Comments on: What’s Popular?

By: Sue B

Sue B — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:36:14 +0000

That is all I am seeing is long and simple people do not have the money to spend on big chunky pricey jewelry. I think the 70′s are back and it’s a wear anywhere look as well.

By: Happy Chick aka Harriet

Happy Chick aka Harriet — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:18:49 +0000

Sally and the others covered a lot of info. One thing I do is to watch our local TV personalities to see what styles might be interesting local ladies. The news personel are often provided with fashions from local boutiques, including jewelry. It’s in the credits at the end of the program.
My husband and I have both become more aware of what accessories the newspeople are wearing lately. The styles are often big and bold, very eye catching, but not always. I can’t say there is any single strong trend, other than that.

By: Kim V

Kim V — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:35:02 +0000

I’m so new I haven’t even gotten my first order yet , and am waiting to see if it will be what I hoped for. But the pieces catching my eye have clustered dangles , rich color , lots of visual movement. I like it all , it’s really about good color combo and design. And if I could add a wish on what I’d like to see more of here , it would be rough faceted stones , a bit on the chunky side.

By: Tehran M

Tehran M — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:55:33 +0000

Love Lima! I am a fairly new consumer, I’ve only received one order with one on the way BUT after the first small order I dove in! I am seeing trends with multi-strands also and I’m actually going to take a class to perfect the technique. I see people still have their loyalties to pearls but for the most part people are going funky, bright and overstated for their collection. My new rule of thumb is, if you think it’s too big, it’s just right!

When are you guys going to have a “Clasps” section? Maybe some sterling silver toggles etc. And let’s throw in a Jewelry supply section for kicks. I would love to make Lima my one-stop top of the line shop!

By: seashellsally

seashellsally — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:25:31 +0000

To the comments I would add “value”, on many different levels.
To the comments concerning “large and heavy”, the key is design and scale. One can achieve a “chunky” look while maintaining wearablity through careful design and relative scale. Thereby avoiding a”Flinstone” look. One does not need to resort to ‘plastic’.
Agree with long, I would add lean. Multi-layer. Again, keep design in mind and rather than making a piece that is multi-layer, design pieces of multiple lengths that will ‘go together’. This encourages the client’s own creativity while increasing your own sales.
I do primarily one-of-a-kind(multiples become boring) and that is why I prefer ‘natural shapes’ as much as possible. The ‘go for green trend’ with repurposing is very ‘in’ in so cal. I prefer ‘vintage’, updating styles, colors from the past into a new, fresh look.
Unusual stones, look for fossils (Indonesian)in all forms, even dino bones because of the unusual textures. Quartz with stuff in it definitely. I’m currently looking for pyrite in quartz.
Colors, very sophisticated schemes. On the flip side..I am actually seeing “taupe” once again. Look at a well cut ‘Willow Creek Jasper’ for inspiration. OK that’s my 2 cents worth.

By: Lynn Eileen Chicky LE

Lynn Eileen Chicky LE — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:25:03 +0000

I agree about “different” and “unusual” being important to customers. They don’t want to be wearing something that they are going to turn around and see on someone else. I vary my designs and colors for those reasons. Multiple metals in the same piece are popular right now; long necklaces (long enough to wrap); big, bold, chunky necklaces & bracelets; bright candy colors. I try to have a variety of weights in my pieces as some women can’t wear heavy necklaces or earrings. It doesn’t seem to matter with bracelets, just the size.

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:59:47 +0000

I love the big stones but I have found that some people tend to worry about the wieght on thier neck. I try to mix things up and make half large stone and half smaller stones. I don’t really want to use plastics since I love your beads from here. People will have stronger necks wearing my jewelry. LOL

By: Purple Chick aka Violet

Purple Chick aka Violet — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:06:20 +0000

I agree with big , and different. You have so many beautiful stones that I can’t find from other sources. My
customers always comment on how beautiful my stones are , and how different my designs look. I also use pearls in most of my designs. It’s kind of my signature that I’m known for. I love looking for pearls in colors that enhance the stones that I am using.
But then there are still those customers who like different but simple. Variety, that’s a key.
Also, geode’s seem to be really in. And anything I make with fossil. I made a beautiful necklace with your turritella agate beads with brown and cream pearls and silver, it sold the first day I put it out. ! People thought it was so unusually beautiful. I must buy more!!!
Thanks for having such a great selection.!

By: Alice P

Alice P — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:25:43 +0000

My customers seem to be drawn to pieces that are different. Whether it’s chunky, brass, long or short, they want something that no one else has; a piece people that will make people say “wow, that’s an unusual piece, I love it!” It could be something as simple as a dainty brass chain with a pendant and a few stones or crystals, or something elaborate and chunky. It just has to be different.

Alice

By: Luv2bead - Little Chick

Luv2bead - Little Chick — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:59:55 +0000

Definitely chunky and multi-strand! I’ve had over 3 orders for 63 inch (I think and that includes the whole necklace) necklaces so that they can be wrapped around 2 or 3 times!