DIY: How to Make an Easy Seed Bead Flowers for Jewelry

Need a pretty project for a lazy summer day?  Here is how to make easy seed bead flowers for jewelry projects that you can use anywhere.  I learned how to make these on a Native American cultural center way back in high school.

You will need: 

• Strong thread (poly or nylon core, do not use 100% cotton)
• Seed beads
• Needle (Make sure it is slim enough for the beads you are using)
• Scissors
• Lobster clasps, earring hooks, etc.

To start,  thread 5 beads to start with and pull them through almost the end and then tie them into a knot. You want a firm knot, but not too tight. 

Next,  Use your needle to pick up 3 beads that you want to add as a petal and then you are going to go through your first bead.  Repeat this again with another three beads through the second bead of your knot. This creates a little petal and you are going to repeat this for all 5 beads. 

After going through all 5 beads, pull your needle through the middle of your first petal (the second bead of the three bead petal) and string 5 beads through to the next second bead of the next petal.  It makes it much easier to keep your beads and petals organized if you use 2 different colors of beads for each level of petal.  

After you create 5 petals of 5 beads each, knot off the thread to finish the flower.

You can create several of these and knot them together for a bracelet or necklace.  To finish it, you can thread a few extra beads through the point of the end flower petal and then loop in a clasp on each end.   For earrings, do the same, but loop in the end of earring hooks.

For a more detailed and visual explanation, you can watch the video version of this How-to here.  

Have fun!

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Kara Ross Spring 2013

Luxury jewelry and handbag designer Kara Ross showed her love of the city at NY Fashion week. She created a gorgeous necklace to be shown in a jewelry design exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design.

The necklace encased pieces of concrete from the Hudson Yards as well as photographs of New York City. While most pieces like this end up looking gimmicky, this one looked architecturally chic.

The rest of spring 2013 showcased the designer's skill with interesting leather treatments, like the two-toned snakeskin clutch, or the bracelets, necklaces and rings that had expert jewelry settings using leather and collages in addition to stones.

What do you say, are you ready to wear a bit of your city around your neck?

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Street Style Accessories: Summer Edition

When the sun is beating us into submission, clothes reduce to a minimum and accessories ramp up to a maximum.  Intel's Ultrabook is this season's sleekest tech accessory and its ready to hit the streets.  In honor of Ultrabook, I went hunting through the streets of New York with my trusty Instagram...  I tracked boho divas down on the Lower East Side then bagged some of my best fashionistas in the Garment District during an open casting call of NBC's Fashion Star...

Summer's top trends of neon, rattan and bold prints were well represented in handbags.  In jewelry, earrings could be huge door knockers or demure, but brightly colored (different for each side).  Statement rings are slowly competing with statement necklaces as the conversation piece.  Heavy jeweled cuffs can also double as tools for self defense.  In shoes, bold hues and platform heels make loafers sexy, while DIY bedazzled ballet slippers were very sweet.  

What accessories are YOU rocking this summer?  I'll soon have you in my cross hairs!

Now you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for power. Introducing the ultra-sleek, ultra-responsive Ultrabook™, Inspired by Intel. Visit intel.com/ultrabook for more information.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Intel via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Intel.

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Kara Ross Resort 2012

Is there a lovelier way to spend an early summer evening than admiring luxe baubles over the Manhattan skyline?  I don't think so.

Designer Kara Ross previewed her gorgeous collection of handbags and jewelry on the rooftop lounge of her Columbus Circle building.  There were plenty of her signature glittering pieces with lots of stones and exotic envelope clutches.  

What always sets her handbags apart for me, is her innovative treatments of the leather.  She takes surface design on her leathers a step further.  A glazed python clutch is additionally airbrushed with metallic.  Deeply dyed ostrich is two-toned on the spots.  The trend of Ikat patterns is re-interpreted in snakeskin with handpainted designs right on the leather.  

A neon group of jewelry was a departure for Kara Ross and my favorite of the evening.  The designer took the craft of decoupage upscale with using pieced collages of fashion magazines on top of wood and finished with acrylic for a stone-like mosaic look.  The bright patterns were paired with striking neon for amazing statement pieces for resort. 

