Spring for Beads

What is spring bringing to bead designs and fashion? 

In scanning the current fashion trends, I am seeing tons of beads, baubles and chains, not to mention sweet charms of all sorts.

At Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Lanvin, and Chanel each designer is showing beads, chains and baubles in layer on top of layer.  They are having fun with their jewelry; mixing different mediums together to make a very bold statement.  Creating looks that everyone can wear.

In addition to famous design houses, places like White House/Black Market, Chico’s, Coach, Express and American Eagle are getting in on the act; offering gorgeous affordable options.  Twist, a local jewelry store in Portland Oregon, is supporting handmade jewelry as are many of the galleries in the city.  It seems that bead designs are here to stay and can be found everywhere from the mall to the neighborhood outdoor marketplace. 

Probably the most visible woman sporting a beaded necklace daily is Robin Roberts of Good Morning America.  Her sister, Dorothy Roberts McEwen has kept us admiring beaded necklaces for quite some time.  Have you ever seen the same necklace on Robin twice?  They are usually quite simple bead designs, but Dorothy has a real talent for putting the different elements together.

Pearls are big this year!  The most wonderful part of the ‘new’ pearls is COLOR.  We have gone past the days of the simple Jackie Onassis pearl strand, as timeless and classic as it is.  The ‘new’ pearls are showing up in all shades and variations; white, pink, purple, copper, chocolate, green, and blue……….you name it.  You have the luster of a traditional pearl, but the option of fun new shapes, sizes and colors.

Charms with names and sayings such as “loved”, “courage” and “believe” are hot right now.  You see them incorporated into necklaces and bracelets mixed with beads of all types.  Tom Binns, has created whimsical pieces for the new upcoming movie “Alice in Wonderland”; styling each piece with 29 character charms inspired by the movie which can be seen in the March edition of InStyle Magazine.

What makes this season so much fun is that the rules have been thrown out.  I am so glad that we can now wear pearls with turquoise, wooden beads with Swarovski crystals and all sorts of beads of every shape, color and size.  Crystals add a new dimension to the more organic colors and textures of the different mine finds.  What’s better than being able to find every stone you could imagine from Red Jasper to African Jade?  Beads are readily available in smooth cut or faceted and every shape you would need for your next project.  Hand made glass beads bring brilliant colors and designs to the bead world that cannot be found anywhere else.

We should all take a look at the fashion trends for this spring and summer, head out to our local bead emporium and come up with some fun and exciting bead designs of our own.  Get charged up about the endless possibilities and find your creative self.

Happy beading,

Jill

Jill Hartley
Founder, Executive Publisher
Bead Designs PLUS
http://www.BeadDesignsPLUS.com

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