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How to Style a Necklace: Red Hot

Published: 05-01-2012 09:27am
Posted In: Fashion
In honor of Cinco de Mayo this week, today’s “Wear It Twice” collage began with a luscious red necklace. Red is such a vibrant, lively color. It embodies things like passion, power, and even health. It’s the color of love and ripe tomatoes. Babylonian Red Bib Necklace   Classic red can be a tough color to wear. The trick is to use the right proportions and placement to pull it off. Today we’re going to look at using red with contrasts, both in color and style. Kissable Red by Mortira featuring a round handbag Outfit number one is a breezy spring or summer ensemble that would look great at the beach, brunch, or o... » Read More

How to Style a Millefiori Necklace

Published: 04-02-2012 09:11pm
Posted In: Fashion
A great necklace should go with many outfits, so you can show it off whenever the mood strikes you.  One of my favorite styles is a simple pendant, like Poolside, which features a genuine Murano glass pendant with a black and yellow millefiori pattern. I love the color combination, which is great for adding a little personality and warmth.  Today, I went on a search for some fun outfits that would go well with a millefiori pendant.  I started with a blue Murano glass necklace, and a palette of yellow, black and sapphire blue. Millefiori Girl by Mortira featuring flower flats The first outfit is great for everyday,... » Read More

Great Movies About Jewelry, Gems and Trinkets - Volume 2

Published: 03-29-2012 09:50am
Posted In: Jewels and Beads
The definition of a movie is a little different for everyone, and this list of films that feature jewelry and other baubles contains a little something for every taste. While some of them never made much money, or won awards, or were even seen by a lot of people, they all have something to offer. After all, doesn’t being a movie lover mean being able to love something about every movie? Blood and Wine Jason’s life gets turned upside down when his stepfather steals a diamond necklace worth millions, and hides it in his wife’s suitcase. Caught in the middle is Gabriela, who was counting on running away to Paris once the necklace was sol... » Read More

How to Style Pearl Jewelry

Published: 03-28-2012 09:15am
Posted In: Fashion
This season’s trendy neutrals include soft, feminine shades of pink and gray, which make the perfect background for lots of creamy pearls.  A simple pearl necklace has always been a staple accessory, and easily turns from day to evening. For this fashion collage, I started with a modern version of grandma’s pearls - a multi-strand necklace with classic and peach pearls.  This piece is both classy and slightly girly, and can change moods depending on what you pair it with. Spring Showers by Mortira featuring beige handbags For a formal match, I started with a gray pencil skirt and ruffled pink blouse.  This is a great outf... » Read More

Great Movies About Jewelry, Gems, and Trinkets - Volume One

Published: 03-26-2012 04:04pm
Posted In: Jewels and Beads
Jewelry and personal adornment have been around for thousands of years. Ever since humans decided that clothes were a good idea, we’ve been finding ways to express our style and beliefs with stones, beads and other baubles. So it’s only natural that jewelry would find it’s way into our stories, poems and films. Though there are plenty of stories about jewelry and gemstones, they don’t often make their way to the stage or screen. Even when they do, jewelry isn’t the star of the show, but a catalyst - a theme which brings the characters together, and motivates them on their adventures. Here are just a few examples of movies that woul... » Read More

How to Style a Rainbow Necklace

Published: 03-21-2012 06:52pm
Posted In: Fashion
Wearing bright, colorful jewelry is a great way to improve or enhance your mood.  Just slip a rainbow of beads over your head, and the day seems that much brighter.  But what to wear with a rainbow necklace? Today I thought it would be fun to pair up some brightly colored jewelry with beautiful neutrals, perfect for a lukewarm, early spring day.  Rather than try to compliment the bright colors, I used deep shades of brown, blue and black as a background.  These outfits would look great with just about any jewelry, but they were made for rainbows. Wear It Twice: Rainy Day Wardrobe by Mortira featuring vintage clutches First w... » Read More

Photo Collage: Greek Myths

Published: 03-18-2012 07:05pm
History is a fantastic source for inspiration.  Recently, I listed one of my all time favorite designs - The Chimera Necklace - and it reminded me just how much I love to draw on ancient myth for ideas. was inspired by Margie Deeb’s Rainforest Cascade Necklace.  I created a unique fringe pendant in three colors, each representing a different head of the legendary beast.  For the dragon, I used a mixture of deep reads.  For the lion, amber and golden brown.  For the goat, shimmery jet black. This necklace was created for a series of designs during my “theme month” phase.  I had so much fun coming up with ideas for jew... » Read More

Photo Collage: Spring Flowers

Published: 03-16-2012 12:33pm
Posted In: Color
The season of April showers is nearly upon us, but the flowers will be here before we know it! And with them comes the bees and butterflies, and plenty of other wonderful things. After a long winter, I'm ready for some sun. Today I found these beautiful flower images to remind me of what's in store. Enjoy! 1. Mystery Flower, 2. FLOWER in NARAN,PAKISTAN, 3. pink flowers, 4. yellow flowers, 5. flowers and bokeh, 6. Flower Have a happy and healthy spring! -Mortira Copyright 2011 The Sage's Cupboard ---- Follow This Blog Find me on: Facebook and Twitter Like Handmade? Join ArtFire to get your own store and b... » Read More

