My Love Affair with Tacky Jewelry
Apr 28th 2007
Sabrina JeffriesMy Life As A Plebe
My eyes may glaze over when my fellow goddesses rhapsodize about boots and cute purses and cigarette pants (I heard about those for the first time when Julia mentioned them on Rachel’s blog), but if you start talking about jewelry, I perk up. And I don’t just mean gemstones with gold or silver. I mean, cheap paste, glass beads, glitter encased in acrylic (I actually own and wear two of the rings in the picture). The more sparkly or outrageous it is, the more likely I am to have it in my extensive collection (except for diamonds, which are far too boring; the only diamond I own is the one in my engagement ring).
You know the character you always see in the movies who’s supposed to personify tacky? The woman with the big rock and the bangles, chewing gum as she teases her hair into a living memorial for fleas? That would be me, minus the big hair (hey, I’d have it if I could, but my hair won’t do that). I LOVED “The Nanny.” I still watch the reruns. I even covet her clothes, shoes, and bags, and as I said, I’m not so much about the clothes, shoes, and bags.
But mostly I adore tacky jewelry (those of us in the know call it “funky” or “eclectic”). I’ve been in ecstasies ever since sparkly cheap jewelry came back into fashion. Not only do I own a pin that spells “Bimbo” in red rhinestones, but I actually wear it. At romance writer contests. Around editors and other Important People of the Industry. For amusement.
I honestly don’t know how I got this way. I’ve considered the possibility that there’s something my parents aren’t telling me, like maybe I’m an illegitimate member of the Drescher family. It would explain my love of all books steamy. And the jewelry, too, since my Mom wears “classy” jewelry, preferably made of genuine precious metals and expensive gemstones (yawn).
So how about you? Are you into classy, real jewelry, or do you like the outrageous stuff, like me? Have you ever worn earrings so heavy that they hurt your ears (I have) or so big that they snagged on your shirt (yep)? Or do you (gasp!) not wear jewelry at all? And does anybody happen to know where I can find a necklace that spells “Romance Writer” in colored rhinestones and delica beads?
35 Comments »
35 Responses to “My Love Affair with Tacky Jewelry”
Maggie Robinson on 28 Apr 2007 at 6:57 am #
I love both kinds. My husband used to buy me fancy jewelry until I begged him to stop (I know, what was I thinking? But I was home with the kids and the pearls were pointless at Price-Rite). I love to borrow my youngest daughter’s funky, hippie stuff. The kids at school all think I’m a cool librarian. I have a giant plastic ring that looks like tortoise shell, and tons of cheap turquoise. But I admit the first thing I do when I get home is take off my diamonds and emeralds.
Sabrina Jeffries on 28 Apr 2007 at 8:02 am #
Ooh, ooh, love the sound of that ring, Maggie! I take my jewelry off when I get home, too, mostly because I’m afraid I’ll lose it while taking a nap or bathing my son or whatever. But I deck out the minute I leave the house. What’s the point of going out if you can’t show off your jewelry?
Judy F on 28 Apr 2007 at 8:19 am #
Oh I love earrings. I have so many its not funny. I love the funky looking ones and the simple ones too. And don’t get my started on Christmas jewelry. I have enough that from thanksgiving till Christmas I don’t have to repeat earring or pins. LOL
SuzyQ on 28 Apr 2007 at 8:26 am #
OH I love love love jewelry! I have a lot of the real good jewelry, but I always seem to grab the costume stuff! The more sparkle the better. My favorite designer of costume jewlery is Kirk’s Folly. My husband wants to put a block on QVC because of it - LOL!
Sabrina, I know what you mean about the rhinestone pins. I actually have a rhinestone necklace that says “GODDESS” How appropriate is that????
SuzyQ on 28 Apr 2007 at 8:27 am #
Judy - I too have a lot of Christmas jewelry. I have earrings that look like light bulbs and they blink. And yes, I have the necklace to match
Karen Rose on 28 Apr 2007 at 8:38 am #
I LOVE your jewelry, Sabrina - I’m also a connossieur of the “eclectic.” Tacky. Mine are the dangly flashy earrings with lots of sequins and sparkly things. The danglier and flashier the better.
