About Us
Blessings, and Welcome! Please view the video above. HOW Mariska's Designs STARTED: A question I’m always asked, “Why did you start creating jewelry?” Crafting Christmas and birthday gifts has always been what I enjoy, one year I made jewelry for all the females. Everyone loved their jewelry, and I had such fun creating those gifts. As I wore my new jeweled creations, many wanted to purchase what I was wearing, so in 2004 I officially started Mariska's Designs jewelry business. One of my initial inspirations to create beaded jewelry, was remembering how I felt when I got to go straight to Grandma's jewelry box, adorn myself with her jewels, and wear her high heels. That magic of feeling like a PRINCESS, feeling what I later learned, was an unconditional love of MYSELF, was complete joy and satisfaction.! That feeling went all the way to the core of who I was, even tho' at the time, I was a child, trying to be...Oh, so, "Adult." Fast forward to ADULT... ADULT WOMAN...my princess crown was a bit tarnished, the high heels created more pain than beauty.... but that sense of wanting to feel beautiful from the inside out still remained, a distant memory perhaps! How much time had I wasted waiting for the perfect set of circumstances to happen, to feel beautiful? I recounted my attempts: Diets, exercise regimens, the latest and greatest anti-aging creams and potions, not looking in the mirror to prevent reality shock. And then I remembered that I had found a picture of myself in high school, and at the time of the photo, I felt so FAT! Viewing the photo many years later, reality hit me, why didn't I appreciate who I was, and where I was at the time of that photo. The real truth, was that I had a fairly trim body? Somehow I translated how I looked incorrectly. And somehow i didn't allow myself the feeling of being beautiful. Why I Make Jewelry I help women connect with that little girl, who loved looking, and feeling like a princess, to see and know their own inner beauty, and see it in their outer reflection. That's where Jewelry comes in. Jewelry has existed from the beginning of time, it creates a union, and connection, to beauty. Women then, and now, still decorate their bodies with jewels and jewelry, it creates more than a look, its often a mirror of who we are, or who we want to be. Sometimes however, you just want to feel "totally all put together", and jewelry becomes that final touch that completes that look. Other times, we want to connect with something that makes us feel loved, and we look for something external to ourselves to feel that, and you may find connection with your favorite bracelet, necklace, or earrings, creates that loving experience. Sometimes, WE WANT TO MAKE A BOLD STATEMENT WITH EVER SAYING A WORD! and it's the jewelry and accessories we're wearing, that says it all! I know when I've found that perfect jewelry match, there is an experience that includes a vibrant feeling of "aliveness" (yes I know it's not a real word), it brings a feeling like joy, bubbling up from my heart, and an understanding that the design, is: "totally me, or who I want to be!" If that occurs with you, and the jewelry I've designed, I want to know, and if not I'd love to help you find that perfect piece. Even if my jewelry isn't for you, my desire is that you experience daily, that feeling of love, joy and beauty, bubbling up from inside of you...with or without jewelry in the picture! One of my recent customers wanted earrings to match some of the necklaces she purchased, and her initial description of one necklace was..."My Cinderella Necklace", another was the necklace that she felt was "healing her spirit". At that moment I was excited to know that all I invest in my jewelry in the form of prayers, blessings, and healing energy, had become a reality. Watch the video on this page, I think I've explained it well. Training/Experience Most of my design talent is self taught, utilizing a variety of online jewelry tools, magazines and books. Many of my resources are monthly jewelry making publications, and I study websites that provide techniques for creating jewelry, such as About.com, Connie Fox's website (tons of information and training), and Ganoskin. I've created my own jewelry patterns using buttons as a component, I fashion my own ear wires into different shapes, I hand make and create bracelet clasps, and enjoy making totally unique jewel'd designs. About the components I use: Just as we each possess our own unique personality and character, I seek out "one of a kind" items, when I shop for just about anything, that is incorporated in my jewelry designs. Usually, the final jewelry design, has at least one component that cannot be exactly duplicated, and is unique in personality and character, like its matched owner. I love to work with a variety of different silver and silver beads, including Bali silver, Thai silver, Indian Silver, and Sterling silver. I often purchase my components from businesses that pay