A while back I was talking to a jeweller who make creates beaded jewellery using highly ornate components. His speciality is using painted pendants to make picture jewellery. However, when I asked him what his favourite pieces were, he quickly pointed to a bunch of simple beaded necklaces. While some of these necklaces had a pendant, most of them were just strands of the same bead strung together. It made me think of why people wear simple beaded necklaces.
Why beads?
Simple beaded necklaces are often affordable. They are easy to make or purchase, making them accessible to people of all backgrounds. Beads are often used in spiritual practices. For example, mala beads in Hinduism and Buddhism are used for meditation, while certain stones or beads may carry personal or cultural significance (e.g., representing protection, healing, or connection to nature). Simple beaded necklaces have a minimalist yet elegant look, which can complement a wide range of outfits without being overpowering.
Simple Beaded necklaces
While I love making beaded necklaces, I often combine beads of multiple colours, materials, shapes, and sizes in the same pieces. I do not make them to suit particular outfits, unless its a custom request/order like the one below. Rather, my choice of beads, colours, and patterns help the wearer present their personality or their mood. For me, the aesthetic appeal of beaded jewelelry came from the idea of self-expression – both mine (as the maker) and the wearer.
However, offlate I am turning to the idea of using only one or two kinds of beads in a neckalce. When I am using different types of beads I use beads of the same colour, with just one metallic accent. I find them more elegant these days. Beaded necklaces with pendants prove to be the best compliment to Indian attire such as bordered sarees, which can be quiet ornate by itself.
Simple beaded necklaces with a single colour bead(s) take very less time to make. You need to worry less about getting the visual balance or rhythm right. But they can get very boring, very easily. So the trick is to make them using the right kind of beads and pair them with beautiful pendants.
After searching for five years, I finally found the perfect beads to go with Murano glass pendant and studs that I bought in Murano during my Europe trip in 2019. The mina beads that I bought at Nathdwara, Rajasthan are intricately enamelled in blue as you can see above. The pendnat’s bail was crocked. Therefore, I broke it off and glued a sturdier one on the other side. I strung them using the pearl beads and the dori the mina (enamelled) beads came with.
Apart from these, I have been working on a small collection of jewellery centred around chimeral creatures for a brand. I am waiting for them to launch after which I will do elaborate posts. Until then, its back to the basics with simple beaded necklaces.
I hope you find it interesting
Cheers
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