Bead the summer blues with jewelry
Cincinnati Enquirer, OH
The Artful Shopper
BY MARCIA SCHOENI | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR
If your champagne taste in fashion is stymied by a pinched budget, create your own simple accessories. Union Bead Boutique specializes in artisan beads and findings, unusual gem stones, interesting cuts and finishes.
Open less than a month, it’s more like an art gallery than a craft store. Ethnic textiles, artisan pottery and a roomy ebonized worktable in the back create an appealing backdrop for beads from all over the globe.
Delicate laser-etched shell or wooden pendants by Lillypilly Designs ($2-$40) create striking summer pendants paired with simple leather, pleather or suede loops.
Or craft a neckpiece with unusual Czech and Venetian glass or Swarovski Crystal pearls.
Showcase special beads with findings from Saki Silver, designed in Cincinnati and made in Thailand. Sterling or 14k gold toggles ($3-$50) or earrings in hammered oversize rectangles, triangles and circles ($24.99) will steal the show. Easy-care pewter or rhodium-plated beads by Fire Goddess are budget friendly, and they won’t tarnish ($3.50-$15).
Multi-hued handmade fimo beads from a Washington artisan benefit charities ($1.50-$3). Pair with sterling charms from their 500-plus collection (market-priced per gram) for an easy bracelet.
Accent this summer’s nude-colorations with some metallic shine from golden pyrite ($5.75-$10.15 per strand). Black textured lava rock (50 cents per bead, $24 per strand), turquoise and chartreuse gemstones are trendy and fresh. Many available by the strand or half strand.
Affordable gift projects are simple and quick. Add beads to wine stoppers ($6.99), pewter book-markers ($5.49) or letter openers ($8.99). Experienced beaders can dream up sterling, silver-tone or gold/silver bracelet-watches (metal tone faces, $5.99; sterling, $18 and more). Package your gift in an organza bag (50 cents).
Book a summer party for the kids to craft bracelets (memory wire plus plastic beads in metal tones; beads 5 cents each). Or accent a child’s gift with initials (45 cents). Soccer balls, footballs, baseballs come in hand-painted ceramic ($1).
Register for June classes, beginner to advanced (starting at $10 plus supplies) to create wireless hoop earrings, an organza bead necklace, a wire-wrap bracelet and more.
Owner Jessica Zumbiel of Burlington will fashion custom jewelry for wedding parties or special gifts.
The Union Bead Boutique, 1597 Cavalry Drive, Suite D, 859-384-8785, www.UnionBead
Boutique.com.
IT’S GOOD FOR DAD
Give Dad a sweet alternative to candy with an arrangement of artfully cut pineapple, strawberries, melon, some dipped in gourmet chocolate.
Fruit Design Baseball or Golf-Ball Keepsake, $59-$69, has delivery available. Made fresh daily with no added sugar or preservatives.
Edible Arrangements, 859-781-2345, 90 Alexandria Pike, Fort Thomas, www.ediblearrangement s.com.
TRUNK SHOW
Fans of vintage fashion can snag clothing, jewelry, handbags and hats from the 1940s through the ’70s from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 11 at Julie’s Inspiration Consignment Shoppe Trunk Show.
It will feature men’s, women’s and little girls’ items from a local collection.
And remember June 16 for Ladies’ Night fun. Unannounced specials, refreshments from 6-10 p.m.
Julie’s Inspiration, 610 Main St., Covington, 859-291-8200.
What’s new? What’s hot? What’s the best deal in Northern Kentucky shopping? Contact Marcia Schoeni at schoeni_marcia@yahoo.com or call The Kentucky Enquirer at (859) 578-5555.
