Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Simple Jewelry That Still Makes a Statement (Final Memphis in May GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Sometimes less is more when it comes to fashion choices. Coco Chanel is famous advising women to remove the last accessory they put on before they leave their homes. Since I don’t wear too many accessories, as is, I don’t tend to follow this advice literally. But I appreciate the spirit of what she is saying, which is that you should carefully choose the pieces that will add to your ensemble, and leave behind those that are simply distracting. TinyLeaves is an Etsy shop that seems to have that idea at the very heart of it. Each piece of jewelry is simple, but still striking.

Alison is the woman behind TinyLeaves, and she started out selling her wares on eBay, and her username was inspired by tiny Czech glass leaf-shaped beads that she particularly loved. And now that name continues through her Etsy store! While the leaf beads aren’t as present in her current designs, you will still find that many of her pieces feature leaf beads or leaf designs. She says that she is “pretty much obsessed” with making earrings. Her obsession has certainly paid off because she makes absolutely beautiful earrings. I’m not the only one who thinks so; it seems that her pieces are gracing ear lobes all over this country. She lost count of how many pairs she has made and sold after the first thousand or so! Woah!

For my review, Alison sent me a pair of lovely drop earrings with a carved design of, you guessed it, tiny leaves! They are so simple, but they have enough detailing in them and the length is dramatic enough to draw attention and admiration. I find them to be the perfect compliment to a weekend jeans and flip flops type of ensemble, and these earrings take the look from slightly disheveled to decidedly put together!
When Alison works on new jewelry designs, she focuses on line, color and simplicity. She says, “I think what you leave out design-wise is almost as important as the elements you actually use. This requires more courage than you might expect. There is always the temptation to clutter a jewelry design with non-essential elements to justify the cost of your product or satisfy other people’s expectations. In a simple design all the elements must be virtually perfect in terms of workmanship and quality of materials because any sloppiness will stand out like a sore thumb!”
As for her love of Memphis, Alison was too hard pressed to choose just one thing. Among her favorites are the sense of history here, cultural diversity, churches on almost every corner (it’s true!) and of course, southern cooking. Amen to all of the above, Alison! 🙂

TinyLeaves owner Alison has a heart for quality and a heart for giving back to others. She donates 20% of her sales to Memphis MultiNational Ministries, a non-denominational Christian organization which serves the refugee community in Memphis, Tennessee. Alison’s sister, Laurie Graves Morris, serves as the Director there! Last year she was able to donate $465.95. That is so amazing, but you can help her donate even more by making a purchase from her! And as a bonus, you’ll look great doing it! Also, Alison is offering free shipping through the end of May if you mention Stuff Parents Need in your notes to the seller!

Win it!: Alison would like to offer one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader your very own TinyLeaves creation. The winner will receive an item of his/her choice up to $10, plus free shipping! The contest will run until May 27th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States.

Mandatory Entry:
Tell me your very favorite item in the TinyLeaves shop and where you would wear it!

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS, email or Google friend connect (only one extra entry, even if you subscribe more than one way)
2. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
3. Add TinyLeaves to your favorites on Etsy
4. Give Alison a suggestion for a type of earring to make
5. If you left a Memphis in May comment on this post before May 2nd, leave a comment for an extra entry

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

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Comments

  2. The Swirls of White – Vintage Lucite and Natural Brass Earrings would be perfect to wear to work

    Reply

  4. The Ruby Red Faceted Tear Drops are pretty, my wedding anniversary is coming up so I'd love to wear them when we go out! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

    Reply

  12. My favorite is the Simply White Vintage Lucite and Natural Brass Dangles, and I would wear it to work!

    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  14. I like the Translucent Jonquil Faceted Glass Drops. I would wear them with my summer dresses. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply

  21. I love the Rustic Leaf Imprint Ceramic Pendant with Vintaj Brass Chain! I would wear it to parties.

    Reply

  25. i love the Yellow Topaz AB Swarovski Cascade Earrings (Natural Brass) and i will wear them to dinner with my husband
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

    Reply

  33. I like the Rustic leaf imprint ceramic pendant with vintaj brass chain
    xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  36. I would wear the Sand and Sea Vintage Lucite and Natural Brass Dangles to the beach. I love them-they look like little globes!
    smchester at gmail dot com

    Reply

  37. I'd like to see a pair or earrings in brass and pearl in the same style as Allison's Stormy Pearl Clusters!!! If she makes some pls let me know. Also a simple pearl drop would be pretty too!

    Reply

  40. I'd pick the Sand and Sea Vintage Lucite and Natural Brass Dangles b.c they are happy! I'd wear them in the hospital where I'll be until my bundles of joy decided to come (hopefully not for another month or so!!!).

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  50. My favorite is the Sand and Sea Vintage Lucite and Natural Brass Dangles. I would wear them to graduation.

    Reply

  52. I love the Green Opal Faceted Tear Drops and would wear them to my son's graduation.

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  53. I love the Green Opal Faceted Tear Drops and I'd wear them to opening night of a musical 🙂

    kaleidoscopequeen at gmail dot com

    Reply

  54. I like the Ruby Red Faceted Tear Drops they would look so pretty with my red dress-I would wear them when my husband takes me out for supper

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

    Reply

  59. I would like to see some earrings with flowers, such as roses or fuschias, on them in her shop.
    yeloechikee at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  62. I like those earrings featured in your post with the tiny birds on them, but I also like the Sand and Sea Vintage Lucite and Natural Brass Dangles from her shop.
    yeloechikee at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  68. I would love to see Allison make some Italian inspired earrings – something inspired by Tuscany perhaps?
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  69. I heart Tiny Leaves on Etsy – my Etsy username is Hurdler4eva
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  70. I follow your blog with google friend connect!
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  71. My favorite is the Rustic Leaf Imprint Ceramic Pendant with Vintaj Brass Chain and I would wear it to a picnic and to shop!
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  80. I like the nature theme going on with the sun, leaf and flowers; maybe I would suggest making some insect or fish earrings.

    Reply

  81. My favorites are the Ruby Red Faceted Tear Drops earrings. I would wear those anywhere; that's why I like them. I could wear them to the grocery store and then out to dinner!

    Reply

  84. I'd choose the sand & sea vintage lucite & natural brass dangles – love 'em! Our anniversary is coming up so I'd wear them out to dinner.

    Reply

  88. My favorite is the Sand and Sea Vintage Lucite and Natural Brass Dangles. So pretty. I'd wear them for a breakfast date with my hubby.

    Reply

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