For one week during early spring, college and university students in many countries including the United States, Canada, and China leave their classrooms and take a much-needed respite from hitting the books. Spring break is a time to let one's hair down and to just take it easy. Many students take the opportunity to travel during this week-long recess; others turn to arts and crafts. For either of these spring break activities, jewelry can play an important role.
A survey shows that the most popular spring break travel destinations are South Padre Island, Lake Havasu, Panama City, with the Mexican city of Cancun as the international location of choice for many students. What do all these locations have in common? Water and parties -- and a host of opportunities for young students on spring break to show off body jewelry of different designs. Also, the type of swimsuit she is wearing would enhance the visual impact her jewelry would make. For instance, a belly ring would really look sexy with those barely-there bikinis, as would belly chains, which come in pierced or unpierced versions.
Belly rings and belly chains are available in many designs, but perhaps one of the most best-selling designs for college students on spring break is one that features Greek society symbols. Wearing a sterling silver or gold wrist or ankle bracelet (anklet), a necklace, toe rings, belly rings and belly chains that spell out a sorority's letters is an excellent way to show school spirit even during spring break.
There are many kinds of beach jewelry suitable for just basking on the sand or bathing in the ocean -- and both guys and girls can wear them. Shell jewelry is especially versatile; necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other items made from puka shells, white clam, tiger and white shells come in different colors and designs. And they won't become discolored if you wear them to swim either.
After the sun sets, vacationers start to get ready for another spring break staple: the spring break parties! Chandelier earrings at various price points and made with materials ranging from Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones, and silver or gold are excellent party accessories. So are hoop earrings, briolette necklaces, and charm bracelets; all of which could be as flashy or as understated as one would like. The men have a wide selection from which to choose as well: from soft leather necklaces embellished with beads to titanium bracelets to diamond stud earrings.
Many of today's youth enjoy making their own jewelry and spring break provides the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their work. Hemp jewelry is always an eye-catcher, whether it is decorated with beads or crystals or not, with the creator opting to let the weave pattern or coloring be the only embellishments. Some students like making jewelry so much that they spend part of their spring break taking up handicraft classes so that they'll have something new to show when they go back to school.
Spring break is a time when those in their late teens and early twenties are able to think of nothing but to have fun. The jewelry they wear is an expression of their free spirit and is an important indication of the youth culture of today.
Summer is here and the heat is on for bead jewelry artists to make their beaded jewelry appealing and fun and right in line with the rest of this summer's hottest fashions! Whether you're making bead jewelry to sell at a craft show or buying some jewelry for vacation at the beach, here are some of the things you'll find in bead jewelry:
Big and Bright: Shiny metal is fading but big showy colorful glass beads, faux gems and even real gemstones are still in for the summer. Chunky jewelry is still popular, but with slightly smaller beads than were popular last year. This summer it isn't about big beads as much as it is about big and bright colors!
Keep it Natural and Green: Anything natural or advertised as "green" is really, really big this year. Any sort of bead jewelry resembling plants or animals are still popular from what I've seen. I've noticed more people asking me about beads that are made out of renewable or natural materials, apparently over the concern of plastic beads eventually filling landfills.
Silver is It: With the skyrocketing cost of gold a lot of people are forgoing making jewelry out of anything with gold because it's too valuable to wear anymore! Instead the shiny metal of choice for many bead jewelry projects is silver or silver-toned. Even more popular than silver in many cases are fabric and leather cords, especially when mixed with natural elements.
Far East Influence: Anything that has an exotic or foreign feel to it, real or not, is still very popular in bead jewelry. Asian looking medallions, Indian designs and even Native American artwork all mixed with the natural wood and stone beads that are larger than normal are all very popular. Lately bright and colorful gemstones have been appearing beside dark muted wood beads that appear to be hand cut in a lot of bead jewelry pieces used in magazines and fashion shoots.
Non-Traditional Materials: Just as you could almost never find anything Oriental in bead jewelry five years ago, you also couldn't find anything other than traditional beads. This year things are really changing. A lot of people are mixing everyday items such as hardware pieces, electronic parts and other non-traditional materials from around the home and office into bead jewelry. If it can be drilled and strung on a wire you'll see it in bead jewelry.
Overall the summer of 2008 is looking to be bright and fun time that leaves open a lot of possibilities for all you bead-a-holics out there!
Both Sam Serio & Jt Miller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sam Serio has sinced written about articles on various topics from Jewelry, Shopping and Jewelry. Sam Serio is a Marketer and writer. For more on jewelry and gemstones, visit to get your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Withou. Sam Serio's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
Jt Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Appliances, Home Improvement How to and Jewelry. Visit the Blog to discover more bead jewelry ideas, beading news, bead sales, beading tutorials and beading business advice.. Jt Miller's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.