Many people see the wedding ring as a status symbol. Instead of a simple token of affection and commitment, they get a diamond wedding ring packed within as many shimmering, sparkling, overpriced crystals as possible. In my mind, this is not only a tacky gesture, but also a counterproductive one. I have always favored simple white gold wedding bands. The purpose of the wedding ring, after all, is not to show off how much money you have, or to catch the eye of everyone that you see. The purpose of a white gold wedding band is to show that you intend to spend the rest of your life with someone.
Of course, a little adornment can be quite beautiful. I had a friend who exchanged white gold Celtic wedding bands instead of the plain ones that I prefer. They loved them. The designs were simple and elegant, so the meaning of the wedding band was not lost. But the important thing to remember is that the white gold wedding ring is not a place for self-expression. If you like fancy jewelery, that is fine. You can get all kinds of fancy jewelry to adorn your hands, your neck, your wrists, or any other part of your body. But the purpose of a wedding band is mostly symbolic. As such, it can serve this purpose better if it is of a simple and elegant design. This is why I feel that simple white gold wedding bands are superior to any other style.
This doesn't mean that quality doesn't matter. Far from it! Not all white gold wedding bands are the same. Even if you are looking at rings that have no carvings or adornments, they still are of different designs. Some white gold wedding bands are of higher caliber than others. Some of them are thicker, thinner, or of a slightly different shape. I have always thought that white gold wedding bands with a slightly rectangular shape to the band looked particularly sharp, but many people disagree with me on this.
Fortunately, white gold wedding bands have maintains tremendous popularity over the years. If you go to your local jewelry store, you should be able to try on several different styles and see which one works best for you. In addition to white gold wedding bands, there are other tints as well. You may find red gold to be much more striking.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Handmade Bracelets
At one point or another, everyone has experienced the joy of receiving a handmade bracelet in their life. Whether you have been given a friendship bracelet by someone who was close to you, put together beads with your grandmother over a lazy Sunday afternoon, or been given a special present by someone who you had a crush on you, handmade bracelets have probably crossed your path at one point or another. Most people get over them, but I have never. I love all of them. I love charm bracelets, friendship bracelets, lanyards – you name it and I have made dozens of them. I even tried to start a handmade bracelet business at one point, although it quickly fell through.
I guess the thing I like so much about handmade bracelets is the effect of the personal touch. In this age where almost everyone buys gifts, people forget the effect it can have on the you to receive something that has been handmade by a friend. A new CD or computer game will be forgotten within several months or years. A nice piece of handmade jewelry – something which costs only a fraction of the price – will be with you forever. For me, it is almost a magical process. The way that a handmade keepsake can unite two people is truly amazing if you think about it. This is why I take every opportunity that I have to make a handmade bracelet for someone.
A lot of people never make handmade bracelets because they haven't been shown how. They assume that it will be too hard for them because they don't particularly have a knack for crafts. If you have never tried it before, you would be amazed at how easy handmade bracelets can be. You can make them in many different ways.
When I was a kid, my favorite way with bead looms. With the bead loom, you can turn a thread and cheap plastic beads into a gorgeous pattern of different colors and shades. You can even draw little pictures with the beads! Another favorite among children is the lanyard. These handmade bracelets are made out of strips of brightly colored plastic that are twisted together in various patterns. Both of these are extremely inexpensive ways to assemble your own bracelets handmade, yet can be used to make gifts that will be remembered for a long time. You can even just go into a bead store and pick out your favorite beads to assemble a lovely, unique necklace. It takes moments, but will be remembered for years.
I guess the thing I like so much about handmade bracelets is the effect of the personal touch. In this age where almost everyone buys gifts, people forget the effect it can have on the you to receive something that has been handmade by a friend. A new CD or computer game will be forgotten within several months or years. A nice piece of handmade jewelry – something which costs only a fraction of the price – will be with you forever. For me, it is almost a magical process. The way that a handmade keepsake can unite two people is truly amazing if you think about it. This is why I take every opportunity that I have to make a handmade bracelet for someone.
A lot of people never make handmade bracelets because they haven't been shown how. They assume that it will be too hard for them because they don't particularly have a knack for crafts. If you have never tried it before, you would be amazed at how easy handmade bracelets can be. You can make them in many different ways.
When I was a kid, my favorite way with bead looms. With the bead loom, you can turn a thread and cheap plastic beads into a gorgeous pattern of different colors and shades. You can even draw little pictures with the beads! Another favorite among children is the lanyard. These handmade bracelets are made out of strips of brightly colored plastic that are twisted together in various patterns. Both of these are extremely inexpensive ways to assemble your own bracelets handmade, yet can be used to make gifts that will be remembered for a long time. You can even just go into a bead store and pick out your favorite beads to assemble a lovely, unique necklace. It takes moments, but will be remembered for years.
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