THE SCOOP ON 2011 JEWELRY TRENDS

If keeping up with jewelry trends is not your thing it may become rather overwhelming.   However, if you enjoy making sure your jewelry collection contains an eclectic mix of styles and materials then you my friend are a die-hard fashionista!

While I have touched on various jewelry trends in blog posts over the last two years (and in many cases without knowing it) for this Splendor Sidebar you will learn some of what is abuzz for jewelry trends in 2011.


According to information from the Jewelry Information Center as well as jewelry and fashion experts Krista Tannahill and Lisa Jesse trends in jewelry are cyclical.  Many trends carry over from the previous year or re-emerge after an absence. 

Of course the runways of New York Fashion Week serve as a type of crystal ball providing a peek into what lies ahead in designer jewelry for a coming year.  One factor however remains constant no matter what the trend they are definitely memorable.

GET NOTICED

Making an unforgettable entrance is central to the top jewelry trends for 2011.  Large crystal chandelier earrings, opulent necklaces, bold gemstone rings, edgy motifs, arabesque detailing is just the beginning.

Lots of layering, jewelry made with resin or acrylic, plenty of variegated textures, and bridal jewelry that blends gentle pearl nacre offset by translucent or pastel colored crystals rounds out the fabulous styles that can spice up a bauble collection.  The great part is you don’t need to break the bank to have sensational pieces of jewelry.

Below are a few Etsy jewelry stores offering fantastic pieces for this year’s trends:

STATEMENT NECKLACES

EcoBling Couture – Based in Seattle, Washington the designer, a mother of two sons, creates her subversive, eye-popping designs from “recycled, broken, bits and pieces of jewelry. I take everything apart down to the jump rings and redesign them into something different and unique!”

Bambi Baby Handmade Jewelry‘s designer, a former fashion designer, creates jewelry “mixing media such as polymer clay, brass and bohemian crystal beads.”

Philadelphia-based Natalie Smith of Sparkle Beast Designs has had a longtime fascination with rhinestones and glass beads. The costume design major loves lots of color and sparkle.

Naama Brosh , the designer for Israel-based Fauna and Flora Jewelry, has a Ph.D. in Life Sciences but is also “deeply attracted to old/antique stuff all of which are integrated in my jewelry.   I create unique colorful statement jewelry and established Fauna and Flora a few years ago.”  Her handmade jewelry is cultivated with Lucite beads, glass beads, and brass chains.

For some style tips on wearing bold jewelry check out fashion journalist Amanda Garrigus’ advice on making this style work for you.

DESIGNER JEWELRY WITH EDGE, TEXTURE and PLENTY OF MOTIFS

The designer for ManoCelebrates, located in Orlando, Florida, is an artist.  She paints with oil, acrylic and water color.  She incorporates her artistic drawings in her jewelry. 

“Colors, light, and shapes are focal point of my paintings.”  Her bright, colorful creations are built with bronze wire, vintage bronze chains, beads, and porcelain.

Horns, dog bones, skull pendant necklaces, and Sid Vicious-inspired safety pins are a few of the creations from Hot Rox Custom Jewelry, based in Libertyville, Illinois.  

“An ideal day for me is filled with soldering, sawing and sanding.  I am obsessed with making jewelry. I keep sketch pads with me so I can capture the random design thought, inspiration...idea.  I love the contrast between oxidized silver and high karat gold.”

The designs of Canada-based Missy Industry are inspired by “tattoos, graphic design, mechanics, electronic music, heavy metal fashion, and horror films” to name a few.   If you like hard-edged, tough overtones in your jewelry then this is the place for you.  

Fish bones, skulls with butterfly wings, saws, and tiger heads are some of the designs cultivated from oxidized sterling silver.  This collection is for the individual who is unafraid to go against convention.

The Goth designer jewelry of Texas-based brand Bella Lili takes inspiration from the Victorian period.  Baroque, bold designs dominate oxidized sterling silver bracelets, pendant necklaces, and silver rings. 

“My designs are what I describe as Victorian Couture jewelry. Some are more Avant Garde and Risqué. Others are more whimsical and Romantic. The common thread in all my jewelry is Victorian Elegance or Pretty with an edge.”

Hammered surfaces, and intricate curvatures and concaves are the focal point of Michigan-based company, Fork Whisperer.  The designer creates incredible jewelry pieces from antique sterling silver forks! 

“My very favorite medium is antique sterling silver forks.  I like to hand sculpture each piece uniquely.  I love that it's a clean medium without much waste, dust and smog.”

Classic proportions mixed with  touchable textures is the signature style of Canada-based Sundara Studios’ engraved sterling silver and silver precious metal clay jewelry. 



BRIDAL JEWELRY

Located in Chandler, Arizona Trisha Fay of BGB Jewelry designs gorgeous bridal and fashion jewelry composed of cream Swarovski Pearls, turquoise nuggets,  rose quartz, and Swarovski Golden Briolette  among others.  

Fay likes to keep designs simple, elegant and just plain beautiful.  “I have been creating jewelry for over 20 years.  It truly is hard to part with my creations, but I get so excited when I hear from customers who are so pleased with their new gems.”

Delicate and ethereal beauty is the central aesthetic of Perfectly Charming Jewelry.  Designer Kimberly K’s handmade jewelry designs composed of unique and colorful dichroic lampwork beads, Swarovski Crystals and Pearls, 14-karat gold-fill, and 24-karat gold vermeil is the perfect accent to a blushing bride or her bridesmaids.

Composed of lampwork beads, Swarovski Crystals, and Murano glass beads the vivid colors of Maryland-based Glass River Jewelry are great spring and summer jewelry items.  They are also a great contrast to more subtle bridal jewelry designs.   
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Photos (from top right to bottom left):  Eco Bling Flower Garden Necklace; Mano Celebrates Goddess of Spring Locket; Sundara Studios Sterling Silver and Silver Precious Metal Clay Wrist Reef;  Fork Whisperer Sterling Silver For Ring; BGB Jewelry Bridal Pearl Cluster Necklace;  Perfectly Charming Jewelry 14-Karat Gold-Filled Dichroic Lampwork and Swarovski  Crystal Mesmerize Earrings