Faire Collection: Natural Fair Trade Jewelry

One of the greatest things about being a beader or jewelry designer, is the ability to make choices that influence the world around us. Whether we’re focusing on special materials, working with other artists, making jewelry with a statement, or simply donating our designs to charitable causes, there are so many ways that beaders make a difference.

The fair trade jewelry line formerly known as the Andean Collection is one of my favorite bead related causes. Founded by Amanda Judge, this amazing little company made big changes to the lives of women and their families in South America. Now they are taking their efforts global by creating job opportunities for over 200 beaders and jewelry makers in Vietnam, Swaziland, and Ecuador with the Faire Collection.

Faire Collection designs continue to amaze jewelry lovers with gorgeous natural materials like tagua, acai, and coconut. The incredibly trendy styles are bringing the message of the importance of fair trade products to boutiques around the world.

Today’s Wear It Twice collage features handmade jewelry and accessories from the new Faire Collection. In addition to necklaces, bracelets and earrings, Faire artisans also make hats and scarves with flair. There are some amazing colors available, including bright tropical hues and subtle natural tones. I went with the always stunning combination of bright blue and rich brown, with just a hint of mint. The Geo-Stack earrings are my personal favorite.

Summer Faire by mortira featuring sleeveless dresses

Also included: the Isabella Necklace, the chunky Classic Tagua Bracelet, Lola Hat with peacock feather, Rialto Earrings, and the Infinity Scarf. The natural shapes and patterns of the materials blend perfectly with the bright colors. If you haven't worked with natural beads like tagua before, they are a great way to add personality to jewelry.

If you’d like to learn more about the project and the talented designers and artisan partners, visit ShopFaire.com.

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Faire Collection
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Work in Progress: Starfish and Treasure

I am so excited about the project that I’m starting this week, which will be a reboot of a very old favorite. I’ve rediscovered the fact that it’s important to make things that you really love, instead of just focusing on what’s trendy, or easy to sell. Although I had already decided to stick with designs that I really enjoy - collars, lariats, and fringe necklaces to name a few - it didn’t occur to me that it would be perfectly alright to remake pieces from the past that I was really proud of, even if they weren’t big sellers.

In addition to the new embroidery pendant, which is coming along nicely, I’m prepping the new project with lots of relish. I’ve got my custom bead mix already made, and my starfish bead colors on deck. All I need to do is finish culling some millefiori chips and it’s ready to go!

What are you working on this week?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Inspired: Polka Dot Delight

Inspirations have been a little bit light of late, as I’m hip deep in my top secret project. Although I’m missing the time here on Inspirational Beading, I promise the results will be totally worth it!

Today I took a little break to recharge my creative batteries, and what better way to do that than with some lovely beads? This soft and pretty collage was inspired by a set of absolutely gorgeous lampwork beads by Magdelana Ruiz of Mru Mru. I can’t resist a great spots-and-stripes motif in colorful glass!

Polka Dot Delight by mortira featuring Avalisa

What’s inspiring you this week?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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Work in Progress: Vintage and Retro

My bead tray looks a bit chaotic this week. I’m just getting started on two new projects and wrapping up another all at the same time, breaking my one project at a time rule and then some. Now that school is out for summer we have a lot more time to ourselves here, so we’re finally getting a new embroidery pendant underway. Since I do most of my beading at night while my helper is sleeping, the pendants are built slowly over several days, making them perfect for nights when a project is done, but it’s too late to start something new. I was told very matter-of-factly that we would be using one of my new hieroglyph tab beads in the new pendant, so that’s where we’ve started.

I’ve also got a new full-project tutorial in the works, featuring some awesome neon seed beads and daggers from The Best Beads. The matte transparent finish is perfect for the neon colors. Like other transparent glass beads, they draw lots of light in, but the matte finish seems to hold it in place, giving the beads an intense electric glow.

I was able to try out some of my new Miyuki fringe beads in a secret project earlier in the week - although I chose them for the color rather than the shape, so for now I’ve only seen what they can do as ordinary drops. I’m hoping to incorporate them more thoroughly into some flat or tubular beadwork, which I think they’ll be perfect for.

What are you making this week?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Broom Beads and Freeform Peyote

Congratulations to the winner of this month’s bead giveaway, Judy, and thank you so much to everyone who entered. For this draw, I asked about how you would use a random mix of assorted broom beads (a mix made from spills and/or leftovers). As always, your answers were varied and inspiring.

Judy and many other readers suggested freeform peyote stitch as a great way to use up an eclectic selection of beads. I couldn’t agree more! Working freeform can seem intimidating at first, but once you learn to let go, it becomes incredibly liberating and meditative. Plus it’s a great way to use up odds and ends. Although there aren't any specific steps for freeform, there are a lot of resources for anyone wanting to give it a try. I’ve collected a few excellent "tutorials" for freeform peyote projects with lots of valuable tips for beading outside the lines. If you haven’t tried it before (or you’ve tried and lost the knack) first check out some excellent advice from the Bead Mavens: All About Fredform Peyote

Freeform Peyote How-To by Whimbeads.com
Freeform Peyote Feels So Wrong But It’s So Right by Beading Daily
Freeform Peyote Necklace Tutorial and
Freeform Geode Bezel Necklace Tutorial by Beading Arts
and my personal favorite, Starting a Freeform Peyote Bracelet by Baubilicious

Do you like to use freeform peyote? What’s your favorite type of project?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Friends
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