BeadStyle : trends

Beaded necklines hot this summer!

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:14:00 GMT

Beaded necklaces are always in style, but this summer bead-encrusted tops and dresses make it look like you’re wearing a stunning statement piece when all you’re really wearing is a shirt! But boy what a shirt...

Examiner.com recently published this article on bead-embellished clothing. Scroll to the bottom of the article to click through nine variations of this hot look. You’ll especially like this trend if you love seed bead stitched jewelry but find you’re not inclined to thread and needles.

10 colors for Fall 2009

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:10:00 GMT

The Bead&Button Show starts next week, so I've been mulling over what to put on my shopping list. I'd like to try a new combination of colors, so I visited Pantone's site for their Fashion Color Report. After New York Fashion Week in February, they identified 10 colors for their fall palette. A few of the choices have obvious jewelry counterparts, but some are more challenging:

1. American Beauty: dark red coral crystal, ruby (look for a more red, less pink shade)

2. Purple Heart: amethyst, charoite, cubic zirconia, flower sugilite; ametrine would also work (it has prominent honey yellow shades)

3. Honey Yellow: amber, mookite (especially if it also has shades of burnt sienna or rose)

4. Burnt Sienna: carnelian (Pantone's shade isn't as brown as the crayon color I remember), goldstone, hessonite (in a gradated strand with honey yellow pieces, too?), red magma crystal

5. Iron: hematite, jet nut crystal, pearls in dark gray or deep brown; gunmetal filigree [scroll down], chain, and other findings

6. Rapture Rose: rhodochrosite, pink topaz, or rose crystal

7. Nomad: bronze pearls, shell

8. Warm Olive: olive jade, peridot, serpentine

9. Majolica Blue: Montana crystal, kyanite, recycled glass, sapphire

10. Creme Brulee: African opal, bone beads, sand opal crystal

When I look at all of the colors together, I visualize ceramic beads more so than gemstones or crystals; the shades remind me of the glazes on beads — pretty but not too saturated. I suppose your bead choices will depend on how prominent you want each color to be, too — and whether you want the look to be sparkly, organic, modern, vintage-y, etc. I think I'll bring the first page of the report with me to the Show. But let me know if you have other ideas about the fall palette!

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!

2009 jewelry trends

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:43:00 GMT

Just like last year (actually, since 2004), I've been going to New York for the JANY show. It's always a fantastic time: lots and lots of gorgeous jewelry, all in one place. If you didn't get a chance to read last week's post about the show, you can read it here.

As promised, here are a few trends I found during my wanderings and conversations with artists and their reps.

1. Mixed metals/materials are still popular.

• In her rings, Kir (short for Kirsten) creates a silver setting with gold accents for a pearl, blue topaz, smoky quartz, or lemon citrine. Her collection also includes long necklaces, bangles, and tassel earrings.

• ELite Designs shows 18K gold alternated with gemstone (onyx, agate, or tigeryeye) links. They also show copper and silver-colored links accented with diamond (or was that CZ?) links.

2. Architectural designs: Big structures make prominent settings for gemstones.

• Though Rene Escobar likes glamor (i.e., the simplicity of clip earrings), he also makes jewelry that has personality to it, like stackable bangles that don't align symmetrically or a ring with a beat-up shank.

• Ana Cavalheiro finds inspiration in architecture and incorporates prongs and claws in her designs. One of her noteworthy pieces: an oxidized silver cuff set with tiny apatites and London blue topaz. Also, check out the metalwork on the Blue Castle ring and the Purple Rain ring.

• Angelique de Paris makes oversized resin jewelry, including domed rings. Check out the collections and play the games, where you can test out different color combinations.

• Ray Griffiths' new designs include huge cabochons (like a deep pink Nigerian tourmaline) perched high atop a gold ring.

3. Designers are showing pieces that are whimsical — but with an edge, not cutesy.

• Catherine Angiel designs tattoo- and graffiti-inspired jewelry. In her Renegade collection she sets diamonds in gold or platinum in an artistic, Gothic-like script.

