Design Process

My faith is always apart of my design process. Often times I am lead to make a particular piece for someone when I wouldn't have otherwise thought to make something for them. If a person has been going through a rough time I design something meaningful for their circumstance to bring them a little bit of cheer. Other times I just think of certain symbols, shapes or colors and a person will come to mind and from that point a meaningful creation is designed for that someone.

I love custom requests because it is always a person that wants to do something nice for someone they know and love or care for. To me it's such a faithful walk (whether you're religious or not) to set yourself aside and focus on doing something special for someone else. I take the information that is given to me (colors, themes, lifestyle, etc...) about the recipient and from there a design is born.

I feel good to help someone else succeed in what they set out to do -- Make someone happy.

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I will learn to post regularly to this blog to keep things active. Website is going to have a different design at some point. It already has one that I made but I'm recruiting my husband on another design.

Thanks for reading!

~*Mara

Sophistication Thread Earrings

Sophistication Thread Earrings
Originally uploaded by Mara S Creations

I made a similar pair a couple of years ago for a customer that was giving this as a gift. The recipient has lost them and wanted another pair as close to the other as possible. I stuck with the same colors, same beads, except the spacer is different. It's a handmade heishi spacer from the Hill Tribe.

The threads are sterling silver and emit so much sparkle! The Swarovski drop is in powder almond, which gives it a soft, sophisticated feel. I also used a Swarovski faceted silk bicone. The bicone will also shimmer as the light hits it.

As a side note, threads are the most comfortable earring I've ever worn. I prefer to use the U-top kind as you see here. Those are designed to stay in the ear and not fall out!

Mara Simmons
http://MaraSCreations.com

Ray, Judy, Tom & Mara necklace

Ray, Judy, Tom & Mara necklace
Originally uploaded by Mara S Creations

This is the description I gave this necklace on facebook:
The arm of the cross represents my brother, Tom. He's Emerald. I am represented by Olivine/Peridot to the right of my brother. The top is represented by my Mom & Dad's marriage, amethyst. My Mom is represented by the crystal/diamond and my Dad is represented by garnet. So, to read it you start at the base of the cross ...and read it as 'Ray, Judy, Tom & Mara' We are bonded through Christ (no matter what religious views we all have) and through the marriage that founded/created this family. ♥
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There is great comfort in running ones fingers across beaded jewelry, especially when that jewelry item is a cross and has significant meaning for you.

I designed this piece for my Mom's birthday present as she has been going through such an emotional ride since my Dad passed away. Having our family represented like this gives her peace.

I tried something different by making black coils to use as spacers in an effort to make a more unique piece of jewelry.

Thanks,

Mara Simmons

Double-Strand Prayer box necklace

Double-Strand Prayer box necklace
Originally uploaded by Mara S Creations

The color scheme for this necklace was based off of a v-neck top my Mom was wearing last week. I knew I should make her a necklace that was different from others I've made and that's what started the ball rolling.

While browsing one of my favorite online bead stores it happened! I came across a prayer box that was PERFECT for my Mom! She's wanted a prayer box necklace for years. She wasn't aching for one mind you. She just always thought it would be nice to one day have a prayer box. This one is a puffed heart that opens horizontally providing adequate room to insert a small prayer.

I kept with the color scheme by purchasing Dark Grey Cat's Eye beads. I already had the white lace agate. I also used an heirloom toggle that has 2 small hearts on it that ties in well with the heart prayer box.

The significance of this piece is that my Mom lost the love of her life in December of last year. This has been a difficult year for us all because of losing such a great, great man... My Dad and obviously her husband. <3 It just ties all the emotion together and encourages hope for the future... her future, our future.