Great Summer Beads, Crystals and Pendants
Citrine, Opalite, Jade, Turquoise Jasper – Crafting Jewelry
May 10, 2009
One of the best things about being a beader – or someone who is interested in crafting handmade jewelry and accessories for both men and women – is the absolutely stunning array of choices being presented to them for use in all seasons. During the summer months, however, this degree of choice is expanded even further due to the connotations that the season brings along with it – notions of fun, lively colour, and beautiful designs that can be worn with a sundress or with a tank top and shorts with ease.
Bright Beads, Semi-Precious Gemstones and Shells
Shell jewelry really is an aspect of beading that shines during the summer months; not only are the bright and asymmetrical shapes perfect for constructing bracelets or necklaces but shell jewelry naturally brings to mind the image of sandy beaches, and fun under the sun. Particularly strong contenders for use in your fashion creations would be dyed turkish blue or sky blue shell strands as well as a more cinnamon or capuccino coloured natural shell colours that would complement a more conservative or demure look.
With regard to semi-precious gemstone strands it is best to stay light, bright, and casual for the majority of your beadwork. Citrine, noted for its beautiful yellow hue, is a perfect place to start given its versatility and availability – also the fact that it is a birthstone adding to the attraction. The very translucent opalite also makes a fantastic choice during the summer months, adding a more youthful and delicate aire to any piece, also having the ability to blend very well with pearls in necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and anklets.
Turquoise jasper is an excellent accompaniment to the aforementioned Turkish blue or sky blue dyed shell jewelry, possessed of remarkable ocean blue and seafoam tones that are relaxing as well as striking aesthetically. Finally, lapis lazuli is a magnificent stone to use and a personal favourite of many beaders for its royal blue colouration – this stone would be perfectly beaded with alternating blues or yellows for a more unconventional, high-fashion look.
Abalone Shell & Czech, Lampwork and Furnace Blown Glass Pendants and Beads
Shell pendants are an excellent choice for centerpieces for necklaces as they are typically inexpensive and, again, are perfectly suited as a material for summer jewelry, as are most organic pendants. Shell pendants are also generally inexpensive, though some particular brands such as Lillypilly, which are etched, may be a slight bit more costly. Abalone shell pendants are also excellent and are slightly preferable to paua for this season in that they are generally much brighter and light in shade.
Lampwork and furnace blown glass pendants and beads can also be a great addition to handmade jewerly. Glass pendants come in all shapes and sizes ranging from hearts to teardrops to more elaborate figures and are a more formal or fashion conscious centerpiece.
With regards to smaller beads, lampwork is an excellent avenue to pursue – particularly softer, sky blue or peridot coloured floral designs with white, pink, and yellow accenting. Czech glass with its traditional "rough" or natural looking edge work can be a perfect compliment to a more individual piece that is a bit more liberal in design, and furnace blown glass can be an extremely eye-catching with its hallmark candy-striping and bright neon colouration. Cloisonne and millefiori beads are also great high-fashion floral choices that deserve a brief mention and would be a perfect fit for more modern, cosmopolitan tastes.
Regardless of which avenue a beader or jewelry artist might choose to pursue in selecting their components for the next major project, summer presents a wonderful opportunity to explore the boundaries of contemporary fashion and to create some truly bright and beautiful showpieces that will show your clients just how unique and attractive their fashion can be.
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