AdornmentCraft

Recently I’ve noticed bead strands being used to dress up sample rooms in furniture and decor catalogs. Old-looking, ethnic-looking, or over-sized beads appear to be the most popular. Sometimes they hang from pegs on a wall, but often they just sit on a piece of furniture or overflow from a vase or bowl.

Here are some examples from a recent west elm print catalog. west elm offers primarily modern style furnishings with simple, clean lines and in bold colors or basic neutrals. But with this collection they have softened the look with a “Rustic Modern” theme - tag line: “organic shapes for today’s living.”

It’s a neat idea. Use beads as they are - temporarily strung, and not made into anything else - as a design element.

If you decide to try it yourself, consider adding interest by re-stringing the beads onto ribbon or fancying them up with a tassel or two. Or fill a clear vase with beads instead of stones or marbles. If you have especially collectible or valuable beads for display, try hanging them behind glass in a deep-set frame or shadowbox.

eBay is a good source for finding very affordable, rustic beads in larger quantities (like full strands). Here are some current examples:

CLAY HEISHE MUMMY BEADS 36 INCH STRAND

Sherpa Inlaid Yak Bone Mala 108 Beads Coral Turquoise

6 STRANDS OLD CHRISTMAS GLASS TRADE SEED BEADS

OLD RARE MIXED AFRICAN DOGON (Dutch) GLASS~TRADE BEADS