Creations By Jerilyn- Jewelry Review

Recently I had the pleasure of receiving a beautiful handmade necklace to review from a small indie online jewelry shop that I am following on facebook. I was drawn to her designs because I feel that they are very unique but also are affordable for the quality and materials used. I like that she utilizes crystals and natural stones in a way that is a bit more modern and distinctive than what one might expect. I've always been a fan of wire wrapped crystals, but let's face it..they are all pretty similar for the most part. However, I find Creations by Jerilyn to be just a bit more eye catching than that while still appealing to those of us who like the look of natural stones, glass and crystal.

The necklace I received was is a copper and rose quartz Tree of Life necklace. Each of these necklaces is a little bit unique as they are handmade. Mine came with a deep brown multi-strand cord necklace with a particularly pretty copper clasp.

Back of the necklace. I love the tree 'roots'.

Depending on the light the stones can either look pale pink or clear.  

Packaging and business card.

First of all I would like to note that this particular necklace design comes in several styles and colors. It usually retails for about $35. I have noticed that this shop often has sales and promotions though, so if you're on a budget it's definitely worthwhile to watch out for those. Her jewelry ranges in price from around $10-$130. The Tree of Life necklace can be purchased  HERE. or HERE.

The quality of the necklace itself was impeccable. None of the crystal beads are loose or cracked, the clasp is very secure, the cord is nice quality, and overall is a very nice piece of jewelry. I also liked the length of cord. I've worn this out and about several times and have gotten many compliments each time! It makes a statement without being gaudy or too large and flashy.

Her shipping was really quick, less than a week for me. I thought that her packaging was not only very secure, but also suitable for gift giving without any additional wrapping. I like the custom stickers and tags this shop uses a lot. I think this adds a professional polished touch to the jewelry.

Other than that I found the owner to be very sweet and easy to work with. I am confident that any problem with an order would be treated with excellent customer service. The web store is easy to navigate, and the etsy shop is also stocked with plenty of jewelry to choose from. If you live in Florida you may be lucky enough to catch this store at a craft show or in a brick and mortar boutique. If you're really, really lucky you may have even received one of these at the Academy Awards as part of their celebrity gift lounge ;)

Overall, I really enjoyed my total experience with this shop and plan to continue to be a customer. Whether you're looking for a jewelry piece for that special someone or just something pretty for yourself, Creations by Jerilyn is definitely worth taking a look at. Check out her Etsy store HERE and her facebook like page HERE.

I will be wearing this necklace in my next makeup tutorial so keep an eye on my Youtube channel if you want to see this beauty in action :)

XOXO- Kaitlyn

Alt wedding fashion & makeup = ♥

Wedding season is in full swing now that the weather is beautiful. While some love traditional ivory wedding gowns, the most daring brides opt for colorful dresses in breath-taking styles. In a general sense I realize that themed wedding dresses can be tacky if not executed well. With the right hair, and makeup they can also be totally unforgettable (in a good way!)  I recently did makeup & hair at the colorful wedding of a good friend. These are some of the tips that I found helpful in creating a beautiful wedding day look.

• Keep your makeup simple. A brightly colored dress plus brightly colored makeup will be too busy, and make you look overdone. 

• Focus on glowing natural looking skin. Conturing & highlighting will bring light and definition to your face.
•  Feel free to use shimmery products.....in moderation. A little bit of shimmer on the temples, browbone, and decollage is pretty. Too much on the rest of your face will make you look "shiney" in pictures.

• Waterproof makeup. Use your favorite waterproof mascara, eyeliner and consider picking up some water resistant Makeup Forever Velvet Matte foundation. Chances are you will either cry or sweat- be prepared!

• This is a total no-brainer. Do not use any new skin, hair, or body products 5-7 days before your wedding just incase of an allergic reaction (or breakout). Try out your hair and makeup styles at least a week before the wedding.  

•  Keep your manicure pretty simple. Unless you can exactly match your nails to your dress color you are better off sticking with a traditional french tip. 

• Pick jewelry and accessories that go with your dress. If you're wearing a celtic themed dress, consider a celtic knot necklace. If you're wearing a gothic dress try a victorian inspired brooch. 

Steampunk dress by KMKostumes on Etsy. This is an example of a perfectly executed themed wedding dress.

A dress like this would be stunning with a bold red lip

This would NOT look good with a bold purple lip ;)

I don't know if I'd be daring enough to wear this Maggie Sottero down the aisle

The pale yellow dress is divine

I hope she didn't wear orange eyeshadow with this

This is beautiful...just be careful what accessories you pick

The dress says wedding while the hair screams PROM

My own friend opted for a Renaissance inspired dress with a gothic flare. She picked the colors emerald, ivory and black- which were absolutely stunning in the botanical garden the wedding took place at. I kept her makeup neutral, but added a pop of spring color with rose colored cheeks and lips. 

I used Benefit Highbeam, Benefit Posy tint & Benetint on cheeks and as a lip stain. I also used Sephora eyeshadow shades Aspen Summit & Colorful duos in the smokey plum shade. I used MAC Mauvette pigment. I used Tokidoki eyeshadow shades Carnivora & Riposino. I used MUFE velvet matte as a concealer. I used Fresh rose sugar lip treatment as a gloss. Lastly I used a jet black Avon eyeliner pencil and Hourglass film noir full spectrum mascara.

I used a volumizing hairspray with a flexible hold to keep curls in place yet still touchable

Hours later at the outdoor reception, hair & makeup held up through hot weather and a dress change :)

♥♥♥

Been to any colorful weddings so far this spring?