So I am not going to claim I know much about "High End Fashion." My knowledge is limited to Project Runway, the magazines at my hair dresser's, and America's Next Top Model (the later being especially laughable!). Living in LA doesn't necessarily give me an edge either unless I succumb to watching runway footage on TV or reading blogs like everyone else in the country. That said, I only know designers such as Oscar de la Renta by name, not by look nor from personal experience. In fact, if you showed me something from his line and something from, oh, let's say, Bloomingdale's, I might not even be able to tell the difference at first, if at all!
Seeing how this could be a dilema, I decided to take a look at the designer's website this week to see what sets him apart from other's, especially in terms of jewelry design. I am actually plesantly surprised by what his line offers, though found that his designs look differently on the models than they do in their standard product shots. Take a look. Example #1:Tulle Ribbon Choker, $450When I first saw the image on the left, I though "Ugh." It looks like an industrial cloudy day. But when I click on the alternative view (the product shot), my grey heart softed up to it! Especially considering the cute ribbon cord and the possibilities of wearing it with a simple black or pink dress! Come to think of it, I have some grey oval beads JUST like those (though I am sure my plastic version doesn't hold a candle to the glass, resin, and metal of this necklace - or COULD it?!).
Example #2: Bugle Beaded Necklace, $590Much like #1; love the ribbon of the product shot and could totally see this at a Christmas party with a little red dress, though it looks like a mirror poo-ed all over the remainds of a USB drive on the model (and what's with her Bride of Frankenstien hair?)
Example #3: Silk Corded Necklace, $850It looks like a hot mess on the model. Maybe it's one of those necklaces that shift from either side of your chest thanks to, ya know, girl parts that can seperate long necklaces. According to the product picture, the clasp is in the center, suggesting to me that it's supposed to be worn semestrically. I could also do without the hair-looking braided cord, but other than that I dig it.
There were a few others that didn't even offer a product photo, and I think I can see why:
Gold Loop Earrings, $290
These SERIOUSLY look like something my mom would make out of random pods lying around the back yard and spayed with gold. Don't forget to add Mom's leftover curtains for the finishing touch!Oh, on second thought, it could also be that guy from India's really long, Guiness Book of World Records golden fingernails!Vomit.
And can I also say that, for the record, these prices are RIDICULOUS? No 14K gold, diamonds, or pearls for the price? They seriously use the same material I use in my $35 necklaces!
Speaking of which, look what Mr. Oscar also carries:
Bear any resemblance to the Green With Envy Cluster Bracelet I came out with a few months ago?You be the judge.
Lesson of the day? If you are on a budget like the rest of the world, stear clear of this supposed "High Fashion" and stick with Etsy homemade! ;)
Happy weekend :)(note: I DO have CONFIRMED tickets to this Monday's taping of Dancing With the Stars. I will totally let you know how it goes THIS time around!)
Bead Up had a very, very busy weekend. A very project filled weekend! For starters, the husband and I made 3 (count 'em, 3!) display holders for the upcoming jewelry party! I will be blogging about them every Wednesday until the party :) Let's just say that they all turned out better than I had expected and well within our budget! Secondly, I finished making the most of what I call "dainty necklaces" for the party, and have now moved onto making earrings (I find that I can make more when I stick with one type of product and just produce them in mass quantities rather than jumping all over the place). Next on the list is bracelets and then gifts, and before you know it, it will be party time! I also made a few pairs of earrings for one of my high school friends who asked me to make her something to match the heirloom yellow pearl necklace she is wearing on her wedding day. Abbey originally asked me to make all the wedding jewelery, but after finding her grandma's pearl necklace she made some earrings to match it for her bridesmaids. She called one day in a frantic because she just couldn't come up with a design she liked for herself. On the right is a picture of what Abbey made next to her Grandma's necklace for her bridesmaids, and below is what I came up with. I figured I would give her options in addition to paying homage to the design she originally came up with, but with some extra length to differentiate :) What do you think (I personally like the middle ones the best!)?
