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!

Styling Lise Spence-Parsons Styling Lise Spence-Parsons

Mixed Metal Jewelry Guide for Personal Style

A jewelry box does not need to choose sides. The warm glow of gold beside the cool brightness of silver can make an everyday white shirt feel intentional, while a touch of copper or brass brings an artist’s hand to the look. This mixed metal jewelry guide is for anyone who has admired that combination but wondered how to wear it with confidence.

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Gifting Lise Spence-Parsons Gifting Lise Spence-Parsons

How to Select Anniversary Jewelry With Heart

An anniversary gift should feel less like a box checked on the calendar and more like a small, beautiful record of your life together. When clients ask me how to select anniversary jewelry, I encourage them to begin with the person who will wear it, not a rulebook. The right piece is the one that catches her eye on an ordinary Tuesday and quietly brings the occasion back to her.

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Gifting Lise Spence-Parsons Gifting Lise Spence-Parsons

How to Gift Handmade Jewelry That Feels Personal

A handmade necklace is not simply a pretty box to place on a birthday table. It is a small, wearable reminder that someone was seen, understood, and celebrated. Knowing how to gift handmade jewelry begins with that idea: choose a piece that feels like it could belong only to the person opening it.

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Gifting Lise Spence-Parsons Gifting Lise Spence-Parsons

How to Personalize Jewelry Gifts with Meaning

A jewelry gift becomes personal long before it reaches the gift box. It happens when you choose a color that feels like her, a stone that recalls a favorite place, or a detail she will recognize without explanation. Learning how to personalize jewelry gifts is less about adding a name to a pendant and more about noticing the small things that make someone wonderfully, unmistakably themselves.

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

Can Brass Jewelry Tarnish? Care and Wear Tips

A warm brass pendant can look like it has borrowed a little sunlight. Then, after a season of wear, you may notice its surface becoming deeper, softer, or slightly less bright. So, can brass jewelry tarnish? Yes - and that change is a natural part of wearing this expressive metal, not proof that a piece has lost its beauty or quality.

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Gemstone Focus Lise Spence-Parsons Gemstone Focus Lise Spence-Parsons

Gemstones for Birth Month That Feel Like You

A birthday gift becomes more memorable when it feels chosen for one person, not pulled from a display of identical things. Gemstones for birth month offer that lovely starting point: a color, a story, and a small connection to the month someone arrived in the world. From there, the most beautiful choice is the one that suits the wearer’s style.

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Styling Lise Spence-Parsons Styling Lise Spence-Parsons

Brass Jewelry That Makes Everyday Style Personal

I love brass for its warmth, its versatility, and its willingness to develop character over time. It can be bright and golden, softly brushed, richly antiqued, or gently darkened at the edges. Most of all, it gives handmade design a grounded, sculptural quality that feels personal rather than predictable.

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

Gemstone Trends That Feel Personal, Not Predictable

A jewelry trend earns its place when it gives you more ways to look like yourself, not when it asks everyone to wear the same thing. The most exciting gemstone trends right now favor color, character, and pieces with a visible human touch. They make room for the woman who wears a luminous pearl with blue jeans, a dramatic agate necklace over a simple black dress, or a handful of mixed-stone bracelets because one is never quite enough.

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

How to Choose Bracelet Size That Feels Just Right

A bracelet can be beautifully made, full of luminous stones or hand-shaped silver, and still spend more time in a jewelry box than on your wrist if the fit is wrong. Learning how to choose bracelet size is less about following one rigid number and more about deciding how you want a piece to move, sit, and feel as you go about your day.

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Styling Lise Spence-Parsons Styling Lise Spence-Parsons

Semi Precious Bracelets That Feel Like You

A bracelet is the piece of jewelry you notice all day long. It catches the light as you reach for your coffee, rests beside your watch, and adds a small, unmistakable signature to even the simplest outfit. That is what makes semi precious bracelets so special: color and texture are always close at hand, ready to make an ordinary moment feel considered.

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Custom Lise Spence-Parsons Custom Lise Spence-Parsons

Online Jewelry Customization, Made Personal

A custom piece begins long before a clasp is fastened or a stone catches the light. With online jewelry customization, the real joy is not choosing from a crowded menu of identical options. It is having a conversation about what you love, what you wear, and what you want a piece to say when it becomes part of your life.

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Maintaining Lise Spence-Parsons Maintaining Lise Spence-Parsons

Pearl Jewelry Care for Pieces You Love to Wear

A pearl does not ask to be saved for a faraway occasion. It looks beautiful with a soft sweater, an open-collar shirt, a little black dress, or the outfit that makes an ordinary Tuesday feel more like your own. Thoughtful pearl jewelry care lets you wear these luminous pieces often while preserving the gentle glow that made you choose them in the first place.

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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!