Macramé

Macramé / friendship bracelets may be simple but they look extremely effective. You can stack them up on your wrist or even wear them as an anklet. An essential for the festival season and perfect to match up with your festival wristband. These bracelets have even been spotted on celebrities!
There are many patterns available including square knots, fish tail plaits and even ones that contain charms / beads.

The picture on the right is of the square knot pattern. I believe this pattern is the most common and the most popular due to it being a very a sturdy design. This pattern is most commonly used for shamballa bracelets.

Shamballa bracelets (picture on the right) really have stormed the high street. The square knot pattern makes the bracelet easy to wear around the house, but the sparkly shamballa beads give the design that glam look making the bracelet suitable to wear to an elegant ball.

The two pictures on the left (peace bracelets and skull bracelet) are brilliant examples of beaded macramé bracelets. Both bracelets use the square knot pattern and have had beads slotted on to the cord.

I feel these bracelets give the macramé design that rock edge along with the bright eye catching colours giving them that retro look. They are perfect for stacking with plain friendship bracelets and would be ideal to wear to a music festival.

The pictures on the right are two different examples of macramé bracelets that contain charms. Again both are created by using the square knot pattern as it is a sturdy design enabling the cord to take the weight of the charm. The fuchsia bracelet includes a cute Russian doll charm. I think this unique little treat is perfect for all ages as it is comfortable to wear and can be made with a charm of your choice.




The purple and blue bracelet includes a lovely bird connector. I think this is another design that would be fantastic to wear to a music festival.
Both these bracelet can be worn with other macramé / friendship style bracelets or even on their own.

On the left is a picture of the fish tail pattern. This pattern is very similar to a normal plait but instead of using 3 strings, you use 6 and the colours are more striking in the diagonal colour design. As well as the colours being more distinguished on a fishtail pattern, the design is more stable than a normal plait allowing charms to be connected onto the cord.

This Anchor bracelet (picture on the left) is a brilliant example of the fishtail pattern put into action. The turquoise, navy and white colours along with the anchor pendant carry out the nautical theme, perfect for your beach holiday. The bracelet is then finished off with end fasteners, a trigger catch and an extension chain making it perfect to fit a variety of wrist sizes.

The last picture (on the right) is of a 'name' macramé bracelet. This bracelet is made using the twisted square knot design which gives it that twirling look. I believe that you wouldn't have to have your own name on this design, you could have a loved one's name / names which would make an adorable gift.

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The BRIT Awards 2013

One of the biggest annual events is back! If you missed it then make sure you watch the replay or watch via the internet. If you think it's a waste of time then make sure you just watch Taylor Swift's, Justin Timberlake's, Mumford and Son's and One Direction's performances - ALL AMAZING!

The 4 W's - Who Was Wearing What?

Little Mix (Pop Group)

Little Mix's quirky style caught my attention this year (picture shown on the right). What really caught my eye were the 3 headbands worn by Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade. Perrie's (far left) flower headband was very unique tying in with the Hawaiian theme that will soon be hitting the high street in Spring/Summer. Jade's (far right) bow headband was also cute and retro catching the eye of all us 'Recktro' lovers.
I also noticed Jesy's (middle left) large black earrings which meant even though she was dressed elegantly, they gave her that rock chic look.

Ashley Roberts (Pussycat Doll / Runner Up in I'm a Celeb)

Ashley's style, even though it was plain and simple, stood out from the crowd (picture shown on the left). She kept to the gold and black colour scheme which gave it that rock edge. The chunky black bracelet and long gold earrings added a contemporary and elegant look but they also tied in with the rock edge she created.

Preeya Kalidas (Eastender's Actress)

Preeya's style was very similar to Ashley Robert's style but in a more 'out there' way (picture shown on the right). The dress in particular really stood out for me as the style was very retro/rockabilly but the wet look material created that rock edge. This dress would be any 'Recktro' lover's dream!
She accessorised with a chunky gold necklace which again is very similar to Ashley's style but I feel the necklace gave the look a more urban edge. Looking back at what I have said about this style, I feel Preeya has combined 3 different styles in one which makes it unusual and unique.

Thank you for reading. This is just a glimpse of the BRIT awards 2013 and the styles that caught my eye!

Hawaiian Jewellery

Hawaii

Hawaiian prints have been slowly making their way into the limelight - well they got there in the end! Vogue have placed Hawaiian prints in the top 15 trends of Spring / Summer 2013. Think birds, leaves, flowers, greens, blues and reds. Designers like Kenzo and Isabel Marant have all included this trend within their 2013 range.

Image above - Hawaiian trends in Vogue.

Hawaiian Jewellery Trends all include the typical features for example birds and leaves etc. I have started noticing products popping up in high street shops like Topshop and New Look. The Hawaiian jewellery I have seen tends to have a unique vintage look with a slight flash of colour along with a bird or leaf pendant.

I have tried to experiment with this look by creating a bracelet (see picture on right). I used peach freshwater pearls to create a flash of vintage colour and also to represent shells. I used a bird connector to join the pearls and chains together to give the bracelet it's unique flare.

I used a leaf pendant at the end of the extension chain (see picture on the right) to give it that added Hawaiian look.

I also tried to experiment with this look by creating some earrings (see picture on left). I used the bird connectors like on the bracelet to give the earrings that Hawaiian flare. I used purple Swarovski element xilions to give them their vibrant look.

So keep your eyes peeled for this unique look and WOW your friends with this latest trend!

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Celebrities SPOTTED!

Are skull accessories just for girls?
Of course not. Skull jewellery is worn by males and females of all ages.
Tinchy Stryder (R&B/Hip Hop singer) was spotted on Celebrity Juice wearing a white skull macramé bracelet.

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Hilary Duff (Disney star/singer) was spotted wearing simple but fashionable skull and cross bone earrings.

Katy Perry (pop singer) was spotted wearing long, elegant skull earrings.













Treat yourself to a pair of skull earrings in various colours via
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Skull Jewellery

Skull designs have been around for many years including the punk era (1970s – 1980s) and the present day. During the punk era the fashion was largely influenced by bands/music for example The Exploited and The Ramones, but it was also about an individual making a statement. Punk fashion soon became commercialised which meant many well – established designers started to include common punk elements (skulls) within their designs; designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.

Last year (2012) to the present day skull jewellery has been seen all over the place. Worn by most celebrities, the public shortly became aware of this trend and skull designs soon hit the high street. In particular, throughout last year you only had to walk down your local high street and you would see a mannequin wearing a skull necklace or a skull top.

So keep your eye out for pieces of skull jewellery and maybe go treat yourself to this bang on trend item via 

http://www.facebook.com/AshleighsRecktroAccessories