Trending - Enamelled Beads

Hello once again!

So in the previous Blog we looked into the fashion stylings of 2018, and the influence it can have on your beading creations and designs, so for this blog I thought we would look into a popular beading trend that is hitting February - Enamel. Enamelled beads have become popular for their striking colours and design, against precious metal charms, chains, beads etc. High-street retailers and popular jewellerys have stocked up on enamelled items for the impending stampede of purchases so we thought we would show what we have to offer, in hopes that it may help create your (prehaps) first enamelled creation!

(And no, we aren't talking about the teeth!) Enamel is a chemically engineered paint that air dries into a hard and glossy finish. Because of it's versatile nature, enamel can be fused with a number of different materials such as metal, ceramics and even stone, with the use of high temperature for a high quality finish (Enamels fused with heat are also referred to as "Vitreous Enamels" and "Painted Enamels). The use of enamel has been used for centuries for it's longevity, bright colour and smooth surface, and has been slowly developed of the past few years to turn this once traditional and "old fashioned" method into a new and popular material which has been used in hundreds of products since the beginning of the 19th Century - products like cooking and drinking vessels (teapots, cooking pots etc), enamel bathtubs, steel sinks etc. 

Antique Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vessels

For beading, enamelled beads are traditionally crafted from precious or strong and hardwaring materials to adhere the enamel too - due to the fact that the enamel is slightly softer and needs a strong backing. Some enamel is inlaid into specifically cut chambers inside the bead, or specially created channels inside the beads surface, and then filled to create the finished bead. The Shape of the bead, the channels and grooves of the bead's surface and even the deepness of the enamels colour can drastically change the tones and colour of the finished design and bead. 

Purple Enamelled Silver Metal Flower Bead | Pink Enamelled Silver Metal Flower Bead

For example, our popular purple metal flower enamelled bead, the surface of the bead has deeper chisels and channels cut into them simulation the petals curves and the natural markings you would typically see, and when the enamel is secured onto them, creates a darker center to the bead and several tones of purples throughout to create this realistic and stylish bead. 

Enamelled Heart Turquoise Metal Beads |  Enamelled Hypnotic Swirl Yellow Round Beads

Enamel isn't just limited to the channeled coating, or a surface finish, but can also can be used for small detailings and designs for charms, chains, pendants and many more jewellery items. For chains and metal Bracelets, a darker enamel is usually applied to the surface, but still allows the original underlayer to shine through - due to the enamel being slightly lighter and not as dense compared to the charms and beads. This can create different effects depending on the base metal - for the Gold metal base, the darker enamel can create an "antiqued" effect, for that older apperance to the chains, to the silver or lighter coloured base metals created a "weathered" effect to the bracelets and chains. 

3mm Rope Chain Diamond Cut Black Enamel Brass | 5mm Link Chain Diamond Cut Black Enamel Brass

For charms and necklaces, the enamel can be used in a number of different ways - one being that it can be used for additional detailing on otherwise plain charm designs. For example our Sterling Silver Dragonfly charm/pendant, has a very simple body design to it, consisting of the body and wings. With the additional enamel, the Dragonfly looks a little more alive, the colours giving an attractive and vivid quality to the charm, imitating the bright colours you may find in the wild. 

Sterling Silver 925 Dragonfly Charm Pendant 

The second way enamel can be used is similiar to the chains. The enamel can be added to create a darker contrast ahainst the brighter metallic metals but also give a feeling of shadow and tone to the items. A prime exampe of this is our 18K Platinum Rose Pendant, the black enamel create the illusion of shadow, as if looking deep into the flower itself. The black also offsets the platinium colouring, gives a contemporary and modern look to the rose design, with the black colouring allowing the additional crystals to have some added glimmer to them - the black enamel reflecting more light into the crystals. 

18K Platinum Rose Plated Black Enamel Flower Pendant Necklace

So ends another blog, and I hope it was informative   As always, if you have any designs that you've created that will help inspire others we always want to see them! Head over to our Facebook page and send over your photos and we will like and promote them on our page! We now have a brand new Instagram online and you can easily tag us @beadsjar or #beadsjar so we can share with the beading community and show off your amazing crafts! We will be posting more on there soon!

We are currently still running out 15% off your purchases with the offer code "TODAY15" Use this at the checkout for some extra savings! More offers will be coming, soon so keep your eyes peeled on our social media sites for some special deals!

Happy Beading!