Lastly, I also spent some time making several attempts at a statement necklace to go with a little black dress I planned to wear for a taping of Dancing with the Stars. A few months back while in Chinatown I bought some crazy golden coral stick-lookin' beads (which my shopping buddy Erin though were horrendous!). I also bought some beautiful turquoise crystals in downtown LA last month that I have been dying to use. Here is necklace #1:
I like how it turned out, and though I never mind wearing brown and black together, I didn't think this necklace went well with my dress. On to design #2. I bought a bunch of REALLY heavy, funky, beautiful agate pink and purple beads at a craft store next to Mood Fabrics (the one as seen on the current season of Project Runway) in West Hollywood a few weeks ago and have been itching to use these, too. Here's a little choker of a piece that I came up with:
I liked how this one went with the dress, too, though still wasn't 100% satisfied as it still seemed to lack the WOW factor I was hoping to achieve. So I finally tackled some crazy big amethyst chips I have been avoiding in fear that I would only find frustration in them. Turns out, I found a winner!I added some little green beads as accent colors and double-wired the thing to make sure it wasn't going anywhere! So yesterday we set off to see a filming of Dancing with the Stars! Here we are before leaving for CBS Studios in West Hollywood. We waited in line for 2 hours before finally finding out that more VIPs came to the taping than they had expected and we were about 30 people shy of getting in. Though that was the sad news, the good news was that they would give us free confirmed seating VIP tickets to a taping of our choice! I left a happy camper after all :) I will let you know when I finally do end up going (I am hoping for next week!). Lastly, did you get a chance yet to enter Bead Up's October Giveaway on Etsy It Up? If not, what the heck are you waiting for? You have up to 13 chances to win one of my Fall Line necklaces! See you tomorrow when I replace tomorrow's I Love You, Wednesday's with I Love DIY Projects that Save Me Money!! ;)
Because, seriously, Friday is still 2 days away.I love you, Wednesdays is my bloggin' attempt at a.) shutting up about my products and sharing the love of others' with others! and b.) sharing sources of inspiration that often stands behind my jewelry and creative process.First of all, happy 9.9.9! (so less creepy than 6.6.6, huh?). I was all ready to make this I Love You, Wednesday's report about how I spent all of Labor Day catching up on some long overdue scrapbooking. About how I used to work at a scrapbook store and have invested more money than I care to admit on scrapbook supplies throughout the years. About how I take pictures FOR my scrapbook, not make the scrapbook for the pictures. About how I have yet to finish my scrapbook for a trip I took to Italy two years ago this week, and the last two years of school, and all that was our wedding. And about how I put all my jewelry making stuff away this weekend and got cozy in the craft room again. About how I started making a dent in my scrappin' again this weekend!I was going to blog about scrapbooking, until I stumbled upon this super fabu website: morecloth.com/. I swear people create this stuff with my addictive personality in mind. The website is a host for fabrics listed on Etsy, all listed by color range, like color swatches. So if you are looking for a pink-ish color that has some green in it, just click on the hue of color you dig and voila! There are a bunch to choose from, and in single, double, or triple color combinations, all posted neatly on a black background.
Needless to say, I spent more time on this site than I am willing to admit :) Though I do have a sewing machine and a mad addiction to Project Runway, I am not much of a seamstress - YET. And all the while I was looking at these fabrics, I couldn't help but notice how I was attracted to bold, chic, yet somewhat retro prints (much like my love for Marimekko and Amy Butler prints!). And that the combination of lime greens, teal blues, and magenta pinks seemed in tune with what I have been going for this fall in terms of new jewelry creations. Here's what I came up with:
I never realized the depth and scope of the fabric industry on Etsy until this super-fun search! And the more I looked at these swatches, the more I couldn't help but think how FABU they would also look as scrapbook paper! Now if only I could justify buying more scrapbook paper...!
