
Sometimes,
it's good to become curious about the history of precious things such as
jewelry. However, finding the exact related information that you are looking
for can be challenging. So, here is one consideration regarding jewelry's history:
handmade beaded necklaces and the story associated with
beaded jewelry.
No need
to worry, my jewelry enthusiasts! We will explore everything about handmade
beaded necklaces and their significance in the jewelry market.
Are you familiar with Beads?
Beads are
tiny, cool things you see in all shapes and sizes. They're made from stone,
bone, shell, glass, plastic, wood, or even pearls. And get this—they all have a
little hole in the middle so that you can string them up. They can be super
tiny, like less than a millimeter, or big, like over a centimeter across. Cool,
right?
Types of beads
Plastic
beads: You know those little plastic beads that come in various colors? You can
stick them on a plastic board with pegs, make cool designs, and then melt them
together with an iron. You can also string them to make necklaces, bracelets,
or keychains.
Then, you
string those round beads onto wire to make necklaces and bracelets. They're
pretty cool too.
Round
beads: Here, beads are strung on wire to create necklaces and bracelets. The
shape of the round beads lays together and is pleasing to the eye. Round beads
can be made of glass, stone, ceramic, metal, or wood. Thanks to their classic
shape, round beads are a traditional choice for jewelry designs used for
various projects. They are also available in a variety of sizes.
Square
beads: These are awesome for adding some extra flair to necklace designs, like
spacers. But hey, you can totally make a whole necklace with just square beads,
too. They're perfect for making Rosary necklaces or prayer necklaces. And if
you're into beach vibes, you can find wooden or shell square beads for that
laid-back look.
Handmade beaded necklaces
A
necklace is a flowery piece of jewelry that is worn around the neck. It's been
around for ages, probably one of the first things people wore to look classy
and flashy. When you take beads made from all sorts of cool stuff, like gems or
fancy rocks, and string them together, you own a handmade beaded necklace.
History of Handmade beaded necklaces
Back
then, people rocked necklaces made from shells and stones. Then, they upgraded
to fancy beads found in old graves. The ancient Egyptians were pros at making
glass and pottery beads, turning them into necklaces like it was no big deal.
At first,
necklaces used organic materials like bones, feathers, and shells. Some of
these bad boys were found in old burials in the Alps. Ancient Celtic folks in
Ireland and Scotland were all about wearing twisted metal necklaces called
torques around 1800-1500 B.C.E.
During
the Gothic period, necklaces weren't a thing. But nowadays, we wear them to
show off our beliefs or just because they make us feel fancy. Back in the day,
though, they were all about celebrating, religion, or burying the dead. And in
some old societies, rocking a necklace with gemstones and gold meant you were
loaded.
In the
'60s, hippies were all about those beaded necklaces, calling them love beads.
Then, disco hit, and it was all about rocking gold chains. But when hip-hop
came along, everyone wanted diamond pendants, bling-bling!
Asian and
African cultures were rocking their style, too. Silver necklaces with coral,
amber, or even silver coins were like a savings account for trading or paying
up. Rich Hmong women flexed with silver coin necklaces to show off their
wealth, especially when trying to snag a partner.
The
Ancient Etruscans made fancy gold beads using a technique called granulation.
They mixed them with glass and faience beads to make colorful necklaces.
In Celtic
and Gallic Europe, the hot ticket item was the torc—a heavy metal necklace
usually made of bronze but sometimes with silver, gold, glass, or even amber
beads. So yeah, necklaces have been around forever, and they've always been a
big deal!
Styling a Beaded Necklace With Your Outfit
Well,
from styling necklaces due to powering harmony and wealth, nowadays people want
necklaces to style with thier outfits. It's because you want your necklace to
complement your outfit. But how can you choose the perfect match for your
outfit? Here are some things to consider when choosing a bead necklace so you
can be sure it's the perfect choice:
Consider Your Outfit's Neckline
If you
want to match your beaded necklace perfectly with your outfit, choose a longer
necklace. Then, the first thing to consider is your outfit's neckline. If
you're wearing a turtleneck or high-collared shirt, choose a longer necklace.
Opt for a shorter style for shirts with an open collar or a low neckline.
Choose Colors Wisely
If you're
wearing bright colors or bold patterns, choose a necklace with beads in neutral
shades of black, white, grey, beige, or brown. On the other hand, if you're
wearing more softened attire, a brightly colored or floral necklace can add
deepness and interest.
Less is More
Do it
moderately if you wish to pair handmade beaded necklaces with bracelets,
earrings, or other accessories. We even recommend limiting yourself to one
statement piece (e.g., the necklace) and keeping everything else to a minimum.
Think About Dress Code
You are
supposed to check the occasion you're dressing up for, whether every day or
traditional, which will help determine how to wear your handmade necklace.