Bead Weaving: Be Queen for a Day with Cristie Prince’s Beaded Jewelry

Beaded Jewelry That’s Fit for a Queen

Although I don’t really consider myself an Anglophile, I did become somewhat fascinated with Princess Diana when I was a young girl. I was 12 years old when Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles in a fairy-tale ceremony. I drooled over the 25-foot train on her dress, reportedly telling mom, “I want to get married in a dress like that!” Fast forward 11 years to 1992, and I actually showed my wedding florist photos of Diana’s bouquet as an example of what I pictured myself carrying down the aisle. And I did indeed get married in a dress with obnoxiously large sleeves!

Likewise, Diana’s jewelry always appealed to me. So I can understand Cristie Prince’s apparent obsession with the royals and their jewelry. The designs in Cristie’s eBook, Bead Royale: Elegance in Beadweaving, combine seed beads with sparkling crystals and glowing pearls to emulate the look of heirloom-quality pieces. Her elegant style is certainly reminiscent of jewelry the ladies of the royal family might wear.

Lady Diana

One of Diana’s favorite necklaces, which she wore often, was a multi-strand choker of pearls with a large sapphire and diamond focal. Cristie’s Lady Diana Necklace takes this look to another level, in a scalloped necklace featuring blue and white pearls. I think Princess Diana would have loved this piece.

Queen Elizabeth

Cristie’s Marchioness Bracelet is a dainty nod to the Queen’s crown. It resembles the sapphire and diamond tiara that Queen Elizabeth II commissioned to match the sapphire and diamond necklace and earring set that was a wedding gift from her father, King George VI.

Princess Kate

Princess Kate, who now wears Princess Diana’s famed engagement ring, favors delicate jewelry. She is often photographed wearing simple necklaces and dainty drop earrings. This bracelet, which Kate has worn on multiple occasions, looks a lot like Cristie’s sparkly Queen of Diamonds Bracelet.

Sparkling Celebration

Cristie’s Jubilee Necklace combines pearls and Rizos into a regal necklace with a showy focal. Although Queen Maxima of The Netherlands’ necklace is undoubtedly made from diamonds, these two pieces have a certain similarity.

On Trend

Royals aren’t typically known for being trendy, but they occasionally stray into the more chic realm. Princess Kate has been seen with tassels on her purse and shoes, and here Princess Mary of Denmark sports a stylish tassel necklace as she sends her daughter off to her first day of school. Cristie’s Crown Tassel Necklace combines the popular tassel trend with a royal look for a truly unique piece.

Bead Royale: Elegance in Beadweaving includes 10 projects fit for royalty. Download your copy today and let your inner princess out!

Lavon Peters
Former Managing Editor, Beadwork