Body Jewelry and Adornment

by Judy Ellis

Stuck in a jewelry-making rut? Maybe it's time to step away from what you're used to and try adapting your style to a different type of jewelry. Stuck making bracelets, and sick of it? Wrap your bundle around a hair comb or hair stick for dramatic results. Need a man's gift? A bolo tie, tie clip, or cufflinks would be a special treat.

Above the neck:

Headdress
Bridal Tiara or Circlet
Hat Pins
Hair Comb, Hair Clip, and Hair Sticks or Pins
Fascinators and Headbands
Earrings and Ear Wraps
Nose Rings
Nose Chains (originating in India - a nose piercing with a draping chain that connects to the ear)

Jewelry above the neck is often the most ornate and delicate.

Unlike rings and bracelets, which touch desks, steering wheels, food, or dishwater, headpieces stay untouched.

Tiaras, earrings, and hair combs get adjusted only occasionally, like tucking hair or in wind.

This protection lets designers use thin wire and eye-catching crystals.

Fantasy jewelry shines here.

Neck:

Collar
Necklace
Pendant
Lanyard
Bolo Tie
Torc (a thick collar, popular with Celts)

Neck jewelry is often the first thing you notice about someone.

A tight collar or relaxed lariat reveals a lot about their style. Even a handmade lanyard shows personality, while a bolo tie evokes the American Old West.

Necklace length should complement the wearer's shirt or dress neckline.

Many cords adjust 16-18 inches. Make your own for customization.

For pendants, use a 14-inch cord to sit above the neckline.

Wire jewelry offers total customization.

Arms and Hands:

Upper Arm Cuff
Bracelet & Bangle
Watch
Rings
Slave Bracelet
Cuff Links

Rings always draw crowds at shows.

Even a simple one from 5 inches of wire grabs attention at your booth edge.

Custom wire-wrapped prong rings highly impress customers.

Bracelets and bangles are fun to make. They can feature many beads, few, or none.

These pieces see heavy use like rings. Advise removal before dishes or cleaning.

Exotic arm options include upper arm cuffs. Spirals evoke mythology or Xena and expand over the elbow.

Slave bracelets connect a ring to a bracelet via flexible chain or chainmaille.

Body:

Tie Clip
Corsage, Brooch
Belt
Shawl Pin
Belly Chain
Belly Button Piercing

You might not think of the torso as a decorative area, but it's a playground for jewelry artists.

A light wire-wrapped chain can serve multiple purposes: a long necklace, doubled necklace, belly chain, or even a belt four accessories in one, offering great value to your customer.

For special occasions, consider creating a wire or silver-and-pearls corsage for prom.

Worn as a brooch or around the wrist and decorated with real flowers, it becomes a piece to treasure for years.

If your son enjoys wire jewelry, you could also wire-wrap a design into a tie clip, adding a personalized touch to his wardrobe.

As a knitter myself, I can vouch that knitters love to fasten shawls and sweaters with handmade shawl pins - a quick search on Etsy for "shawl pin" will inspire you in no time.

(Bonus: Many shawl pins can double as hair accessories!)

Legs and feet:

Bride's Garter
Anklet/Boot Jewelry
Toe Ring
Footless Sandals

For a bride's custom spring set, make a necklace and earrings.

Add a tiara or her ring if honored.

Spice up a plain wedding garter with wire-wrapped pearls or beads in her colors.

Offer it as a gift to a good customer, or for a small fee to boost the sale.

While most people know about anklets, some regions love wearing boots decorated with chains and beads essentially a bracelet for the boot.

This is a niche market with enthusiastic customers.

Toe rings are another popular item. Made with a few inches of wire and perhaps a bead, they're inexpensive and easy to sell.

You can expand on the design by adding chain or chainmaille that wraps around the ankle to create a barefoot or footless sandal.

Similar to a slave bracelet, this trend combines a toe loop or toe ring with an anklet.

It can be worn barefoot, with flip-flops, or strappy sandals.

Use round wire or satin cord on the toe component for comfort.

A quick Google search on barefoot sandals will provide plenty of inspiration..

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