Ladies Who Lunch Travel host Mdivani Monroe had a chance to speak with Ms. Ross about her Fall 2012 collection.  Learn about her design inspirations and what a sweetheart she truly is:

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Busy Brides Find BHLDN

Indie brides-to-be have found their wedding haven in BHLDN, an off-shoot of vintage inspired retailer Anthropologie.  Selling mostly online and their first two boutiques in Houston and now Chicago, the concept is a one-stop shop of all things pretty!

There are gowns and dresses with retro details like pleats and bows.  There are flapper inspired frocks with intricate art deco embroidery.  There are simple dresses that can be embellished with sashes and jewelry.  Fascinators, necklaces, belts all have a handcrafted, indie designer feel to them.  There is the BHLDN private label collection as well as selections from other curated designers.

Even more fun, the boutique extends into party decorations from tissue paper flowers to printed fans and garlands.  Prices are very affordable, like a short, organza ribbon embroidered dress for $280 to a full ruffled train gown at $2400.  A ceramic pair of bird shaped bottle openers are $28 to double ring placecards for $12.  A gorgeous blush flower fascinator was $150.

 I wish this boutique was around when I was getting married.  It is anti-Bridezilla, for the unique, easy going bride who might be a hipster, might be an artist, doesn't want to confirm to the "Say Yes to the Dress" drama...

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Top Jewelry Trends from NY Fashion Week

Love bling?  Me too.  After sorting through all my NY Fashion week photographs I found the top three trends for Fall 2012 that you can wear now for spring!  Ms. FABulous has partnered with Ice Jewelry to bring you a collection inspired by the runway.

 Bold colors featured on many runways.  From Vivienne Tam, to Anna Sui, Catherine Malandrino to BCBG Max Azria.  In jewelry, this meant large, framed colored stones or chunk bright enamel.  Check out the green onyx bangle and bluHVG GYM WPe topaz onyx earrings for this look.

 Vintage glamour was a top trend for evening wear designers.  Zang Toi brought lots of drama at his show with old Hollywood sirens in red and black.  Ruby lips, jet crystal and some Eastern influence from Tadashi Shoji and Josie Natori truly brought elegance to the runway.  Look for the multi-strand jet necklace or garnet chokers to dress up the most basic of outfits.

Chandeliers earrings were all over the funkiest designers like Betsey Johnson, to sophisticated designers like Zang Toi.  Glitzy drops also elevated the rustic charm of Candela's fashion presentation as well.  My must-have for the season are diamond and sterling silver earrings or a pair of dangling cognac quartz beauties!

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Spring Bling from Stella and Dot - Social Selling for 2012

 Remember Mary Kay? Tupperware? Avon? Grandmothers peddling face creams from neighbor to neighbor, so quaint, almost antiquated?  Stella and Dot makes that model of “social selling” relevant for today’s entrepreneur.  

First, their accessories collections are designed with an edgy, but affordable chic.  Slick leather handbags are clearly aimed at a younger, contemporary customer.  Second, the success of their business model is one that succeeds on the social networking and social lives of today’s girls on the go.

               

What once seemed like a hook for housewives with no professional skills, Stella and Dot actually leverages the skills of the modern working woman’s lifestyle of multi-tasking and multi-title careers.  Sales agents for Stella and Dot are referred to as stylists, as their primary function is to act as brand ambassadors.  The flexible schedule works for women who already have full time jobs, or are juggling family or supplementing income between opportunities.  For some women, being an accessories stylist can be the perfect complement to existing businesses they own, such as wedding planner or personal shopper.  

Instead of going door to door, women can throw home “trunk shows” as part of ladies’ night, then follow through with the collection via their own websites, Facebook pages or Twitter.   

The Spring 2012 collection was shown at the Stella and Dot offices in Soho last week.  I was pleasantly surprised to find how accessible the pieces actually were.  Huge, elegantly crafted statement necklaces came in under a friendly $200.  My favorite serpent ring was $60.  My favorite necklace from the season was a gold-plated piece that was cast from a long natural, crystal shard (wearing) for $79.   The design team behind the collection honed their chops from companies like Marc Jacobs, Coach and Banana Republic.  

The Stella and Dot collection is not available in retail stores.  This helps the stylists offer an air of exclusivity to their product. 

Are you ready to join their revolution?  Call it Bling for Spring 2.0. 

