From Fall Leaves to Holiday Lights: A Seasonal Corgi & Honey Bee Jewelry Showcase
- Alex Reynolds
- Dec 6, 2025
- 7 min read
As the last of autumn’s color settled into our yard and the first real snowfall blanketed Fort Collins, I couldn’t resist creating a little seasonal magic in the studio. I gathered the fall leaves I’d saved from an earlier shoot, borrowed the holiday décor my wife had been lovingly arranging around the house, and set out to photograph a few of our demo pieces in the glow of the season. While none of these handcrafted treasures can arrive by Christmas — each one is made to order with care — this photo session became a joyful celebration of cozy textures, warm light, and the charm that defines both our Corgi Collection and our Honey Bee Ring. Consider this a visual stroll through the transition from fall to winter, where fandom, nature, and handcrafted elegance all meet.
Table of Contents
From Fall Leaves to Holiday Magic
There’s something about the transition between seasons that always pulls me in creatively. Before the snow arrived, I had collected a handful of fall leaves for an earlier photo session and decided to hold onto them, just in case inspiration struck again. When I stepped back into the studio for this shoot, those same leaves became the perfect backdrop for easing into a seasonal story—one that moves gently from autumn warmth into holiday glow.
There’s a grounded beauty to autumn textures—the deep reds, the soft golds, the sense of everything slowing down. The Royal Rump™ Pendant felt right at home here, surrounded by the quiet richness of fall.
The Aristocorgi™ Pendant brings such personality to a photo. Even in stillness, it has this bright, alert energy—like a corgi tilt of the head captured in line form. On the red leaves, it instantly became the focal point of the whole setup.
Pairing the Aristocorgi™ with the Royal Rump™ always makes me smile. Even as earrings, the two play off each other perfectly, one leading into the other. Displayed on these leaves, they felt like a tiny fall vignette all on their own.
While The Nectar Guardian™ Ring wasn’t designed as an autumn piece, it has an undeniable warmth that fits beautifully here. The gold against the red leaves creates a glow that feels almost like a last burst of sunlight before winter settles in. As always, since each ring is made to order, these heirloom details take time—but that’s part of what makes the piece so meaningful.
As the leaves dried and curled under the studio lights, it felt like fall was slowly making its exit—and right on cue, the first big snow of the season arrived outside. With autumn captured, it was time to wander into winter and see what the holiday decorations around the house might inspire next.
The Corgi Collection in a Winter Wonderland
Once I’d wrapped up the fall-themed shots, I wandered out of the studio and into the rest of the house, where my wife had already been transforming everything into a warm, inviting holiday scene. Her décor always has this soft magic to it—textures, colors, little pockets of light—and it felt like the perfect setting to photograph the corgi pieces in a completely new atmosphere. With a couple of lights in hand, I started exploring.
There’s something about the glow of a red candle that instantly sets the tone for winter. The Royal Rump™ Pendant picked up the warmth beautifully, standing out against the rich backdrop with just enough shine to feel festive but still refined.
These ornaments were practically begging to be part of the shoot. Their colors bounced little flecks of light across the Aristocorgi™ Pendant, giving the whole scene a playful sparkle—very fitting for a corgi who’s always ready to join the holiday fun.
In this setup, the greenery softened the bright red candle and created a cozy, pine-scented vibe. The pendant looked like it belonged there, nestled in a scene that could’ve easily been part of a holiday mantel display.
The earrings hanging side by side always feel like characters in a tiny story, especially in a setting like this. The rich red background and soft shadows gave them a sense of depth, almost like they were peeking out from a winter scene with a bit of corgi personality.
This one made me laugh when I set it up—a corgi pendant modeling on a snowman. But the textures were wonderful: soft whites, warm light, little buttons adding structure. The Aristocorgi™ Pendant looked surprisingly elegant (and a little mischievous) in this cheerful winter setting.
These gold trees were absolutely perfect for the earrings. The spirals created such a graceful frame, and the warm metallic tones played beautifully with the silver silhouettes. This ended up being one of my favorite holiday images of the entire shoot.
With the corgi pieces now photographed in both autumn calm and winter sparkle, there was one last piece I wanted to bring into the seasonal light—The Nectar Guardian™ Ring, glowing softly in the wreaths and ornaments around the house.
Spotlight on The Nectar Guardian™ Ring
Even though The Nectar Guardian™ Ring wasn’t designed with winter in mind, I’ve always loved how its golden tones catch the light during this time of year. There’s a warmth to it that stands out beautifully against cool seasonal textures, and I couldn’t resist giving it a moment in the holiday spotlight.