There are several advantages of summer fading into fall. Back to School stationary aisles in supermarkets. A lower electricity bill thanks to <100 degree days. Pumpkin and Cinnamon flavored candles. New Fall Lines (as discussed on Wednesday). Having every intention of shopping for others for the upcoming Holidays buy slipping and buying something for yourself (opps, what?!). And best of all - PRIME TIME SERIES! I tell ya, I am so happy to be reunited with my friends on Bravo, Fox, NBC, the CW, and now, apparently, Lifetime (Project Runway, of course). Most of the shows I like to watch make my husband want to curl up in a corner and curse humanity (though I feel the same way about his large doses of ESPN). One show we can both agree on, and even look forward to, is Top Chef. I've watched the series since before it was cool, and was SO relieved when they got rid of that weirdo judge on Season One and replaced her with the classy and gentle Padma Lakshmi.I could write a thesis on why she and fellow judge Tom Colicchio make such a great team that is not only knowledgeable, but a pleasure to watch. Not only are they cordial and unbiased in their judging, but, best and most interesting of all, they are some lookers!While Padma's style as seen on Top Chef has evolved over the years (Bravo has even made a slideshow of Padma's fashion evolution), one things hasn't changed: her love of jeweled accessories. This girls knows how to perfect an outfit with her dainty, yet often bold, jewelry. This season has been no exception, to the point where I was finding myself up close to the TV screen trying to figure out that magic behind some of her super dainty and charming necklaces and dangle earrings. (The above picture, for example, shows her and Tom at the judges table while she sports a gold bracelet/ring thing. Love it). All season she has been wearing beautiful gold chained necklaces adorned with little tags or beads, in addition to some great dangle earrings of the same material. For this reason, I've been planning on doing a Fashionably Friday blog entry about Padma for sometime now, and when I was looking for pictures of her on the show featuring her jewelry, I stumbled across an article revealing the designer of her jewelry - HERSELF! Turns out she just launched her own jewelry collection! Her website is BEAUTIFUL and displays both detailed images of her jewelry pieces as well as a gallery of her wearing the stuff and making it look GOOD!Padma's jewelry is currently on sale online at Bergdorf Goodman, and will also be available at Neiman Marcus, Mitchells, and Richards later this month (to be honest, I have only ever heard of the former two, which means that clearly these pieces are out of my price range - but that doesn't mean I can't admire them!).
Of her collection, Padma has said, “As I traveled through my life, I gathered many baubles and coveted those gifts passed on to me by my Indian family. My life in the West, America, and Europe, heavily influenced my tastes. I found that while I loved those pieces, I wanted more delicate, modern versions of them to wear with everything from jeans to gowns. Jewelry that serves as a talisman for all the different parts of me. And now every part of you."
Let's have a look!(all product and corresponding images can be found at padmalakshmi.com)
Tiered Pod Necklace
14k & 10k brushed yellow gold 4 tier necklace with pod drops and adjustable hook closure
Dangling Pod Bangle, Citrine Pod Bangle, Simple Pod Bangle
10k brushed yellow gold
Two Row Pod Hoop Earrings
14k & 10k brushed yellow gold two row hoop earrings with pod drops
Pod Hand Piece
14K & 10K brushed yellow gold hand piece with pod drops and adjustable hook closure
A smart jewelry seller knows that she is her own best advertising campaign. I now know from where, and why, Padma is wearing all these fine pieces! She's a smart cookie!
(from Left, Padma at the "Valkyrie"premier in NYC, at an unknown location, and at the CFDA Fashion Awards in NYC in June).
So check out her website and take a look at all she's sportin'. The site has a really chill yet sophisticated vibe and even some ambiance music in the background. And also check out her "scrapbook" section for some fun inspiration (click on the image below to see a close up of a collage featuring sketches and pictures... whether or not these were part of the creative process is not the point, but seeing the items in their original context is rad!).