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Kara Ross Spring 2012

Need more bling in your life?  Jeweler Kara Ross has gems on her mind this spring, along with exotic leathers, metals and style.  All shades of turquoise, lapis and amethyst dominated this seasons' collection.  You could see it in the shades of painted skins on the envelope flap bags or embedded in the jewelry.  

Some of Kara's signature touches are the faceted finishes resembling the closeup view of precious stones on rings and cuff bracelets.  The other is the jeweled clasps on her purses for that extra luxury touch.   Some of the rarer skins used in the handbags are then set in metal like a jewel for a truly symbiotic design process across categories.  Is that an artists' perogative? Thrifty or an eco-minded creative process?  Either way, Spring's blue skies will be beautiful.

Mdivani Monroe interviews Ms. Ross to discuss her baubles in depth:

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House of Waris Jewelry

Some of the most interesting designers of NY Fashion Week were not on the runway.  Waris Ahluwalia first made waves co-starring in The Darjeeling Limited and other quirky movies like Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Undead.  He is consistently spotted by NY media as the ultimate global hipster socializing around town.

As a designer, he has craftsmen in Rome and India make the jewelry for the House of Waris.  His collections have been known to sell out at luxury boutiques like Maxfield's in Los Angeles and Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

The collection he showed in the Lincoln Center tents during Mercedes-Benz Fashion week had an elegant look with European and Eastern influences.  Gold pieces were inlaid with delicate stones, shapes were inspired by forms in nature.  I don't know what I like more, the idea of Waris, an international man of style celebrated for his "exotic" look, or that he has the multi-tasking career that any fashionista would dream of (boutique/jewelry/tea shop entrepreneur with an acting career in artsy films).

If you're shopping for a jetsetter this holiday, this collection is the one to complete your gift list.

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Calypso Accessories Boutique Launch

 Finished all of your holiday shopping yet?  What about your own wish list?  Calypso St Barth opened its accessories-focused boutique on Manhattan's Lower East Side Recently.  The creative director designed it to be like a fantasy closet filled with all of your favorite baubles.

The store has an international mix of scarves, candles, handbags, jewelry, wraps, a few furry jackets too. I have to admit, the boutique is exactly what I would personally want as my closet.  It's cozy, and you can sit in the center of the quilted pouf surrounded by your glam goodies.
Calypso Accessories, 280 Mott Street, New York NY 10012, 212-965-0990

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Milla Jovovich - New Face of Jacob & Co.

Living bi-coastally has its pluses and minuses.  It definitely gives one access to a wide variety of events and experiences and the more laid-back CA lifestyle can compliment the non-stop pace of NY.  However, one disadvantage is that you can’t be in both places at once and you will obviously miss out on some things on both coasts.  This of course drives me completely mental!  As a child I never even wanted to take naps as I was afraid that I might miss something.  That mindset has not changed in me and I am able to meet some pretty awesome talent on both coasts!

On my last stay in New York, I was fortunate to spend some time with the people at Jacob & Co. on 57th street (look out for the video segment due out shortly).  I learned a lot about the venerable company and was seriously impressed with the artistry of their jewelry and watch creations.  After 25 years of designing for a private clientèle and the launch of their flagship store in New York in  2004, Jacob & Co. has become synonymous with luxury watches and exquisite jewelry.  A favorite of leaders in the entertainment and sports industries, you are probably most familiar with Jacob & Co. due to its pieces being worn on the red carpet by the worlds biggest celebrities.

Finding the right “face’ for a brand can be difficult, especially when dealing with such an iconic company as Jacob & Co.  So when the announcement came that Milla Jovovich would be the new face of Jacob & Co.., I had to ponder whether this was a good match.  My conclusion: Yes!  Ms. Jovovitch is an internationally famous actress and model whose image and personality are perfect for the company.  “Milla Jovovich is a powerful, intelligent, worldly, sophisticated and sexy, playful woman.  That is the talent that she brought to this photo shoot and what makes her synonymous with our brand, she is the “Jacob girl” we have been searching for to represent our brand globally.”, stated Jacob Arabo, Designer of Jacob & Co.

The advertising campaign encompasses eight different themes and looks stylized to feature Jacob & Co.’s red carpet diamond jewels, fashion diamond jewelry and watches.  Shot at the Sowden House, a lavish Los Angeles private residence, the campaign uses in-door and outdoor shots to capture the luxury lifestyle traits that are representative of the brand.  Scheduled to drop in Summer 2011, the campaign will be featured in the upcoming months in all major international markets.

