How it's made April 17 2017, 1 Comment

Several people have been asking me about the process behind my handcrafted jewelry pieces. Is it really all handmade from scratch? Is that why the price is typically higher than comparable machine-made items?

Well, I documented the creation of one of my last orders so you could see for yourself!

Here's how this beautiful pair of sterling silver geometric earrings came to life. In about 15 easy-ish steps... Enjoy!

I started with silver wire in two different gauges (thicker for rectangles and thinner for small rings).

Then I measured and cut all the pieces I would need to craft the earrings (and shaped the jump rings).

After that I shaped the rectangles, making sure the ends had near perfect contact (so they could be soldered).

I then soldered the rectangles shut using a small butane torch.

After the soldering, I filed the joints to make them smooth and even with the rest of the wire.

After the soldering, I re-worked the shape of the rectangles to make them as "rectangle" as possible and also to make sure they were all about the same length & width (otherwise, one earring could end up significantly longer than the other. Not quite as easy as it sounds, and sometimes takes quite a while.

Then came the hammering. One hammer to flatten the shapes and another to give then the "hammered" texture.

The next step was to solder the jump rings shut and to the rectangles (being careful to find the center).

More soldering after this step: joining the rectangles with another ring and soldering it shut. This part is tricky. You need to use a solder that flows (melts) at a lower temperature and remove the heat as soon as it does to keep the previously soldered rings from getting "unsoldered".

I then bathed my freshly soldered pieces in the "pickle" solution to clean the metal and remove the fire stains ("pickles" are a mixture of an acid or an acid salt and water).

Then I put my clean pieces in the tumbler over night to polish them (with stainless steel shot, water and a bit of dish soap).

I took them out the next morning and patted them dry. They are now nice & shiny!

Last step was to attach the ear wires (the one thing I often don't make from scratch as it is more time & cost effective to buy them already made).

They were then ready to wear!

Hope you enjoyed this process! Feel free to leave comments if you have any questions.

These earrings can be found/purchased HERE.

Meeting hate with more Love June 27 2016, 0 Comments

Feeling angry and completely heartbroken following the June 12th 2016 mass shooting in Orlando, my husband & I were talking and trying to figure out how to respond to this senseless, hateful act.

It is so easy to let anger turn to hate in those moments, but we both agreed that it would only serve to feed the very thing we were speaking against. The most powerful alternative was Love; fear & hatred can only be transformed by Love. And from Love this collection was born. 

It's a small thing, but small things turn to bigger things when we unite, when we all stand together and celebrate our beautiful differences. I stand with my LGBT brothers & sisters to create equality, freedom, acceptance and respect. 

I stand for Love. #LOVEWINS #LOVEISLOVE

Here are some of the unisex pieces I created:

They are sold at a deep discount to spread the word (and the Love). ONE THIRD of every sale is donated to this organization that does amazing work for the LGBT community, and truly, for everyone: free2luv.org

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Here's a little bit more about them and their mission:

We hold hands with our partners to …

• create thought-provoking awareness campaigns
• support and produce community outreach events
• create a cool line of cause inspired merchandise designed to create change

Through our FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS BULLY® programs, we utilize music, impactful messaging and interactive storytelling to promote kindness, build self-esteem and help youth be more responsible citizens in their community.  We have partnered with Clear Channel Outdoor and hit the streets and highways with our anti-bullying awareness campaign featuring the Champion Seattle Seahawks and Free2Luv Celebrity Ambassadors and Advocates.  The FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS BULLY campaign invites the community to unite, take the pledge and use their collective voice for good.

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Please join them and me to spread love and make our world our better place for everyone in it.

Beautiful necklaces in production, and a bunch ready to ship. The response has been great and let's keep it going!

Stone: BLUE TOPAZ November 03 2014, 0 Comments

Throughout history, we have believed in metaphysical properties of stones & crystals; treasures gifted to us directly from Mother Earth.

Blue Topaz is one of my favorites, and has been around for a long time.

During the Middle Ages, it was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death. The Greeks believed it had the power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible, while the Romans believed it had the power to improve eyesight. The Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injuries.

It’s even mentioned in the bible, in the Book of Exodus as being one of the twelve stones in the breastplate of the ancient Hebrew High Priests. It is believed that the stones of the breastplate together with 12 powerful Angels protect the door to Heaven. 

Interesting, right?

In this day and age, Blue Topaz is recognized as a soothing and calming stone that can distance us from stress and problems by raising our vibration and allowing us to rise above them. It is an excellent crystal for meditation and attuning to our higher self. It is recommended for people suffering from shock, trauma or depression and is also effective for those whose lives are filled with stress & tension.

