Trend watching: Rupa Balachandar’s cuffs

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:12:00 GMT

Here at BeadStyle, part of our jobs is to keep our fingers on the pulse of the fashion industry. The sooner we know what’s hot, the sooner we can publish projects that will give you the look.

Our contributors are equally fashion savvy, and here’s a great example. In our May 2009 issue (on sale now), we published Rupa Balachandar’s funky filigree-embellished cuffs (left). In her quote on page 69, Rupa says, “In 2008, cuffs were at every major runway show.” And cuffs are still on the short-list of fashion must-haves this season.

Don’t believe me? Check out this pink jeweled flower bracelet, this gold jeweled cuff, and this black jeweled flower bracelet, all designed by Erickson Beamon for Target. Still not convinced? Read Jane's blog about Wonder-Woman-style matching cuffs. She's been following this trend since last October.

I guess that’s why we call ourselves BeadStyle. Not only are we hopelessly devoted to beads, but we also follow fashion. Have you been watching a new jewelry trend? Post it below! Or even better: Design a project that draws on a new jewelry trend and submit it to us. Help us help readers bead what’s hot!

Birch bark cuff

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:25:00 GMT

If you were lucky enough to have beautiful weather this past weekend, you may have taken a stroll through the woods to soak it all in. Depending on where you live, you may have noticed fallen paper birch trees (Betula papyrifera) crisscrossing the forest floor.

If that’s the case, then here’s a jewelry project for you! Paper birch bark is notoriously resilient, resisting decay even after the wood beneath it has been eaten or rotten away. The bark is also easy to peel off in large sheets without breaking. These two characteristics inspired Hillary Nelson to design beautiful birch bark cuffs, and she gives you step-by-step instructions here.

Make sure to heed her warnings about not stripping living trees and conferring with landowners before taking the bark. Also, if you frequent local parks, make sure you know what can and cannot be removed from them.

BeadStyle : cuff

Trend watching: Rupa Balachandar’s cuffs

Birch bark cuff