Blithe Jewellery Designs
Beads are fascinating. They can help to create wonderful wearable collectable art. Beads come in a large variety of shapes and colors from many different parts of the world. Some examples of glass beads are Czech Republic faceted beads, American furnace beads and Venetian millefiore beads. And of course, Austrian crystal glass beads and pearls made by the famous Swarovski company. Ceramic beads come from places like Peru, India and Greece. They come in different shapes and have delicate painted designs. Semi-precious beads have been worn for their beauty and used for trading throughout our history. Turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite, and many more. Organic beads made from pearls, wood, shell, bone, nuts and seeds are the oldest beads around. Beaded jewellery is one of the oldest forms of wearable art.
Since the beginning of mankind, our basic human instincts have prompted us to decorate the human body. Primitive man adorned himself with bones, teeth and feathers. The earliest known jewellery of beads made from teeth and bones was discovered at La Quina in France. In the Middle Ages brooches were worn depecting pilgrimages with the faces of saints or a holy shrine. In the 11th century Venice was the centre for the making of glass and jewellery and the elegant Venetian designs influenced the other parts of Europe. European jewellery made from precious and semi-precious materials was worn by Royal families and their courtiers. The 17th century saw a transition from excessive jewellery wearing to a more subtle sophisticated taste. The 18th century brought in an era of glittering costume jewellery which is still present today. In the 20th century the fashion designer was born. These designers often used non-precious materials to create works of art that were inspired not by fashion trends but by personal artistic ability. In this category of artistic jewellers is the famous Coco Chanel who in the 1920s and 1930s encouraged women to wear costume jewellery with confidence and pride. By the 1950s Christian Dior dominated the fashion jewellery scene with his radical use of coloured glass. By the 1960s Paco Rabanne brought in a new look with big brightly coloured geometirc shapes. During the 1970s fashion and fashion jewellery became nostalgic with an interest in things ethnic and remains so to today.
About Our Jewellery Designs
Beading is an art form. At Blithe Designs the design of the piece is of far greater value than the cost of the materials although care is taken to ensure that the beading materials used are of high quality and will bring the wearer years of enjoyment. A beautifully made piece brings achievement and satisfaction and invites reactive comments and appreciation. Blithe’s collection of carefree and relaxed unique handmade jewellery is inspired by the colours of the ocean, scenes in nature, all things Victorian and the moods of people around. The use of Swarovski crystals which are used abundantly throughout the collection create a dazzle somewhat reminiscent of a starry night on the open sea and gives the collection a distinctive style.
The design, colour and pattern of each individually designed one of a kind piece in the collection is carefully thought out. Blithe’s unique handmade jewellery of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and jewellery sets made from gemstones such as aquamarine, amazonite, citrine, jasper, blue calcite, jade, lapis lazuli, Swarovski crystals and pearls, Venetian glass, and more can be worn with a relaxed elegance from day to night.
We hope you enjoy shopping the collection of unique wearable art and that you will treasure your selection for many years.
