A few years ago a customer asked me to fashion a bolo tie for him. While I had never created this type of design, I was up for a new challenge. Let’s just say this was quite the learning curve. I did lots of research and dove rignt in. The finished design was beautiful.

Afterwards I went back to creating my pendant, ring, cuff and earring designs. In the back of my mind though, this Bolo idea kept looming. Yes, you guessed it. I could not stop until I explored more wasy to create this fashion accessory. What follows is a history of Bolos along with my current designs and the processes I used to create more unusual pieces.

Where the bolo tie came from

By the 1940s and 1950s, those ideas had started to settle into the look people know today.

The modern bolo tie took shape in the Southwest during the early and mid-20th century. Still, its roots reach back to older neckwear worn by ranchers and traders. Some stories point to one inventor, but the stronger record shows a style that grew over time in one region. That slow growth matters because the bolo tie is a folk form before it is a fashion product.

Before the bolo tie had a fixed name, people in the West wore leather cords with slides, clasps, and small ornaments. Some held scarves in place. Others hung under an open collar like simple jewelry. These forms worked well in heat and dust, and they asked less of the wearer than a long cloth tie.

The Southwest influence that shaped its style

Arizona, New Mexico, and nearby states gave the bolo tie its materials and its mood. Silver mattered because Southwestern silversmithing was already strong. Turquoise brought color and local identity. Braided leather kept the piece tied to ranch life and dry-country dress.

Designs often drew from desert plants, thunderbirds, sunbursts, and geometric patterns. Some slides were plain and polished. Others were hand-cut, stamped, or set with stone. That range is part of the history. The bolo tie was never one fixed uniform. It was a local style with many hands behind it.

Creativity and Variety is the way I tend to create

The original Bolo I designed featured the tried and true turquoise gem agains a sterling silver background. My brain started imagining other possibilities. What if I used copper? or steel? and what if I designed them in my signature Sacred spiral form? How about adding more non traditional gems, too? Endless possibilities! This design below features a custom dichroic gem and copper in the spiral format.

How the bolo tie became a Western icon

Once the form settled, the bolo tie moved fast through Western dress. By the mid-20th century, people wore it at rodeos, church, dances, and town meetings. That helped turn it from regional neckwear into a visible sign of Western identity.

Practicality helped. A bolo tie stayed in place, felt cooler in dry heat, and paired well with snap shirts or suits. A ranch hand could wear one to work. A groom could wear one to a wedding and still look at home in it.

It also left room for taste. One person chose a silver slide with turquoise. Another wore carved wood, coins, shell, or stamped metal. Because the design was simple, makers could shift it toward casual wear or formal dress without stripping away its Western feel.

The bolo tie in public life and pop culture

Country musicians, Western film actors, and television figures carried the look far beyond the Southwest. Politicians helped too, because the bolo tie offered regional style that felt less stiff than a standard necktie. When Arizona named it the official state neckwear in 1971, the accessory gained public weight.

What the bolo tie says about culture and identity

A bolo tie can be fashion, but history gives it more than surface appeal. For many wearers, it says home, region, and memory. For many makers, it is a small canvas for serious work. Because of that, the piece sits where style and identity meet.

A symbol of the American West that keeps changing

In one town, a bolo tie is Sunday best. Elsewhere it is a nod to ranch roots. In a city bar or on a runway, it can read as vintage, sharp, or playful. The object stays the same, but the setting changes the message.

That flexibility helps explain its long life. Some trends flare up and fade. The bolo tie keeps returning because it can hold heritage and personal style at the same time. It is old enough to carry history, yet open enough to feel current.

I love knowing that the bolo tie never disappeared. It simply moved between circles. You still see it at Western weddings, rodeos, gallery openings, and state events. At the same time, younger wearers pair it with denim jackets, plain white shirts, and tailored suits.

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The post Bolo Tie History: From Cowboy Dress to Everyday Wear appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Are you ready to indulge yourself without the calories? Smoky quartz is the perfect choice. This gorgeous gem is part of the quartz family. That means it is hard to the touch. (7 on the Mohs Scale) It is easy to facet, creating a luminous gem. See the image below to get a feel for the faceted finished product. the gem at top is tiger eye. I love the way these gems complement each other.

a year ago I stumbled upon a trove of lovely faceted smoky quartz cabochons. They lingered in my gemstone collection for a few months before started working with them. Immediately I fell in love with this gem. I love that it presents so many design possibilities. The piece you see above features the ‘pointy’ side of the gem. I could have also chosen to design this by creating a large basket type bezel and flipping the gem so the flat faceted side was visible. I love both options

Another possibility is featuring this gem with a gem that enhances the design. So far I have used moonstone, tiger eye, picture jasper, amber and peridot. So many options.. so little time!

