Acrylic Beads: Cheap and Tacky or Smart?

One of the things that drives me crazy about chandelier earrings is that they are so darn heavy. I feel like they can rip through my earlobes with the slightest movement. Another pet peeve is that sometimes you want your jewelry design to have lots of "bling", but your customers are unable to afford above a certain price point, which is understandable in this economy.

I've always thought of acrylic beads as cheap, and reserved for lampshades and other home decor, but recently I have been very pleasantly surprised at the quality of acrylic beads out there. Using lightweight acrylic beads would solve the problems I've mentioned. There are some that are so high quality, you would swear they're real crystals. They're worth searching for, and unfortunately, many bead stores don't carry them.

I've been on a quest to find these types of acrylic beads, and have been successful. I will be selling them on LexiBeads. If you flip through fashion magazines, you'll see that many upscale jewelry designers like R.J.Graziano use acrylic beads in their designs often! Be on the lookout!

Etsy Treasuries

Etsy treasuries are fun to make, and exciting to be a part of. Choosing a theme, and then, meticulously seeking out beautiful items from among thousands that not only go with the theme, but are aesthetically pleasing, colorful, and varied.

My Sherbert Necklace was recently featured in a treasury on Etsy...

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA1NjYxMjN8MzQ0ODU0NTA3/summer-sorbet

Alternative Metals

With the price of gold and silver skyrocketing, alternative metals such as brass and copper have become more appealing to jewelry designers. Not only are they less expensive, but their rich colors add an intensity and interest to their pieces.

Rings and Things Bead Tour

I love traveling around the country to bead shows looking for unusual beads and pendants to use in my own jewelry designs as well as to carry in my shop. Rings and Things is having their 2011 Wholesale Bead Tour! You know I'll be there! I'll let you know what goodies I find.
A couple of years ago, I bought a very unusual, handmade Peruvian good luck amulet from a bead show, and used it as a focal piece in a necklace. It had green leather, blue glass, and red and black seeds, as well as silver adornments. Never saw anything like it, and haven't since. That necklace sold immediately! Clients want something unique, handmade, not mass produced. That's why these trips are worth it to me...

My Latest Creation...

My latest creation....