It is also known as a communication stone, helping us to express ourselves in a clearer, more meaningful way, both when speaking & writing.

Blue Topaz promotes self-realization & forgiveness, and assists us in seeing where we have strayed from our own truth. It connects us to our inner wisdom and aids in problem solving (or sorting out muddled feelings & ideas). It helps shine light on our true feelings, fully honor them, and then let go of the ones that no longer serve us (like anger and resentment).

A wonderful stone for artists and for those wanting to get in touch with their artistic abilities. It enhances creativity and increases one’s appreciation of beauty.

It is a great stone for aligning the meridians and bringing body, mind and spirit into union. It also balances emotions and directs energy to the areas that need it most in the moment.

It helps us stay open and receptive, making it a powerful crystal to manifest wealth and prosperity.

Physically it is effective with blood disorders, endocrine problems, thrombosis and asthma. It also fortifies the nerves, stimulates the metabolism and promotes rejuvenation of the cells.

*** Enjoy this beautiful & powerful stone in your every day life with these great jewelry pieces: http://magdamolina.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=blue+topaz

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LATC Gala 2014 October 07 2014, 0 Comments

LATC (Los Angeles Theater Center) is a wonderful organization that works very hard to support the arts and artists. Their specific mission is to "provide a world-class arts center for those pursuing artistic excellence; a laboratory where both tradition and innovation are honored and honed; a place where the convergence of people, cultures and ideas contribute to the future."

A couple of months ago, while my husband & I were attending a friend's play, I was approached by a woman who complimented me on the necklace I was wearing. I mentioned that it was one of my creations and we talked for a few minutes. I gave her my card and we went our separate ways.

A couple of weeks later, I received an email from her inviting me to participate in the silent auction at their big annual fundraising gala alongside a few other established as well as up-and-coming artists. I immediately agreed, happy and honored to make a small contribution to this great organization.

I was ready to donate a few pieces of jewelry, as I often do for various charities, but was told that this event was different. The artists get compensated for their creations in a way that feels comfortable to them, and LATC also receives part of the proceeds; a win-win situation for everyone involved.

The gala was held last Saturday and was an all around success! My hat goes off to all the organizers who created an amazing, high class event. The crows was very generous, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. My husband & I certainly had a fantastic time, and my jewelry did extremely well at the auction. 

Thank you so much LATC for doing this important work, and thank you Angela Scott for including me in this year's event. I am beyond grateful.

#lifeisgood 

Just HAD to strike a pose on the red carpet. Right?!

Setup finished. My display is ready to go. Let the games begin!

Brought my helper & biggest fan with me: my husband Nathan.

The stunning LATC building in downtown Los Angeles.           Enjoying every minute of the evening!

Lots of jewelry goodies ready to be picked up by some bidders with really good taste. ;-)

Stone: TURQUOISE July 29 2014, 0 Comments

Turquoise has been used for thousands of years, and is one of the oldest stones to be made into jewelry; the talisman of kings, shamans, and warriors. Many honored Turquoise as the universal stone, believing their minds would become one with the Universe when wearing it.

It has impressive metaphysical properties and is a powerful healing stone. Used a lot for protection and purification as it dispels negative energies and transmutes them. It can be worn to shield against outside influences and even pollutants in the atmosphere.

It is also a symbol of friendship.

Turquoise has a strong effect on the throat chakra and therefore promotes clear & truthful communication. A great leadership stone that helps balance the male and female aspects of our being, encourages self-realization and assists in creative problem solving.

It helps align all the chakras, stabilizing emotions and instilling inner peace. It is an excellent stone for depression and exhaustion. Physically, it enhances the immune system and stimulates the regeneration of tissue.

On a more superficial note... it's just a really beautiful & colorful stone! It adds a joyful and soothing touch to all outfits. Wear it with other bright colors and neutral ones alike, and have fun!

Here are some beautiful Turquoise pieces for you to enjoy: http://magdamolina.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=turquoise

Stone: SMOKEY QUARTZ June 18 2014, 0 Comments

Smokey Quartz is a root chakra stone, and wonderful for those times in our lives when we really want to move forward, to fuel our motivation and empower our projects & goals. It helps release the obstacles within our being like old programs that no longer serve us and limited thought patterns we subconsciously picked up along the way. 

Stone: PEARL May 12 2014, 0 Comments

Pearls probably carry the softest and most nurturing vibration of all stones. Well actually (as we all know), they aren't "stones" as they're not formed & found in the earth, but they are certainly considered gems and are used a lot in jewelry designs. I personally think their water origin contributes greatly to their flowy, gentle, highly feminine energy. 

