Jewelry For Travel

With summer peeking its head around the corner, vacations are moving to the front of minds for millions of people. While a vacation is nice and relaxing once you get to your destination, packing can be incredibly stressful. How many outfits do you take? What will the weather be? What about all those fees airlines charge for extra bags? Not only do you have to pack clothes, but no matter where you go, you have to have accessories. Nowadays it is beneficial to pack light and to pack smart so here are some tips on what jewelry to pack and how to pack it right.

It is important when packing accessories to take the pieces you will get the most mileage out of. You want to choose pieces out of your collection that are versatile enough to wear day or night and with any style or color. One of the best options is simple silver jewelry. A pendant necklace or chain necklace are perfect options. Pack just one or two pairs of earrings like a pair of silver hoops and pair of great drop earrings. If you are more of a gold person, the same simple rules apply. Don't go overboard, a few pieces can go a long way. A good rule of thumb to follow: don't pack any jewelry or accessories that don't go with at least two outfits. A great tip is to plan out your outfits in advance of your trip and accessorize them all before putting them into the suitcase.

One thing to keep in mind when packing jewelry for a trip is value. You don't want to pack valuable pieces of jewelry or sentimental pieces that would be impossible to replace if they were to be lost. It can even be worthwhile to go out and buy a couple inexpensive pieces of jewelry before your trip so that you won't be devastated should something happen. Some great options are costume type jewelry like big plastic baubles or a cheap pair of pearls. These can always look fashionable and expensive but won't hurt your wallet. Also, always pack your jewelry in your carry-on luggage if you are flying. This way, there is less risk of the jewelry disappearing or getting lost or damaged in transit.

The best way to pack your jewelry for travel, especially if you are flying, is in plastic Ziploc bags. Since you will have to put your luggage through the scanner at security, if they can clearly see what you have packed, the less risk there is of them rummaging through your bags. A jewelry box can be a great, safe way to pack your jewelry but it might look suspicious when run through the scanner. The best way to ensure your jewelry stays intact and untangled is simple. Pack each piece in its own small Ziploc bag then put all of the smaller bags into a larger one. This way, each piece stays separate but you won't have to rummage through your luggage and sort out a thousand little baggies.

If you are traveling to a destination where you will be attending a special event where you need to take some more valuable pieces of jewelry, there are some steps you can take to ease your mind. First, insure any expensive pieces you will be traveling with. In the event of damage or loss, you can feel good knowing that while it might be emotionally irreplaceable, you have some coverage. As long as you take some time and care when you pack your jewelry, you and all your accessories should arrive intact and ready to hit the town!

Personalized Jewelry Makes All the Difference

Personalized jewelry allow even the most tongue-tied souls to express how they feel about their special someone with eloquence and artistry. You will be assured that this diverse collection will help you find the perfect treasure for anyone on your shopping list.

This product is hand crafted with special attention paid to detail, durability, and quality. Don't worry about the new trends because this is a gift that is always in style. The outstanding quality, beauty, value, and exclusive style of these items will be just right for giving and even for self indulgence.

These products are useful in standing up for individuality. The gift becomes a treasure that will always be cherished. Every time this unique item is worn, that recipient can not help but reflect on the special person that gave it to them. It has always been used as an expression of how we feel about ourselves and who we care about, no matter what the occasion may be.

This type of present can be used for a variety of occasions including retirements, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and of course weddings. It is usually made for engagements and weddings, but you don't have to go by the rules. It can be gifted for any and every occasion.

You are encouraged to select from the vast selection of jewelry. The quality of these items are kept in very high standards. You will never be sold a product that wasn't firmly believed in. Experience the wonderful feeling of giving your loved one exactly what they wanted. Discover how these precious products can bring joy for a lifetime!

Jewelry-Making DIY Basics - What is a Jump Ring?

Jump rings are basic components of jewelry design and construction, whether for simple purposes of attaching charms to necklaces and bracelets or for making elaborate chain mail (chain maille) earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

What is a jump ring?

Jump rings are loops formed of wire.  The two most common jump rings are:

open, round-shaped and made of round wire with a single cut that lets the rings be opened and closedclosed (soldered), round-shaped and made of round wire

Other jump rings shapes:
ovalteardropsdiamondstriangular wire ringssquare wire ringstwisted wire rings

Large and Fancy jump rings are more likely to be used as earring drops and other decorative components. 

Quality open jump rings

Well-made open jump rings will have ends that are saw cut at 90 degrees to the "plane" of the rings.  The ends will "fit" together well without showing a big gap.  Inexpensive pieces are often "chisel-cut", meaning that both ends of the wire have a point.  Chisel-cut rings are often made of thinner wires that lack the strength for a well-made piece of jewelry.

How are jump rings used?

Connect Charms and Findings with Open Jump Rings

Plain round and oval open rings are often used to connect charms to chains and bracelets.  To connect charms and findings this way, use two pairs of pliers.  Flat nose pliers maximize the jump ring area grabbed in the pliers jaws.  Grab the ring with both pliers to either side of the cut. Move the ends away from each other along the ring's "axis" -- not in the ring's "plane."  Put the open ring through the two pieces that need to be connected.  Then move the ends of the jump ring back toward each other, wiggling the ends back and forth until the cut is hard to see and too small for the pieces to come out of the loop.

Open oval rings are many times better suited for hanging charms than open round rings because the cut is along the long side of the jump ring.  Gravity tends to pull charms into the closed small part, so they cannot even accidentally escape the ring if the cut is open.

Use Closed Rings with Lobster Claw Clasps

Closed rings make an ideal target for lobster claw clasps on beaded necklaces, bracelets and anklets.  A crimp fastens the bead wire to a closed ring, which has no gap that will let the bead wire "escape" from the ring.

Open Jump Ring Bracelets

Some 5/o triangle seed beads and 6/o round seed beads will fit onto a 1mm diameter (18 gauge) jump ring.  These rings with beads on them can be connected together to make triangle seed bead jump ring bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

Chain Mail (Chain Maille)

 Open and closed rings can be combined into strands and sheets.  This type of jewelry is called chain mail (or chain maille).  Chain mail armor was worn in Europe in the Middle Ages.  Chain mail jewelry takes the idea of chain mail and applies it to earring components, necklaces and bracelets.  Some of these patterns go by names like "Byzantine chain", "Tryzantine chain", "Box chain", "European 4-in-1", "Foxtail", "Queen's Link" and other romantic names. 

Jump rings, whether simple or fancy, are basic components that every jewelry designer needs to understand, whether trying to make simple connections, making flashy, open earrings or creating complicated chain maille pieces.