their workers “living wages.” I use silver wire to fashion my own components like ear wires, bead components, and clasps. (Look at my Curly Q free form earrings-fun fun fun!). I hand wrap beads onto or inside Sterling silver wire. I also use Gold-filled wire and beads. Another favorite component of mine is Lampwork Glass Beads. Most are unaware of these exquisite beads. Creating Lampwork glass beads is ancient art where women created glass beads by melting the glass in the flame of their oil lamps, thus the word "Lampwork". These beads are still made, but with much newer technology. What I love about these beads is that each one is totally unique, one of a kind, and…handmade. Gemstones in all their shapes, colors, and designs put a smile in my heart as I’m creating jewelry with them. I prefer using “AAA” quality gemstones. I make a variety of beaded Necklaces, earrings and bracelets with gemstones. I choose a variety of different Pearls in my jewelry designs, such as Fresh Water Pearls, Cultured Pearls, and Glass Pears like, the ones Swarovski makes. There are so many colors, and I feel like a kid in a candy store as I set up a jewelry design that includes Pearls. I've been known to use a huge variety of different beads, too long to list, but last of all is my fave... My absolute favorite component that I use in nearly all of my jewelry designs, are Swarovski Crystals. I use Vintage Swarovski crystals, as well as the newer designs Swarovski is creating. They just seem to make everything come alive! There is no mistaking the difference between these crystals and imitations. All things that glitter, All things divine, Makes your body beautiful, Makes your spirit shine.(Mariska) Mariska This site is best viewed with Firefox browser. Contact us for more info Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, Sets, Watches, Hair, Medical ID/Alert, Mens, Bridal, Anklets, Religious, Jewelry Care, Gemstone Info, Birthstone Chart, Anniversary chart, Swarovski Charts, Sizing Jewelry, Gift wrap, Gift Certificate, Layaway, Email Signup,Shipping Policy,Return Policy,Custom Order, Home, View Cart, Jewelry Home, Links, Contact, About,Sold Gallery
Blessings, and Welcome!
Please view the video above.
HOW Mariska's Designs STARTED:
A question I’m always asked, “Why did you start creating jewelry?”
Crafting Christmas and birthday gifts has always been what I enjoy, one year I made jewelry for all the females. Everyone loved their jewelry, and I had such fun creating those gifts. As I wore my new jeweled creations, many wanted to purchase what I was wearing, so in 2004 I officially started Mariska's Designs jewelry business.
One of my initial inspirations to create beaded jewelry, was remembering how I felt when I got to go straight to Grandma's jewelry box, adorn myself with her jewels, and wear her high heels. That magic of feeling like a PRINCESS, feeling what I later learned, was an unconditional love of MYSELF, was complete joy and satisfaction.! That feeling went all the way to the core of who I was, even tho' at the time, I was a child, trying to be...Oh, so, "Adult."
Fast forward to ADULT... ADULT WOMAN...my princess crown was a bit tarnished, the high heels created more pain than beauty.... but that sense of wanting to feel beautiful from the inside out still remained, a distant memory perhaps! How much time had I wasted waiting for the perfect set of circumstances to happen, to feel beautiful? I recounted my attempts: Diets, exercise regimens, the latest and greatest anti-aging creams and potions, not looking in the mirror to prevent reality shock. And then I remembered that I had found a picture of myself in high school, and at the time of the photo, I felt so FAT! Viewing the photo many years later, reality hit me, why didn't I appreciate who I was, and where I was at the time of that photo. The real truth, was that I had a fairly trim body? Somehow I translated how I looked incorrectly. And somehow i didn't allow myself the feeling of being beautiful.
Why I Make Jewelry
I help women connect with that little girl, who loved looking, and feeling like a princess, to see and know their own inner beauty, and see it in their outer reflection. That's where Jewelry comes in. Jewelry has existed from the beginning of time, it creates a union, and connection, to beauty. Women then, and now, still decorate their bodies with jewels and jewelry, it creates more than a look, its often a mirror of who we are, or who we want to be. Sometimes however, you just want to feel "totally all put together", and jewelry becomes that final touch that completes that look. Other times, we want to connect with something that makes us feel loved, and we look for something external to ourselves to feel that, and you may find connection with your favorite bracelet, necklace, or earrings, creates that loving experience. Sometimes, WE WANT TO MAKE A BOLD STATEMENT WITH EVER SAYING A WORD! and it's the jewelry and accessories we're wearing, that says it all!
