Sugar Rush: Sweet Jewelry Treats
Remember how it was as a kid? The rush of excitement as you devoured cupcakes, ice cream and candies, relishing every bite as if it were the last goodie on Earth? We may be adults now, more aware of our limits (mostly), but let's face it: when it comes to beads, we're all still that kid in a candy store. More is definitely better in our jewelry-making wonderland, and thankfully, unlike those tempting treats, bead purchases don't add inches to our waistlines!
Take inspiration from your favorite desserts and candies to create delectable jewelry reminiscent of your beloved childhood treats that's as enjoyable to make as it is to wear. Let your sweet tooth be your guide to crafting your own flavor of sweets décor jewelry. Key inspirations to create your sugar-filled creations include (but aren't limited to):
- Donuts
- Cookies and pastries
- Layered cakes and cupcakes
- Ice cream cones and sundaes
- Jellybeans
- Lollipops and popsicles
- Frosting and whipped cream
- Tarts and pies
- Hard candy—fruity, mints, butterscotch, cinnamon, etc.
- Strawberry shortcake
- S'mores
- Toaster tarts
- Chocolate of all sorts
Let's explore some more (s'more?) zero-calorie, sweet, beady jewelry ideas …
Indulge your artistic taste buds by designing miniature, kawaii-inspired ice creams and cupcakes using colorful beads, bead caps and cones. Acrylic flowers can stand in for classic ice cream shop bowls. Antique bronze- and copper-finished bead caps cleverly replicate the look of hot fudge, white flower bead caps can mimic the fluffiness of whipped cream, and you can't go wrong with bright red beads to simulate the classic cherry on top.
The sweets décor jewelry style that blossomed on the streets of Japan now holds a special place in the hearts of dessert and jewelry enthusiasts worldwide. It's a universe bursting with adorable miniatures of cakes, candies and novelty foods, all awaiting your artistic touch to bring them to life. Whether using polymer clay, Vitrium® resin clay, sugary sweet-colored beads or pourable liquid resins and molds, you can cook up a pâtisserie of delicious designs.
Why not make pastry-inspired accessories for your hair or adorable charms for your jewelry, purse or zipper pulls? Take a page out of Japan's book from Q-Pot, a leading designer in this style, and dabble in creating lollipop pendants, chocolate candy bar necklaces and more.
Create delectable goodie charms and cabochons using pastel and chocolate-colored clays and layers of delightful colors. Let movies like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory or Chocolat inspire you.
But inspiration doesn’t just come from the literal form of these foods; it can also come from the colors and textures. The look and feel of candies are easy to achieve with beads. Sweeten up your wardrobe with a sprinkle of sugary beads and glittering Crystal Passions®. Make a candy-necklace-inspired design with wood rondelles in multiple colors or matte porcelain beads to mimic the color and texture of the ever-popular Smarties® and SweeTarts®.
Design your sweets décor jewelry with black cherry cultured freshwater pearls and candy-colored gemstone beads.
Create jewelry reminiscent of favorite sweets using acrylic and Czech glass beads. If you want something more refined, take a cue from fashion brands like Kate Spade and Oscar de la Renta and choose bold faceted gems in rich translucent hues or sprinkle in a little Crystal Passions® for good measure to recreate the jewel-like tones of traditional hard candies.
Let these treats inspire you to create unique and playful jewelry reflecting the mouthwatering allure of a parade of confections.
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