In the meantime, Milla Jovovich has already put her beauty and talents to work for Jacob & Co.  Attending the “La Conquete” premiere during the Cannes Film Festival, Ms. Jovovich donned pieces from the Jacob & Co. Red Carpet Collection.  The collection consists of one-of-a-kind pieces carefully crafted and designed to accentuate valuable and rare gem stones, hand selected by Jacob Arabo himself.

Ms. Jovovich wore sun colored earrings with two canary cushion cut diamonds, total weight of over 27 carats, set in pavé white round brilliants topped with white emerald cut diamonds mounted from a pavé set French hook.  Complimenting the look, she also wore a one-of-a-kind cocktail ring made up of a 30 carat internally flaless, D color diamond sit in a vintage inspired design, adorned in round white brilliant cuts.  And finally to make sure that she was on time, Ms. Jovovich sported a Jacob & Co., signature Five Time Zone, World is Yours Watch.  The gorgeous timepiece is all pavé diamonds featuring natural fancy yellow and white diamonds with a total carat weight of 37.75 carats.

From the sneak peeks at the ad campaign to Ms. Jovovich’s appearance on the Cannes Red Carpet, this appears to be a match made in heaven.  For as Jacob & Co. and Milla Jovovich prove, not only are diamonds a girls best friend, but sometimes a girl can be a best friend to diamonds!

By Mdivani Monroe of Ladies Who Lunch Travel

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Village to Vogue: The Modernist Jewelry of Art Smith at Brooklyn Museum

An exhibit that features 21 pieces of jewelry from a Brookyn designer may seem simplistic compared to the epic Costume Institute exhibits of the Metropolitan Museum.  However, the jewelry created by Art Smith, saw its influences from surrealism, biomorphicism, and primitivism.


The artist began creating work from a small shop in Greenwich Village after completing studies at Cooper Union.  He was a social activist and soon gained clientele from all facets of society.   Smith influenced the work of other jewelry designers like Claire Falkenstein and Ed Weiner.

Decorative Arts Galleries, 4th Floor

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway

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Van Cleef & Arpels Exhibit - Set In Style

One of the most elegant jewelers on the market, Van Cleef & Arpels began as a family business in 1896.  Two brothers-in-law set themselves up to use innovative techniques and high quality stones to draw International clients through their Paris doors.  The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum explores their legacy at their exhibit, Set In Style, The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

The museum demonstrates how the company was an innovator in unique stone-setting techniques to display jewels in a unique way.  The company was also a trendsetter in taking inspiration from nature and foreign cultures.  Their snowflakes and bird motifs have always been popular.  The exoticism trend of the 1920's was seen in their Egyptian influenced handbag above, then through Cambodian and Japanese motifs in later years.

This piece was one of my favorites of the collection,  This jeweled bird is illustrated beautifully in stones.  However, I love the multi-tasking nature of the piece.  The wings can be removed and become earrings.  The tail can be removed to be a brooch.  The stone drop can be worn separately as a pendant around your neck.

Throughout the exhibit, you can also see the work process from sketch to finished product.  The museum also highlights the personalities that have either made certain pieces famous (and vice versa).  Jewelry owned by Hollywood legends like Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich are on display.

For the ultimate in glamor, surround yourself in all the glitters.  The exhibit runs until July 4th, 2011.

Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum

2 East 91st Street New York, NY 10128

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One of a Kind Show and Sale: Sharon Rosenthal Jewelry

The One of a Kind Show & Sale this past weekend pulled together a fantastic collection of independent artists and designers.  The basic requirement of those who sold there was that every piece had to be handmade by the artist.  This guaranteed that if you purchased a piece of clothing, fashion or accessory, it would be a unique, crafted piece you could be proud of.  The midtown location right before the holidays didn't hurt either.

One of my first discoveries of the show was Sharon Rosenthal. Her background was as a multi-media artist.  Her work eventually transitioned into wearable sculpture/jewelry.  The highly dimensional pieces on display at the show were fashioned from semi-precious stones, antique toys, found objects of nature like snake vertabrae, nut shells from the Phillipines or weathered horn. 