Love it or hate it, fall is nearing. Yellow school buses are circling the streets, the air has a little bite to it (well, not here in LA, the air lately has had ash and smoke in it), and football season is taking our men ransom (bleck!). The love it part includes new FALL LINES that are launching right and left! Since I am still rather new in this whole jewelry business thing, I am trying to approach my Etsy site and products from a professional and business-model point of view. Thanks to my little trip to LA's Jewelry District over the weekend and some of the sweet products I found, I have been working on many new items with materials I have never used before. In the past I have been so rushed to put up products that I never gave myself the chance to do anything thoroughly or with real cohesion. Rather than posting my new items on Etsy piece by piece, I am trying to do the whole "Fall Line" thing and hope to present them officially within the next few weeks (it's actually the Hubs who came up with the idea. We were shopping a few weeks ago and he came up to me with a new jewelry component and said "This would be great in your Fall Line!" He's a thinker, yes-sir-e!). I am especially working for cohesion in my pieces (something that my creative, smorgusboard tendancies often prevent). I keep hearing the judges from Project Runway in the back of my mind stress "Where is the cohesion? How are these pieces part of a 'line?'"
"But Christyn!" you declare! "I can't wait a few weeks to see your new stuff! Oh the humanity!" No worries, friends! I have, and will continue to, post new items as amuse-bouch's for your Bead Up-Lovin' eyes :) Here are the first few pieces:
I love the color of this crazy little rectangular bead. I used black beads as accent pieces to match these itty bitty little black speckles on each very unique bead. It's defiantly a statement necklace, that's for sure!
I bought these wishbone charms long before I even knew where I would find coordinating brass components. Now I have exploded with brass items and can't get enough! If I were to summarize this "Fall Line" of mine, I would characterize it with earthy colors (bronze, brass, browns) along side bright colors (magenta, lime, emerald, purples) and hammered and brushed textures. While browsing through Etsy, here are a few inspiring pieces I stumbled across that I think act as a perfect amuse-bouch for my Fall Line!
Because, seriously, Friday is still 2 days away.I love you, Wednesdays is my bloggin' attempt at a.) shutting up about my products and sharing the love of others' with others! and b.) sharing sources of inspiration that often stands behind my jewelry and creative process.
It's been a great week here at the Bead Up house. For starters, last week's Fashionably Fridaypost got me some great "press." As usual, I posted the link to the new blog entry on both my personal Facebook and my Bead Up Facebook accounts. Within minutes of posting the entry that features Project Runway's Korto Momolu, I got a status update letting me know that Korto herself "liked" the blog post! I immediately friended her on Facebook (it was the real her) and she accepted. And if it couldn't get cooler, I noticed that some of my blog traffic was coming from HER professional website - turns out she listed my blog entry as the first listing of "PRESS" reviews on her website! Holy moley - the power of Facebook (I still am determined to one day do a blog entry on how Facebook has been vital to my shop's success)! Check out Korto's press section of her website here!And to add to the coolness, I e-mailed her on Facebook thanking her for the feature and asked if she bought beads online and if so, where. Here is what she had to say:
"I actually get some cool bead finds on amazon. But I am a touchy feely kinda girl so I stock up everytime I go to nyc. Littlerock has really great bead stores too, that's where I still live. Loved the post and I always show love for my positive bloggers! U will def love my new collection of jewelry since it pays homage to my pr finale pieces so I will let you know when I load them. It'll be right before pr allstars. Thanks again and let's stay in touch I'll keep a lookout for beadsites for ya. ~Korto"
Doesn't get any cooler than that, my friends. Ahhhh...Though the good vibes keep rolling in. The giveaway I hosted with Today's Giveaway a few weeks ago went really well, and one of my previous customers won the pair of earrings! Karen even went as far as to write a glowing review about the earrings she won on her own blog - be sure to check it out (thanks, friend!). Since finding Today's Giveaway and other similar sights I have taken a liking to entering every giveaway I can find that offers products I dig. Well, wouldn't you know, I won 2 giveaways this week! The first was from the website in which I held the giveaway just days earlier - turns out I won an oven mit and potholder set from the super cute shop "The Cherry on Top." Sweet!And if that couldn't get any better, I got an e-mail yesterday telling me that I won yet another giveaway, this time on Fabulous Fun Finds' giveaway blog! I am actually thrilled I won this one because I was very tempted to buy the item anyway - it's a camera strap!And not any camera strap - but a Amy Butler fabric camera strap! Great prints + photography + free = LOVE! I am actually in love with Amy Butler's prints. Maybe even in lust. I swear, this women knows both color and the history of floral prints, as she has MASTERED pulling them all together without going the tacky 60's route. I am beyond inspired every time I see her print in use - she forces me to re-think color combination and even manages to make pastel pink HOT! Her website itself is inspirational, as she makes a point to include an INSPIRATION section filled with pictures and photo shoot snapshots. Additionally, her site also includes FREE downloadable sewing and craft patterns to be used with her beautiful printed paper and fabric. It's love.
