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A lady with a love for literature and shiny things discusses books & bling.

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How I make money blogging: peek behind the scenes.

When I go to events, there’s one question I am asked more frequently than any other…and it has nothing to do with jewelry.

“But…how do you make money blogging?”

The delivery varies. Some people ask aggressively because they’re uncomfortable in the face of something they don’t understand, or they can’t accept the changing times that my business represents. Others ask the question with awe or hope, and I wonder if they’re holding a blogging dream in their own hearts.

Most of the time, they’re just genuinely curious. They don’t understand how Diamonds in the Library can be my full time job, and they want to learn.

I’m a big fan of understanding things, and honestly, I also think blogging is fascinating – why else would I have been doing it for nearly 5 years? So I’m going to satisfy your curiosity and just lay everything all out here for you to see.

I want to tell you all about how I make money blogging.Here’s how I make money blogging:

The short answer is that I do a whole lot of different little things which – most months – add up to an income. Keep reading for all the details!

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What to do when a ring is stuck on your finger.

Today, we’re going to talk about an un-glamorous situation that almost every jewelry lover has encountered: what to do when a ring is stuck on your finger.

What to do if a ring is stuck on your finger. Tips and tricks to try at home, and what you can expect if the ring needs to be cut off of you.Ideally, we’d all be perfect, sweat-free unicorn humans who never get overheated or swollen anywhere, but that’s just not real life.

The next time you get that sinking feeling that your finger bling just isn’t going to come off, don’t worry. Here are some tips and tricks you can try at home, and what to expect if you do end up needing to have the ring cut off of you.

What to do when a ring is stuck on your finger.

First things first: don’t panic.

If a ring is stuck on your finger and you start yanking on it, all you’re going to do is irritate your finger and make things worse. Try wiggling and twisting the ring instead. Pull firmly, but don’t force it. Relax your hand, rather than holding it rigid.

If none of that helps, then stop. You need to try to reduce the swelling of your finger before you try again. When a ring is stuck on my finger, the first thing I do is run cold water over my hand for 10-30 seconds. After that, I’m usually able to wiggle the ring off without much trouble.

If the ring is still stuck on your finger, you can try some other things to reduce swelling: like holding your hand up above your heart, to encourage excess blood/fluid to drain, or putting ice on your finger for 5-10 minutes at a time.

Here are some things you can try when a ring is stuck on your finger.

(The Google image results for “ring is stuck” are HORRIFYING, so we’re going with GIFs of cute things stuck in other things.)

There are also various slippery substances you can try when a ring is stuck on your finger. Soap can make the skin of your finger slippery, as can lotion or petroleum jelly. You can also try Windex; Windex isn’t just slippery, it also apparently contains some properties that will help shrink your finger slightly. (Although Windex isn’t great for delicate pieces of jewelry).

Another option: waiting. Let some time pass and see if whatever your body is doing to keep your ring stuck on your finger will resolve itself – especially if has an immediate environmental cause, like humidity or exertion.

Disclaimer: Please note that all of this advice is for non-urgent situations. If your ring is stuck because your finger or hand is injured, or if your finger/hand starts to do anything worrisome, like tingle or turn odd colors, stop reading this and go to a doctor.

If the ring is still stuck on your finger.

If the basic swelling-reduction methods have failed, there are a few more home remedies you can try.

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How to wear a brooch: 13 styles you’ll want to try.

What’s a cooler piece of jewelry than a brooch? They can be shaped like anything and to wear one, you just stick it to yourself in any way you want. I’m all about them…in theory.

In reality: I’m terrible at brooches. They make me nervous. I can put them anywhere I want? What if I choose a stupid place? What if the brooch isn’t at the right angle? Is it hanging correctly? I’d better try this another day.

I’m determined to overcome my brooch fears and I’d like to invite you to join me! The weather is getting colder, and autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to wear a brooch. So many layers and accessories just ripe for adornment.

To aid me on my quest to wear a brooch like a boss, I’ve rounded up some brooch-spiration to encourage me to try new things. Without further ado, I present 13 ways to wear a brooch.

A fantastic antique diamond and demantoid garnet lizard brooch from Lang Antiques.The combination of textures and colors is what really kills me about this photo from Lang Antiques. I love the chunky knit of the sweater with the nubby old cut stones of the diamond and demantoid garnet brooch.

That, and how the lizard is positioned so that it looks like it’s gazing curiously out at the world. I want a shoulder friend as cool as this one.

A Vionnet gown from 1938. I'm loving the rhinestone star details - I want to recreate this with brooches.This is not brooches. This is rhinestone detailing on a Vionnet gown from 1938. Why is it in my article on how to wear a brooch? Because it makes me want to cover the straps of a cocktail dress with brooches.

The fabulous Anya of GemFever rocking an antique bar brooch on a blue blouse.This image comes to us from my lovely friend Anya, who is kind of a wizard with brooches (teach me your ways, Anya!).

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