Sassy up your spring designs with Lucite flowers

Posted by ginagalli
Spring will officially be here in 3 weeks. I have seen the hint of baby buds of crocuses and daffodils peaking through the last hints of snow. These delicate blooms get me so inspired. I was resistant for a long time against using Lucite because basically it is plastic. However, if you look at some of the great jewels from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s with their big bright baubles and colors they were made from Lucite. Actually vintage Lucite is very chic and hot and has been for some time.
Some of the great qualities of Lucite are the enormous range of colors it comes in. It is very light in weight and the shapes are spectacular. As I mentioned before I am partial to the Lucite flowers. The variety of sizes and types of flowers are numerous. You can create a virtual garden. Actually, they are perfect for the garden bracelet design.
Lucite flowers combine perfectly with shiny crystals because their matte, pearly finish picks up the shimmer and shine. You can use fire polish beads, seed beads and virtually anything with them. I love to embellish a flat peyote stitch using the small size flowers and putting a 3mm bi-cone crystal in the middle.
Where do you find Lucite beads? Two of the most popular sellers of Lucite are Beadin’ Path and the Hole Bead Shop. Beadin’ Path does specialize in vintage Lucite and both vendors have a great selection that you can purchase from their websites. You can also find some Lucite flower beads on Art Beads and Fusion Beads or look at your favorite local bead shop.
Need some ideas and inspiration? Check out the spring issue of Bead Unique Magazine that features on the cover Fairy’s Garden ring designed by the Hole Bead Shop.