Which Nina Designs jewelry findings do I need to complete my Tucson purchases? This was my first year as a Nina Designs representative at the Gem and Lapidary Wholesaler’s Show in Tuscon, Arizona. I have attended several trade shows for Nina Designs in the past, but none quite like this.
While there I had the great opportunity to shop with Leah, a Tucson veteran who brought me to the coolest booths. I was also inspired by the ideas and purchases of my fellow co-workers Clara, Juanita and Yolanda. It was wonderful to have such guidance in the sea of tradeshows and vendors at Tuscon.
Now that I’m home, I need to figure out what to do with all my treasures. I purchased a section of chain made from wood and I knew the moment I saw it that I was going to pair it with our Deer Hide Lace and a handmade ceramic bead from my co-worker Ruth. I’ll also need a five strand clasp for all my rustic glass beads, maybe one with the cross hatch pattern. So many of my purchases were based on Nina Designs jewelry components I already have or really want.
My favorite purchase from the show is a strand of gem quality drop cut Chrysoprase beads. I have so many ideas but can’t decide on a single design. Our Vermeil Style Gold Plate Majapahit Spacer would be great to emphasize the art deco look. But I’m also thinking of our Yemenite Reproduction Silver Beads with Granulation and Wire Work and our Silver Bead with Swirl Granulation. Do I want gold, silver or mixed metal? I’m just not sure. It can be challenging with so many choices! My Nina Designs Wish List is getting bigger and bigger!
Which beads should I choose?
Chocolate Deer Hide with wood chain
Pandora™ style customizable bracelets and necklaces created with unique “moment” beads are the latest trend sweeping the jewelry world. In Style magazine has ads from Pandora™, Troll™ and Chamilia™ featuring beads to commemorate memorable events and milestones; Italian Vogue Jewelery has ads from Italian companies Tedora™, Piroppo™ and MaVi™ featuring “celebration” beads; and Elle Magazine has a four page promotional spread of Pandora™ customizable jewelry.
We couldn’t be more thrilled with this trend! It has provided an opportunity for us to select some of our most special beads and rework them with larger holes so they can easily slide onto Pandora™ style chain, leather or silk cord. The timing is great: over the last few years, we’ve seen a decline in bead purchases as interest has shifted towards pendants and charms. While we have become accustomed to items trending in and out, it was especially disappointing to see the beads diminish in popularity because beads are the ideal canvas for highlighting the meticulous and precise craftsmanship of the Balinese silversmiths. These gorgeous new large hole “slider” beads are a great way to bring the incredible skill of the Balinese silversmiths back to the forefront. Click here to see our entire collection of large hole slider beads. Gold plate versions of some of these beads will be available shortly.
Gorgeous large hole slider beads slide easily onto chain, leather or silk cords.
Create your unique Pandora™ style bracelet with these large hole slider beads.
Every few months, we all stay late after work for a party with silver beads! After a delicious take-out meal of Thai or Indian food, we clear the packing tables and start designing! Out come stashes of silver, tourmaline, vintage buttons, lava rock nuggets and jet pendants. Always close by are our personal Post-Its covered in Nina Designs styles we’ve been lusting after (although the “wish-list” feature recently added to on-line Nina Designs accounts are making these Post-Its obsolete). Much time is spent back and forth between the packing tables and our in-office stock bins as we pull out the latest Nina Designs favorites and try different arrangements of links, pendants, chains, beads and charms. In addition to personal creations, many of the Design Ideas up on our website were made at a Bead Night.
We look forward to Bead Nights and the chance to chat and catch up, learn new techniques from our co-workers, and play with Nina Designs new styles. The creative synergy and cross-pollination that takes place on these evenings is one of the best parts of working here. We are all grateful for the opportunity to collaborate and stoke our creative fires. Do you ever mix bead business and pleasure? We’d love to hear about your jewelry making gatherings.
Carly, Juanita, Yolanda and Anna play with silver beads on Bead Night.
Clara's Bead Night masterpiece comes to life.
Over the memorial day weekend I visited Venice Beach, California and I was reminded of a bygone era when the “flower child” and the “Boho-Chic” reigned there. I was inspired by the plethora of textiles and ethnic jewelry spilling over booths that are juxtaposed against 1930s Deco apartment buildings that are now hotels. Dusty pinks, turquoise, and purples along with the teal waters of the ocean made for a beautiful moment as drummers and dancers hailed the sunny day.
When I came back to the “coolness” of San Francisco, I could not wait to emulate that “bohemian feel”. I can’t wait to delve into our new Apatite Gemstone Beads, our dusty pinkish faceted Rutilated Quartz Gemstone Beads, and our teal Kyanite Gemstone Beads. I plan to pair them with our paisley print silver beads in all sizes. Our sterling silver beads Paisley Print collection is the most beautiful and under appreciated pattern (in my opinion). On our next “Design Ideas Challenge” I plan to make some “groovy” earrings!
Silver Beads and Gemstones
Bohemian Earrings