Behind The Beads

Every handmade piece begins with a spark of inspiration. Sometimes it's the rich color of a gemstone, sometimes the changing seasons, and sometimes it's a memory, a place, or a feeling that deserves to be captured in jewelry. Here on the Lottie's Trinkets Blog, I invite you behind the scenes to explore the stories, inspiration, and craftsmanship that bring each collection to life.

This is more than a jewelry blog. It's a place for anyone who appreciates creativity, natural gemstones, and the beauty found in handcrafted pieces. Whether you're searching for the perfect gift, curious about the meaning of a particular gemstone, looking for tips on caring for your favorite jewelry, or simply enjoy discovering the story behind artisan creations, you'll find something here to inspire you.

As you explore, you'll discover articles about:

  • The fascinating history and symbolism of gemstones.

  • How to choose jewelry that reflects your personality and style.

  • Caring for handmade jewelry so it remains beautiful for years to come.

  • Seasonal fashion inspiration and gift ideas.

  • Behind-the-scenes looks at new collections and the creative process.

  • The materials, techniques, and artistry that make every Lottie's Trinkets design unique.

  • Stories from the local arts community and the inspiration that comes from supporting artists and handmade craftsmanship.

I believe jewelry is more than an accessory. The right piece can celebrate a milestone, remind us of a treasured memory, become a thoughtful gift, or simply brighten an ordinary day. Every necklace, bracelet, and pair of earrings is created with carefully selected gemstones and a passion for making something both beautiful and meaningful.

So take a little time to wander. Read a few articles that catch your eye, discover a gemstone you've never heard of, learn something new, or find inspiration for your next favorite piece. You never know what treasure you'll uncover.

Welcome, and happy reading!

Design Lise Spence-Parsons Design Lise Spence-Parsons

What a Handmade Necklace Review Should Notice

A handmade necklace review should begin with the feeling a piece creates before it ever reaches a jewelry box. Does it make a simple white shirt look intentional? Does it catch the light in a way that feels personal rather than flashy? Most of all, does it look and feel like it was made for someone who enjoys being noticed for the right reasons?

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Design Lise Spence-Parsons Design Lise Spence-Parsons

Custom Jewelry Versus Ready Made for Your Style

A necklace can be the finishing touch on an outfit, or it can be the reason someone asks, “Where did you find that?” The choice between custom jewelry versus ready made comes down to more than convenience. It is a choice between finding a piece that is already waiting for you and helping create one that begins with your story.

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Styling, Design Lise Spence-Parsons Styling, Design Lise Spence-Parsons

Shopping by Color for Jewelry You’ll Reach For Time After Time

A deep green necklace can make a simple black sweater feel considered. A pair of pearl earrings can soften a crisp white shirt. A flash of coral at the wrist can carry the warmth of a summer evening into an ordinary Tuesday. That is the pleasure of shopping by color: you are not simply choosing an accessory. You are choosing the feeling you want to bring to your outfit.

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Design Lise Spence-Parsons Design Lise Spence-Parsons

Handmade Jewelry Versus Mass Production: Choose Well

A necklace can be a finishing touch, or it can be the reason someone asks, “Where did you get that?” The difference often comes down to handmade jewelry versus mass production. Both have a place in a jewelry box, but they offer very different experiences: one is designed for wide availability, while the other is created with a particular person, material, and moment in mind.

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Gemstone Focus, Styling, Design Lise Spence-Parsons Gemstone Focus, Styling, Design Lise Spence-Parsons

Discover the Beauty of Fossilized Coral Beads

A single fossilized coral bead can hold a small universe of pattern: soft flower-like cells, branching marks, warm sand tones, and occasional shadows of rust, cream, or smoky gray. When you discover the beauty of fossilized coral beads, you are not simply choosing a neutral stone. You are choosing a material shaped by time, with details no factory finish could repeat.

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Styling, Design, Custom Lise Spence-Parsons Styling, Design, Custom Lise Spence-Parsons

Wearable Art Jewelry That Feels Like You

A necklace can be beautiful and still feel borrowed from someone else’s idea of style. Wearable art jewelry is different. It begins with the belief that the pieces you put on each morning should say something personal: a flash of color, a favorite texture, a shape that makes a simple black dress or white shirt feel unmistakably yours.

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Design, Styling Lise Spence-Parsons Design, Styling Lise Spence-Parsons

Custom Jewelry Design That Feels Like You

A favorite color. The stone that reminds you of a particular place. A necklace length that finally sits exactly where you want it to. Custom jewelry design begins with details like these, then turns them into something you can wear for years. It is not about making a piece louder or more complicated. It is about making it feel unmistakably yours.

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Design Lise Spence-Parsons Design Lise Spence-Parsons

Gold Tone Jewelry Color Trends to Wear Now

A gold necklace can change the temperature of an entire outfit. Against a white linen shirt, it feels sunlit and easy. Paired with black velvet, it becomes intimate and dramatic. The most compelling gold tone jewelry color trends are not about chasing one perfect shade of gold. They are about choosing warmth, contrast, and materials that make a piece feel like it belongs to you.

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Design, Styling Lise Spence-Parsons Design, Styling Lise Spence-Parsons

How to Style a Mixed Metal Statement Necklace

The first time you fasten a mixed metal statement necklace, you may notice something unexpected: the rest of your jewelry suddenly has permission to be itself. Your favorite silver hoops no longer need to compete with a gold ring. A warm brass cuff and a cool-toned watch can share the same outfit. Rather than asking you to choose one metal and stay loyal, this kind of necklace makes the mix feel intentional.

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Design, Styling Lise Spence-Parsons Design, Styling Lise Spence-Parsons

Artisan Freshwater Pearl Earrings Made Personal

A pearl should never feel like an afterthought. The right pair catches the light when you turn your head, softens a crisp white shirt, and gives even a favorite sweater a little ceremony. Artisan freshwater pearl earrings offer that quiet radiance with something mass-produced jewelry cannot supply: the presence of a maker, an intentional design, and a pair that belongs distinctly to you.

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Design Lise Spence-Parsons Design Lise Spence-Parsons

Custom Handmade Bracelet Design Made for You

A bracelet is the piece of jewelry you notice in motion: when you reach for your coffee, hold a hand, sign a card, or tuck hair behind your ear. That is what makes a custom handmade bracelet design so personal. It is not simply an accessory chosen from a row of identical pieces. It is a small, wearable composition built around your color, your memories, and the way you want to feel when you wear it.

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Design Lise Spence-Parsons Design Lise Spence-Parsons

Custom Necklace With Gemstones, Made for You

A custom necklace with gemstones should feel like it found you, not like it came off a production line. The right combination of color, texture, and shape can turn a simple neckline into a small piece of personal history: a reminder of a milestone, a favorite place, a birth month, or simply the colors that make you feel most like yourself.

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So settle in, enjoy a few stories, and join our community celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, beautiful gemstones, and plenty of sparkle.

Welcome, and happy reading!