BeadStyle : vintage beads

New Xilion bead

Cathy Jakicic — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Though there’s been buzz about this for awhile, the official press release arrived this week about the new Crystallized – Swarovski Elements Xilion bead.

Called an enhancement of the popular bicone shape (5301), the Xilion (5328) has more facets and a hole with rounded edges to “amplify sparkle” and protect threads.

According to the release, the Xilion’s “harmonious design and dimensions make possible beautiful combinations with its predecessor, the bi-cone bead 5301.”
Good news for bicone fans, especially those with a stash. More good news – you can call your bicones ”vintage” soon. That makes a sexier label for the jewelry designs you sell!

The Xilion,which will be phased in gradually, will be available in 66 colors, 20 effects, and in sizes from 3 mm to 10 mm. The 2.5 mm bicone will still be available.

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.

All you ever wanted to know about vintage beads, but were afraid to ask

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:23:00 GMT

Recently, I inherited a canister of beads from a deceased relative, which got me thinking a lot about vintage beads. With the word “vintage” at the forefront of my mind, I began hearing more (or at least remembering more of what I heard) about vintage beads.

But I still didn’t have a good grasp of what vintage beads are, how I might recognize them, and, of course, where I can find them. A little research turned up a wonderful source: The Beadin’ Path.

The Beadin’ Path is a bead shop in Freeport, Maine, but even if you don’t live on the eastern seaboard, you can still benefit from the staff’s deep knowledge of vintage beads. In their online blog What’s in store…with Heather, Heather DeSimone covers everything you ever wanted to know about vintage beads, but were afraid to ask. Have you ever asked yourself, as I have, what makes a bead vintage? Ever wanted to know how vintage Lucite differs from contemporary plastic? Ever wondered where a store like The Beadin’ Path got all their vintage beads?

If this vintage bead blog interests you, you may also enjoy browsing The Beadin' Path's online store. Whether you’re looking for vintage beads, buttons, filigrees, or findings, they have it! Also, if you want to make something really cool with vintage beads, you might want to look into Brenda Schweder's new book Vintage Redux. If you're really ambitious, check out Bead&Button magazine's special issue VintageStyle Jewelry.