The hint of blue light surprised me in the best way. It cast a gentle coolness that contrasted perfectly with the warm gold of the ring, almost making the gemstone glow from within. Even in a holiday setting, the design’s connection to spring and nature still shines through—proof that the piece carries its own story no matter the season.
With the ring captured in these quiet little winter moments, I wrapped up the photo shoot feeling grateful for how the season brings out new facets of each piece. From warm autumn leaves to festive holiday light, everything seemed to work together to highlight the personality behind these designs.
Behind the Scenes — Creating Cozy Holiday Moments
One of my favorite parts of sessions like this is how unpredictable they can be. I walked into the day with a loose plan: start with the fall leaves I’d saved from an earlier shoot, then ease into some holiday setups if time allowed. But once I got going, the whole thing took on a life of its own.
The leaves, for example, were far more delicate than I remembered. Every time I positioned a chain or moved a pendant, something would shift or catch or quietly crumble. But they gave the images such a rich, quiet texture that it was worth the careful choreography. It felt like capturing the very last breath of autumn before winter settled in.
From there, I packed up my lights and went exploring. My wife had already decorated most of the house for the holidays, and every corner felt like a mini stage set—red candles, gold spirals, soft greenery, little unexpected bursts of color. Instead of bringing everything back into the studio, I decided to take the studio to the décor, walking room to room and finding pockets of light that made each piece shine.
The snow outside added to the atmosphere, too. Between shots, I’d catch a glimpse of the flakes piling up past the window, a reminder that the season was shifting right alongside this photo session. It all came together in a way that felt quiet and joyful—like the jewelry was getting its own little holiday moment.
Final Reflections
As I wrapped up this seasonal photo adventure, I found myself appreciating how much personality each piece brings to a scene. The corgis made everything feel playful and full of charm, while The Nectar Guardian™ Ring added a soft, elegant glow wherever it landed. What started with a handful of saved leaves and a sudden snowfall turned into a quiet little celebration of the transition between seasons — a reminder of why I love creating and photographing jewelry in the first place.
Since each piece is handcrafted and made to order, they take time, care, and the steady hands of the master metalsmiths I work with. They won’t arrive in time for holiday gifting, but I hope these photos offer a moment of seasonal inspiration and a deeper look into the stories behind the designs.
If any of these pieces caught your eye, I’d love to invite you to explore the collections and see what else speaks to you.
FAQ
Do you offer ready-to-ship jewelry?
At this time, all of my jewelry is made to order. Each piece is handcrafted with intention, from the first sketch to the final polish. Because of this, I don’t keep ready-to-ship inventory, and delivery timelines vary based on the complexity of the design.
Will these pieces arrive in time for Christmas or other holidays?
No — my jewelry isn’t available for rush delivery, including Christmas. Every design is created one at a time with careful craftsmanship, so while they make meaningful gifts any time of year, they can’t be produced on a holiday timeline.
How long does it take to receive a made-to-order piece?
Production times vary depending on the piece, but most designs take several weeks from the time an order is placed. The wait allows me and the master metalsmiths I work with to ensure every detail is crafted with heirloom-level quality.
Can I customize one of these designs?
Absolutely. Many customers enjoy customizing details like metal color, gemstone choice, or design elements. If you’re dreaming up something unique — especially inspired by a beloved pet or fandom — I’d love to chat about creating a custom piece just for you.
Do the pendants come with a chain?
No. Chains are sold separately. This helps keep costs lower for customers and allows you to select the chain style and length you truly love—or use a favorite chain you already own.
What materials do you use?
Demo pieces shown in photos are sometimes created in sterling silver, but all made-to-order Charming Quail™ jewelry is crafted exclusively in durable precious metals such as 14k white gold, 14k rose gold, and 18k yellow gold.
I also frequently use lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. These stones offer exceptional beauty, consistency, and value while aligning perfectly with the heirloom-level craftsmanship that each piece requires.
What makes your corgi jewelry unique?
Charming Quail™ corgi designs are intentionally subtle — a modern, minimalist style often described as “If you know, you know jewelry.” The Aristocorgi™ and Royal Rump™ silhouettes are meant to be quietly personal pieces, recognizable to the wearer and to the few trusted friends they choose to share the meaning with. They blend whimsy and refinement in a way that celebrates fandom without feeling loud or literal.
How can I hear more about new designs and behind-the-scenes stories?
The best way is to join my Fan Feed. You’ll get early looks at upcoming pieces, studio stories, photo sessions like this one, and occasional subscriber-only updates.
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