Did you know? Smoky Quartz is known as the National gem of Scotland.

Throughout history, smoky quartz has held a place of significance in various cultures around the world. In ancient times, this gemstone was believed to possess protective properties, warding off negative energies and promoting clarity of thought. Its smoky color was associated with grounding and stability, making it a sought-after talisman for those seeking balance and strength. Link here for more detailed information on this gem.

Follow me on my design journey and become a collector. Not only do my collectors receive first look at my newest designs but the also have the advantage of Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. In addition you Get 15% off your first order.

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The post Chocolate Love Jewelry Designs appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

An Icon We See Everywhere

Think of the heart shape. It’s everywhere—on greeting cards, emojis, and signs of love. But this simple image has a rich backstory that stretches back thousands of years. The heart as a symbol means more than just romance; it stands for emotion, spirit, and connection across many cultures.

I am drawn to the heart shape and use it in many of my jewelry designs. Of course the symbolism is part of the reason I love designing this way.

In this post, you’ll see how the heart shape took on new forms over time, why it matters, and what its story reveals about human culture.

Ancient Origins of Heart Imagery

Archaeologists have uncovered some fascinating traces of the heart in the ancient world:

• Mesopotamia: Clay tablets from Sumer and Akkad show heart-shaped objects and script. Often, these images connect the heart to thought and wisdom instead of just the body.
• Egypt: The heart had a starring role in Egyptian life and afterlife beliefs. Tomb art shows the heart being weighed against the feather of Ma’at, to test a person’s goodness.
• Greece: Classical Greeks often sketched organs in detailed medical texts. The philosopher Aristotle saw the heart as the center of emotion, intelligence, and even courage. Heart images appear on ancient pottery and scrolls.
• The Earring design below shows heart shaped malachite gems dangling from a copper hoop.

Symbolic Meanings in Early Civilizations

To ancient people, the heart was much more than a part of the body. It carried rich symbolism:

• Life and Vitality: The heart was seen as the spark of life. Without it, nothing moved or breathed.
• The Soul and Identity: Egyptians believed the heart held a person’s soul, memories, and truth. In the afterlife, the heart acted like a record of your entire life—nothing escaped its memory.
• Feelings and Spirit: The Greeks linked the heart to strong emotions. Love, grief, fear, and joy all flowed from the heart’s core.
• Judgment and Morality: In ancient Egypt, the heart was weighed in the underworld. A heavy heart meant guilt and led to punishment. A light heart pointed to honesty and peace.

The Emergence of the Stylized Heart Shape in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, the heart shape took a new direction in art and culture. Instead of showing the human heart as a realistic organ, artists started drawing it as two rounded arches meeting at a sharp point. This is the same shape that later became a global symbol of love. The shift wasn’t only about art—it reflected new beliefs, social customs, and ways of seeing emotion.

Medieval Manuscripts and Religious Contexts

Medieval Europe brought a boom in decorated manuscripts and church art. Monks and scribes filled the margins of books with bright images, including the earliest recognizable heart shapes. These hearts often appeared in:

• Illuminated Manuscripts: You can spot small heart shapes in the borders of prayer books or around saints and angels. The design stood out against the gold leaf and deep blues of the pages.
• Religious Texts: Writers used the heart as a sign of true faith or divine love. For example, images sometimes showed saints holding stylized hearts, meant to represent their love for God or their pure intentions.
• Church Decorations: Artists carved heart shapes into wood, painted them on altars, or added them to stained glass. In some stories, Jesus was shown pointing to his heart, calling attention to his compassion and suffering.

The heart shape didn’t just pop up by accident. Some historians say it may have been inspired by ancient plants or seeds, such as the silphium pod, which was shaped like a heart and connected to love and affection.The image above features the silphium pod. You can easily see how the upside down image of this pod mimics our modern day concept of the heart.

Modern Evolution of Heart Images

Heart images have taken on a new life in the last century, sweeping through pop culture and digital spaces at a pace no one could have predicted. They are no longer reserved for art and religion—now, hearts show up in slogans, billboards, text messages, and social posts worldwide. Let’s look at the key shifts that led to this, from paper cards to pixelated symbols.

The design below features another way I design using the heart motif. The fine silver backing is heart shaped and features a teardrop shaped turquoise gem.

Valentine’s Day and Mass Media: The Rise of the Heart in Pop Culture

With the boom of printing in the 19th and 20th centuries, the stylized heart started showing up everywhere. Nowhere is this more obvious than on Valentine’s Day cards, which took the simple heart shape and turned it into a sign of romance.

