Spring Pansies

Sterling silver pansy pendant with a bezel set 5mm faceted white topaz stone on a sterling silver chain. $128.

March is a crazy weather month in Pittsburgh. Mild one March, a foot of snow the next. No matter what the temperature though, you can count on it being gray and gloomy. Not this March. It's sunny and warm and downright glorious.

I'm not sure how long this warm streak will last so I am savoring every last bit of it. Life has moved outdoors. Yard work, car washing, and sitting down with a glass of iced tea and a good book on the patio. Ahh.

The crocus and daffodils are in full bloom, the yard is framed by the bright yellow of forsythia, and flats and flats of pretty pansies in a riot of colors have arrived at the local garden centers.

Pansies are one of my favorite flowers, their cheerful little faces greeting spring. So delicate looking but hardy enough to survive cool weather that other flowers cannot. A lovely source of inspiration so I'm welcoming spring with this petite pansy necklace.

Versatility

Aquamarine and Sterling Silver hand wrapped 72 inch chain

with a hand forged Sterling Silver leaf toggle. $215

I have really been into making these chains lately. Gemstones linked together by hand wrapped silver loops. Long enough to wear doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled. The addition of a pendant that functions as a toggle clasp not only adds to the design but increases its versatility by allowing the piece to also be worn as a lariat too.

Versatility is something that I always like to take into consideration. My favorites are those pieces that look fresh but classic at the same time. When working in natural material and precious metal timeless should be the goal. The trendy looks that last for only a season of two are the realm of costume jewelry.

This chain is my interpretation of an updated classic. The pale green of the aquamarine is one of the 'it" colors for this year but the variations in these particular aquamarine beads include a palette of neutral colors. Shades of honey, taupe, cream and charcoal allow it to be worn with almost everything. It can be worn long, short, lariat...whatever the look of the day is. A piece that I think will still be wearable a decade from now.

And aquamarine just happens to be the birthstone for March. Perfect.

Now don't even ask me how long it took to hand wrap a 72 inch chain...