Do you want to buy or order a necklace, bead necklace, bracelet or ring and you are not sure which size or length to buy or order?

Here are several ways to arrive at your preferred length:

It is important to take into consideration these factors when measuring for a necklace:

1. Do you always prefer to wear your favourite length?
2. The design of the necklace itself- single or multiple rows
3. Where would you want it to sit?
4. Will you prefer to have an extender on the necklace so you can use it at multiple lengths
5. The style of attire/neckline you will be wearing
6. How to consider the different measurement lengths available as against your choice.

Necklace Measuring Methods

1. If you already have a necklace that you wear consistently because you like the way it fits you, then your measurement is easy to find. Stretch the necklace straight on a flat surface and measure the length from end to end, using a ruler or tape measure.

• Put a piece of string around your neck and drape it the way you would wear your necklace or
• The way it would hang with a centre piece from it
• Hold the piece of string where you would want it to sit on your chest
• Always remember though that a centre piece would sit below this so do not include that drop in the necklace measurement
• In a multi row necklace, your consideration for measurement is only on the first row of the necklace.
• Cut the string or mark where the ends meet and lay straight on a flat surface to measure.

• Instead of putting a piece of string round your neck to measure, you could use the tape measure itself.

The above would give you your own preferred measurement.

Loyatobs necklace measurements are always unfinished at 16.5 inches. Once they are purchased, they are completed at the measurement agreed to by the customer. It might be the original length of 16,.5inches or an amended length sent in by the customer.

Different Necklace lengths and Names.

It is useful to have an idea of what constitutes a particular necklace Style as there are categories to which a necklace lengths fall into. Mind you, the measurements are variable by a few inches as sizing may differ from person to person, but these measurements are a general guide.

Having this in mind helps when deciding what style would fit a particular neckline.

Choker style necklace fits snugly on the neck.

This style necklace is as it states. It is a perfect fit round the middle of the neck.

Collar Style necklace measures sits at the base of the neck, just on the collar bone, like a shirt or blouse collar.

Princess Style necklace sits just above the breast.

Matinee Style necklace goes up to 24 inches and sits between the top of the bust and  the middle of the bust. It is a very popular necklace length

Opera style necklace goes up to 30” and sits at the bottom of the rib cage

Rope/Lariat style necklace can go up to 45 inches. Anything longer than the opera style length is considered a rope style necklace.

Bride/Groom

You are the main focus of the day so accessorizing your outfits can be fun, but you must also understand that if chosen wrongly it can make or break your outfits.

Traditional Wedding:

(This view from my perspective and culture. There are other variations as per cultures.)

This is where the two families formerly agree to the union. It is an engagement party but is also known as the traditional wedding. The traditional wedding is usually celebrated before the formal church activities (white wedding) if there is any.

Things to consider:

1. Always have a sample of your attire with you as the colour scheme of the day is important.
2. Traditionally, there are bead stones that are used on this day e.g., Corals (red, peach, blue), real Pearls and other precious stone beads. So having your attire colours at hand will help you match correctly.
3. The colours of your bead jewellery should not clash with your attire but compliment.
4. The style of your bead set depends on your taste and style but match the hues of your beads with your attire.
5. Layering is a clever idea for the traditional wedding jewellery.
6. You can layer bead sets with long coral necklaces
7.  You can layer a jewellery set with a long coral necklace.
8. You can match your long coral necklace with your intendeds
9. You also do not have to use a long coral necklace but have a bead set designed for you for this occasion from quality beads.
10. There are many options for you to choose from, but even then, you do not want to go overboard in costs, style etc. Use quality beads as against cheap beads. Quality beads do not necessarily need to be so expensive. Your bead stylist should be able to guide you here.
11. Use a bead stylist that is worth her salt. It is best to design a set that will be a keepsake for you. A set designed with meaning for your day.

Wedding Day

What you decide to style your wedding dress with is your decision but taking these points into consideration can help as bead accessories are meant to enhance your dress not overwhelm it.

1. Your dress style is important to note.
2. Add pieces of jewellery that will make your décolletage sparkle if the neckline of your dress is open.
3. If there is a touch of colour in your dress, you can have a bead jewellery set designed in this colour bead stones.
4. A high neckline dress may not warrant you using a necklace but instead a bold bead bracelet/bangle or drop earrings.
5. Less is More when accessorizing a wedding dress.
6. Remember also beads can be used on other items to be used e.g., the veil, a crown, a sash, a cover for a winter bride.
7. Lastly, always match the metal of all your accessories with the hue of your dress and use the same metal colour throughout your accessories.

E.g.

A white/off white wedding dress could be matched with silver/rhodium.

 An ivory wedding dress could be matched with gold.

A pink wedding dress could be matched with rose gold.

Mother of the bride or groom

In some cultures, the traditional wedding ceremony is as much the bride/groom day as it is the Parents. Therefore, the mothers of the bride and groom are allowed freedom in their choice of bead jewellery.