• Sevan rings are handcarved with a snail, dove, or turtle. "Lucky Charms" by Sevan include a teeny tiny horseshoe, peace sign, and shamrock.

• Nature motifs (flowers, leaves, twigs) are prominent, but with a twist on the traditional. For example, J. Stella shows a diamond-centered brooch formed from five Biwa pearls, each unique in shape. And Jordan Schlanger makes vine-like wrap bracelets with a memory-wire core.

• Hong Kong vendors carried niche items like a leather cuff with a diamond lizard and a panda ring with sapphire eyes.

4. Wirework figured prominently, sometimes in entire collections.

• Nikki Sedacca creates wirework jewelry with platinum, gold, or sterling wire. Her pieces range from a simple pendant to a colorful choker to a monochromatic bib-style necklace. She also wraps gemstones into bangles, pins, and rings. Don't forget to check out her collection in sterling silver.

• Misha, a New York designer, creates fine-gauge wire baskets to highlight gemstones. He says that whiskey quartz and green amethyst are his most popular gemstones right now, and clients also like chalcedony and rutilated quartz. He also used a feather-shaped gemstone (sorry,no image) that looked like a long briolette with a curve.

5. Colored gemstones are going strong (as always). A few of note:

• Zoe B shows pieces in sterling and 14K gold. Purples are especially popular, though blues, greens, pearls, and onyx are also strong sellers. Though necklaces are made in 16-, 18-, and 36-inch lengths, people like the 42-inch versions for layering or wrapping around.

• One of the main designs in the La Belle Chose collection: multistrand necklaces with big round beads in brights or pastels, strung with crystal- and CZ-studded beads in between. Their clients love the magnetic clasps.

• You can find jewelry in virtually any color in the Anzie collections. You'll especially like their designs if you like briolettes.

One last note: This year, there were about 15 vendors selling loose beads. It seems like there are more every year. I saw a huge assortment of premade gemstone-and-wire chain. Knowing how long it takes to make wrapped loops, it was hard not to buy 3 mm amethyst rondelles on 14K gold wire at $12/foot. (I opted not to, though, because I just couldn't decide what color or size of gemstone I wanted.)

This is a great show for buying beads — especially strands of huge keshi and coin pearls, in different shades (champagne, bronze, copper, etc.). Below are two strands of pearls I did not buy from a Hong Kong vendor. Can you tell which strand was $32,000 (wholesale) and which was a mere $13,000? Post your guess and tell us why.

Green with peace

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:03:00 GMT

Purple is the color of the coming season (I recommend Jewelry Insider’s blog for more information on this trend), but might economic challenges cater to the color green? A story by The Clanton Advertiser suggests that green will get you past any financial blues that have cropped up with our current economy.

The color green, according to the article, promotes love, peace, and patience. It’s also associated with nature and health (check out the shelves of your grocery store – products intended to make you think they’re healthy or will help you lose weight are often packaged in green). Green wreaths (or perhaps house plants, now that the holidays are over), pillows, candles, and table cloths will help you and your loved ones relax about money matters. Green jewelry, such as the necklace at left, will allow you to take that calm with you wherever you go. It’s a curious, counterintuitive concept, seeing how dollar bills are also green!

Other colors are associated with feelings you might want to instill this year. From the article:

Red – Excites and energizes
Orange – Inspires play and spontaneity
Yellow – Commands confidence
Blue – Clears the mind and is thought provoking
Indigo – Inspires insight
Violet – Quiets and deepens inner peace

How have you used color in jewelry to promote positive changes? Above: Naomi Fujimoto's peridot necklace (August 2008, Birthstones)

I see beads, people

Erin Dolan — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:18:00 GMT

Since I started working at BeadStyle, I have become more aware of jewelry on TV, on my friends, in the pages of fashion magazines, and in stores. I am always comparing these pieces (to my friends' amusement) to something we've done at BeadStyle. My friends have even started doing it, pointing at a necklace in a store and saying "Erin, that's so BeadStyle," or wearing their best earrings when we hang out, hoping I comment on them.

