Juggling Jewelry
There was a time when I really didn't enjoy jewelry. Sure, I liked my hoop earrings in the 80s. I could admire a pretty chandelier. I went through my choker phase. I wore it, but I didn't really enjoy it.
Unfortunately, I have a lot of it, thanks to overly generous relatives and friends. Other girls would have reveled in the number of choices I had: topaz and pearls, gold and silver. I had cheap plastic earrings, dangling crystals, enameled bangles, deep green jade.
So what was the problem? My choice became too much. I could never figure out what to wear, and my jewelry wardrobe was worse than my clothes closet. I had to purge. I purged and ended up with just a few items, blissfully happy in knowing I could choose one of two necklaces, two earrings, and two sets of bracelets. Ah, simplicity!
The problem: it got old fast. I had to think of new ways to wear my existing jewelry. My struggles are now your benefit. A few of my enlightened discoveries:
1. Earrings and rings as pendants. My tiny hoop earrings became gorgeous when threaded singly onto a threadlike chain. Suddenly they open up and really flatter that neckline. You can do the same with rings, or do two chains and use both earrings.
2. Necklaces as bracelets. Wrap a necklace around your wrist and then fasten (don't fasten before - you won't get a good fit). Allow it to loosen. I often leave the pendants (or earring-pendants) on, so they dangle down the back of my hand. Pretty. Mix with regular bracelets or bangles if you like.
3. Bangles as earrings. I had a couple of earring hooks on another pair of earrings that I removed and threaded a thin bangle through. Ta da - big, beautiful hoop earrings. You need two matching bangles but you could do the same with two bracelets or rings.
4. Other random uses. Mix up things: brooches as pendants. A beautiful bangle as a pendant. Necklaces as hair ornaments. A pair of regular pendants as earrings. Rings threaded on a bracelet. Brooches in your hair, on a cuff, or clipped to your ears.
You're only limited by your imagination. Try various combinations to see what looks good - be daring. A new jewelry look can spice up even a plain jeans-and-tee combo. Never have a dull jewelry moment again!