Spring 2014 jewellery trends you can make yourself

The beginning of Spring is almost upon us and to cheer us up after all the rain it is time to look some of the jewellery and trends we expect to see as the skies clear.

And as well as the promise of better weather, there is plenty of good news about spring jewellery. Plenty of the key looks can be made at your kitchen table or home work bench.

Firstly colour. Pantone has revealed its colour of 2014 – Radiant Orchid – a purple so close to the London Jewellery School branding that we’re sure to bang on trend all year. It is also a colour that will go well with the pastel shades that will appear as the weather warms and the jewel bright highlights predicted in the fashion pages.

Pantone’s choice of colour of the year is proving popular at London Jewellery School

And unlike tangerine and the other strong citrus colours of the past couple of years, it is easy to find stones and beads in mid-purple or toning colours.

So now we have some beads and colours in mind, let’s take a look at a few of the big trends that might inspire your making.

1. Say it with jewellery

Slogan jewellery is set to be a big hit this year and is one on the most versatile trends around.

Word charm jewellery by Tickette

You could spell out your message with letter charms on a beaded necklace or bracelet; spell it out with a piece of wire or in Perspex; or write a longer message with a calligraphy pen and embed it in resin.

You just need to think what you want to say.

2. Make a statement with a pendant or brooch

When it comes to focal point jewellery, it is the season to go big, bold and bright. Perspex and glass are ideal materials here, but you could also think about using copper clay or creating something in silver through fold forming techniques.

And soutache offers the opportunity to create large but relatively lightweight colourful centrepieces.

3. Fringe it

Let it dangle. Create fringes using leather, fabric or cord to add volume and movement to necklace.

Gypset Golden Leather Fringe and Chain Collar Necklace by Maslinda

You could also create tassles of chain or beads on tiger tail.

4. Skinny and stacking

These stacking bangles from Wrap combine seasonal trends by featuring words and messages

One bangle is not enough this year. Go with a dozen skinny ones instead – with beads or charms attached. These are great projects for the silver jewellers amongst you.

5. Get friendly

The cord or leather friendship bracelet is back and going upmarket with some catwalk examples featuring diamonds. Use silk or good quality leather cords with silver centre pieces, bejewelled charms or gemstone beads.

Layer up your friendship bracelets as Sarah Burnett Moore has here

Handily enough, there is a free tutorial for these bracelets on the blog.

6. Beads galore

As with bangles, more is definitely more this year when it comes to beaded necklaces. Expect to see people wearing more than one string of beads or pearls or multiple stranded necklaces of contrasting colours or bead styles.

Look out for a new distance learning course on bold beaded necklaces in the next few days.

Look out for a new beaded necklace distance learning pack coming very soon

And whatever style you go for this Spring, enjoy your making.