I know when I've found that perfect jewelry match, there is an experience that includes a vibrant feeling of "aliveness" (yes I know it's not a real word), it brings a feeling like joy, bubbling up from my heart, and an understanding that the design, is: "totally me, or who I want to be!" If that occurs with you, and the jewelry I've designed, I want to know, and if not I'd love to help you find that perfect piece. Even if my jewelry isn't for you, my desire is that you experience daily, that feeling of love, joy and beauty, bubbling up from inside of you...with or without jewelry in the picture!
One of my recent customers wanted earrings to match some of the necklaces she purchased, and her initial description of one necklace was..."My Cinderella Necklace", another was the necklace that she felt was "healing her spirit". At that moment I was excited to know that all I invest in my jewelry in the form of prayers, blessings, and healing energy, had become a reality.
Watch the video on this page, I think I've explained it well.
Training/Experience
Most of my design talent is self taught, utilizing a variety of online jewelry tools, magazines and books. Many of my resources are monthly jewelry making publications, and I study websites that provide techniques for creating jewelry, such as About.com, Connie Fox's website (tons of information and training), and Ganoskin. I've created my own jewelry patterns using buttons as a component, I fashion my own ear wires into different shapes, I hand make and create bracelet clasps, and enjoy making totally unique jewel'd designs.
About the components I use:
Just as we each possess our own unique personality and character, I seek out "one of a kind" items, when I shop for just about anything, that is incorporated in my jewelry designs. Usually, the final jewelry design, has at least one component that cannot be exactly duplicated, and is unique in personality and character, like its matched owner.
I love to work with a variety of different silver and silver beads, including Bali silver, Thai silver, Indian Silver, and Sterling silver. I often purchase my components from businesses that pay their workers “living wages.” I use silver wire to fashion my own components like ear wires, bead components, and clasps. (Look at my Curly Q free form earrings-fun fun fun!). I hand wrap beads onto or inside Sterling silver wire. I also use Gold-filled wire and beads.
Another favorite component of mine is Lampwork Glass Beads. Most are unaware of these exquisite beads. Creating Lampwork glass beads is ancient art where women created glass beads by melting the glass in the flame of their oil lamps, thus the word "Lampwork". These beads are still made, but with much newer technology. What I love about these beads is that each one is totally unique, one of a kind, and…handmade.
Gemstones in all their shapes, colors, and designs put a smile in my heart as I’m creating jewelry with them. I prefer using “AAA” quality gemstones. I make a variety of beaded Necklaces, earrings and bracelets with gemstones.
I choose a variety of different Pearls in my jewelry designs, such as Fresh Water Pearls, Cultured Pearls, and Glass Pears like, the ones Swarovski makes. There are so many colors, and I feel like a kid in a candy store as I set up a jewelry design that includes Pearls.
I've been known to use a huge variety of different beads, too long to list, but last of all is my fave...
My absolute favorite component that I use in nearly all of my jewelry designs, are Swarovski Crystals. I use Vintage Swarovski crystals, as well as the newer designs Swarovski is creating. They just seem to make everything come alive! There is no mistaking the difference between these crystals and imitations.
All things that glitter, All things divine, Makes your body beautiful, Makes your spirit shine.(Mariska)
Mariska
This site is best viewed with Firefox browser.
Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, Sets, Watches, Hair, Medical ID/Alert, Mens, Bridal, Anklets, Religious, Jewelry Care, Gemstone Info, Birthstone Chart, Anniversary chart, Swarovski Charts, Sizing Jewelry, Gift wrap, Gift Certificate, Layaway, Email Signup,Shipping Policy,Return Policy,Custom Order, Home, View Cart, Jewelry Home, Links, Contact, About,Sold Gallery
