Unique Bridesmaid Jewelry

Even though most brides have stopped forcing their attendants into hideous gowns that, honestly, nobody ever “could wear again”, being a bridesmaid is not an easy job. After months of planning, shopping and providing a shoulder to cry on, they deserve something special.

Sure, you can go out and buy jewelry for your bridesmaids – there is absolutely nothing wrong with that – but if you have the time, making something yourself really adds a special touch. And if you’ve never put together necklaces or bracelets before, don’t worry – it’s really easy, and there are shops and classes all over the country where you can learn.

If you decide to order your supplies online, or from a catalog, it’s a good idea to order one strand or piece of the items you are considering using before placing your entire order. There are many, many sites that sell beads and findings and quality can vary quite a bit. I have ordered stones that looked fabulous online, only to receive pieces of such inferior quality that I wouldn’t use them for anything.

One of my favorite suppliers is Jess Imports, an online store with stunning clasps and pendants. Some of their pieces are a bit pricey, but worth every penny (and don’t forget to check out their bargain bin – you can find great deals there). Another is Beads and Pieces, especially for wood, horn, brass and shell pieces. Beadworks is another dependable seller, and they also have stores all over the US.

Make sure you check the measurements of each piece as well before ordering – take out a ruler and draw a rough image of the items on a piece of paper in the dimensions specified. Sometimes, a pendant can look just right on screen, but when you get it, it’s humongous.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your bridesmaids don’t all have to get identical gifts. One cute way to personalize the jewelry is to include each bridesmaid’s birthstone, favorite gemstone, or perhaps a photo of you and her from a memorable occasion in a locket. And think outside the box: pearls are traditional of course, but out of all my jewelry, what I find myself going back to again and again are simple 20”, brown leather cord necklaces with cute pendants. They look great with jeans and are super easy to make. Since the cord and clasp are inexpensive, you can splurge on a pendant of precious stones. And if leather isn’t your bridesmaid’s style, she can just put the pendant on a different chain.

To add a personal touch to the packaging, get high-quality, but inexpensive, gift boxes at places like Paper Source or the Container Store and paint, draw or use rubber stamps to jazz them up and make them unique. One thing I like to do is to get tiny metal frames – the kind they sell for scrap booking – and put on the lid with a photo underneath.

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