Hudson Valley Weddings | Westchester Bridal Reviews | New York

This weekend I was blessed with with a wonderful visit from the Divine Bride-To-Be! She has taken care of one of the most important aspects of the wedding, finding the dress of course, and now we have begun to discuss the dresses for the bridesmaids. Luckily, the Mother of the Bride has some serious sewing skills, so it looks like all of our dresses will be custom-made!

Considering that that Bride's engagement ring is a completely custom design and that the dresses will be handmade, it seems fitting that the bridesmaid jewelry should be DIY as well. Right?

Now, I just have to insert a bit of commentary in here: I recently put down a copy of Elle Magazine in disgust because the fashion editors commanded their readers to put away all of their beaded jewelry because *gasp* it looked handmade!! I didn't know that was a dirty word....

The fact is that handmade jewelry can look incredible and chic, no matter what the trends of the season may be. Beading is a great place to start for beginners, and more advanced DIY divas can get into things like wire-wrapped jewelry and hammered wire designs. The possibilities are pretty endless. This fall I played with some niobium wire and let it oxidize using a series of 9v batteries, which created amazing colors. So, dare I say it? Don't listen to Elle!

Maybe you and your bridesmaids aren't ready to bust out 12 9volt batteries to create crazy colors for your wedding jewelry. If you are, more power to you! Drop me a line and I will send you instructions. However if you just want to take baby steps, I suggest stocking up on some beads (yes, I said it: beads!) earring wire and earring back, and grabbing a pair or two of needle nose pliers. The possibilities are pretty endless and can compliment any theme or combination of colors. Plus, what fun to have a jewelry making party together with your closest BFFs.

Here is a great tutorial to get you started on the most basic of earring projects: How to Make Simple Drop Earrings

More advanced? Check out: DIY Bridesmaid Jewelry

The Stats:

Cost – If you have a collection of beads at the ready, then the wire and earring backs are generally about $5 per package of 20+. The cost of beads can range, especially when you are purchasing statement beads. Shop around. Hit up flea markets and antique stores for old costume jewelry that you can re-purpose!

Difficulty – Drop earrings are super simple. Creating hammered pieces and wire wrapped designs takes practice and a deft hand. I'm definitely not there yet and am in awe of the ladies who have mastered those intricate pieces!

Time – Designing your earrings will be the most time consuming part of the project. Drop earrings take under five minutes to actually construct, but coming up with the placement of the beads will take a bit longer. More complex projects could take up the bulk of an afternoon!

Fiance Friendliness – Unless your fiance is a jewelry designer or a blacksmith by hobby or by trade, he may not have any interest in this one.

Jen Kiaba is a photographer and burgeoning crafter who lives in Rhinebeck, NY with her lovely boyfriend, two crazy cats and an adorable basset hound. When her hands aren't covered in tacky glue, she specializes in taking romantic portraits of happy couples in the Hudson Valley!