Taking Care of Your Handmade Jewelries

"Hope this piece won't fade after some times?" This has been a constant question most of my first time clients ask before finally making a decision to buy. And who would have blamed them, I probably would do the same if I am in their shoes after all everyone wants value for her money. My response? "This piece will last you for a long time because I always go for quality materials, much still depends on how you take care of it anyway.

Why the conditional clause? You may ask. A lot of persons handle handmade jewelry the same way as mass produced jewelries which is not supposed to be so while some wants it to last them a life time.

This post will provide tips on how to take care of your handmade jewelries so they can last longer.

HANDMADE JEWELRY CARE DON'TS

• Do not sleep, shower, bathe, swim or do dishes with your jewelry on. Water, even as harmless as tap water may seem, contains a variety of chemicals that can lead to excessive wear to the metals and stones.
• Do not exercise with jewelry on. Apart from the wear that can result from sweats, tugging, pulling and rough handling can result in broken links, wire and threads. 

HANDMADE JEWELRY CARE DO'S

• Only put jewelry on after applying make-up, hair products or perfumes. Repeated exposures to chemicals from these substances may cause your jewelry to loose its sparkles.
• Before wearing, always check all of the connections, clasps, and jumprings to be sure they are in tact. Give the jewelry to a jeweler to be maintained if it looses.
• Clean jewelry with mild detergent and water, preferably, lukewarm water.
• For gemstones and pearls, gently wipe the pieces with a damp cloth, dry completely with a soft cloth, do not use toothpaste and a toothbrush.
• Where possible, store your handmade jewelries either laying down flat or hanging straight to prevent kinks and tangles.

Just like every accessory needs to be taken care of to extend its life span, so does your handmade jewelries.

I hope these few tips help you enjoy your handmades more. Ciao for now!!!

PrncxJewelry Website

Hello Friends, It has really been a long while. Apologies for the prolonged silence (Hope apology is accepted).
The truth is we have been working hard lately on our online store which has really kept me away from my blog. But do not worry, I will soon get back fully.
The good news is: OUR WEBSITE IS NOW LIVE!! (Yippeeeee!!). Believe me, I am actually excited about this. Now you can visit our online store to get all those jewelries and accessories you see in my blog posts and even more.
Oh!!The URL? I am sorry. The excitement has even made me forget about it. The web address is http://prncx.com/. 
With our new website, you no longer need to worry about delay in delivery of products ordered for on our platform. We are also open to suggestions on ways to serve you better (Remember, you are the kings and queens here).

All our product, however, are still available on our konga and kaymu platforms.

Here are some products currently featured on our online shop PrncxJewelry:

Abuja Collection

Corals

Netted Bead Jewelry Set

Black and White Cufflinks

Rectangular Cufflinks

Valentine's Giveaway

Haven't you heard? Do not tell me you still have not participated. PrncxJewelry is giving out free love-themed jewelries on our social network platforms - Facebook and Instagram. You can join in by simply visiting our page PrncxJewelry on Facebook.

Want to have a peep at our prize? That is no crime. Here it is:

You will be guided through a set of simple steps, follow through and you could be the proud winner of this prize.

February 14th on its way

Wow! it is already less than a month to the famous February 14th! Y'all know what I mean (Yes! Yes!! exactly what you think). I am sure some lovebirds have started planning for it already. Some cute guys are even thinking of getting on one knee that day (Blushing for you already, girlfriend). 

You know what, I will be sharing tips and gift ideas that will make that day special on this blog plus a very big surprise for page viewers.

Keep it locked on this blog!!

Holiday Designs

Ooops! It has been a while! Sorry for the "loooonnng" break. I have been busy working on some new styles. That coupled with the holiday demands has kept me away for some times. But be sure I will soon be back with you fully.

Let me share some of the new designs I have been working on

Watch out for more and vey soon these and more will be ready on my online stores konga, 

Neckline and Necklace

Wow! I actually did not realize that it has been four days since I posted on this blog. So sorry for the "break in transmission". But do not worry, I am back and will not leave you for that long again, I promise (I will try to keep that promise).

Anyway, I have decided to share tips on how to determine necklace that will complement your neckline (You know I promised to do that in one of my earlier posts). 

So here we go...

Your tops usually come in one of these necklines (not exhaustive anyway): Turtle necks, Crew necks, Scoop necks, Strapless, Square necks, Asymmetric necklines, Halter necks, V neck, Collared shirt (button down), Boat neck, Cowl neck, Sweetheart.

As different as the necklines are, so are the necklaces that will go with them. Imogeni on http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2013/04/how-to-choose-necklaces-to-work-with-your-neckline.html explains how to choose the best necklace for your neckline.

