I was yet again inspired by an item I saw on Etsy to do a post on a genre of jewelry, in this case - rustic* jewelry.  The item in question was this "wearable art euro cuff" beaded rustic bracelet by Fishbaysunsets out of Washington State. ($45)  It is a pretty bracelet with fabulous colors and metalwork, glass beads, and natural stone beads.  Very pretty.  But of course, I couldn't rest with just one.  So what follows are my selection of rustic jewelry items off Etsy.
Hammered Copper Cuff by Seventh Willow in Arizona ($59 - more depth and texture than commercial versions.)
Yellow Jade and Copper Hoop Earrings by JensBeadBox in Texas ($22 - so pretty!)
Mixed Natural Amber Necklace by Karuba in Poland ($161 - expensive yes, but she has good reviews, and I'm a sucker for natural amber.)
*Some might notice that my take on rustic is a bit particular.  I tend to identify rustic with the following elements: darker metals (think coppers, brasses, rhodiums, pewters, etc.), leathers, natural stones, natural gemstones, and glass beads in darker colors.  Impressive metal work is always good.  
  • On the other hand I tend *not* to associate rustic with jewlery meant to evoke tribal or foreign elements of a particular culture.  Both because I frequently find that they are poorly executed but also because I would not want to be seen as appropriating symbols of cultures of which I am not a member.  So I tend to avoid things that clearly do so.
  • I also don't consider "steampunk" stuff under the heading of rustic.  Now I actually love steampunk accessories and would be happy to do an entire post on steampunk stuff - I just think that their purposefully affected take on a particular era isn't really "rustic" in any traditional sense.

And I have now explained my reasoning behind a post WAY MORE than I ever have before.  This is what happens when its 4 AM and you have insomnia.  But have fun!  


Do you like these rustic options?  Do you wear rustic jewelry?  Do you have any other suggestions on what I should add to my ideas about the "rustic look"?  Leave some texty text in the comments and let me know!