Let's see - Eye Spy a baby blanket, a crayon rollup, a kitchen towel, and iPod holder, and a pot holder! Make sure you visit their Etsy shops for Amy Butler amazing-ness!
Shows like Project Runway, Fashion Show, and even America's Next Top Model have proved to me that just because someone knows how (or claims they know how) to dress others doesn't mean they know how to dress themselves (we addressed this topic a bit last week, but no worries, there is plenty more where that came from later!).Some designers, on the other hand, not only know how to dress themselves and others, but they also know how accessorize with mad style. Today's subject: Korto Momolu from Project Runway's Season 5 (PR returns in 2 weeks! AHHH!). From the start, I found myself digging Korto's style, both on and off the runway.Having lived in Liberia, Korto definitely has an African influenced wardrobe and design sense (ie: bold, chunky, colorful, etc). She also has an amazing comprehension for fit and flattery when it comes to her clothing - and somehow manages to make her jewelry only flatter the figure even more! Love, love, love her style (click on all the pictures in this post for their sources!)
Let's look at some of Korto's jewelry from Fashion Week in Bryant Park last fall:
Holy mother that is one hot necklace. The dress is of course beautiful, but I must say, the necklace MAKES IT. I am a bit in love with teal/emerald this summer, and wish I had a reason to indulge in a dress like this (anyone else think it would make a FAB bridesmaids dress?)!
This necklace totally steals the show of this outfit (which is a bit too eclectic for my personal wardrobe, but totally within my taste. Although, I am thinking it could look a bit 80's prom dress if you take away the necklace...?). I am spotting Thai silver and genuine gemstones on this beautifully and culturally styled piece. And who else recognized the model from America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9 contestant, Biannca Golden?
This one isn't just some necklace on top of a dress - it's part of the dress! I will admit, I have been collecting big, bold wooden beads in hopes that one day I will have the time and courage to attempt to make a halter with the beads as the straps. I'll get to it, ya know, when I have 36 hours in a day and endless energy and creative gusto (right, one of THOSE projects!).
It's no surprise that Korto's jewelry was as big of a hit on the runway as her clothing itself. Of the experience, she says, "I get a lot compliments on my jewelry and handbags and it's actually something that started as a hobby. I took this jewelry class here and I started making earrings for myself and so many people asked about them, so I decided to start making them to sell and that kind of took off like that. I didn't want jewelry in my collection that looked generic. I wanted to use African beads, I also used Thai silver... I felt it really represented who I was as a designer. The judges weren't all the way impressed with it but I stood by my jewelry and I put them on those models and I figured somebody out there would love it. You just have to do what you want in the final, that's your one chance to do and if you hold back you will always regret it. I spent a lot of time making that jewelry so I wasn't going to not put it in just because the judges didn't like it and I'm glad a lot of people took to it so that tells me that the people who matter will buy it." (see the full interview here).Korto has thus added jewelry design to her collection, and is selling lots of it online. But, I am finding myself torn on her online collection. On one hand, I am super proud that she is insightful enough to see that her jewelry collection was a big enough hit to warrant it's own line, but the stuff for sale on her website isn't really as amazing as her