Starting with a square piece of paper (this one is 8.5” x 8.5"), fold the paper from corner to corner. Making an accurate fold will help the heart box come together with ease. Take your time to line up each fold. Then repeat folding with the opposite corner. Compare to image 4 before moving on.
Fold the page in half, open and fold in half from the other direction. Compare your paper to image 4, and make sure you have the same folds.
Rotate your paper so a corner is at the top. Following image 2, line up the right corner with the center. Crease the fold once you have carefully aligned the corner with the center of the page. Repeat with the left side. Open the fold back up and bring the corner to the line created by the last fold. Refold both sides and compare your paper to image 4 before moving on.
Fold the outer edge, aligning it with the center fold. Repeat on both sides; the results should match image 1. Now fold in half and reopen.
Pick up the edge of the top right side and align it with the fold created by folding the project in half in the previous step. In image 1, the purple-highlighted area shows where the fold will take place. At this point, the box will start to take shape. Repeat this fold on all four corners.
Highlighted in purple are the three corners that will need to be folded toward the center. Fold each corner in, resulting in the square in image 3. Repeat folds on the other end. After you have repeated these folds on both sides, your project should look like Image 3. Image 4 shows one side that can be lifted; that is where you will be doing the fold in the next step.
Lift the bottom corner, bring it to the center, and crease the fold. Lift the top corner, bring it half way to the center, and crease fold. This is creating the form of the heart. Repeat on the other side. Once both sides are complete, your project should match image 4.
The purple highlights in image 1 shows where the folds in the step will take place. The purpose of this step is to define the shape of the heart. Pick up the corner in the center and fold it over; crease the fold and unfold. This crease is creating a guideline that will allow you to turn the corner inward. Image 3 shows the opening of the side of the heart. Push in the center of your last fold. Carefully push the corner away from the center and fold. This fold was created on half of the center dip of the heart. Repeat on the other side.
Your project should match image. 1. You did it!! Your heart box is complete. Add jewelry or a note for your Valentine. You can use ribbon or tape to close it securely.
You’ve made a beautiful box; do you need some ideas on what to put inside? You can shop our Valentine's Day collection here.
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It’s hard to believe we’ve almost reached the end of the year. With December right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about December birthday gifts. If you are looking to gift a birthstone this month, you’ll be spoiled for choice. While several months do have alternate birthstones, December seems to have the most. The December birthstones are Blue Topaz, Turquoise, and Tanzanite. There are even a few more alternates that turn up. The one thing they all have in common is the color blue. The variety of birthstones for December makes it easy to find the perfect piece for each individual.
Blue topaz is a semiprecious stone and is a member of the topaz family. It’s pale blue in color, transparent, and rarely has visible inclusions. Blue topaz is a fairly hard stone and is usually faceted, allowing light into the stone.
Turquoise in many ways is the opposite of blue topaz. It is an opaque stone ranging in color from blue to green. Turquoise also has veins of black or brown patterning its surface. Because it’s on the softer side for a stone, turquoise is most frequently cut as a cabochon or bead.
Tanzanite doesn’t have as long a history as blue topaz or turquoise, having been discovered relatively recently in Tanzania. It has the unique characteristic of appearing to change color in different light. Tanzanite is a blue or violet stone depending on the angle and the lighting.
Shop our December Birthstone collection here.
]]>What is the birthstone for June? The short answer is pearl, but there’s a bit more to it. Many months have alternate birthstones. June has 3 stone options: pearl, alexandrite and moonstone. The availability and popularity of gemstones are always changing, and birthstones change right along with them.
Pearls are unique in that they are actually formed inside certain mollusks. Most commonly appearing in white and cream, pearls can be a variety of colors and shapes. Natural pearls are less common than cultured pearls, while cultured pearls offer a wider variety of colors and even shapes. With a long history, pearls are well known and loved. We just can’t get enough of their unique luster.
Be sure to check out our selection of pearls. From classic to contemporary we have pearls for every style.
Not a pearl person? No problem. Moonstone is an amazing alternative. This opalescent stone is sneaky in its truly individual look. It is subtle enough to be an understated everyday piece of jewelry, but when you take a closer look this stone is very distinctive. Moonstone is a not quite clear white stone and has a natural optical effect making colors shine within the stone. This adularescence appears as a bluish light moving across the stone.
Whatever your style, we have a June birthstone for you. Shop our collection of June birthstones here.
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Now how do you get those big ideas into the tiny locket.
There are websites and apps specifically for printing locket photos. You can also add photos to a regular word document and print them onto photo paper.
Start by creating a new document and changing the page size to 4x6. Add your photos, while most lockets only hold two pictures go ahead and fill the page with options with a slight variations in size because it can be hard to judge how your image will look until you cut it out.
Having your “ruler guides” on your page can help compare the images size to the size of your locket opening. You can also add the “shape” of your locket on the image to get a better idea of what will be cut away from the image. Once you have filled the page either print on photo paper or have it printed at your local “same day photo” printer (must drug stores or office supply stores have a photo printing service).
Carefully cut out your image, you can start with a piece of scrape paper to get the right fit before you start cutting your finial image. If you press your scrape paper into the locket opening it will leaving an impression of the locket opening. Trace the “fit paper” onto the image and cut it out.
Place you image inside the locket. Most lockets have sort of a rim that holds the image into place but if it does not feel secure add a small piece of tape. If you feel you want the added security of using glued, try a test glue dot on some of the left over photo to make sure it is not going to effect the ink by seeping through the paper.
Not sure what to get your cousin’s new wife or the friend that has everything? Keep in mind the recipient of the gift has no desire to stress you out. Take a deep breath, and know that what ever you come up with, they’ll know you were thinking of them.