Why did this happen? Commercial printing made it cheap and easy to send messages of love. Heart images went from elite artworks to everyday objects you could buy at a corner store. By the early 1900s, heart-covered cards, candy boxes, and decorations took over store shelves each February.

Mass media only boosted this trend:

• Advertising: Brands used hearts to connect a product with warmth, safety, or affection. Think of classic candy boxes, soda ads, or jewelry campaigns—the heart makes you feel an emotion before you read a single word.
• Movies and TV: Scripted love stories splashed the heart symbol across posters and film reels. When a cartoon character’s eyes turned into hearts, kids and adults alike understood: love, in its silliest or purest form.
• Pop Music and Art: Album covers, posters, and fashion added even bolder heart imagery. From punk rock pins to pop diva stage sets, the heart became a sign of emotion, rebellion, or joy.

The Digital Heart: From Emoji to Memes

In the last two decades, the heart image has exploded across digital screens in ways that old-school marketers could only dream about. It’s now one of the most recognized symbols on Earth—thanks to social platforms, messaging apps, and the ever-growing emoji lineup.

Here’s how digital life shaped the heart:

• Emoji Hearts: The red heart emoji was added to phones and computers in the 2010s. It’s now used in billions of texts and posts every day. A single tap sends warmth or friendship across the globe—faster than a handwritten letter ever could.
• Color Variations: Different colored hearts let people show subtle feelings or inside jokes. For example:
  • Red for love or strong emotion
  • Yellow for friendship or happiness
  • Blue for trust or calm vibes
  • Black for sadness, style, or dry humor
• Heart Reactions: Social platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok made the heart a way to show approval. People “like” with a heart instead of a thumbs up, sending instant feedback and positive vibes.

Conclusion

The heart image has moved through history as both a mirror and a messenger—shifting its shape and meaning as people changed the way they loved, believed, and expressed themselves. From ancient carvings loaded with spiritual weight, to the decorative hearts in medieval stories, right up to today’s emoji-laden texts, this simple symbol still carries deep emotions. I expect this is why I tend to gravitate towards this icon in my designs. To me the heart means LOVE.

Follow me on my design journey and become a collector. Not only do my collectors receive first look at my newest designs but the also have the advantage of Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. In addition you Get 15% off your first order.

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The post Images of the Heart; Ancient to Modern Symbols appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Cuff bracelets are a favorite accessory for women and men. They blend beauty with practicality. From their origins in ancient civilizations to their place in modern fashion, these timeless pieces have always been more than just jewelry. They tell stories—of culture, status, and personal expression.

Ancient Origins of Cuff Bracelets

Cuff bracelets are some of the oldest jewelry designs dating back thousands of years. More than simple adornments, these bracelets often carried deep cultural, spiritual, and symbolic meanings. Ancient civilizations used them to express identity, status, and beliefs, and their designs offer a glimpse into the values of the societies that wore them.

Cuff Bracelets in Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, cuff bracelets were masterpieces of craftsmanship and symbolism. To the Egyptians, wearing a cuff bracelet was akin to carrying a piece of the divine with them. They often used gold, which represented the eternal power of the gods, as their primary material. They combined this with vivid gemstones like turquoise, carnelian, amethyst and lapis lazuli, each holding unique spiritual significance. For example, turquoise was believed to bring protection and strength.

High-ranking officials, priests, and royals like Queen Nefertiti and King Tutankhamun wore elaborate cuffs adorned with motifs of scarabs, snakes, and lotus flowers. These designs often reflected themes of rebirth, immortality, and divine protection.

Cuffs in Ancient Greece

Greek cuffs were often simpler in design but no less meaningful. They focused on elegant metalwork with etched patterns, such as laurel leaves or geometric shapes. While Egyptians sought to symbolize immortality, the Greeks used their bracelets to represent victory, intellect, and beauty. Soldiers even wore metal cuffs as arm guards in battle, blending fashion with function.

Native American Cuffs

Among Native American tribes, cuffs hold deep meaning, representing cultural identity and skillful artistry. Navajo silversmiths, for example, are renowned for their silver cuffs inlaid with turquoise stones. Turquoise, known as the “sky stone,” is believed to bring protection, healing, and a connection to the earth. These bracelets often feature hand-carved designs of animals, arrowheads, and other symbols rooted in spiritual narratives. The cuff design below is one I created using copper and sterling silver. The butterfly component is textured and then antiqued. The turquoise gemstone in the center is reminiscent of many Native American designs.

The Cuff Bracelet Today

Today, cuff bracelets continue to evolve, reflecting modern tastes while honoring their historical roots. As a designer I am constantly finding new ways to create a cuff. Of course I love adding gemstones to the cuff but there are so many other ways to create these one of a kind treasures.

