Artistry meets jewelry – Yumi Chen’s Japanese kimono cloth bead bracelets

Talk about multi-talented! Yumi Chen is an accomplished concert violinist, professional pastry chef, and mathematician. In 2003, she redefined herself as a jewelry designer and entrepreneur, launching her online store at yumichen.com.

Although we all love our silver and leather bracelets, it’s not difficult to see why everyone’s buzzing about Yumi Chen’s stunning cloth beads bracelet collection! Her recent Chirimen (the ancient art of crafts made with handwoven Japanese cloth) line is heavily inspired by her Japanese heritage. But she’s added her own twist – combining exquisite Japanese kimono cloth beads with beautiful Swarovski crystals. “I instantly fell in love with chirimen and began searching for books and supplies about the subject,” Chen revealed to PrWeb in February of last year.

Let’s take a look at some of Chen’s latest creations from her Hibiscus Collection. All three are priced at only $70 USD!

Complete your everyday look with this gorgeous teal bracelet. Assorted aqua/teal Japanese kimono cloth beads are adorned with blue zircon Swarovski crystals and teal Swarovski pearls. Exquisite!

For a fabulous summer look, try this luscious mint and peach bracelet. Japanese kimono cloth beads mix and mingle with light peach Swarovski crystals and olive Swarovski pearls. Delicious – and my favorite!

Spice up your nightlife with this funky-chic black floral bracelet. Dramatic black floral Japanese kimono cloth beads are accented with jet black Swarovski crystals. Stunning!

For more totally unique bracelets, visit www.lusterforever.com and shop for leather bracelets and silver bracelets too!

Here’s a quick guessing game! They pack a ka-pow color explosion, each one is totally unique and they’ve been around since 1291. What are they? Italian Murano glass bracelets and jewelry, of course! If you haven’t yet discovered Murano glass jewelry, you’re about to go to glass jewelry heaven!

Here’s some background. In 1291 Venetian glassmakers moved to the Italian island of Murano. Their Murano glass jewelry creations and Murano glass beads were so ‘hold your breath’ beautiful that the glassmakers were almost nobility. Their technique was, and is, called ‘millefiori’, meaning ‘thousand flowers’, and once you see a real Murano glass jewelry piece, you’ll know why! Each glass bead is hand-made, and as a result, is totally individual.

Murano glass bead bracelets and jewelry is hot this season, and no wonder! There’s a Murano glass bracelet to match every outfit in your closet. Be careful though – make sure when you’re buying that you’re getting the real thing and not an imitation. How will you know? Consider these tips!

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Somewhere in the midst of blistering heat, the odd snowfall and plenty of rain, the first day of spring 2009 has come and gone, and designers have rolled out this season’s hot spring fashions! This year’s spring styles have a little something for everyone, so whether you’re the one who never leaves home without your make-up on, or you’re happiest in a pair of sweats, here’s our sneak peek at the good, the bad and the eighties and what’s going on this spring!

You probably don’t remember when Mom dressed you in rompers or onesies. This year, one piece shorts and pants sets are back in style! From Australian khaki to elegant white, designers are pairing these simple one piece designs with exotic jewelry accessories like silver and leather bracelets to create a one- of-a-kind fashion statement for spring 2009.

Harem Pants. Hey, everything else about the eighties is coming back. Why not? This year’s take on M.C. Hammer’s stage apparel features trim, fitted designs that resemble jodhpurs or Hessian pants more closely than “I Dream of Jeannie”, offering lightweight comfort for those desert summers.

The skinny pant returns as well –new, improved and skinnier than ever! If you loved the tight jeans of the ‘80’s, you’re going to love this spring’s skinny pants. There’s no limit to just how tight they’ll go, and in pretty pastel colors like turquoise, pink and yellow, and sewn in light silks and satins, they’re certain to beat the heat this spring and summer! Don’t forget to add a white leather bracelet!

‘Mamma Mia’ may have been the inspiration for this season’s Mediterranean casual ruffled sundresses in chiffons and silks. Paired with trendy jeweled sandals and Grecian-inspired fashion bracelets, these beat-the-heat dresses are a hip fashion statement for all ages.

What’s this season’s biggest fashion blunder? Capri pants or cutoffs worn with heels! It’s so yesterday, ladies – so trade ‘em in for sandals or ballerina flats, then don on a hip leather bracelet and be stylin’ for spring 2009!

For today’s hottest trends in jewelry accessories including silver and leather bracelets, visit www.lusterforever.com!

Don Ed Hardy is best known as the father of modern tattoo design.His unique mix of vintage Japanese style and techniques helped popularize tattoos in our culture.It’s certainly no surprise that sooner or later it became infused with Fashion.

Christian Audigier, former lead designer of Van Dutch, based his high end clothing and accessory on the images Ed Hardy created.Celebrities such as Joel madden, Dave Navarro, Jenna Jameson, Christina Millian, and Kim Kardashian have been seen wearing Ed Hardly fashions on separate occasions. Here are some tattoo inspired bracelets by Ed Hardy and other designers, that you might find appealing.

Don Ed Hardy genuine Leather Cuff Bracelet has DEH letters and flaming colors. It’s definitely rock chic. Approximately 2″ wide by 10″ long.Price $41.20

The vivid rose, star, and heart designs on this True Love Cuff Bracelet by Art All Night are hand painted on hard plastics. Approximately 2″ high by 3.5″ wide. Price $25.00

Art All Night also has a gorgeous Cherry Blossom Cuff Bracelet priced at $24.00. Approximately 2.5″ high by 3.5″ wide.

After looking at the tattoo inspired bracelets by both designers, I would have to say that I prefer the ones by Art All Lights.The Art All Lights bracelets are rich in color, feminine and more cost effective.

You can buy similar cuff bracelets here.

If you want to take your wardrobe to the next level without taking up your hems, then check out this season’s hottest bracelet trends. A lot of attention is given to the dresses, but any stylist will tell you that accessories are what make an outfit shine.  Read on to find out what the hottest celebrities are flashing this season (hint: for once it’s not skin). (more…)