I have these earrings shaped like enormous chandeliers - and I give my head a shake every time I wear them, just to hear the noise. I used to work in a Fortune 500 company with a conservative dress code. The earrings were my signature. I thought I was being rebellious but later found my boss loved my earrings too, lol.
I have a friend who for years tried to get me to wear these sedate pearls, a la Talbots, but I resisted - refused. Now she’s wearing the danglies because it’s funky and fashionable. HA! (and yes, I said “I told you so” to her)
elsiehogarth on 28 Apr 2007 at 9:13 am #
JEWELRY… NICE… SHINY. I love jewelry. Especially earrings that are huge. I just passed on all my 80’s earrings to cousins and nieces. Ahhh, the next generations. They loved them and get many compliments and the best question: Where did you get those earrings? I may have given away the earrings but I still have the chucky necklaces, bracelets and pins. I can’t give “kids” everything, yet.
Kathryn Smith on 28 Apr 2007 at 9:45 am #
I loooove jewelry! And I admit that most of mine is of the ‘costume’ variety. I’m a sucker for sparkly stuff - -and huge earrings! In fact, I make my own. It’s wonderful fun and helps refresh the well of creativity.
Sabrina, are you going to Dallas? Maybe we should hit a bead shop! lol.
hugs
Kate
Karen Hawkins on 28 Apr 2007 at 10:06 am #
OHHHH! I ADORE COSTUME JEWELRY! Lately I’ve been haunting the JC Pennys jewelry selection. Don’t laugh — they have some great stuff. Especially chandelier earrings which I have about a gazillion pairs of. I love shiny things, crystals, silver, antique gold … all of it!
Btw, does this happen to anyone? You have a ton of earrings and then one day you go to the jewelry box/drawer … and there aren’t any. It’s like they disappear or something.
Karen Rose on 28 Apr 2007 at 10:24 am #
Yes, Karen H - mine do disappear - along with my makeup and cleanser and good shoes. But I have a pre-teen daughter, so that explains everything…
Julia London on 28 Apr 2007 at 10:27 am #
I love sparkly, dangley earrings. Back in the day, when I had a day job, I loved funky watches. But I never wear them anymore. As my father has often said, “What’s time to a hog?”
(Does anyone get that? I swear I don’t, and he says it All. The. Time.)
Julia London on 28 Apr 2007 at 10:28 am #
Suzy Q I had those Xmas earrings, too!!
pam on 28 Apr 2007 at 11:09 am #
Deb– I have trouble believing you wear the BIMBO pin around the Pocket people. I’d love to see your publisher’s reaction!
Pam
TinaLouiseF on 28 Apr 2007 at 11:22 am #
I do not wear jewlery very often, but my special occasion is Black Hills Gold.
dbrown3400 on 28 Apr 2007 at 11:41 am #
Sabrina, I would never guess from your picture you are into tacky - oops, flashy - jewelry but will draw that picture from now on. You say no slim pants and gypsy tops. That would complete the picture . I would send you mine had I not given it all away. Something in the rings and earrings makes my skin turn green.
Being lazy, I only wear the set of hoops my 23yo daughter gave me - always. There are two piercings in each ear and the hoops are small enough that I don’t get them caught in my slacks. I wear a necklace with four diamonds that gets compliments and once had a Rolex that was stolen. That’s all the jewelry I own. Neither daugher wears much jewelry either.
Sabrina - We used to do beadwork in Girl Scouts. I could possibly have a necklace ready for National in 2009. I need a refresher since Girl Scouts was somewhere in the 1800s.
Donna
gannon on 28 Apr 2007 at 12:14 pm #
Jewelry…bring it on! I love it, be it expensive or costume!!! Earrings are my downfall, though. I know what you mean, Karen, about missing earrings–that’s happened to me. Is this the equivalent of a missing sock in the dryer?
Julia London on 28 Apr 2007 at 12:33 pm #
TinaLouiseF, my mom has a cross of black hills gold that she wears all the time.