In the early days of my designing, I used a lot of copper. I loved that it was easy to work with and quite affordable. It gave me the chance to experiment with different processes before evolving to precious metals. such as silver and gold.

The Cuff bracelet above uses mild steel as the base metal. I fold formed it and textured it before adding 22K gold. The results are so dramatic. I am only now working in this process and LOVE IT.

Designing cuffs is a learning experience. Early on, I had many mishaps.. melting the metal, not getting the stone to fit the bezel and lots more. That being said, I got better and better as I continued to experiment with new processes. Today the cuff is a mainstay in my collections. And as always.. each one is one of a kind and handmade in my Arizona studio.

This final image below highlights a process called fusing. I start with a fine silver base and fuse lots of fine and sterling silver components to the base. In fact I have an entire collection centered around this process. My Dare to Dream Collection.

Conclusion

Cuff bracelets have journeyed through time as symbols of beauty, power, and personal expression. From ancient civilizations to modern fashion, they’ve adapted to reflect cultural values and individual identities. Their timeless appeal lies in their ability to be both meaningful and stylish, merging history with contemporary design.

Whether worn as a bold statement piece or a simple personal keepsake, cuff bracelets remain a versatile and enduring accessory. They invite us to explore their stories while creating our own.

Follow me on my design journey and become a collector. Not only do my collectors receive first look at my newest designs but the also have the advantage of Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. In addition you Get 15% off your first order.

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My kid sister loves jewelry! And of course you guessed it.. her name is Melanie! In particular she is drawn to super long designs. This inspired me to create these 5″ long earrings.

Originally I had created a design for her using copper with silver fused in and sterling silver components. They were 4 1/2″ long. Recently I was not feeling the vibe with that design. So I set about looking for another design that was more in keeping with the style that Melanie would wear. In addition I needed this new design to ‘speak’ to me. That’s the way I describe when all my senses KNOW this is it!

The design process

I started with a textured gold-fill hoop. The openness of this component offered many options for the final earring. I decided upon a smaller textured silver hoop to place in front of the gold-fill. This was the easy part! Finding the proper dangle was more difficult than I planned. I experimented with 10-12 different dangles before I happened upon the answer. The dangles are sterling silver plated with rhodium to create the shiny blackened patina. Voila! The Melanie earrings are done!

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Have you ever spent a lazy afternoon gazing at the clouds on a sunny day…picking out shapes, naming them, dreaming, and having fun? This is the spirit that inspired me to create my CLOUD DREAMS collection.

Finding the Gem

The stones (from Indonesia) are White Plume Agate. I discovered this gem quite by accident. Over the last year I have been purchasing many of my cabochons from 2 Indonesian sellers. Traditionally these sellers send me a gift with each order. The gift is normally another cabochon from one of their collections. The gift acts as a thank you for my order while also giving me ideas for new gems I may want to buy in the future.

This particular gift was a white plume agate gem. The stone cutter adds a blue backing to create this beautiful doublet as they commonly are referred to. 

Creating the Collection

During the next several months I began ordering more of these doublets. I already knew this gem would be the key component in a new collection. The first several pieces are now available for purchase here.

I adore the way the sky comes alive with this process. Each of these designs is handmade in my Arizona Studio and one of a kind.

 Let these designs remind you of lazy days and dreaming.

Follow me on my design journey and become a collector. Not only do my collectors receive first look at my newest designs but the also have the advantage of Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. In addition you Get 15% off your first order.

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Bees create and store their honey in honeycomb matrixes. The honeycomb is seen as a symbol of safety and protection for those who wear the design. As the bee is all-important in this process, the symbols of hope, hard work and rewards enhance the wearer as well.

My Honeycomb collection

About a year ago I began working with steel in my designs. The discovery of perforated steel opened my eyes to so many possibilities. The honeycomb style is so enchanting. As I play around with it and start designing the ideas just flow forth.

I love the idea of equating the honeycomb to bees. After all, this is normally the first thing we think of when we hear the word!

These first few designs are just the beginning. Right now explore my shop for these designs (under the Golden Steel collection) to see what is currently available.

The Golden Steel Process

Once I get the honeycomb to it’s desired shape and the finished design is decided upon, I make sure the steel is VERY clean. I also file it to remove any rough edges because I want the design to be wearable. Then it is time to apply the gold. I use 18 or 22K gold flakes or pellets (cut from very thin gold sheeting) and apply heat. As a result, the gold melts around the steel and VOILA, the design is almost complete.

