I've been watching television, award shows, and, of course movies....all these often spotlight upcoming trends in jewelry designs. Watch what runway models are wearing  and check out couture designs.  BUT, besides that, I also follow quite a few jewelry design magazines and how-to websites, blogs and tutorial sites.  Sometimes these are even better predictors and what you will see in the upcoming season, since these are what "everyday" people are making, showing and selling!  So, read on and see what I've noticed.  Maybe you willl get creative ideas for your own designs, or a list of what to buy for this year.

With the economy still unpredictable and shaky, I have watched wire and metal designs include more brass, copper, and bronze. Things that before would have been purely in silver or gold, now may have a combination of metals, just a high-light in silver or gold, and have other metal incorporated into the entire piece.  Or perhaps the background will be a piece of copper, with the more precious metals used sparingly.

Perhaps there are really 2 forces at work.  First, many designers are trying to keep the cost of their pieces lower for customers, or at least offering them in more than 1 metal, with pricing options.  Also, obviously, many designers have moved to some of these other metals to reduce their own costs, as buying rounds of wire or pieces of metal sheet have risen.  But I also think there may be 1 more reason this is changing.  As many of us become more conscious of our world and the environment, I think we view copper, bronze and brass as more “earthy.”  They definitely are colors that move into the warm side of the spectrum, and seem to lend themselves well to many eco-friendly designs.  Bronze is often reminiscent of ancient jewelry, as noted in pictures of Egyptian jewelry.  Copper, too, is well known for it’s use with various ancient cultures.  Copper, brass and bronze can also be aged and take patinas very well, so their colors can actually be altered in many ways.  This allows a designer more options in how a final piece might appear.  As many of us try to connect with the rich history of the world, these metals have had a resurgence in popularity.

Yes, back in the 60’s, the peace sign and the ankh were very prominent, highly recognizable statements, of the values of the person wearing them.  Today, I am seeing the peace sign appear again, but also many many more ideals have also been translated into jewelry.  Think about all the ribbon designs, for cancer survivors, AIDS, statements against child abuse, and many more.  There is the puzzle symbol that is often connected to autism services and recognition.  There are many variations on the family, or the mother and child, in various poses and designs.  Native American dream-catchers, Buddhas, both Japanese and Chinese symbols for friendship, serenity and peace are all prevalent. 

There are also more subtle symbols appearing in jewelry designs.  I love seeing all the charms and pendants where people are incorporating photos or images of things that are important to them.  Many designers are working with ways to incorporate found objects into designs.  And the entire altered art trend has become a substantial jewelry niche design area.  Many designers take on challenges composed of how to work what would typically be considered a “non-jewelry”  item into a wearable work of art.  I’ve also enjoyed looking at special themed charm bracelets, where each one represents something significant in the wearer’s life.

There are so many ways to have jewelry pieces that reflect your values or special interests.  Wearing natural shells, beads, wood and bone can all make value statements, if you wish.  You may have inherited your grandfather’s pocket watch, which has long since quite running, and use components to make a gorgeous pendant.  And the outside shell can be a fantastic, one of a kind locket, decorated with crystals. These vintage re-newals can make precious statements about your history or your principles.

Following the altered art movement, I think we are also seeing a resurgence of jewelry making in areas that once would have been considered “child’s play” but are now moving into wonderful, creative designs.  For instance, I once worked with a basket-weaving group (come on, Baskett IS my last name!).  There, the use of nails and glue was forbidden, unless a piece was damaged and a stave needed to be glued to repair it. So, too, glue in jewelry making was considered a non-artistic way of creating a piece.  Using molds to create jewelry was also considered a craft, and not an artistic design; but now, resin jewelry is very popular, as we see designers raising the bar in this area.  Rubber stamps have been used in many ways in jewelry designs, as scrapbookers broadened their horizons and combined different areas of creativity into 1 piece. 

The area of cold connections has also expanded, as people want to combine metals, or metals with gemstones, but don’t want to work with hot solder.  Rivets are much easier and wire wrapping or wire prongs can be made by hand, without any special equipment. I have also started to see more fiber jewelry in designs this year, as designers wove a strip of cloth between large chain links so the necklace matched the outfit.

Not surprising, I suppose, is an increase in the number of more common gemstones.  Yes, I do love larger pieces and pendants, especially, but I wondered if the economy would lead jewelry to a more minimalist look.  Happily for me, that’s not so.  Instead, designs are incorporating more common gemstones, such as jaspers or agates, that are still very beautiful, but not as expensive as a huge amethyst or sapphire.  One of the things I read about jewelry in the depression was they had large pieces, generally at that time of very inexpensive lucite or acrylic.  The size of the piece counter-acted the material used, so women still felt dressed up and in fashion, even with jewelry that had lower price tags. 

Maybe that has also been a factor in the design options and techniques I mentioned yesterday, who knows?  But I also think gemstones are regaining in popularity because they can also be jewelry with a statement, about conservation and the environment.  And, one precious gemstone, set in a nice pendant, can be strung from very simple chain or cord, and still make a dazzling piece of jewelry that others will admire.  I have also seen smaller, less expensive beads, even chips, used but formed into multi strands so the final design was very dramatic and fashionable, but the overall cost was reduced.

I've also started to see an increase in layering and wearing complementary but non-matching pieces.  Bangle bracelets are back, and these are a prime example.  I suppose you could mix and match bangles until you can fit any more on your wrist or can't raise your arm over your head!  These are another way of making a big splash with small pieces of jewelry that are often less expensive.

I also think a younger generation (well, younger than me, anyway) threw out some of those old rules we had lived by and began wearing different pieces of jewelry together.  Two, even 3 necklaces might be worn all at once.  They would (heaven forbid) wear gold and silver together!  White appeared after Labor Day in the fall and was seen way before Memorial Day in the spring (do you remember that rule?  My mother followed that to the letter, with 1 exception for Easter Sunday). I even saw a necklace wrapped around a wrist as a bracelet; yes, it looked very nice!

Pearls aren't only for special, dress up occasions either, and they began showing up in dyed colors, not merely creamy whites and pastels.  They looked for ways to break the mold I guess and made many new jewelry looks.  Scarf rings became pendants, as did brooches. These were also more likely to be pinned or attached to a headband or barrette. One earring might also be a pendant, if it's mate had been lost.