Wedding Blog
I went to Ritual Adornment in Santa Monica this past weekend, and fell in love all over again with beads. It’s such a pricey habit. I was trying to avoid finding a place in LA, but I needed to make some gifts for my hostesses and ’maids.
Below is my haul. I already had some of the freshwater pearls and a few larger stones, but the bulk of this was purchased at Ritual Adornments on Sunday. All of their strands were half off, and the chain and findings were also discounted. Hooray!
Here are a couple of the necklaces I’ve made so far. I really enjoy them, but I’m not sure the giftees will love them. Most of the ladies hosting my shower are my or Mr. MB’s aunts, or at least in that age group.
Now, I know Southern ladies like jewelry, and big and bold usually isn’t bad, but I’m wondering if these are a bit too funky for these ladies. There are mixed metals (copper, silver and gold), off center focal points, multiple strands, and funky stones mixed with multi-colored freshwater pearls. I guess I’m wondering if these are a little too trendy for my giftees?
I really think that my eye just isn’t geared towards symmetry. Every time I try to make something regular, it seems off to me. I certainly wear things with a centered focal point, but I just never seem to be able to make them that way.
What do you ladies think? Do you perhaps have any suggestions for taking some of the edge off?
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I love them just like they are! I think the ladies will appreciate them, for sure.
I love the gold chain with the off-center blue and gold beads! I know I’d wear it and I’d give it to my girls. 
They may be a little trendy, but they’re not crazy over the top, imo.
Those are great lady! The top one is my favorite and you could even take one strand of the pearls off if you think it would be a little less bold. I LOVE bold jewelry and my mom and I share a lot of the same tastes as far as beaded necklaces, so I know that she would think these were fun too!
Those are really cute!!! I think they are great for shower hostess gifts!
I think they’ll like them just the way they are. You have a good eye, those are great!
what great gifts! Your hostesses are so lucky! The top one is my favorite, maybe if you took the top strand of pearls off it would be more wearable for some of the ladies. Just an idea.
They look great the way they are.The colors are all neutral and easy on the eye, maybe if you had blacks and hot pinks it might be too much for the age group but these are perfect! Im thinking I might attempt something like this if you don’t mine. Gorgeous, no tutorial?
i like your eye, but i’ll admit that unlike you i definitely have an eye for symmetry. i like straight lines over curved one and squares over circles. maybe do layers of similar necklaces like several single color pearl strands or layers of different metals? i like your necklaces but i agree that it does make sense to keep it more simple in order to please a lot of people.
So, worst case scenario is that you give a hostess something that’s not quite her style, and she doesn’t wear it. Even if that’s the case, you’ve still given her a gift that’s personal and that you put time, effort, and thought into. In my opinion, that’s way more memorable and special than anything I gave any of my shower hostesses, or most of the gifts I’ve seen given to shower hostesses. Most gifts I’ve seen, while often cute, aren’t things that cause the hostess to say “DAMN, I am SO glad you got me this, it significantly improves my life.” My mom is an often-shower-hosting Southern lady who isn’t much into jewelry, but she’d still be tickled pink to receive something beautiful that the guest of honor actually made (and quite frankly, she already has plenty of the cute bath and kitchen products that are often given to shower hostesses).
Oh, Ritual Adornment. That shop singlehandedly launched my obsessions with jewelry design. Their beads are wonderful and their shop is literally like a candy store. So great to see a pic of it on the WB blog!!!!
I love the looks you’ve created; yes, they are definitely tending toward the trendy side but I do think that if you explain that each one is a one-of-a-kind that was handcrafted for them in mind and that they are a “marriage” of traditional and modern trends, materials and looks, they’ll like it.
What does Mr. MB say, does he think this aunts and their friends would like them?
I think they’re beautiful!!! But I definitely love mixed metals (I’m a “matcher” and those give you more flexibility) and asymmetry, so….I’m biased
Awesome post!!
The necklaces are beautiful! Worst case scenario, they will only wear them occasionly? Personaly, my grandmother wears neckalces like that, so I can tell you that some members of the older generation would still love them!
I wouild love either of those necklaces as a gift. they are a little trendy but not too much.
I think they’re lovely. I have aunts that would adore the first one.. I think sticking to neutrals and simple will keep everyone happy, but don’t be afraid to be a little adventurous! These are great gifts.
Wow, the top one is amazing! I am SO jealous that you made those all by urself! I wish I was that talented when it came to making jewelry!
That top one is amazing!! Can I wear one? I’m so impressed, seriously!
Those are beautiful! I feel so inspired to make some necklaces for my girls now. Awesome project!
Are you serious?! Those are beautiful!! I can’t believe you made those!
You made the first one?! That is amazing! They all are perfect… don’t change a thing!
Those are so cute!! I say they will love them just the way they are!! You did an amazing job!
I love the first one!! Definitely don’t change either of the necklaces… they’ll love them, even if its not really their style. You made it & put a lot of thought into it- that’s what counts!
Lovely!!! If you really want to find a deal on beads and findings in Los Angeles, You have to visit the LA Jewelry District in Downtown on 7th street and Hill street. You will find findings and such at unbeatable prices!! Go during the week or saturday mornings before noon for lighter traffic and easier parking. This is where all LA fashion/jewelry designers go to get their things for wholesale prices, but its also open to the public too. Happy Beading!
Oh sweet! Those are really awesome! They look perfect.
OMG I love them! It’s so tough though bc everyone has different tastes so to know what they will love as well is difficult. I thought about making my girls the jewelry I want them to wear the day of I just don’t think I am as crafty as you. I should at least try I guess
I think they are really elegant, with just a splash of bold. I think that they would work well even for someone who doesn’t wear bold jewelry often. Beautiful!
@SpinningJenny: i like that one too!
i’m not sure whether or not it could be a bit much for your recipients, not knowing their jewelry style.
No way, those necklaces are perfect! They look GREAT! Good work.
I LOVE them!! They are gorgeous. For older hostesses, maybe you could do three strands of different sizes or types of (faux) pearls.
I love the necklaces you made! I’d love getting one of those!
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Miss Moonbeam, Los Angeles/San Antonio
Age and Occupation: 26, Intern Architect
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Studio Analyst, aspiring Screenwriter
Engagement Date: May 20, 2009
Wedding Date: November 2009
Venue: Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church (LaCoste, TX) and Mary Gray Events Center (Castroville, TX)
About Me: I was born and raised in Texas, but after college I moved to Seattle for a couple of years and loved it. Then I followed my beau out here to LA and we're getting settled in. I've been making things since I can remember. I was raised by crafters. I love to sew, draw, paint, build, cook, bake (anything with a tangible end result is fair game). In that same spirit, I've been hosting since I was old enough to cook and set a fancy table. I kind of take after my grandmother, who believes that your morning OJ always tastes better out of the good crystal.
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