Janice Parsons’ Beading Blog

Creating bridal jewelry is so personal. This year, more than ever, I am seeing brides-to-be coming into the shop to create a tiara, mother-of-the-bride necklace and bridesmaid jewelry.

Isn’t Emily a lovely bride? Emily got married last June and her grandmother, Norma H. had started all the girls’ in the family on jewelry making. Norma said to me, “I started out calling it ‘Grandmother’s Club’ and all of my grandchildren came into the shop and got hooked on beading. When Emily became engaged, I knew the necklaces and earrings would be proudly made by us.” Norma was able to bring photos of the bride for us to share with you. Here is Emily with her mother, Ann, who also looks young enough to be the bride!

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I feel so lucky to share with Ashley and Dan in their engagement and upcoming marriage. I made Ashley a necklace with their birthstones; she is Amethyst (February) and he is Peridot (August). Amethyst is the stone of clarity and vision and Peridot brings harmony and openess in relationships. I added a Garnet for love and devotion and a small moonstone above it for balance. The starfish symbolizes the wishes and dreams just ahead as they walk on the beach together. Silver is the sacred moon goddess that soothes and supports. I added a pearl because I try to add a pearl to everything I do and it also represents feminine wisdom. The diamond in the pendant reflects their engagement and the beautiful ring Dan gave to Ashley. And, the cz rondelle near the back cushioned by their birthstones is their wonderful wedding to come!

On Saturday afternoon, November 10th, Naomi Fujimoto came to our shop to teach techniques from her new book, Cool Beads for Teens. It turns out the book is perfect for every age! Naomi told me she “likes things simple. Just the beads without spacers or extra beads; I like how the jewelry turns out when each bead is just on its own”.

Here Naomi is hard at fun with Becka, a long-time TBS student and customer, putting together earrings with dangling pearls from each loop. The project is quick (about 20 minutes) and the cost is less than $15 for sterling and freshwater pearls.

Naomi and I have different styles, but I can see how her style speaks to her creativity. Thank you, Naomi for visiting us. It was a super afternoon!

Meet the Author of Cool Jewels, Beading Projects for Teens on Saturday, November 10th from 3-5pm, Naomi Fujimoto

I am so excited to welcome Naomi to our shop on Saturday, November 10th from 3-5pm. Naomi will be signing her new book, Cool Jewels Beading Projects for Teens and doing some demos. Like many of you, she learned about beading in a class. This is what she has to say:

“I took my first jewelry class in L.A. at Ritual Adornments because I wanted to learn something I could finish in one sitting. (I was having writer’s block while working on my Master’s at UCLA.) After I moved back to Milwaukee, I started selling jewelry at boutiques and salons. Through a sorority connection, I joined the staff at BeadStyle magazine when it launched in 2003. Things have just taken off from there! I wrote a book for teens because I wanted to get younger people interested in jewelrymaking as a hobby.”

You can also email me if you have any other questions. Thanks!
N.

To celebrate our great news, The Bead Shop would like to extend a sale on bridal combs and tiaras for 30% off. Sale ends Wednesday, November 5th at 4pm pst.
Personalize your wedding jewelry easily with our step by step instructions.