Irma Guzman's Seashell Jewelry: Bold and Original (Caribe Collection Part 2)

The seashell pieces from our Caribe Collection are wonderfully handcrafted! We never thought of making seashell jewelry, but it all started on a trip we made to the South Padre Island in Texas, my husband and I were walking along the beach and came across a giant seashell... and I immediately fell in love with it, I thought, I could paint it and use it in my desk.  Later on, we found ourselves beachcombing and with a bag full of seashells and sand! It seems simple but it's so relaxing, besides we saw some interesting shapes and thought we could do something with those seashells, and this is the final result: 

Sea Treasure Necklace

We wanted our seashell pieces to be different, bold, innovative and unusual. We used real seashells that we handpicked, mussel shells (which we bought), coconut shell coins, seeds, suede cords, wood beads, and chains. Their aesthetic is tropical chic!

The Sea Treasure Necklace  will become your favorite piece in summer and will give you that WOW look! The mussel shell drops give a feeling of movement and the range of yellows and browns from one drop to the next provide a beautiful contrast with the gold seashells creating a harmonious color scheme. 

Sea Treasure Necklace

The Espuma de Mar Necklace is so captivating, and it will definitely make your outfit whether it's casual or something more elegant.

Espuma de Mar Necklace

The Guajira Necklace is stunning combination of red mussel shells, coconut shell coins, and red seeds from Colombia. Make a vibrant entrance with this necklace!

Guajira Necklace

Our seashell jewelry is part of our Caribe Collection, a group of festive and exotic pieces that pays homage to my Colombian roots. These pieces are fun, will definitely cheer you up, and empower you. They are designed to boost your confidence and make you feel sexy!

Sea Treasure Earrings

These unique and captivating earrings will be your favorites this summer! They are made with real seashells handpicked from the South Padre Island beach, (Texas). 

Captivating and bold, the Laguna Necklace is an exotic mix of red paxiuba seeds from Brazil and fan-shaped seashells. 

Laguna Necklace

Tell us, which seashell piece you want to style. 

Irma Guzman's Caribe Collection (Part 1)

We are so excited to introduce our new Caribe Collection, an ensemble of exotic and festive pieces that pays homage to Irma Guzman's Colombian roots. Handcrafted with natural materials from Latin American such as seeds, totumo and coconut, these pieces are fun, and will definitely cheer you up, and empower you, they are designed to boost your confidence and make you feel sexy!

Cartagena, Irma Guzman's Hometown

The exotic combination of paxiuba seeds from Brazil and coconut shell beads in different sizes makes the Heredia necklace a unique find. 

Heredia Necklace

Fun and unique these earrings were made by Colombian artisans using totumo, a fruit very similar to coconut, but with a smoother hard shell, which is used to make decorative bowls, spoons and artisan jewelry. They are very lightweight and easy to wear! 

Totumo Earrings

The Baru necklace offers an exotic combination of shapes and materials: coconut shell pendant, wood beads, acai seeds, turquoise howlite horns and antique brass chains and beads. You will turn heads with this fascinating statement necklace!

Baru Necklace

Simple and bold, the San Andres necklace is perfect for the summer days. This exotic piece looks great on and is lightweight and fun to wear. Pair it with a tanktop and jeans, or a sundress. 

San Andres Necklace

How fun are these heart-shaped totumo earrings? 

Don't miss the second part of our fabulous Caribe Collection!

Hello Fall

"Autumn ... the year's last, loveliest smile." ~ William Cullem Bryant

Celebrate the new season with our Fall-inspired pieces.

My Favorite Pantone Colors for Spring 2016 ( Part I )

"With its natural earthy quality, the softness and subtly of Iced Coffee creates a 

stable foundation when combined with the rest of this season's palette." ~ Pantone 

Oh how I love this color! There's something about this neutral shade that exudes elegance, and chicness,  and as a bonus, it combines well with nearly every other color. 
These are some of my favorite pieces in Iced Coffee, they were handcrafted using natural materials such as seeds, wood beads and roses made from orange peel. Hope you like them!