Three Good Reasons to Visit Your Library

Published: 03-15-2012 09:27am
Posted In: Shop Talk
I recently read a newspaper article about the future of public libraries, and found it simultaneously sad and ridiculous.  While many libraries are closing their doors due to lack of interest and funding, others are staying ahead of the curve by working to legally incorporate digital media into their offerings.  Now we can borrow eBooks and audio files with our library cards. Nefertiti by Michelle Moran The author of this article speculated that in ten years or so, people will have given up their “silly attachment” to bound paper books, and libraries will slowly phase them out in favor of the electronic alternative.  As a book lov... » Read More

How to Style Spring Statement Jewelry

Published: 03-14-2012 02:49pm
Posted In: Fashion
If you like to wear big, bold jewelry, spring is your season. It’s the perfect time of year to experiment with statement pieces, add layers, and have fun with your look. The weather is ideal - you don’t need a bulky coat that will cover up your carefully chosen accessories, and it’s still cool enough to wear big, or even heavy, jewelry in total comfort. This month, I wanted to pay tribute to the unique opportunities that spring weather presents for fashion. I started with a gorgeous bib necklace with a collar shape, detailed with brass chain and African glass beads in turquoise and metallics. Warm Weather by Mortira featuri... » Read More

How to Style a Y Pendant

Published: 03-12-2012 05:48pm
Posted In: Fashion
Remember when the Y pendant was the fad of the year? It was around the same time that The Rembrandts were the biggest thing on the radio, and hairstylists were getting tired of doing The Rachel over and over. That craze has come and gone, but the Y necklace is still a jewelry box staple. These cute little pendants are beautiful in their simplicity, lightweight, and incredibly versatile. This makes them perfect for summer. Not only are they small and light, but they drape away from the neck, and give you lots of room to breathe in the heat, while still sporting some pretty sparkle. They look just as lovely with a sweater or blouse as they ... » Read More

10 Crafty New Year's Resolutions

Published: 12-29-2011 08:50pm
It’s that time of year again.  The time when we make a list of all the things we’d like to get done over the next 12 months.  Whether you’re into making resolutions or not, having a set of goals to accomplish is a great way to plan and prepare for the year ahead.   Sometimes the act of making New Year’s resolutions is enough to bring out our procrastinating side.  You could always call it a winter to-do list! For my fellow artists and crafters out there, I have 10 mostly fun things from my own to-do list to inspire you! 1. Try Something New The rush to finish Christmas creations is over, and there’s a bit of a lull ... » Read More

Egyptian Alabaster Cuff

Published: 11-14-2011 08:48pm
Posted In: Egypt
It is finally time to reveal the very first piece in my new Egyptian jewelry collection, and it turned out beautifully! My inspiration was the repeating geometric patterns on an alabaster vessel discovered among the Ancient treasures of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. This alabaster boat receptacle was among more than two thousand artifacts discovered in the final stage of Howard Carter’s excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The final room in the sepulchre to be explored was the annexe, and it was also the most difficult to catalogue. Several robbery attempts shortly after the Pharaoh’s death left the tomb in a cluttered and disorganized state. It ... » Read More

Tutankhamun's Jewelry

Published: 11-14-2011 08:47pm
Posted In: Egypt
For Ancient Egyptians, the meaning of life was simple: to prepare for death. Immortality was a lifelong goal, and the wealthy elite spent much time and effort planning their own burials. Pharaohs typically began construction on their tombs as soon as they took the throne, so that they would be ready to take their place with the gods in the afterlife. Although we may never know whether or not these kings made it to the realm of Osiris, many of them did achieve immortality by leaving their mark on the world. Their tombs and the many treasures within have allowed them to be resurrected and admired around the world. The most famous royal t... » Read More

Egyptian Inspired Handmade Soap

Published: 11-14-2011 08:46pm
Posted In: Egypt
The Ancient Egyptians were expert record keepers, and it is thanks to these notations, and letters between Pharaohs and dignitaries, that we can get a glimpse of what life on the Nile was like. We know what they ate and drank, and what scents perfumed everyday life for Egyptian nobles. With the right combination of fragrances, one can be instantly transported to the world of Nefertiti or Cleopatra. My favorite Egyptian indulgence is soap by soapstar. Like most handmade soaps, the bar is beautiful to look at, with a light dusting of golden mica, and hieroglyphic impressions. But the real magic is in the marvelous, warm and exotic fragranc... » Read More

The Sacred Blue Lotus

Published: 11-14-2011 08:44pm
Posted In: Egypt
Symbols from every day life were important to Ancient Egyptian spirituality. The scarab rolling it’s little ball across the desert represented the sun trekking across the sky. The blue lotus, which sank beneath the water of the Nile each night and emerged with the rising sun, was the embodiment of rebirth. Because being reborn in the afterlife was the ultimate goal in this world, the lotus was a sacred symbol to the Ancient Egyptians. The blue lotus is usually depicted with a side view, as in the hieroglyph seshen. I wanted to capture those pretty petals in beadwork, using one of my favorite techniques. With alternating turquoise and in... » Read More
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