This summer I started making my own jewelry, so a lot of what I wear currently is by me. I also have gotten some trendy earrings at Express and Forever 21.
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Veni, Vedi, Visa.
I came, I saw, I did a little shopping.
We have lots of cheapy jewelry places here in Dallas -some of the people that wholesale at market & the national shows have "shops" in an area called Shoppers Alley - I imagine if any of their customers went there they would be horrified - they are real shit holes. You have to dig & although I've been a few times, I don't think it's worth it. There are 2 stores that are set up more retail here that I like going in. One is called Om Imports - all of the earrings are $1.75! And I have gotten cool necklaces for less than $5 there. But the main place I go is called Sam Moon - it has all kinds of fun costume jewelry but you have to sort through the not so cool stuff. Here is their website:
I know it's cheapy, but I have ordered some stuff from cheaper places online that other people here have ordered from & have had a lot of it break. I never seem to have that problem when I can check it out in person first.
I also have an affinity for looking for antique / vintage pieces at antique stores or when I travel. I think jewelry makes a fun souvenir.
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Who do you have to probe around here to get a Chardonnay? - Roger the Alien from American Dad
I also really like to find unique jewelry so I usually shop for it at craft fairs and at shopping parties like Shecky's and Stylefixx. Anywhere local jewelry designers might turn up.
Target, Express, NY & Co, sometimes Wal-Mart will have some great stuff (stress on SOMETIMES). F21 has cute jewelry, but I've never bought any. Charlotte Russe sometimes has cute pieces, too, but I'm afraid of the cheapness.
I make my own, so if I want a particular style, I often just make it. I don't buy a lot of cheapy jewelry...I like artisan jewelry, something that has a great design or really moves me, so I would rather spend more on fewer, but more awesome (IMO) items, than have a lot of throwaway jewelry.
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"Good taste shouldn't have to cost anything extra." - Mickey Drexler