Orange Peel Necklace

Elegant and unique this original handmade necklace will add flavor to anything you wear!

Two orange peel roses in burgundy, are the focal point of this exquisite piece, and they are beautifully paired with bombona seeds hand-dyed by South American artisans. 

I make these roses from discarded orange peel thoroughly cleaned before undergoing one wee sun-drying, shaping and dying process without losing their natural aroma.

Shop the Orange Peel Necklace

Andes Bracelet

This rustically gorgeous bracelet is inspired by the Andes mountains which are the longest mountain chain in the world and extend over seven countries in South America. 

Ten strands of small wood beads are joined together to create a stunning ombre design that gives you the look of stacked bracelets in one beautiful piece.

Shop the Andes Bracelet

Galapagos Necklace

The Galapagos necklace is a captivating piece of jewelry that can be worn year round. 

I created this necklace with cacho seeds that have a exotic triangular shape, and white acai seeds from Brazil. 

Wear it as a statement piece with a black dress or wear it with a pair of jeans and a cute shirt for a completely casual look.

Shop the Galapagos Necklace

Do you love this color? What would you wear with our Galapagos necklace?

Cure The Winter Blues With Bright Hues

Cure the Winter Blues with Bright Hues.
Yep, this is true! This simple tip is the easiest and funniest way to beat the monotony
 of the season. Here are some ideas to get you inspired to bring more light into your day!

• Wear a trench coat as a dress, try cobalt or navy if you are a color beginner, and add an eye-catching accessory like our tagua nut Marbella bracelet in ivory or in other bright color.



Marbella Tagua Nut Bracelet by Irma Guzman Eco Jewelry

 

Bright and fun, these tagua bracelets are made with polished teardrop-shaped tagua nuts that are strung together on elastic cord.  

They are the perfect pop of color for those fall and winter styles and they will be great in the summer too!

 

 

Tagua Nut Bracelets

• Or wear red if you are feeling bold! Our Spider earrings will add an elegant and slightly spooky touch to your look!

• You can create an entire outfit without any black items. Our colorful and fun Charming Elephants earrings will make you feel festive and happy!

 

• "Outerwear is a focal point when it's chilly" says stylist Emily Current. So add a colorful coat on top of a monochromatic outfit. The Aurora Necklace made from bombona and acai seeds gives the finishing touch!

Don't let the winter blues get your style down! I invite you to embrace color in
your winter wardrobe.

Have a blessed day! Oh, but before you go, be sure to leave me a comment letting me know which look you like the best?

P.S.: Love, love this quote from Jenna Lyons:

" It only takes one colorful item to make a grey day beautiful, or a bland outfit sunny."

My Winter Getaway

My first visit to my birthplace in 10 years was full of different emotions, beautiful memories and, of course, lots of colors!

Although it was a short trip, ( only 5 days!) I enjoyed every moment with my family and dear friends. I visited my parents' house which is today a beautifully restored colonial Colombian home in the heart of Cartagena's historic walled center, featuring six (6) spacious, well-kept guest rooms, within walking distance of old town landmarks, attractions and nightlife. And it is named after my mother, Carmen.

Casa Carmen

I was amazed to see the beautiful and striking color combinations of the colonial houses!

"It’s hard to remember, on those cold days when you pile on your heavy coat and scarf, that there are places on the planet where the sun rarely stops shining. The Colombian city of Cartagena has skies so blue and cloudless that they look permanently polarised.  It’s a fine spot for a winter-dodging getaway..." ~ Lonely Planet

Cartagena, a city full of romance and colonial legends, captivates visitors  with its cobbled alleys, enormous balconies draped in bougainvillea and horse-drawn carriages.

