New Places to Find Beads

Most folks associate beading with jewelry design, and rightly so.  Type the word "beading" into any search engine and the top search results will be either bead supply stores or beaded jewelry designs.  On a recent trip to Houston, however, iKandies came across two unusual ways in which beads are being used.

The first was a beautiful beaded purse that was spotted at an airport store.
Now this was not your usual beaded purse, but a work of art!  This Mary Francis original resembles a guitar and has been intricately detailed with beads and crystals in a floral pattern.  It's hard to tell how the beads have been fixed to the purse base, but they look very secure.  Just in case, Mary Francis has included a small supply of replacement beads. You'll find other unusual designs included in the Mary Francis handbag lineup if you search online.  If you purchase a Mary Francis purse you are in good company.  Move stars such as Kirstie Alley and Paris Hilton own one too!


Also spotted on the trip was a snazzy pair of Old Gringo boots adorned with Swarovski crystals. Thinking about hot fixed crystals used in jewelry designs, iKandies asked the clerk if the crystals stay on and the answer was "if you're careful when you wear them!" (of course).  Imagine yourself dancing away the night in these boots!

iKandies is always looking for new inspiration as we design and create our jewelry.  Who knows what we might come up with next now that we've seen Houston?