jewelry as featured on her final runway show, or even my favorite Project Runway source, ProjectRungay. (The one on the right is one of the better pieces from her collection that actually resembles what she made before, but I feel that the rest of them miss the mark. Check them out here). The following pieces, however, were showcased in an interview with Korto. One word: breathless. Of her work, Korto told Zimbio: Inspiration: "I tried to do a follow-up on the few pieces that I got to show at Fashion Week. They’re very much Asian and African inspired and it’s a fusion between these two ethnic cultural backgrounds that I really love. I found myself always doing things that are Asian inspired."Colors: "I used a lot of the bright colors that I love to use. The ocean greens, really beautiful yellows, purples, and hot fuchsia pinks. Very vivid colors, fun colors, happy colors…those are the colors I really love."Materials: "I use a lot of African beads as well as a lot of things made out of resin because my necklaces tend to be chunky and bulky, so I try to use materials that are not as heavy as using the actual stones and metals. A lot of glass beads. Some of the beads are from Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. I love texture, there’s a lot of texture, my variation of textures, in all the pieces. I love turquoise. I also used feathers in some of the designs, I’ve always loved feathers and there are many different variations of feather earrings, so I thought “How can I make mine different?” I like the chains and the feathers. It has a soft and a hard feel to it. They’re made out of silver."So, who wants to go on a trip to Kenya with yours truely to buy some African beads? Anyone, anyone?
Ok, lovies, so here's what I am thinking. So many times I find myself totally inspired by jewelry that is popping up here in Los Angeles. Seriously, I find jewelry as seen the streets, the red carpet, on TV, or even in tabloids often more inspiring than the sunset itself. I often find myself totally appalled by some of the $#!^ that people wear on the exact same venues, that I feel like I do a double take-shake-my-head-to-figure-out-what-I-just saw type of head dance. Since I watch alot of television programs that feature both amazing and astonishing jewelry (if you want to call some of it that!), and since I read so many blogs discussing these trending topics, I figured to start a little review of my own.Introducing: F A S H I O N A B L Y F R I D A Y. Here I plan on reviewing the week in jewelry fashion, or a particular celebrity's jewelry sensibilities (or lack there of). If all goes as planned in the caverns of my crafty mind, I hope to do this on a weekly basis and have it be a place where we can admire and question celebrity jewelry together. So, that said, with no further adu, let's get started, friends!Though it was no Project Runway, the Bravo opps-we-accidentally-sold-our-best-show-and-therefore-have-to-create-some-replacement-BS series Fashion Show did manage to keep me company while making jewelry in my living room this summer. Though it seems that the blogging world has done well to just abandon any hope of comparing it to PR and allow it to be in a (minor) league of it's own, I'm not showing it any mercy.Let's start with the con's, shall we? When judging a fashion statement, I often make a point to look at the designer behind the work. I mean, seriously, do you really want to trust someone who is wearing their mom's 80's clothing and pearl necklaces?
Opps, well, sorry Hazel. I judge a book both by it's cover and what's on the inside. I'm not trusting you to tell me what's in style, honey, either today OR 20 years ago. Sheesh.For example, I love it when designers try to show how trendy, or even ahead of the trends, they are by making themselves their own canvas. Like Keith.