Turtle necks – best with longer necklaces

Crew necks – best with short necklaces such as necklace ‘collar’ or bib styles

Scoop necks – fill in the space with multiple strands of beads or larger scale pendants

Strapless – look great with chokers or short pendants, leaving your lovely decolletage bare

Square necks – look for pendants with an angular finish to harmonize with the angular neckline

Asymmetric necklines – look for necklaces that aren't symmetrical, instead a necklace that has it’s own asymmetry can work, alternatively a long string of different sized and shaped beads can work well.

Halter necks – these create a narrow V neck – so look for a narrow pendant with a sharper end

V neck – ideally a necklace that matches the shape of the V – depending if it’s a wider or narrower V neck.

Collared shirt (button down) – there isn’t much space for anything too wide, so a choker style works if you have a long neck, if not a slimmer pendant that sits above the last open button.

Boat neck – a long string or two of beads is ideal for this neckline.

Cowl neck – this neckline is already detailed and has volume, so either a short and small pendant or a pair of feature earrings instead of a necklace.

Sweetheart – a curved necklace that has width that will balance the open decolletage of this neckline.

We provide the pictorial illustration below fromhttp://www.mamamia.com.au/style/necklaces-for-necklines-how-to-wear-a-statement-necklace/ to provide a visual aid to understanding this:

Now that you know, I hope you will not commit any dressing blunder again when choosing your necklaces. 

Make a selection from our store for that particular neckline you are wearing (Yes, that one, you know what I mean). You will always find something for you on PrncxJewelry Store. Check these out:

wirework pearl necklace

two step wirewrapped necklace

single strand swarovski necklace

opera necklace

jig necklace

Pearl Necklace

3-strand necklace

Beaded Jewelry Set

Till I come your way again, remain fashion minded (CIAO!!)

How Pearls Are Formed Naturally

It can be amazing how extraordinary things happen as a result of ordinary activities we often overlook. One of such wonders is how pearls are formed as a result of oysters, mussels and clams' protective mechanism against unwanted organisms. Click on the link below to see video
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T18E58vOTus&feature=share

And now this is what we have thanks to the activities of these creatures.

Your Face Your Jewelry 4 (Jewelry For Your Face Shape 2)

Hello, I am back!! Hope your day was Fine.

In the previous post, I gave some tips on choosing jewelries to flatter your face shape. Jewelries for the round, oval, Oblong and Square Face shapes were discussed in the last post.
It is now the turn of the heart, triangle and diamond face shapes.

First, The Heart Face Shape: This face shape is characterized by wide brow and narrow chin with width of the face at the forehead and cheekbone greater than the width of the Chin.
This face shapes need short necklaces with curves to reduce the appearance of length at the jawline and diminish the sharp point of the chin. Therefore, choker, collar and princess necklaces will be ideal for this face shape. A bold pendant on a short necklace will also be fine for this face shape since it will create a visual stop under the chin thereby shortening the length of the face.
Any earring with its widest point next to the jawline will be fine. The face needs earrings that will add width at the chin level, so use horizontal lines of hooks, teardrop, curves, triangles and other dangling space filling designs. Avoid studs and any long narrow earring styles.
The Triangle Face Shape: This face shape is the opposite of the heart face shape with narrow brow and wide chin.Compliment this face shape with short necklaces with gentle curves to soften the strong jawline. Princess and Matinee length necklaces are ideal for this face shape. Use pendants with curves and swirl to counter the angular shape of the jaw.
As against the heart shape, this face shape needs earrings that add width to the cheekbone and above. Ear cuffs, and other earrings that curve up the ears are good for this face shape as well as small button (stud) styles with few more narrow dangles earrings styles.
The Diamond Face Shape: They are widest at the cheekbones and equally narrow at the forehead and jawline.
Just like the oval face shape, the diamond face shapes also have the advantage of being able to almost wear any type of necklaces and earrings as long as they are in the right proportion to the person's face. However, avoid overly long earrings as these will lengthen the diamond face shape. (http://www.firemountaingems.com/encyclobeadia/beading_resources.asp?docid=a21b).
The image below summarizes what we have discussed so far.

(https://www.jweel.com/en/blog/p/2014/choosing-jewelry-based-on-its-morphology/)

I mentioned necklace lengths by name a lot in these posts (matinee, collar, princess, opera, etc), you probably do not know what these are. The images below will guide you with the length in inches

(https://www.yookos.com/groups/northern-virtual-zone-3/blog/2013/09/19/types-of-necklaces-and-how-to-wear-them)

(http://blog.bodycandy.com/2011/08/16/necklace-guide-part-1-styles-and-lengths/)

:

I hope my first five (5) posts have been helpful in choosing better jewelry pieces for yourself and your loved ones. More tips on fashion and jewelry are still to come so, stay glued to this blog.
Till I come your way again, have a fashion filled weekend ( CIAO!)