Located on the northern coast of Colombia on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena was once a haven for the freed African slaves of Central and South America, making the city an ethnic melting pot of Latino, African and Caribbean cultures. Just as dramatic is the city’s history as a Spanish colony defending itself against pirate attacks, earning it the nickname “Cartagena, la Heroica.” ~ The Savvy Explorer

My trip was a great source of inspiration, these earrings are the proof!! They will be available very soon on our site.

Hot weather calls for cold coconut water!

Cartagena is a well preserved beauty lying within an impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stonewalls.

You can find beautiful, warm colors everywhere.





Las Palenqueras,” or street fruit vendors, are extremely friendly and often happy to pose for photos!



 

No visit to Cartagena is complete without sampling its famous shrimp cocktail.

I love this city. I am drawn to the romance Cartagena inspires. And I can't get enough of these beautiful colors that we are seeing here. So, what do you think? Is Cartagena on your bucket list?

Have a blessed day!

                                 Irma

Marsala: Pantone Color of the Year 2015

Pantone announced last week the New Color of the Year for 2015, and I couldn't be happier! Marsala, a rich reddish brown inspired by the Sicilian cooking wine, is the must-have hue of 2015.

 

 

 

"It is such a deliciously warm shade, you can almost taste it just by looking at it." says Pantone Color Institute's executive director, Leatrice Eiseman.

 



 

 

 

“Sensual and appealing, Marsala is a compelling and cordial tone that nurtures; exuding confidence and stability while feeding the body, mind and soul,” the color experts at Pantone said in their announcement.  Check out our gorgeous fish scale necklace Rosario Islands.

 

 

Rosario Islands Necklace

 

 

Another way to indulge: Swipe it on your lips. "This color flatters the mouth's natural pigments, so it works for everyone." says Bobbi Brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eiseman says: “the burnished undertones keep it down-to-earth” Pair it with a neutral (think navy or black) or try a complementary color, such as mustard.

 

 

 

 

 

 Now I must admit that I gravitate towards a deeper, richer version of this mauve, red wine-like color, and so that's what I'm showing you today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure the hue is for you? “The best way to get accustomed to a color is to use it in a print with other colors you really really love,” Eiseman says. And there’s no need to wait until 2015 to give it a try. Check out our Amazon Rainforest Necklace in Marsala & Navy.

 

 

 

 

So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2015

How do you like the most prominent hues for Spring 2015?

 

Outfit Inspiration

You'll never know where you'll find inspiration for your outfits!

Orange Is The New Black

Orange never goes out of style! This fiery hue makes its way from lips to clothes, shoes and accessories this season.

Sunshine bracelet by Irma Guzman

The beauty of handmade

"When something is made by hand, you feel the soul that went into it." ~ Donna Karan

Maui Necklace

Meet Irma Guzman

"Designing jewelry is a personal challenge for me. It's my passion, my hobby, and my best outlet for expression." ~ Irma Guzman

Wonders of the Sea

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever." ~ Jacques Cousteau

White Sea charm bracelet

There's something about the sea that has always captivated me, and I was lucky enough to live by the sea for many years. I really enjoyed those days and I still do when I go to the beach. Everything I know about the sea I learned it from Jacques Cousteau' s documentaries, they were my favorites ...

 

 

White Sea tagua charm bracelet

 

 

I was amazed to see the beauty of the sea life, from the largest creatures, the blue whales, whose beautiful songs travel thousands of miles under the ocean, to the tiny and fragile sea horses. Curiously, males are the ones that get pregnant and deliver their offspring!

 

Not only the sky has stars ... the sea offers a variety of star-shaped animals (starfish) in a variety of colors and sizes! Finally, the survival instinct of the baby sea turtles is really amazing. Watching them struggle out of the nest and make their way to the water is an emotional experience! They have to face everything from driftwood and footprints to crabs and predators. This is so inspiring!

 

Our White Sea charm bracelet is definitely a show-stopper and will ensure you get plenty of compliments!

White Sea tagua charm bracelet