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JewelMint's Bauble of the Month

A custom-style piece of jewelry delivered to me based on my personal tastes every month.  How can someone not be tempted by that?   The project is the collaboration between actress Kate Bosworth and celebrity stylist Cher Coulter.  For a subscription fee of $29.99 each month, you will receive a stylist-chosen piece of jewelry for you that would normally be worth over $100.

I admit, I was a little skeptical about this when I first received the announcement.  There are plenty of celebrity collections out there and anyone can state that a piece of jewelry is worth a certain amount subjectively....right?

I decided to see the collection in person.  I see a lot of jewelry at all different price points.  The pieces here really are substantial and well made.  I can honestly say that the weighty creations I picked up are in the same caliber of quality that I see at much more expensive boutiques.  How is this possible?  Well, Kate Bosworth has family ties to fashion.  Her father is CMO of Talbot's Clothing, giving her a professional perspective.  Cher Coulter has always designed.  The pair personally oversee the design and production of each piece of their collection.  They are also selling directly to the consumer.

I loved the chic gift boxes that every delivery arrives in.  New members take a thorough survey to determine their jewelry tastes.  I also appreciate that you're not committed to purchasing anything you don't like.  If you don't find the right piece for you, you simply won't be charged.

The boys can have Beer of the Month club.  I'll take my baubles any time.

UPDATE 4/15/12:  
While the jewelry at the showroom was very cute, the actual experience of buying from this site was MUCH less enjoyable.  After I purchased a single item from the site, I found out AFTER the fact that they automatically start charging you the $29.99/month for the rest of eternity, (WITHOUT your consent).

I had to jump through many hoops to have my account cancelled, and finally received written confirmation on 2/18/12 that it was closed.  Since then, my card was continually charged not once, but twice (most recently on 4/9/12).  Not once did I receive an email that I was still in the program, so therefore I was unaware of the charges until I reviewed my bill.

This is a fraudulent company (I'm not the only one who thinks so...the internet if full of official complaints against it:).  Consider yourself warned.

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LAKME FASHION WEEK: Jewelry by Eina Ahluwalia

One typically thinks of ethnic jewelry as traditional and well, ethnic. However, designer Eina Ahluwalia's modern, thoughtful take on ethnic jewelry was stunning as she presented her latest collections in Mumbai this week at Lakme Fashion Week. She smartly presented her bold, statement making pieces in a collection called “Containment".

Amphorae, jars, vases made of traditional terracotta and hand blown glass in over-sized pieces defined the collection. The intricate glass pieces were handmade by glass artist Srila Mukherjee with the juxtaposition of precious stones and sterling silver for the collection. The massive size of the pieces were shown perfectly on beautiful models wearing drapey outfits in saffron, black and nudes. Each piece that came out brought an elated response from Bollywood Fashionistas and Bombay elite.

Eina presented a second collection, “How I felt”. This was a tongue-in-cheek play on her ideas of wool and felt designs. Again, she partnered with fellow artist, Beatrice Woonders, and produced striking pieces using felt and fur with stones and silver. These were presented as massive brooches, modern takes on Victorian muffs and face framing scarves in colors like azure and whites.

For Eina, “jewelery,an autonomous object of art, when worn by a person, enters a new domain of relationship and definition” which is an apt description for her stunning works of art.

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Kara Ross Holiday and Spring 2011

When you think you can't improve upon something like a simple clutch, where do you go from there?  Designer Kara Ross always manages to surprise me with new treatments of leathers.  For this season, her team showed me some highly dimensional python purses.  The scales had been dyed in an innovative two-tone technique, making it look like it glowed.  A similar technique had been employed with a foil metallic, looking like a platinum serpent had sacrificed itself for a fabulous bag.

This chic bag had a soft leather texture, but the animal was unrecognizable...Turns out it was made of a sueded cork (eco-friendly!) with jet metallic accents.  The price point was accessible and offered a great option for those who did not with to buy skin.

Of course, Kara Ross' roots are in jewelry design.  The stone accents are a signature touch on the bags and belts.  She brings her unique touch with leather back to her jewelry in several interesting collections.

Kara took inspiration from a vintage Navajo piece she found and translated the feather motif into an abstract modern pattern.  She embedded snake skin into the metal as a luxe twist on enamel.

Another new technique for jewelry, was this collection of leather, resin and glitter.  The collection had an icy, organic look.  The sparkles gave the pieces the look of 'jewels', the resin had a vintage quality.

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