Your Face Your Jewelry Part 3 (Jewelry For Your Face Shape 1)

Now, you know what face shape you have got. Your next question will most probably be, "what type of jewelry should I choose?", "What type of earrings or necklace will flatter my face?" Do not worry, I will share some useful tips to help you select your jewelries right.

Let us start with Round Face Shape. Know this first- opposite works well for round face. Avoid any round shape earrings, rather, settle for long vertical styles such as dangles, narrow chandeliers and drops.
Avoid hoop studded earrings, except those with dangles attached, for these will make your face look rounder.
When choosing necklace, avoid choker, collar length and princess necklace (in case you do not know what these are, they are necklaces which are 14", 16" and 18" long respectively), because of their length, they ted to shorten the neck and make the face more rounder.
The best choice for round face will be long necklaces for they draw the eyes down and give the face a longer look.
The images below provide a pictorial illustration (From http://ritasunderland.com/face-shapes-and-jewelry/)

The following have been selected for round face shape from PrncxJewelry Store. Visit  http://www.konga.com/PRNCX-JEWELRIESor http://www.kaymu.com.ng/seller/prncxjewelry/ to make purchase if you are interested in any.

Oval Face Shape: This category can wear almost any shape and style of neckpiece as long as the neckpiece is in the right proportion to the individual and should compliment the neckline(neckline to be discussed in future post). The same applies to earrings choice, they can wear any type, stle and shape of earrings too.

Oblong (Rectangular) Face Shape: They are the opposite of the round face shapes. Chokers, collar and princess length will work just fine on this face shape. Large, Bold earrings are ideal for this face shape. As it is for round shape, opposites attracts for this face shape too so rock rounds, curves crescents and other wide space-filling designs.

Square Face Shape: This face shape needs necklaces with length and curves to soften the strong jawline. Princess, Matinee, Opera and rope length will work well since they create a vertical line that tend to lengthen the face. Choose large oval hoops, long, narrow designs in earrings to lengthen the face.http://www.firemountaingems.com/encyclobeadia/beading_resources.asp?docid=a21b

The Next Post will Share jewelry tips for the heart-shaped, triangle-shaped and diamond-shaped faces (Uh Ohh! Suspense you said? I am sorry but will soon be back. In the meantime, this should help:)

Hope it actually does help.

Your Face... Your Jewelry Part 2 (Know What Face Shape You Have Got)

Now we need to do some calculation to determine your face shape.

1. Determining Face Shape Using a Measuring Tape
The measurements of the followings will be needed:

• The Forehead
• The Cheeks 
• The Jaw

Forehead: Measure across the forehead at the widest point

Cheeks: Measure the widest length across the cheekbone just a little past the outer corner of your eyes over your nose bridge to the other cheekbone

Jaw: Measure the jawline at its widest point usually an inch below the bottom of the ear to your chin. Multiply the result by two to get the jaw-to-jaw length.

Now, measure the length of your face, place the tape just under the eyes and measure from ear to ear to get the horizontal length of your face.

To get the horizontal length of your face, place the tape at the top of your forehead at your hairline and measure to your chin.

It is high time we determined your face shape now that you have all the measurement needed.

Oblong Faces are longer than they are wide. They have fairly similar measurements in terms of cheek, forehead, and jawline 

Heart Faces are defined by upside down shape of the face which results from having a relatively pointy chin and medium to wide forehead and cheek measurement. They are just a little longer than they are wide at the cheeks

Square Faces are about as long as they are wide. Cheek and  length are within an inch or two of  each other.

Oval Faces are somewhat similar to an inverted egg shape. Forehead is slightly wider than the jawline with a gently rounded chin.

Round Faces are also about as wide as they are long like square face but they have relatively small forehead and small curved jawline.

Triangular Faces are the opposite of heart-shaped faces with long, wide, square jawlines and relatively thin foreheads.

Diamond Faces are wider at the cheekbones. They are somewhat longer than they are wide with pointed chin.They have cheek measurements greater than forehead and jaw measurements.

Now, you most probably know where you belong in the face shape categories. Please refer to the image in the previous post to see an outline of the different face shapes. 

Visit  http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-Your-Face-Shape or http://beauty.about.com/od/bestcutsbyfaceshap1/ss/Are-You-Round-Square-Long-Heart-Or-Oval.htm to learn more on determining face shapes

Feel free to add your comment to this post.