The birth of a pearl is truly a miraculous event. A natural pearl begins its life as a foreign object, such as a parasite or piece of shell that accidentally lodges itself in an oyster's soft inner body where it cannot be expelled. To ease this irritant, the oyster's body takes action. The oyster begins to secrete a smooth, hard crystalline substance (nacre) around the irritant in order to protect itself. Literally turning a nuisance into a gem. Miraculous indeed

Pearls are powerful teachers of self-love and self-acceptance; the keys that open the doors to our highest potential and allow us to create our dream life. I work with them and wear them often, and try to stay open and learn...

Here are a few beautiful jewelry pieces filled with the wonderful pearl vibration: http://magdamolina.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=pearl 

Stone: PERIDOT May 06 2014, 0 Comments

I love this gemstone so much. Green has always been such a soothing, comforting and grounding color for me, feeling like trees, plants & nature. So vibrant and full of life.

This gorgeous stone is a great companion during periods of change and growth, and perfect for transition. It helps strengthen our sense of self and teaches us to hear and trust our inner voice of intuition. It clears our channels so we can receive guidance.

I'm selling a lot of Peridot pieces these days, which has me working with the stone almost every day. Definitely not a coincidence, as I'm in the middle of a big transition myself...

Stones are amazing! And SO beautiful.

Here are a few wonderful Peridot pieces: http://magdamolina.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=peridot

Stone: CHERRY QUARTZ April 25 2014, 0 Comments

This is the sister-stone of the well known Rose Quartz; a darker, more vibrant version of it. But it carries the same gentle, nurturing energy and is filled with love vibration. It is a powerful gem to soften and open the heart, and is particularly effective at promoting self-love.

A wonderful choice for wedding jewelry if the color calls to you (and matches your theme!) as it encourages the flow of love between its wearer and those around her. 

I also recommend this gem for children. The young hearts are in their natural, open state and this stone aids in maintaining that openness through the challenges that accompany childhood (peer pressure, etc...) 

Plus this warm shade of pink is so girly and fun!

Here are some beautiful Cherry Quartz pieces: http://magdamolina.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=cherry+quartz

Stone: MOONSTONE April 23 2014, 0 Comments

I've always found Moonstone to be quite mesmerizing with its iridescent hues of blue, purple, green and yellow. Depending on the perspective of the viewer, and how the light pours through it, Moonstone takes on a different appearance and personality. Constantly changing and flowing, just like the Feminine energy it is so full of, so connected with.

This stone has a very soothing and nurturing vibration and is therefore wonderful to wear during challenging times and stressful transitions.

It's also a perfect stone for weddings; for the brides who want to connect to their deep, powerful feminine core and be in a soft, open space to receive their groom. 

Another fabulous aspect of this gemstone is that it goes with everything. So wear it often and enjoy the benefits.

Here are some beautiful, delicate Moonstone pieces: http://magdamolina.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=moonstone

Stone: CARNELIAN April 23 2014, 0 Comments

Red is one of my favorite colors, and Carnelian one of my favorite stones. Vibrant, full of life and passion, it's a happy stone that will make you want to sing & dance. 

A great choice for those times in life when we're dragging our feet, feeling low energy and lacking motivation. Physically it adds a beautiful splash of vibrant color when we accessorize our outfits with it. Energetically it gives a spark of passion and ignites (or rekindles) our inner fire. 

Here are several great options, from subtle to spectacular, to add a little Carnelian to your daily life: http://magdamolina.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=carnelian

Here's to living life to the fullest!

Welcome to my blog! April 23 2014, 0 Comments

Welcome to my blog!

I've been resisting this whole "blog" thing for a long time even though it kept pulling at me gently, calling me softly... Until the call became anything but soft and the pull far from gentle. So here I am. Blogging.

Communicating & sharing has always been a very important aspect of who I am, ever since I started speaking. And writing has been an significant communication tool ever since I learned the alphabet many years ago. Letters, cards, notes, stories, and later emails texts and social media posts... and now blogging.

This will be a space for me to share thoughts, ideas and feelings about all kinds of topics. Jewelry, stones, femininity and fashion will definitely be a part of it, but I also want this to be a place to share about life in general. Love and fear, triumphs and challenges; the whole spectrum in all its glory.

And I want this to be a two way street. I want to hear from you, so please feel free to share your own thoughts, ideas and feelings on all the various subjects I will present here.

Thank you for being a part of my journey.

With love & gratitude,

Magda