Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: How It's Made: Our Beaded Necklaces

How It's Made: Our Beaded Necklaces
accessories

How It's Made: Our Beaded Necklaces

I have been making variations of these wooden beaded necklaces for about 10 years now, from smaller beaded versions with colorful tassels to my current offerings you see me wear daily.  They seem to appeal to young and old and can make a simple tee shirt and jeans look like a complete outfit.
Several years ago, India Hicks was here in Atlanta promoting her book, Island Style.  I went to her book signing at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center and as she signed my book she complimented me on my necklace.  I had a hunch that she would like it so the next day, while promoting her lifestyle brand at at another venue, I took her one of the necklaces as a gift.  She wore it that day and to several events afterwards.  The necklace received a lot of attention on Instagram and I began receiving a lot of orders including from different boutiques throughout the southeast.  I soon named it the India Necklace.

India_Beaded_necklace_handmade_made-by-women_tassel

India-Beaded-Necklace_handmade_tassel_made-by-women

On my last trip to San Miguel, I fell in love with the aesthetic that was consistent throughout the town.  Natural fibers and colors, very different compared to the traditional colorful textiles one expects from Mexico.

I saw a lot of different macrame fibers incorporated into chandeliers, bedding and other interior applications and decided to make some of these tassels for my India Necklace.

India-beaded-necklace_handmade_mop-tassel_made-by-women  

India Mop Tassel Necklace 

Multi-Strand-Beaded-Necklace_handmade

 Miranda Five Strand Necklace

I have always loved chunkier statement pieces for my personal jewelry so I began adding different sizes of beads and adding more strands to my creations.
 

Beaded-Necklace_handmade_multi-strand

Victoria Three Strand Necklace

hand-knotted_beaded_necklace_handmade_adjustable

Adjustable Wooden Beaded Necklace

Hand-knotting tends to add some dimension and makes some jewelry more interesting so I tend to incorporate that into my designs.

beaded_necklace_handmade_vintage-beads_brass_multi-strand

Casbah Necklace

I am influenced by African tribal jewelry so I usually incorporate some vintage beads into my pieces like these vintage African brass beads pictures above.

beaded_necklace_multi-strand_handmade_wooden

Brown Beaded Necklace

About once a month I will retreat to my office and spend a day stringing beads.  I have been designing jewelry all of my life and I love creating with my hands and the feel and movement of working with these beads is a very relaxing process for me. I love to see how my customers wear their necklaces so tag me when you wear one!

 

Read more

Who invented the kaftan?
cotton

Who invented the kaftan?

Hudson Kaftan The Kaftan can be described as any loose fitting robe, tunic or dress and is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia. It was considered a sign of status and wealth and was made fr...

Read more
The History of the Cuff

The History of the Cuff

A cuff bracelet has always been a part of my personal style.  I have been collecting them for years, therefore, I knew I wanted to incorporate them into KMM Collective's style. Hammered Brass Cuff...

Read more