LIFESTYLE | Making a Custom Peridot and Diamond Ring with Birks Bespoke

 

Purchased by me (BIG TIME)

When Hugo passed away last year, I wanted something to remember him by and though I looked through countless pieces of "pet grief" jewelry, ultimately I wanted something that was also relatively pretty and didn't feel too cheesy. Luckily, I work at a wonderful Canadian establishment called Birks that offers a custom design option called "Birks Bespoke" that allows you to create a piece from scratch like I did or transform an existing piece. I thought I would share my experience as I receive the question often at work as well as help clients with their custom design pieces.  

JEWELRY | My Everyday Rings #NaBloPoMo

I will preface this by saying that although I have dabbled in a few professions over the years including: bioinformatician, social media and e-commerce specialist and skincare rep and trainer, the one job I have had the longest is in the luxury jewelry industry. I wouldn't say it's my passion, but I like it enough as long as I still have the freedom to do the beauty stuff. I am part of a great management team and when it comes to understanding people and true client service, the jewelry industry has taught me the most.

When it comes to WHERE I spend the bulk of my disposable income, it would be without a doubt on skincare and jewelry. I rarely wear costume jewelry and though I do not want to sound like I am looking down on this category of jewelry, but after 12 years in this industry and seeing countless repairs, things that last are fine jewelry pieces when cared for properly.

Sally Hansen | Take the Leap from the Pastels on Point Collection with Pearl-Themed Nail Art and Swatches

I only used to see these types of polishes on the indie polish circuit which meant that obtaining them wasn’t exactly easy or quick. Seeing polishes like Sally Hansen’s Take the Leap ($8.95) with its purple, multi-hued pigments coming to life when layered over other polishes, in a drugstore setting is a polish lover’s dream!

Take the Leap is very sheer and when applied alone does not do this polish justice so I have layered 2 coats over an opaque black polish so the purple sparkle really pops. I felt the urge to add some white pearl studs to add some elegance to this somewhat edgy manicure.

Day 23-Inspired by Nature

I actually have two designs for today’s challenge, but I have yet to take pictures of the second set so I will go with this flowery creation. This is a picture taken from a Birks advertisement that spurred my creation. It didn’t turn out quite like what I had hoped as the diamond butterflies didn’t show as nicely as I had hoped, but it was fun to wear while it lasted. I can’t really draw so the flowers were a bit lost on me, but oh well! You can’t win ‘em all in nail art!

For my blue base I used an unknown blue Quo polish and the rest was down with acrylic paint and nail crystals. I finished everything off with my favourite glitter China Glaze-Fairy Dust.

Be sure to check out the other wonderful ladies also participating in this challenge!

Naomi @ Bellezza

Traci @ drinkcitra

Masha @ Lost in Lacquer