RachelG on 28 Apr 2007 at 12:34 pm #
In the 80’s and 90’s I wore big jewlery. Now, not so much. These days Tiffany Silver is my downfall.
rg
Ann in IL on 28 Apr 2007 at 12:45 pm #
Only the real stuff for me. My Mother always told me to save my money and buy the real gold instead of “wasting” my money on costume jewelry. I wear diamond studs every day - sometimes with jackets for a different look. My favorite ring is a 13ct opal (my birthstone).
Being the spinster of this generation, I have inherited all the jewelry of the previous spinsters, so I have a lot of rings. My younger sister is a custom jeweler and she has made me some awesome pieces. When my nieces bicker over who will get which piece when I die, I just tell them I’m taking it ALL with me.
gannon on 28 Apr 2007 at 12:50 pm #
Oh, I just remembered a line from one of Nora Robert’s novels–I think it was from her Dream trilogy. Anyway, the heroine, Margo, had all of her jewelry spread out on her bed and the hero, Josh, asked her how many earrings did a woman need. She said, “Earrings are like orgasms, you can never have too many.” I love that!
Sabrina Jeffries on 28 Apr 2007 at 1:08 pm #
I have worn the Bimbo pin to casual publishing affairs around editors, yes. If I were “hanging out” or something with the Pocket editors, I would wear it. Is that a dare???
Ooh, Gannon, I love that line!
Kate, I’ll go bead-shopping with you ANYTIME.
I didn’t mention this in the blog, but I also do beading–necklaces, earrings, bracelets. Unfortunately, I buy tons of beads, but then don’t have time to bead, so I have quite a little crafting area in my house that’s remained untouched for a while. But I do enjoy it when I get the chance.
ladydawgfan on 28 Apr 2007 at 1:20 pm #
I have a lot of earrings and other jewelry, but I rarely wear it due to gold allergies. My usual daily jewelry is my cross necklace, my watch, my medalert bracelet, and my class ring. I would love to wear my earrings but I have yet to find anything that doesn’t cause my earlobes to swell. I have had infections from everthing from 14k gold to surgical steel posts. Now, it has been so long since I have worn earrings that the back of one ear has closed from the scar tissue from the constant infections. I hate having sensitive skin!!!
BTW, Sabrina. MY niece creates jewelry for a living and has an E-Bay shop. I’m sure that she could come up with something for you RE the necklace that you want. Let me know if you want me to contact her for you.
dbrown3400 on 28 Apr 2007 at 1:58 pm #
Julia -
“What’s Time to a Hog?”. It was a favorite saying of my late, and much admired, father. Basically it means that an old farm hog, doesn’t have much on its schedule for the day, so it’s usually available for anything. So when you’re stressed out over your hectic life, just try to carve out a little “hog time” and relax.
Not MY late, wonderful father, of course, but I Googled this one from a site called Hog Time.
Donna
Julia London on 28 Apr 2007 at 2:58 pm #
Wow, Ladydawg, I would be very verklempt if I couldn’t wear flashy earrings.
Donna, thank you! I can’t believe someone else has an old father who said that! I can’t believe there is a site called Hog time, LOLOLOLOL.
Rachel — a friend of mine has Tiffany silver ring, bracelets, earrings and necklace. I hate her.
Sabrina Jeffries on 28 Apr 2007 at 4:08 pm #
Poor Viv, to be allergic to earrings! My sister is, too, and she gave me a bunch of her jewelry a few years ago, which I was delighted about.
I was sort of joking about the Romance Writer necklace, but only because if I wanted one, I could make it myself (in my copious spare time
). Give us a link to the ebay shop though, so we can go shop!
I never tire of shopping for jewelry.
Ashefrog on 28 Apr 2007 at 4:50 pm #
I love all jewelry. I have good pieces and I have stuff that was soooo cheap. I have pieces the kids have given me from school xmas fairs (you know everything for a $1) and I have worn them (for awhile anyway). They sit next to some very good pieces in my jewelry boxes. I have a very PC jewelry box. LOL
For rings and necklaces I prefer the good stuff but for earings and bracelets I can be as tacky, I mean flashy as the next gal.
