I love beading.  I love the versatility and the way no two pieces will ever be alike.  This is especially true when you use natural beads in your work.  I think what appeals to most people about natural beads is their unique character.  From wood and bone to semi-precious and precious gemstones, natural beads are where the real beauty is at.

You can turn an ordinary bracelet into something exotic by incorporating wood, paper, bone, horn or other natural beads into the design.  These natural components go excellently with other beads such as glass, crystal or gemstone.  Take Swarovski crystals, for example.  Their perfect symmetry makes a stunning contrast to a natural wood bead, combining classic elegance with far away exotic destinations.

Combining two types of natural gemstones is another great way to make a beautiful impact.  One of my recent favorites was a freshwater pearl and red garnet combination.  It sold immediately, so it must have looked good to other people too!  Working with unusually shaped stones really adds an exotic element to jewelry designs, and in the case of my pearl and garnet bracelet, the rough garnet nuggets really stood out among the elegant pearls.

The most important part of designing with natural beads is to go with your instincts.  Have fun and don’t be afraid to experiment.  The worst that will happen is that you end up with a design that doesn’t sell.  If it doesn’t sell after a while, shrug it off, take the piece apart and reuse the beads in another project.  Or better still, keep that piece for yourself and wear it with pride!