Show your spirit with back to school designs

By Bethany Waldrop Keiper

“I have had playmates, I have had companions, In my days of childhood, in my joyful school‑days...” --  Charles Lamb

Well, it is back to school time, for everyone from kindergarten to college. Oh, how I always dreaded it! While my peers were excited about getting back to see old friends and to make new ones, I always wanted to hide under my bed and nap there. As the teachers produced long lists of what we were going to learn and do, I seriously considered the penalties for truancy. So, even though I have a sweet quote at the top of the column, I really prefer this one: “School‑days, I believe, are the unhappiest in the whole span of human existence.” --  Henry Lewis Mencken.

Even though I didn’t like school, I did have some very nice teachers. I don’t believe I ever took one an apple, though. But an apple isn't just for teacher anymore if you're presenting it as this shimmery earring.

This glittery dichroic bead makes all the difference. Dichroic is defined as the property of having more than one color, especially when viewed from different angles, and you can certainly see it in this apple bead. Is it deep russet red delicious or glowing warm golden delicious? Fortunately, we can have it both ways. Try different colors of leaves on your golden stem for variety.

Once school has started, it's time for preppy practice. Pearls have always figured prominently in the upper crust edges of the preppy society. Whether you are a member of it or not, a bracelet made from these gorgeous gold pearls and this golden vintage‑look clasp is sure to attract attention and have people wondering which expensive boutique sold it to you.

 Tri‑strand bracelets are a great way to show off beautiful beads. Just remember to plan for the extra inches of the wide clasp as you calculate the length of the bracelet. An elegant bracelet like this should fit snugly.

So what really goes on behind the ivy‑covered walls of those Ivy League schools? I don't know, since I’m not Ivy League, but I know that I can have my own Ivy Leaves bracelet.

The photo illustrates the beginning of the bracelet. Use long green rectangles as your vines, 6mm or smaller beads as spacers, and then choose your ivy leaves. Continue this design between each set of rectangle beads. The end result is much like a charm bracelet, but all of the charms are leaves. Select your own spacers, leaves, and vine beads to customize this bracelet and make it your own. This bracelet will definitely exercise your loop‑turning skills!

Be the star of the school and show your spirit with earrings that flaunt your school colors. Millefiori beads come in such a wide range of shapes and colors that with a little effort, you can find the colors you need to represent your school. Add matching Swarovski crystal bicones from the wide range of colors available to your wire work for extra shimmer. While long earrings are great for spirit day and sporting events, this would look equally interesting dangling from a rear‑view mirror, notebook spiral, zipper, or cell phone case.

Large Round Garnet Glow dichroic beads and leaf beads are courtesy of and available at The Bead Peddler.

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