I love funky belts too. I used to collect them but not so much anymore. I can not wear the old one, not long enough. So I have been checking out the belt racks more often lately.
I started beading and knotting a leather belt, haven’t had time lately to finish it.
Suzanne Enoch on 28 Apr 2007 at 5:34 pm #
I have found that the truly “eclectic” earrings are all for pierced ears — and my ears are virginal. I figured that I already have enough holes in my head.
I love pins and necklaces, though, the shinier the better. And when I find clip danglers, they’re mine. Hoo, baby.
Stacy S on 28 Apr 2007 at 5:53 pm #
When I was younger, I would wear all kinds of tacky earrings. Like pigs, frogs you name it. Still have them to. But now I like expensive stuff. But I love the big flashy colored rings.
KMB25 on 28 Apr 2007 at 5:58 pm #
Ok, I have to be honest….I’m not really a jewelry person. I mean, I like it…but I buy stuff when I buy outfits…so that it matches. And that’s about it. I really don’t wear much, mostly because it gets in the way. If I wear dangly earrings, I have to take one off to play the violin…same thing with big necklaces…if they’re metal, they make a buzz when I play, so it’s easier to just not wear the stuff.
I wish I was more girly like y’all….maybe someday
~Kim
Nicole Jordan on 28 Apr 2007 at 10:15 pm #
Waaah, I never have any place to wear jewely. I’m either in front of my computer or out at the barn, neither of which is a good place. But I love to look at it on my friends. I’ll bet yours is great, Sabrina.
NicoleJ
Brandy on 28 Apr 2007 at 10:39 pm #
I have never really been into the “funky” jewelry. I wear 2 earrings in each ear, pearl studs and diamand studs. I wear my engagement (sp, tired, sorry)ring and wedding ring, and a delicate gold chain with an agate cameo of a mother and child on it (my very first Mother’s day gift 12 years ago!) and a claddaugh wedding ring on my other hand. Jeez, that sounds like alot, but really isn’t. I’m not a big jewelry buyer as well. Although, I do have hubs upgrade the size of my stone every 10 years or so. *g*
Ashefrog on 29 Apr 2007 at 9:46 am #
Brandy
Love the upgrade every 10 years. DH gave me a new setting with more bling for our 20th anniversary. I will have to remember this for the 30th.
I know some ppl think diamonds are boring but I love them. They are also my birthstone so maybe that is wear my love for them started. I’m a “Diamonds are a girls bestfriend” kinda girl when it comes to jewelry. I do have some other stones but mostly diamonds. Makes it easier for DH when he wants to buy me jewelry.
Kathryn S on 29 Apr 2007 at 10:13 am #
Suzie, if the ‘lobe’ part of an earring is big enough to hide a clip, you can snip the post off and superglue a clip to it. You can get bags of cheapy clips at Michaels. Or, you can email me and I’ll send you some clips out of my stash.
TheNightPoet on 30 Apr 2007 at 10:54 am #
I love jewerly. I’m more into real jewerly than funky jewerly, but as a kid I loved going to my grandmas’ house and playing with all her funky jewerly. It was always so much fun. lol
I don’t wear jewerly all the time, just when I go out with my friends or when I want to dress up an outfit. I would wear earrings a lot, but my left ear always closes up and I have to either repierce it myself or go and get it repierced. I’m going to have to get it repierced though for my friend’s wedding if she’s wanting me to wear jewerly. Oh well it’s a good excuse to get it done. lol I would like to wear my earrings again anyway. lol
Andrea
Sabrina Jeffries on 30 Apr 2007 at 1:12 pm #
Kim, I’ve actually bought an outfit to match my jewelry. I kid you not. I bought this incredible one of a kind necklace at a bead show, but I didn’t have an outfit for it, so I bought one. That’s how much a jewelry fan I am. I had a hard time finding something to suit it, too, but I wear it all the time, so it was worth it.