Styles are changing and jewellery makers are mixing it up

I hope you’ve had a wonderful Jubilee weekend? Mine was interesting! I attended what was meant to be a three day event selling both my jewellery and my photography…by Sunday the gale-force winds had made the marquee shrivel into a crumpled pile in the corner of the show area, and rain threatened to ruin all the stock! I, along with other traders decided to call it a day by Sunday afternoon for fear of being blown into the sea!

Today I’ve stayed at home suffering a little from too much sun (living on this Island, we have the weirdest weather, gales and storms mixed with blazing sunshine!) and whilst applying copious amounts of after-sun, I’ve been scrolling through the internet for jewellery inspiration.

When I started making jewellery, it was just as the vintage boom began, where lots and lots of brass was all over the internet and in beading stores. I really fell for this style; The Tudors were on the telly – and I was hooked, not only because anything Tudor tends to float my boat, but just to see the jewellery the various actors were wearing!

I found that, subconsciously, these influences were spilling into my  jewellery making and I was leaning more towards the regal colours of deep sapphire blues, ruby reds and emerald greens, with ornate bead caps and chunky brass findings (instead of the Tudor solid gold of course!)

Brass remained the jewellery market’s favourite for quite some time – and to an extent, still does, but I find styles are changing and makers are mixing it up a bit using all sorts of metal finishes in one piece…and although I would have totally balked at the thought of it back then – right now I’m loving it! A new fresh slant, with brass mixed with copper and silver tones.

This morning I thought I’d try it for myself on a simple pair of earrings…mixing silver and copper tones with brass and sea green beads. It might take a while to get ‘my’ style right, but I think it could work!

What do you think? Are you a traditionalist, or do you like to mix it up a bit? Would be great to see your take on this style.

 Visit Cora’s website: www.coralee.org.uk