Last weekend, my mom and I went to Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee to see Clinton Kelly of TV's "What Not To Wear," one of my favorite fashion shows. Clinton was at Macy's promoting his new book and giving the hundreds of women who showed up to see him style tips and a behind-the-scenes look at the TLC show. But before the presentation began, my mom and I did a little window-shopping, and were lured into J.Crew by their colorful window displays.

I always love J.Crew's clothes, but what surprised me was their amazing jewelry line! Two pieces in particular called to mind projects from BeadStyle.

J.Crew's "dangling gold-bead necklace," at left, reminded me instantly of a piece Lindsay Haedt made for BeadStyle's January 2008 online project. Lindsay used labradorite briolettes and garnet rounds to create her sophisticated two-strand necklace. The result has a classic-yet-contemporary feel similar to the J.Crew chain necklace.

When I saw the "double-strand jeweled starburst necklace" from J.Crew, left, I thought of Beth Stone's online project from the May 2006 issue of BeadStyle. Beth used freshwater pearls and a vintage earring as a focal piece. J.Crew's vintage Japanese glass beads were knotted on silk thread and finished with a Czech-glass clasp. You could easily make Beth's piece with two strands of pearls instead of one for a look even closer to the J.Crew necklace.

If you enjoy the J.Crew piece's knotted look, be sure to check out our upcoming December/January issue, due out in about a month! It features a special three-project section on knotting.

deconstructed, reimagined, and transformed

Jane Konkel — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:14:00 GMT

A few weeks ago I bartered with an artist and look what I got.
This adjustable ring was once an earring. I thinks it's so nifty. Geriann of gajettes made this lovely ring and she makes other cool things as well — like clothing and accessories. Her pieces are made of hand-slected, reclaimed, recycled, and repurposed materials. The materials are deconstructed and transformed into new funky pieces.

2008 jewelry trends

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Last week, I went to New York for the winter JANY Show. The show brings together hundreds of jewelry vendors and is a great opportunity to spot trends. Here's a summary, along with a few links to the things I saw:

1. Diamonds in fashion jewelry that can be worn everyday. Designers sprinkle diamonds in pendants, bangle bracelets and cuffs, earrings, and rings.

• Tanya Farah medallion necklaces

• Annie Fensterstock (especially her collection of wide and stacked rings)

• Moritz Glik creates white sapphire rings that encase tiny diamonds

2. Hoops are still popular, ranging from tiny and delicate to bangle-sized. New hoop shapes include stars, flowers, wavy links, and jagged, asymmetrical wire shapes.

• Argento Vivo squares and twisted hoops

• Dana David Scribble Collection (star-shaped earrings)

• Sarah Jannerbo curved earrings in the shape of a snake with ruby eyes

3. Jewelry that makes use of organic free-form shapes, whether as a focal point or as links in a necklace or bracelet.

    • Somers jewelry (solid silver and gold shapes inspired by soapstone sculptures)

    • Anne Sportun jewelry, inspired by soft shapes like petal and seed pods

    • David Tishbi two-toned gold and silver rings

4. Nature themes: flowers, as usual, but also animals.

    • Diluca makes enameled tropical fish and seahorses

• Folia Jewels includes seashell pendants and flower rings

• Maija Neimanis butterfly, bumblebee, ram, and turtle designs

• Reyes del Mar's collection (precious metal and enameled birds, seashells, fish, crabs)

5. Large gemstone beads and an oversized scale in general. Loose beads (especially briolettes and slices) are available in huge sizes (think: the size of Chicken McNuggets).

• Kathryn Graham makes one-of-a-kind jewelry (bold cuffs and beaded necklaces with large, decorative clasps)

• Antica Murrina's collections have pastel, candy-like nuggets

• Lisa Sheldon's prenhite necklace connected with diamond snakes; also see earrings with interchangeable gemstone drops (under "jewelry" at Portero)

If you get a chance, try to attend the winter show. It's a mindboggling amount of jewelry from individual artisans and larger jewelry companies. There's also an international pavilion (suppliers from Italy, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Brazil) and a diamond area that can be very sparkly and distracting. Plus, it's a great opportunity to meet artists whose work you love.