Hand Made Designer Jewellery

I was amazed on my recent shopping trip to Windsor at the amount of floorspace dedicated to jewellery displays. In one store it was quite overwhelming since there were racks and racks of free standing display units draped with all the colours, shapes and styles under the sun to suit all wardrobes and personalities.

The display moved onto hand bags, scarves and other accessories, everything you need to dress up that new suit or evening dress. A woman’s paradise really since lets face it, where there is jewellery, there are normally females drawn like bees to a honey pot! I could not help feeling like a child in a sweetshop wanting to look at everything drawn by the opulent colours dripping from the stands. I do not remember this much jewellery being available and it made quite an impression on me. It was like walking into Aladdin’s cave.

There are two things that really struck a chord with me. Although this high street jewellery is affordable, it is mass produced and supplied nationally so there are high chances that when you go to the company party someone somewhere shall be wearing an identical necklace or bracelet.

So my first issue is the originality of mass produced jewellery. My second train of thought is about the people who have made this jewellery. Is it cheap because it is mass produced in sweatshops with poor working conditions? We do not know and many of us do not have the time to stop and think. We just need to buy that necklace for that dress for that function. We are consumed by the pressures to look good imposed on us by the materialisms of the western world.

So my view is that to ensure originality, I now see the logic behind buying hand made jewellery. There are lots of really affordable jewellery out there that have been hand crafted in the UK by people with a natural flair for jewellery design. OK, some are expensive, the top end designer jewellery but there are still really appealing jewellery in the mid price range.

Having recently gone to Stonor Park craft fair, there must have been around 15 stands selling hand made jewellery. No two designers were the same, there were elegant silver designs, chunky glass designs, wooden beads and dichoric glass earrings and pendants to name but a few. At least with hand made jewellery, every piece is truly unique since it has been made lovingly by the person who crafted it. It gives great peace of mind that the item is original and will be admired for its workmanship quite evident in all hand made jewellery.

As far as cheap labour goes, the only way to guarantee jewellery has not been produced in a sweat shop is to explore the world of fair trade jewellery. When an item is ‘fair trade’ it means that the product, whether it is a pottery bowl, a basket or a silver necklace, has been exchanged for a fair wage.

It means it has been hand produced by highly skilled people who are using traditional methods passed down through generations. So actually, we do have a choice on what and where we buy our jewellery. Hand made fair trade jewellery is easily accessible from various boutiques and online shops and is also modestly priced, elegant and stylish. At least when buying this, we know it is what it says on the label, fair trade.

Express Your Individualism with Contemporary Jewellery

In our age of mass media, mass consumption and mass consciousness being different is not an easy task. Contemporary jewellery has been for a while predominately minimalist, using smooth, curved lines to create a polished look that embodies the form of industrial mass consumerism. But this is changing; when this year is remembered it will be for change, development and progression. Not many months have passed and yet many events have taken place that have changed the course of history, stimulating global awareness in a way that is itself a cause for hope. Jewellery trends for 2009 are riding the wave of this change, fashion has always demonstrated dominant ideology and this year is no different, except that the ideology has changed. We are arriving at a mind set that has natural beauty and self worth at its heart; this is the phoenix that has arisen from the flames of global discord.

Catwalk Styles

Look no further than the catwalk and you can see the importance that is being given to symbolic adornments that glamorise and accentuate the strength and uniqueness of us as individuals. The bottom line in these uncertain times is that we must empower ourselves. Statement necklaces, long earrings and multiple bangles can be used to achieve this; they get us noticed as creative individuals and dramatically show that we have something to say. Not many of us can afford or would wish to wear the spectacular but impractical styles flaunted on the catwalk in our everyday lives. But we can bring the vibe of haute couture and the realism that characterises 2009 to our wardrobes with key statement pieces, so that we can visually demonstrate that we are moving with the times, that we are the embodiment of contemporary thinking.

Black Jewellery

There are a number of trends that are emerging; the first involves black and silver jewellery. This trend is a good one to develop because black jewellery can be worn on all occasions, you can dress it up or dress it down. Buying striking black jewellery allows you to draw together many different outfits and you can keep the key vibe, big impressions, without making a huge impression on your wallet. An extra bonus is that black jewellery is not going to go out of fashion, invest in a quality piece and you will be wearing it for many years to come.

Quality Over Quantity

Quality is another thing to come back into mainstream fashion, the throw away culture of the 90’s is being outmoded by products that last far longer than a season. It is no longer stylish to have many disposable pieces of jewellery, the focus on being green has now extended to our jewellery boxes. Mother nature is once again being recognised as the greatest designer of all. Natural, floral and leaf form jewellery are now considered highly desirable as they are a symbolic indication that you are ethically inspired. Similarly the focus is on natural stones such as onyx, agate and mother of pearl. All of which are relatively inexpensive, but tick the contemporary ethical and natural boxes.

So get ready for a new beginning, individualism is back. Express yours!