How to Choose Beads to Make Jewelry for Formal Events

Buying beads is easy, right? You just walk into a store and choose beads to make jewelry for formal events or casual events or whatever else. Unfortunately, it's not so easy. Choosing beads, especially to make jewelry for formal events, can be a challenge. You have to make the beads appropriate for a formal setting, as well as make sure that the beaded jewelry matches your personality. It's not as easy as it seems.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Before buying beads to make jewelry for formal events, plan out what kind of jewelry you want to make. Do you want to make a beaded necklace, or maybe a bracelet? Possibly earrings? Plan out what you want to make before you even go to the bead store.

2. Get inspired. Look at the clothing that you will be wearing your beaded jewelry with. Since you'll be wearing the beaded jewelry to formal events, think about what kinds of beads will compliment the dress and keep it looking formal, but add a personal touch as well. Try not to get any specific ideas in mind as of yet, because you'll want to keep your options open and be inspired as you shop for beads.

3. Think about color. What color of beads are appropriate for a formal event? What color beads match your outfit? A necklace may be gorgeous on your jewelry rack, but if it's not right for your outfit or event, it's not worth wearing.

4. Consider bead size. Large, clunky beaded jewelry may not be appropriate for an elaborate dress. Smaller beads may be better for this. On the other hand, a plain black dress leaves more room for bead size creativity. You can make the beaded jewelry more of a focal point of your outfit.

5. Think about the length that you want your necklace to be. Some beads may look nice and appropriate for formal events in small amounts, but they may look silly on a longer necklace. Consider the cut of your outfit. You'll want a beaded necklace to either be longer than the neckline of your dress, or shorter. You don't want the necklace to be hidden by ending at the same point as the cut of your dress.
   
   For bracelets, consider the sleeve length of an outfit. A simpler bracelet may be good for a top with longer sleeves, whereas a short sleeve or sleveless outfit will leave you more possibilities for creativity.

6. Go to a specialty bead store (or any store that sells good beads and pendants) and buy important beads for your beaded jewelry. The important beads are the center bead or pendant and any major accent beads. You'll want these to be the focal point of your beaded jewelry.

7. Save money on your more subtle beads by buying them at a craft store. Seed beads are tiny and are often used as fillers, so why splurge on these when they'll hardly be noticed? Save money on the basics, but splurge on the good beads.

8. Create your beaded jewelry. If it doesn't look right for a formal event, you may have to stop and create a new piece of beaded jewelry. Beading takes trial and error, and it's better to try a few times than wear jewelry that you are not happy with.

[goldiec]

on 10/15/2009 Thanks for the great tips on How to Choose Beads to Make Jewelry for Formal Events! 5*

[NightScribe]

on 2/8/2009 Good advice. You can go into overwhelm when walking into a bead store if you don't have a plan.

[veryirie]

on 2/8/2009 Wonderful suggestions to make beaded jewelry to wear with formal attire. Excellent tip about using less expensive beads for filler. Thanks for sharing!