Beaded Bangles + Giveaway!

Coral + Turquoise set embellished with ruby moonstone, quartz, copper, amethyst, orange moonstone. $75/set

  Back in February I decided to take a risk and invest in these beautiful, handmade, beaded bangle bracelets. I had seen them for the past couple of years at one of my vendors booths but wasn't sure if I wanted to offer something that I didn't make. Well, after thinking about it for a year, I decided I was ready. I had also come up with my own design idea for these handmade bracelets. To put my own twist on these bracelets, I decided I would sell them as is and also embellish them with charms and semi precious stones. 

  Needless to say, the bracelets are a HUGE hit and I am expecting my second order today!

Now, there are a lot of these beaded bangles on the market today. I am really surprised that they became such a hot accessory this year... like I said, I have seen these bangles at my vendor for years! My bangles are not the popular "Lilly and Laura" brand, but, they are just as special! The beads are higher quality glass, smaller in size, and more uniform in shape. A lot of the color combinations are more subtle which allows you to have a more neutral look or a fun/funky look by mixing and matching. The other thing about the bangles I carry is, they cost less than any I have seen so far! How is that? Me, an independent jewelry designer can offer these for $10 each or 3 for $25? I am not really sure... but I do know that I search and travel high and low for you, my clients! It is very important to me to be able to offer you the best possible pricing. So, there you go! Come see me at one of my upcoming shows to personalize your set of bangles. You can choose from my bangles or bring your own. I have a tray of charms and semi precious stones waiting for you!

Or as always, you can order off my website, email, or call me! 

Meditation Set - amethyst, pyrite, silver, garnet, chalcedony. $75/set

About the Bangles and the people that are making them:

(this is directly from my source)

  "All of the bangles we sell we have made for us in Bali and Nepal. We design the colors and patterns and then send over the seed beads for them to crochet - mostly Japanese size 15 & 11.  We have worked with the same family(s) in both countries for over 20 years.  In the last 5 years we have put more energy into designing the colors and patterns according to upcoming color trends, etc.
 In Bali our supplier employees 15+ women and men who come to work from 9 to 5 in her home studio.  It is all open air overlooking a rice paddy and they get an hour for lunch.  When I was there a few years ago I decided I wanted to move back and work for her if only I could learn to crochet and stitch!

  In Nepal we send over the beads to our supplier in Kathmandu and his bead & bangle makers come down once a week/month to his offices to pick up new beads and then they go back to their mountain/village homes.  They work at their own pace while caring for their families etc and when they have finished with their beads they bring them back to Kathmandu.

  In both countries we pay what they ask - a fair wage - and we never

bargain with them."

The women behind the beautiful bangles.

Bangle customized at a recent show... I believe this custom design was around $28. I love this design! I can't wait for my new order to arrive so I can claim a few for myself.

  Now, if you have made it this far in this blog post good for you! Please leave a comment telling me how you would customize your own set of bangles. You can find charm ideas on my website, www.bellavitajewelry.net as well as some of the bangles (I am expecting a lot more colors any day, hopefully today).

I'll be giving away one set of bangles (excluding charms) on Friday, April 27th.

For an extra entry, share this on facebook, twitter or your own blog. Just make sure you leave a comment or email me, brandy.elizabeth@gmail.com so I know. (this contest is open on facebook as well)