I can't take it anymore - moving on to the Pro's and inspirations. The winner of Fashion Show didn't make fashion mistakes with her own wardrobe. I was so happy to see Annawin the show, and couldn't keep my eyes off of her wooden beaded necklace (and her sweet shoes on the right and her OWL PRINT dress on the left - guess she read my blog the other week).Not only did she pull it off BEAUTIFULLY with two outfits, but she also had one of her own models during the final Fashion Show sport a similar necklace, but asymmetrically.But do you think it was meant to be worn to the side? Either way, I've had my mind on the necklace Anna wore all week and went to Michael's last night to buy the finishing beads to make a piece just like it of my own. Be on the lookout for a similar product from Bead Up soon!Anna also wore another statement piece during some of the show's interviews. What do you think of this one?I think she wore it well with the neckline of her shirt and it's color. I dunno, the more I look at it, the more I like it, but it's not one of those pieces that I would rush out to buy for myself. I'll let Anna keep sportin' the look on her own. She also had another statement piece in her final runway show. This super cute black dress and beautiful emerald (my new favorite accent color) jacket were finished with a wooden-looking necklace - made of what looks like two elephant charms! I want to know where she goes shopping. The colors of this outfit, included the light brown of the wood, are also inspiring. I can't say the same for runner-up, Daniella, and her collection. The gal never really wore much jewelry herself, but most of her runway models sported necklaces made by Daniella herself. The one in the middle looks to me like random pieces glued on a applique, and paired with the awfully strange trousers just got lost in translation to me. Another one looked like she just drapped a bunch of heavy chain around a thick piece of string. BUT, I give the gal props for making her own jewelry - shows that she can do more than just clothing! Sadly, other than these two, not many of the designers really included jewelry as part of their final, or even challenge, pieces. There was the one Swarovski crystal challenge (which I of course LOVED!), in which Daniella produced this beauty. Since this piece was the challenge winner, they are of selling a dress "based" on this design on Bravotv.com, but of course it comes no where close to the elegance of this piece. I am thinking I need to invest in some cardboard and silky fabric and start making statement necklaces like this lovely!Though I said I wouldn't make comparisons, this piece reminds me a bit of a prom dress Victorya Huang did in Season 4. Love how the dress basically has it's own jewelry built in!I could go on and on, but I'll stop there for today so I have plenty to dish on next week! If you get a minute, drop by and let me know what you think about this new little series ;) Until then, have a great weekend!
I made my first jewelry sale at the age of 8 when I initiated a fund raiser for a terminally ill classmate outside of the cafeteria during lunch. The product? Old school friendship bracelets! We sold $30 worth on the first day - a large sum in the eyes of a 2nd grader selling constructed string!
My passion continued through my youth as I mastered the art of camp gimp bracelets and teenage hemp necklaces. While shopping in a flea market in Beijing a new medium struck my interest: semi-precious beads! I have since been fascinated with the medium as an element in formal and casual jewelry alike.
Though some of the materials I use in my jewelry are from the local craft store, I purchased a good deal of my materials while bargaining in Chinese on the streets of Shanghai or San Francisco. I thus hope each of my pieces act as a mini-souvenir of places we have each been or hope to go.
I hope you enjoy joining me on my jewelry journey - thanks for reading :)
When I first saw the image on the left, I though "Ugh." It looks like an industrial cloudy day. But when I click on the alternative view (the product shot), my grey heart softed up to it! Especially considering the cute ribbon cord and the possibilities of wearing it with a simple black or pink dress! Come to think of it, I have some grey oval beads JUST like those (though I am sure my plastic version doesn't hold a candle to the glass, resin, and metal of this necklace - or COULD it?!).
Example #2: Bugle Beaded Necklace, $590
Much like #1; love the ribbon of the product shot and could totally see this at a Christmas party with a little red dress, though it looks like a mirror poo-ed all over the remainds of a USB drive on the model (and what's with her Bride of Frankenstien hair?)
Example #3: Silk Corded Necklace, $850
It looks like a hot mess on the model. Maybe it's one of those necklaces that shift from either side of your chest thanks to, ya know, girl parts that can seperate long necklaces. According to the product picture, the clasp is in the center, suggesting to me that it's supposed to be worn semestrically. I could also do without the hair-looking braided cord, but other than that I dig it.
There were a few others that didn't even offer a product photo, and I think I can see why:
Gold Loop Earrings, $290
These SERIOUSLY look like something my mom would make out of random pods lying around the back yard and spayed with gold. Don't forget to add Mom's leftover curtains for the finishing touch! Oh, on second thought, it could also be that guy from India's really long, Guiness Book of World Records golden fingernails! Vomit.
Resen and Lucite Chain Necklace, $390
The Bride of Frankenstein showing off the latest torture device.
You be the judge.
Lesson of the day? If you are on a budget like the rest of the world, stear clear of this supposed "High Fashion" and stick with Etsy homemade! ;)
