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2009 Beads Jewelry Fashion Trends Forecast

Foreword: In 2009 you’ll see more bright and natural colors in fashionable beads jewelry…

Spring of 2009 is right around the corner and there’s no better time to plan for the upcoming bead jewelry trends than right now, before the 2009 spring and summer seasons really begin! Predicting future fashion and jewelry trends is always a little bit of a game, but I’ve been reading a lot of fashion magazines, listening to my customers that visit my bead jewelry display table and generally talking to people about what they are looking for. There are some definite trends for 2009 and here are some of the things I’m hearing:

Colorful and Natural

I have seen some emphasis on "nature" influences which sometimes shows itself in the materials such as wood or stone beads use in jewelry, but I’ve also seen a lot more "flower" and "leaf" shaped beads and pendants on the scene. Any sort of botanical or organic looking jewelry pieces or beads are still popular from what I’ve seen. I don’t make much, but I’ve actually had people asked me if I have anything that has "natural warmth".

Big and Beautiful

It sounds like the days of dainty shiny pieces of metal jewelry are gone for the moment and the big and colorful gemstone jewelry and beads are still pretty hot right now. People are still asking for more “chunky” jewelry, sometimes with larger stones and crystals that catch the eye, sometimes with asymmetrical patterns or at least oddly cut beads and gemstones.

Cocktail Rings

If you're shopping, wearing or making rings, consider “rings with bling!” Cocktail rings are generally over-the-top diamond or gemstone rings that are overly colorful, shiny and, yes, sometimes a bit gaudy. But that’s part of the fun! These go along with the bright and bold bead jewelry you might be wearing and could even match or compliment it with similar gemstones or beads. You can make cocktail rings with gemstone beads, crystal beads or just about any other shiny materials.

Charms and Pendants

Again, going with the bold and bright bead jewelry, what stands out more than a beautiful chain that meets with a large bold diamond or gemstone charm or pendant on the end?

Modern Metals

Yes, natural and chunky are in, but there is still room for metals in beaded jewelry, especially when it is sleek and modern looking or even mixed with natural materials like wood and stone beads. There are always people who like the more “modern” beads and jewelry as opposed to the more traditional bead jewelry designs. You can buy modern beads for jewelry making or you can go for a more unique look and actually make

beads jewelry out of hardware washers!

Silver and Gold

Silver has been popular for the last few years and that will probably continue, but you’ll also see more gold and even two-tone chains and metals being used in both beads and jewelry pieces. Some of those silver and gold Trollbeads are excellent examples of mixed metals being used as a charm or pendant in bead jewelry pieces.

Faux Foreign Influence

I’m still seeing a lot of Asian and Moroccan influences in fashion, home furnishings and even jewelry. The influences don’t have to be completely genuine or "realistic" but that sense of something coming from a foreign country and past time are still popular. Even the big chain stores are catching this vibe and a lot of their house wares and jewelry give off that "Pier One" vaguely Indian or Eastern Orient vibe. When you’re creating bead jewelry necklaces or bracelets you could think about using dark wooden beads (natural) and mixing it with large metal Oriental looking coins and rings with a hole through the center to bring in the foreign feel!

Colorful

You'll want to think about bright and bold, but remember that natural element! Neons and wild synthetic colors are not popular, but bright natural colors definitely are in, both in clothing and jewelry fashion. Once again, I have to turn to the color experts at Pantone who have picked out the trendy colors for 2009. Don’t forget to look at the 28 page Adobe Acrobat guide there! It’s fun and inspirational! I’m thinking about printing a few of the pages out and hanging them around my beading area for inspiration when I’m creating my jewelry.

Last, if you have seen any other bead jewelry trends for 2009 that I missed, pls don’t hesitate to let me know...

About the Author

I'd like to introduce and display an excellent selection of China fine art products and gifts - www.123giftfactory.com to you, also give you great suggestions about gift ideas and the latest fashion art trends in China.

Help! I am transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, and the hair around my nape and front hairline is rough?

Hello! I am an african american women, and I am currently transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. I am about 4 months into my transition, and I am curious to know if the transition gets any better. It is pretty tough right now simply because my hair around the nape area is dry and rough, and is just plain ugly! The hair around my front hairline is curly and frizzy, and will not lay down. It literally resists anything I put on it, even water. The water just sits there and beads up. The inside of my hair is starting to curl up and I even see tight spiral curls. I guess what I am trying to ask is when will my hair texture emerge, or has it already? Will the hair around my nape and hairline in the front soften and silken out any? I have had a relaxer for 15 years. I have heard of the term "scab hair" but there is no real evidence that backs up the phenomenon. Any helpful advice would be appreciated. Also, if you don't have anything nice to say, please don't comment. Thanks!

Yes, it sounds like scab hair. I was relaxed for for about 13 years and had a lot of it. I haven't had a relaxer for about a year and a half and I still have scab hair on my head. It's changing over at a very slow pace, and the hair that has changed over is smoother and silkier and the curls and coils are looser. Even the hair that went from scab hair to smoother and looser is still changing because they're getting even looser and easier to untangle. My evidence that scab hair exists is my own hair, and others like it, and whether it's called scab hair or by another name is still the same thing.

Everyone doesn't get it, but the longer you've been relaxed then the more likely you are to have it. Some people's hair change over relatively fast, like a few months or so, and then there's hair like mine that's taking forever to change over. I can see patterns in how my hair changes, like it might start at my nap area and slowly progress upward changing. And, it might start int he middle of my hair and slowly change moving toward my front hairline. My front hairline and the sides of my hair are still scab hair. I made the mistake of using shampoo a few days ago because I was too lazy to use my expensive cleansing conditioner (Wen) and the shampoo made my scab hair much worse, whereas using Wen has kept is manageable and in nice coils.

You just have to be patient and wait because there's nothing you can do to speed it up. Believe me, there were frustrating times when I was dealing with my scab hair because it is harder to manage and requires much more moisture than the rest of my hair, plus it looks awful. The rest of my hair would be curly but the scab hair would look a hot mess. Give your scab hair a lot more moisture, when I began doing this I noticed that it started forming cute tight coils that it otherwise wouldn't form. Also, Wen softens and makes all my hair (scab hair included) form perfect coils and curls and makes it nicely dense. After the problem I've had with cheap hair products I'm going to have to start splurging on expensive ones, when I can afford it. Aveda is on my list.