Michelle in Red Rose Cameo

Pin-Up for a Day...

Sweet Romance Jewelry was proud to gift necklaces and earrings to military wives as part of a “Pin-Up for a Day Makeover Event” sponsored by Classic Glamour Dolls and Pin-Ups for Vets in Beverly Hills last week. The four contest winners were given the royal treatment with a limo ride, professional hair and makeup, a gift of Sweet Romance jewlelry, and then had a private photo shoot at a LA mansion. The wives’ makeovers turned them into pin-up girls from the 1940s, a theme explored in the annual calendar of “Pin-Ups for Vets,” a non-profit organization to benefit hospitalized veterans. (www.pinupsforvets.com)

“I wanted to do something special for the women who serve our country by loving and supporting a military husband,” said Gina Elise, founder of “Pin-Ups for Vets” and the sponsor of the “You Tube” contest which resulted in the four makeover winners. “This was a way to give back to our military wives.”  

Behind the scene of the photo shoot

Jennifer, an Air Force wife, Lislie, a Navy wife and Army veteran herself, Michelle, a Marine’s wife, and Liz, an Army wife, all submitted audition videos about why they wanted to be a pin-up for a day. They each won the full Hollywood treatment of a glamorous photo shoot as classic World War II pin-up girls in photos done specifically with their husbands in mind.

Watch the video below from ABC:

Shelley's Jewelry Diary is a weekly personal message from Shelley, sharing her insights and perspective about jewelry design, her factory and the history of jewelry fashion.

Shelley's Jewelry Diary
by Shelley Cooper


January 12, 2012

Awaken your spirit...

Even before the arrival of Christianity in the Yucatan, the Maya revered the symbol of the cross as their Tree of Life. As the two cultures converged in the 1500s, the Maya retained traditions from their own understanding of the cosmos. Yet, they embraced the cross as a medium through which a person could awaken their spirit, invoke blessings and receive divine inspiration. 

Mayan Cross Cuff Bracelet

It has been centuries, but remarkably, almost miraculously, the Maya continue to dwell in the Yucatan and Guatemala. The sculptural, polychrome facades of their ancient buildings and their color-drenched weaving continue to infuse daily life with a sense of the spiritual. My cross design is born of that world. Colors of the earth are expressed in stunning metalwork and crystal beads, each made by hand in the lampwork process. Many artists have put their hands to the creation of your necklace or cuff. May it bring you joy and inspiration.

Shelley's Jewelry Diary is a weekly personal message from Shelley, sharing her insights and perspective about jewelry design, her factory and the history of jewelry fashion.

Shelley's Jewelry Diary
by Shelley Cooper


January 12, 2012

Watch Shelley on ShopNBC tv this Friday...

Shelley Cooper returns to ShopNBC on Friday, January 13 for 6, hour long presentations of classic favorites, exciting new styles and dramatic vintage silhouettes. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and the collection features a wide assortment of love and heart-themed bracelets, necklaces and rings. Whether it's candy glass hearts or love letter charms on bracelets, or Victorian garnet red or crystal heart-shaped pendants on necklaces, this collection has something perfect to touch the heart of any sweetheart. 

Shelley will also present for the first time on the network her exciting and bold RetroMEX collection. In these new designs, Shelley ventures into the land of the Mayan empire with vibrant enamel blossoms, glazed terracotta tiles, and hand-forged filigrees. The jewels awaken the spirit with memories of mid-century Mexico. Exuberant colors, floral motifs and turquoise hues infuse classic silhouettes with the passionate spirit of vintage Mexican style.

The featured centerpiece of the line is the Mayan Cross, revered by the Maya as the symbol of the Tree of Life. Shelley dramatically interprets the cross as a sculptural pendant hanging from a glass bead necklace and as a bronze cast cuff. Colors of the earth are expressed in stunning metalwork and crystal beads, each made by hand in the lampwork process. Many artists put their hands to the creation of the cross, and Shelley hopes the wearer will find it to bring the joy and inspiration.

Click here to view the show schedule and snag your favorites online before they sell out on tv!