Designing Beaded Jewelry for Friends and Relatives

The most meaningful gifts that I have received in my life are those that my close friends and relatives have made for me. There is something very special about opening a present and knowing that not only did that person spend their time searching for just the right things to go into it but they also crafted it with their very own hands! Its something like the difference between a home cooked meal and a restaurant one: subtle but undeniable.

One of the important things to keep in mind when you are designing jewelry for someone is their personal taste. I know it may sound obvious but how many times have you received a gift and thought, Well, its nice enough but isnt this more like something they would wear, eat, listen to, watch, etc, Its very easy to get carried away when you are designing something and think, Oh, these delicate diamond beads look gorgeous with these elegant sapphire briolettes! I ll use them together. However, when you are designing for someone who would prefer chunky amethyst nuggets beads and huge keishi pearls even though the piece you design with the diamond beads and sapphire briolettes might be stunning they might not appreciate it quite as...