There are still things to consider though:

1. The colour scheme of the day
2. Depending on tastes, their bead accessories can be more defined, more in-depth, bold, or simple.
3. Sometimes both families agree to use the same attire and accessories, to show the families are now a union.
4. Bead accessories should be tastefully made with quality bead stones otherwise the set may seem tacky.
5. Quality bead stones does not necessarily mean expensive. A good bead stylist should be able to guide your choice.
6. It is nice to choose a bead set that you may be able to use later or restring in another way for maximum use.

As the mother of the bride/groom remember that the wedding day proper is a big day for the bride/groom but also for the mothers. You are the host and want to be extremely comfortable and feel your absolute best.

1. Unlike the traditional wedding day, it is not wise to over accessorize the bead accessories as it really is the day for the bride/groom to shine.
2. Take the style of your dress/attire into consideration in choosing the neck piece.
3. Although there is no rule on what you can or cannot wear, it is best to strike a balance in the style you choose so that it does not seem you are competing with the bride.
4. It is best to stay away from loud, noisy, uncomfortable bead accessories
5. Take the dress and colour code of the day into consideration as this will help you decide what type of accessories go with such and occasion.
6. It may be best to speak to the bride about what you intend to wear just so you do not end up wearing the bridal train jewellery or competing with them.
7. It is also nice for both mothers to be on the same page before the day. This makes everyone comfortable.

Bridal Train

1. Members of the train are usually trusted friends/sisters, which means they are willing to concede that it is the bride’s day, and her wishes take precedence over theirs.
2. Whatever the choice of bead accessorises, whether they are in unison or chosen by each person the bride must veto them. She must be comfortable with what her girls wear.
3. The colour scheme of the day must also be considered
4. The style of the dress they wear must be considered.
5. Simplicity is key. In short, less is more is very appropriate for the train.

New jewellery trends emerge each year and those who like to keep up with the fashion trend at hand tend to accessorize themselves according to these trends. But following these trends just to feel you fit in can be an expensive venture. As these trends are put forward mostly by consumer-based fashion giants i.e. fast fashion giants

In my reading various write ups on fashion and jewellery trends I came across this statement which I feel is the real bane of my beading business:

“Think about how the piece makes you feel,” Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz, the designer of Beck Jewels, tells The Zoe Report. “As you grow, will you continue to find it interesting? Will it become part of your life story? These are such personal purchases that will be with you forever, you want to make sure to choose them for the right reasons.”

So, don’t choose jewellery pieces for the sake of the trend at the moment as they may soon be out of fashion. Purchase for your personal preference which may take you to items that will have quality instead of quantity.

On the flip side of this train of thought though, is the fact that there is really nothing wrong with going along with a trend if you have the jewellery at hand. All  ‘new’ jewellery trends would most likely have been popular in the past. Jewellery trends evolve and repeat themselves in one form or the other.

According to trend write ups 2023 jewellery will see more and some of the following:

• Less conventional colour combinations
• Chunky Jewellery
• More everyday wear jewellery with gemstones
• Oversized pearls
• Darker gemstones
• Jewellery around different Birthstones
• Colourful statement pieces
• Pendant necklaces

Source: ttps://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/jewellery-trends-2023

What will be the 2023 trends in LOYATOBS CREATIONS?

I intend to make my bead creations around all the following themes:

• Unique colour combination bead jewellery
• Chunky Jewellery
• Bead jewellery that can suits all occasions
• Oversized pearls
• Darker bead stones that will mix easily with other jewellery
• Multi coloured bead jewellery
• Jewellery around Birthstones
• Colourful statement pieces
• Pendant necklace sets.

Naming my Collections:

I love the beauty, boldness, colour, and fragrance of flowers and name my creations after them.

PRIMROSE COLLECTION

SPRING (March-June)

I named the Spring collection after the dainty and colourful Primrose Flower (Sometimes known as the Fairy Flower). The most common bloom is pale yellow with lovely fresh green leaves. But over the years the Primrose flower has been cultivated to flower in a variety of colours including purple red and pink etc.

The Primrose flower is one of the first bunch of flowers to bloom in Spring giving us all a burst of hope and happiness after the drab  winter months. I can best describe the fragrance it gives off as  the smell of ‘Spring’.

A little background to Esther’s Page.

A group of children (my granddaughters inclusive) have been talking about how to give to children who may lack in one way or another and decided to find a way to raise funds for their dream.

As they are all in school, they do learn how to bead when they are free. or on holidays and as such decided to sell products they design or create and want to give out of the proceeds as as a charitable contribution.

I felt this is a laudable project and to encourage them set up this page.

The medley of products are their own theme and design. Some are made by them and some are given to loyatobs creations to complete since they are all in school.

This first set have the Beautiful Butterfly as the theme. We do hope you help them in there quest.

Thank you.

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