No need to focus on the one perfect thing. Sometimes the most fun gift is a bag filled with little treasures. Grab one of our coffee mugs and add their favorite coffee beans. We’ve got something for everyone.
Does a gift card feel like a cheating? Think of it this way: you’re giving them a fun shopping trip where they can get whatever they want for themselves. Make a gift card seem more personalized by adding a small gift that reminds you of them. A sticker? A silly magnet? We love putting a gift card in a zipper pouch, like these Blue Q coin purses. Grab a holiday greeting card, write a heart felt letter, and put the gift card inside!
Stuffing stockings but candy canes and yo-yo’s won’t cut it anymore? We’ve got you covered. Useful or unique is a great place to start. Better yet if it’s both.
Everyone wears socks, but there is no need for them to be boring. Whether you want to go funny or festive, we have the socks for you.
Stickers can be a great stocking stuffer. Find the perfect one for each person on your list.
Grab a pair of studs or a small pair of hoops. These are the perfect size for a stocking and are a great addition on any jewelry collection
There are always those things that everyone needs but they don’t seem to ever have on hand. For me it's a polishing cloth. Grab a polishing cloth so they can bring their old sterling silver jewelry back to life. Do they have earrings on their wish list because they have lost so many pairs this year? Grab a set of rubber earring backs to make sure the new ones don’t go astray.
See our Stocking Stuffers Collection!
You might need to do a little detective work before you hit the stores. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you set out for your holiday shopping.
Silver or Gold? Some people wear both. Other people are very loyal to their preferred metal. Think back to jewelry you have seen them wearing. Can’t remember? Try doing a little social media snooping, and see if you can tell their preferences. Do they wear matching sets of jewelry, or do they mix and match favorite pieces? What are a few of their favorite things? Jot down a few of the things that you know they love. Even if it seems silly it might just spark an idea for an amazing gift. Thoughtful gifts just need a little forethought, and you’ll do great.
Planning on shopping for a ring? Keep in mind that you need to know their ring size, ideally the ring size for the finger you are shopping for. Pointer fingers and pinkies are going to be very different. If you don’t want to spoil the surprise by asking the recipient, try asking a friend or family member if they know the recipient’s rings size. Do you have access to their rings? If so, try on a few. Now this may mean sliding it part way down your smallest finger, but that is still very useful information if you are shopping in store. We’d be happy to help you try different sizes until you find one that fits the same way.
Reward those who got up early to put the turkey in the oven. Grab them something to show your appreciate for their hard work.
These Blue Q oven mitts will put a smile on their face, no matter how difficult the turkey is being. Traveling this thanksgiving? Putting a pie in your luggage might be out of the question, but packing a few Soul Shine candles will be a nice touch. Soul Shine candles are made locally in Chapel Hill and give you a chance to bring something from home.
When your host finally gets to put their feet up, make sure they have cozy toes with a thoughtful pair of socks. Or maybe your host would love a bit of festive sparkle? We have Fall jewelry to fit everyone’s style.
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Choose from a wide variety of funny & heartwarming magnets perfect for a fridge or magnetic spot that needs a pick me up!
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A quick glossary of our gold jewelry terms:
14kt Gold Filled: A tube of 14kt gold filled with a copper or a base metal. With a life span of 25 years or more, this has the most gold content.
14kt Gold Vermeil: Sterling silver plated with 14kt gold to a thickness of 2.5 microns.
Gold plated: Usually 14kt gold plated over a base metal such as brass.
]]>Artist Anne Vaughan leads a small team of makers in creating innovative new layered jewelry collections centered around creative color palettes. Each collage is inspired by textiles, fabrics, and the natural world, and made in her rural Virginia studio. Using a mix of natural stone beads, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver and 14kt gold fill metals, these pieces are the essence of summer! Peruse the full selection of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings here in our Anne Vaughan Collection.
Items shown (clockwise from top left)
]]>We are seeking energetic, friendly & reliable candidates to fill full & part-time positions at our Durham, NC location in the Streets at Southpoint. Come work in a beautiful environment with caring people and get paid a living wage selling our fabulous merchandise! Apply in person (strongly recommended) or apply here online!
We look forward to meeting you soon!
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]]>This week we also restocked & added new Sienna Sky, and everyone's favorite, Amano Studio. We added fresh on-trend styles such as these pictured (clockwise from top left):
Selene de la Lune Hoop Earrings
Have a beautiful weekend!
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Wishing Dandelion Bar Necklace
Camping Under the Stars Necklace
We are adding new items weekly as always, so please check back often to see what's new!
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Purple & Green Spotted Swallowtail Dangles
Monarch Butterfly Wing Dangles
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]]>New this week: Handmade in the USA sterling silver and 14kt gold filled rings!
New styles and restocks of old favorites in stores and online!
Pictured are:
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Dear Light Years Family,
We are currently open in all three store locations! Please check out our modified store hours before making the trip. We require face masks to be worn at all times when shopping in our stores, and exercise social distancing when possible. Please use hand sanitizer provided when entering the shop, and limit handling the merchandise unless you intend to purchase.
Please bear with us while we maintain a safe and healthy environment for our customers and employees. We will continue to monitor and adjust to the situation at hand, and hope that we can continue to open our doors and serve our community in a healthy and positive way! We look forward to seeing you!
Light Years Jewelry
You can always count on Light Years to find you the most unique finds at the best prices to keep you looking fresh and fun!
]]>We have just added a new collection perfect for spring and summer that feature honeybee themes crafted from sterling silver and amber, but you can check out our entire amber collection here!
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Also pictured are the Christmas Lights Earrings, and the Cardinal Wreath Dangles.
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Pictured above are the Crescent & Teardrop Dangles, and the Disc & Bar Statement Post Earrings. If you love these styles, be sure to also check out the Ring & Chain Dangles and the Linked Rings Statement Earrings.
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