and a small piece of patterned paper from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pack.  If you don't want to use the stainless steel chain, you could always tie Satin Ribbon through the charm as I have done here.  I'm calling this my Stamp Doc Blog charm.

 
I wear alot of brown, so I wanted an insert that I could wear everyday.  I stamped the background with the Bella Toile stamp set in Close to Cocoa, the stamped the flourish stamp from Tiny Tags in Chocolate Chip.  I went over it carefully with Crystal Effects, then layered it onto Chocolate Chip cardstock.  In this photo, you can kind of see the beveled edge of the glass on the charm.  The front is beveled, and the back is flat glass.  You can decorate both sides, or just one.

 
I thought it would be fun to use the animals from The Love Bandit stamp set to create a series of inserts for Valentine's day or as children's jewelry.  I have been reading about Cadmium in children's jewelry (BAD) and the Simply Adorned line would be a fabulous, safe alternative to give to a child.  Now, some of you may be thinking…..the charms are made of glass.  Well, I will tell you that I have dropped my charm several times on hard surfaces and it hasn't even chipped.  These are very durable, however, I would give it to a child that is a little older and responsible.  Making inserts could be a fun, creative activity for moms & daughters to do together.

And did you notice the chain?  I read on the Stampin' Up! website that you can embellish the chains with ribbon, felt flowers, etc.  I weaved Pretty in Pink and Real Red Satin Ribbon through the chain to create this look.  This does "shorten" the chain quite a bit, but offers an interesting look.

 
Here are a few more that I did for Valentine's Day and another look at the ribbon embellished chain.  You can add a few layers to your inserts, as well as glitter and small pretties flowers.  I tried adding pearls and rhinestones….didn't work.  You don't want to force the charm to close with too many layers because it could break.

 
I think the charms would be great to give for special occasions.  How about giving one to a mom-to-be or someone that is newly engaged?  The "friends" charm would be perfect for a bridesmaid gift or just to let someone know that you are thinking of them.   
 
The Simply Adorned charms and chains come packaged in these great little brown boxes.  I simply tied Certainly Celery Satin ribbon around the box and tied on the charm.  Wouldn't this be a great way to present the jewelry and include some additional inserts within the box?  Who wouldn't adore this gift?

Our Simply Adorned line includes nickel-plated charms in three sizes and anodized stainless steel chains in two lengths. 

In the Occasions mini catalog, Stampin' UP! has added 5/8" circle and square charms and an 8" bracelet.  If you would like to order, please visit my Stampin' UP website.

Happy Stampin'