Jewellery & Jewelry

I haven’t taken a turn around the dance floor in a prom gown for many years, but the patterns on the new gowns that our local store is carrying, took me right back to the 70’s. No paisleys, but lots of swirls in fuschia, turquoise, apple green, purple and orange. All on one gown! Around the necklines are lots of bugle beads, mostly in fuschia but with a scattering of all the other colors. Other gowns are slightly more subdued, with only two of the colors, like blue and green on a white background, still in swirls, big swathes of color.

Another rack of gowns was all solid colors. These are no demure gowns, either. They will require bold wearers, since they have multiple horizontal folds from the waist on down, a variation on rucheing. Are they intended for rail- thin girls, to provide some padding, or do they flow over larger hips? My city is known for extravagant prom activities (WorldsBestProm.com). One of the events is taped and played over and over on the local cable station. I’m curious about how the girls will wear these gowns. How will they look on flesh and bone, rather than on hangers?

Of course, as a handmade jewelry maker, I’m interested in how these gowns can be accessorized. An how they will match the bead jewelry that the person wears. It’s the gowns with swirled swathes that I’m most excited about. I pulled out my Lucite coins and had just ordered Lucite rounds, but would have ordered many more sizes and colors if I had seen the gowns before I placed the order. I combined and recombined these with Miyuki seed beads. Usually, I’m trying for a more harmonious pairing, so I unexpectedly found these bracelets to be a challenge to make beaded Bracelets. The Lucite size and colors were reminiscent of the era of the gowns’ patterns, but they needed more shine, like the bugle beads around the necklines. The Miyuki beads, in 6s, supplied that. I supplemented my existing Miyuki stash with about 20 more tubes in bold 70s colors. Just for the turquoise blue, I bought 6 tubes, each slightly different from the other. Just in case! Then another 6 tubes in tones of pink, with the same number in various shiny greens. I threw in several reds and a clear orange for good measure.

Will I recoup what I just spent on beads, considering the unusual patterns? Perhaps the summer look will incorporate similar colors and patterns. I’ll have to take a stroll through the mall and check out the juniors sections. Even if I don’t recoup what I spent, it has still been fun, reminiscing, and then being inspired by these retro gowns. D