Day Two: In Bloom

I’m not especially happy with this combination, because it was put together in a rush, but it’ll do. I went with a spring/flower motif as it is beginning to get a bit warmer.The ring is sterling silver, and the necklace was mother of pearl with what looks like hand-painted details on it. Likewise, I think my featured piece, the bracelet, is also hand painted.

 My grandmother was particularly fond of chunky bracelets. I remember she had several peach baskets full of plastic and wooden ones under her bed. When I was little, I would pull them out and put all of the bracelets on at once. They would jingle and clang; it was impossible for me to play with them without someone noticing. Then I would rearrange them by color back into the baskets. Maybe that’s why she never moved them, but left easy access for me. It also shows my obsession for organization started from an early age.

Day One

So here’s the combination from last Friday, technically day 1:
A Necklace
A bracelet
Earrings
 A ring

Okay, to make this task seem less daunting, I am showcasing the smallest item first -- a ring. Of course, this one (unlike my staples) is actually from my grandmother’s collection. I have no idea where it came from or what it is made of; however, I have been doing some research. :)

So, as most of you know, jewelry can have different markings on it to denote production aspects such as the quality of metal used, the maker, the country of origin, etc. A piece may have some or all of these markings, better known as hallmarks...or it can have nothing at all, leaving everything to mystery. I have discovered that this ring is mark with a “825” meaning that it is 82.5% silver. That’s not quite sterling level, but it’s still a respectable quality.

The sad part is, other than that, I do not know anything else about this ring. I can say it is a piece that fit into both my grandmother’s style and my own (I’m sure we’ll discover items that clearly do not fall into the classification of “my style” despite how fluid that concept may be. But, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.) 
Here it is altogether:

So I’d like to hear your opinions in the comments. 
What do you think about this ring?

Staples

Okay, so there are a few pieces of jewelry that I wear daily, and while that somewhat goes against this endeavor, I am going to allow it for three things:


1.) My watch
Material: stainless steel      
Color: sliver         
From: Walmart  
Age: approximately 1 year old;    
Cost:$10    
Value: Unknown, assumed worthless
Justification: I feel the need to know what time it is, to prevent myself from being late, and to clash with any gold jewelry I might wear. (I’m told wearing gold and silver together is not illegal, though might break some fashion rules but... I’m going to do it anyway.)

2.) My stud earrings
Material:probably nickle and cubic zirconium    
Color: silver    
From: gift from Sister-in-law        
Age: 3 years old    
Cost: gift    
Value: Unknown
Justification: I wear these in my upper ear piercings because they are small, light, and match just about everything I could wear, you know, that is silver.

3.) My engagement ring
Material: White gold and diamonds    
Color: silver    
From: fiance (Adler’s)
Age: 6 months         
Cost: expensive    
Value: a lot (A lady never tells)
Justification: Duh, do I really need to explain this one? Plus, my fiance would be REALLY pissed if I ever took it off, and he’s a keeper so that means the ring is too (plus it’s pretty!)

So there you have it. Three exceptions from the get go; just forgive me and get over it.

So here goes...

This past weekend, in desperate need of new clothes, I went on a shopping trip with friends. After purchasing several new outfits, it was determined I might need some accessories to accompany my new wardrobe. This couldn't be further from the truth. You see, my grandmother left me her jewelry collection as my inheritance, and to say her collection was extensive is an understatement. Proving said statement lead me and a friend on a multi-hour exploratory mission, adorning my room with jewelry. Clearly, I am set on the accessories front. In fact, it was suggested I could probably wear a different combination everyday for a year without any repeats.

So that is what I intend to do...kind of. I also need to take an inventory of what I have, so this provides me the opportunity, and somewhat forces me, to go through the collection and record exactly what I have. So I have determined the following "guidelines" to get me started:

1.) Photograph the pieces worn both separately and ensemble. This allows for multiple benefits a.) I have a record of the items, b.) you can see how I put them together (and criticize me for my lack of style), and c.) helps me keep track of what I wear so I don't make repeat offenses (I am not above being forgetful.)

2.) Focus only on one piece a day. While I certainly have more than 365 items, and by proxy way beyond 365 combinations, I am may not have say 365 bracelets or earrings. So, I don't think I could a new set of earrings, necklace, ring, and bracelet everyday. Therefore, if I focus on one piece from the combination, I can reuse some pieces while still showcasing a new piece each time. In short, I may wear the same earrings more than once in combination with other pieces, but I would only showcase that pair of earrings once. (and I can't wear the same combination multiple times and highlight different pieces each time...that would just be cheating, and frankly WAY to easy.) I also am not buying any new jewelry; seriously I have enough. Hopefully all that makes sense.

3.) Now for the sentimental part.. I also get to explain each day's selected piece and write a little bit about the memories it invokes or where it came from, etc.

4.) I am permitted breaks. I am not quite sure how this one will work out yet, but I do not want this to turn into a chore. An idea is to only select 5 items a week to write about, giving me the weekend off (and to wear any combination I want or to lay around in PJs with no jewelry at all...seriously, who wants jingling bracelets interrupting a Scrubs episode every time I move?)  Also, this past winter has taught me that no one is immune to the flu, regardless of whether or not one gets a flu shot. Therefore, if ill, I will not post. I'm sure other occasions will come up...I suddenly fear many missed posts, thank you paranoia, so if you have any ideas of how I could make it up to readers, let me know. Maybe multiple items from some days could be highlighted making up for lost time...

Also, it should be said, as a WARNING: I do not know what everything is or where it all came from. My grandmother collected all of this over years and from multiple countries. I am also not a stone identifier, nor do I always know what is real and what is costume jewelry. So, it is here that I call for audience participation...if you know what something is, what it's worth, hate it, love it, or just want to talk about it, comment away. I also welcome any questions, though as previously implied, I may not be able to answer them, but I can have fun trying.

So that's it. If you have any other ideas or suggested restrictions, let me know. And pass the URL along to anyone who may find this interesting...the notion of a following sounds fun to me. :)