Use Your Treasures in Wedding Jewelry and Special Occasion Accessories

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Wedding season is right around the corner. Most of my social circle is long married and their children aren’t quite marrying age yet — so it has been awhile since I’ve been in the wedding circuit. Dare I say, I miss it? The frilly dresses, sparkly wedding jewelry, flowers galore, and adorably tiny food at bridal showers. Fortunately, spring and summer bring all sorts of other occasions to be frilly, sparkly, and flowery–and to wear special occasion and wedding jewelry. (I’ll have to get back to you on the tiny food.)

So, those other occasions . . . In addition to weddings and their corresponding showers, there’s Mother’s Day of course, plenty of graduations and proms, and hopefully some lovely porch parties. I love a spring porch party in the South. And don’t forget Derby, possibly the best time to go all-out in the spring! All of these are great reasons to wear a pretty dress and don a few sparkly baubles. Fortunately, you and I know how to make our own pretty jewelry. But who doesn’t appreciate some fresh ideas? Join me for a look at the loveliest of handmade accessories and wedding jewelry in Adornments by Myra Callan (affiliate link).

Make Special Occasion and Wedding Jewelry and Accessories

Adornments feels like part haberdashery, part florist, part jeweler — and the three come together to make a beautiful, inspiring book full of airy and ethereal designs. Callan writes, “You will develop a useful set of skills that will help you create any of the projects in this book. You will learn how to press petals to create handmade flowers and how to hand-sew embellishments.” If you’re new to jewelry making, don’t worry—using only basic tools and supplies, Callan shows how to do all the simple techniques you’ll need, like wire wrapping, making wire loops, and wiring beads. “These basic skills will lay the path for creating and designing your own unique pieces.”

Once you’ve mastered the basics, there’s no end to the prettiness you can create for all the weddings and special occasions (affiliate link) to come. And I hope there are oh-so-many! You’ll learn to make jewelry, head bands and hair combs (even a mini hat!), wrist corsages, brooches, gown-worthy belts, and more. The 20+ step-by-step projects in Adornments have me longing for a dress-up event to attend, asap! And if you are new to jewelry making, don’t worry.

“…a look that is both modern and vintage at the same time…”

Use Your Bits of Fabric, Lace, Ribbon, Beads, and Other Treasures

I bet I’m not the only one who has a pretty little treasure box tucked away to save bits of delicious fabric too small for most uses but too special to throw away, leftover lengths of yummy ribbon, precious buttons, and special beads, whether they’re vintage, one of a kind, or otherwise beloved. Callan’s projects in Adornments are perfect for giving new life to these beautiful bits. Her jewelry and accessories are perfect for putting these treasures to good use, so you can wear and show them off.

“You can use colors and fabrics of your choice,” Callan writes. “This allows you to use those scraps of fabric you’ve collected through the years and the vintage beads you may have found at a flea market. Have fun and experiment to create pieces that you’ll love to make and wear.”

Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers for Wedding Jewelry

I find myself drawn to silk and other fabric flowers, but the most I manage to do with them is pin them to a sun hat or perhaps wear one as a brooch. In addition to special occasion and wedding jewelry, there are also endless opportunities to use fabric flowers for holiday and home décor or as gift embellishments, but they can be expensive. Wouldn’t it be lovely to not only find ways to use fabric flowers in jewelry, but to learn to make your own? I wish I’d known how to make my own fabric flowers when I made my peony-covered lampshade years ago.

“I love the look and feel of flowers,” Callan writes, showing further proof that we’re soul sisters. “With a look that is both modern and vintage at the same time, they can turn any piece into a truly amazing creation. They are wonderful to give and receive, and they are absolutely stunning to wear.

“I started pressing my own handmade flowers several years ago when I found myself limited by premade fabric flowers. I wanted to have greater control over the materials, colors and sizes of the flowers. By creating flowers from scratch, you can make pieces that are exactly as you envision them. You can choose the colors to match a favorite cardigan or special dress,” she shares. In the book, “you will learn how to use basic flower-pressing skills to create dimensional and realistic flowers, as well as how to create flowers by hand-curling and hand-sewing.” Sign me up!

Adorn Yourself with Handmade Accessories

Maybe you have a string of showers, weddings, and more in your near future — or maybe you’re the bride! (Congratulations, BTW!) Wedding jewelry is some of the most meaningful, rewarding jewelry to make.

Or perhaps, like me, you’re headed to few weddings but still looking forward to Mother’s Day festivities, graduation celebrations, and other special events. And let’s not forget prom! Look how the flower and lace belt transforms the dress above. Any occasion is a good occasion to get prettied up with the special occasion and wedding jewelry designs in Adornments! (affiliate link)

–Tammy

Senior Digital Content Editor, Interweave