I then clean it again. Yes I know there is LOTS of cleaning needed. I apply the blackened patina because it creates a dramatic and finished design. I adore these designs and I hope you will too.

Follow me on my design journey and become a collector. Not only do my collectors receive first look at my newest designs but the also have the advantage of Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. In addition you Get 15% off your first order.

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Now that you own several jewelry designs.. how do you store them ?

Take note of the tips below. They are designed to keep your designs like new and ready to wear when you need them.

• Use a jewelry box or case! It is not recommended to keep your designs exposed to the atmosphere. (even treated ones)
• Wrap your copper designs in a soft cloth. this additional coverage keeps the jewelry clean and inhibits oxidation)
• Keep Cuff bracelets in a box if possible. It helps retain the shape. My cuff designs are all packaged in a recycled box and I encourage my customers to keep the box and use it!
• Keep Designs with gemstones or pearls in a separate compartment. Metals tend to scratch or mar the gems if they are clustered together.
• Keep Ring designs on some type of cone or glass dowel. They can be stacked but take care if they have larger gemstones. Those styles should be store alone. My ring designs are all gift boxed, making the perfect way to store your new ring! Many jewelry boxes have built in inserts that let you add the rings to your case.
• Do NOT store in a wooden container or on a wooden surface. Woods frequently contain acids that react to the metal, causing discoloration.

Use some of these suggestions and wear your designs for many years.

Note” for cleaning your designs, follow the guidelines given with your purchase. Sonic cleaners are great, but not for many gemstone pieces. A soft cloth works well for everything.

Follow me on my design journey and become a collector. Not only do my collectors receive first look at my newest designs but the also have the advantage of Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. And you Get 15% off your first order.

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Are you confused by these two words? Then I am here to help. First of all, they are two separate words with a completely different meaning.

KARAT: A karat is a measurement indicating the proportion of gold in an alloy out of 24 parts

CARAT: A carat is a unit of weight used to measure the size of a gemstone such as a diamond.

What does 12k gold mean?

Now that we know the difference, the next question asked is… How much gold is in my ring or pendant? The answer lies in the actual KARAT in your piece. Keep in mind that almost nothing is 100% pure gold, except perhaps the nugget shown in the illustration above. The added metals such as copper give gold the strength it needs to be used in jewelry designs.

22K : 92% gold

20K: 83% gold

18K: 75% gold

14K: 58% gold

12K: 50% gold

10K: 46% gold

Two other types of gold you may have heard of

Gold Fill: 5% pure gold bonded to other metals (mostly copper or brass) this may not sound like a lot of gold but since it is bonded to the TOP of the piece it is all you see. and it will not tarnish!

Placer Gold: Placer gold is found in the mining of stream beds. Natural placer gold, 80-92% pure, is 21-23 karat

What types of gold do I use?

I love adding gold to my steel designs. In this case I use 18K, 22K and Placer gold. Anything lower than 18K tends to bring out too many of the other minerals in the mix.

Gold-Fill designs are also available in my shop. I use them to create many of the earrings. Note that each of my designs using gold will specify what TYPE of gold is in the design.

I hope this gives you a great overview of GOLD!

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The post Is it KARAT? or CARAT? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Lately I have been playing around with adding more texture to my designs. While texture is always a strong part of my collection I felt the need to step up my game a little.

Why not look good coming AND going?

Texturing the back of the earring design you see here opens up a whole new world for me. Normally the texture is on the front surrounding the gem, while the back simply features my hallmark and metal markings. As I begin to use larger gems for earrings, the front design becomes unnecessary. Making the earrings any larger and heavier was just not a viable option for my aesthetic. These Indonesian Petrified Palmwood root gems are so gorgeous alone but I wanted to make the extra special. Voila! Why not add the texture to the back of the gem? An added benefit? When you wear them you will look awesome from the front AND the back. What could be better?

Choosing the right gemstones for this type of texture.

As mentioned above, the larger gemstones tend to lend themselves to this design element. In addition, I love the unusual shape of the gems I choose to use now. Yes I do still have the basic round and oval gems because they work well in other applications. Rounds and Ovals combine with a teardrop shape to make into earrings. They also work well in my Sacred Spiral collection of earrings and rings. No gemstone is wasted since every gemstone has it’s own beauty.

This design features yet another Indonesian gemstone. Moss agate is found in many locations but the reddish colored designs are only found in that part of the world. Texture on the back is perfect for this style too.

Watch my site to see the new designs as they become available. Right now I have 3 new pair to add to the store. Each design is One of A Kind.

Follow me on my design journey by becoming a collector. My collectors receive first look at my newest designs plus Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. And you Get 15% off your first order.

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The post What a difference some texture makes! appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.