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Cords Galore
Listed under: Trend Report
Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Popular, sophisticated and always in great demand, silk cords are becoming increasingly common in the jewellery market nowadays. Iska Schoenfeld of jewellery making specialist Griffin discusses the significance of this trend
Have you noticed a rise in the number of people incorporating silk cords into their designs?
Over the past few years demand for these products has grown significantly, seeing everyone – from professional jewellery makers and designers, to beginners and hobbyists – use them in their work. While they have always been popular with established jewellers, over the past 12 months or so we've noticed a far greater number of casual crafters expressing an interest in these products and this has invariably generated heightened interest in the area.
What do you think are the factors driving the trend?
The growing interest in this area has a lot to do with many of the bigger trends in the jewellery making sector. At the moment, sophisticated pieces are very much in vogue, seeing consumers gravitate towards precious pearls and some of the more expensive lines on the market. This has inevitably impacted the sector, resulting in a much larger number of people looking for higher quality bead cords that will complement their designs and add value to their work.
Who are the customers predominantly buying these products?
While the majority of our shoppers tend to be professional jewellers, we also get a lot of business from wholesalers and bead makers too.
What are the most popular types?
Generally speaking, white silk cords tend to be most in favour, followed closely by light pink, beige, grey and black varieties. In terms of size, the 0.45 mm and 0.7 mm versions are the top sellers, largely due to the fact that their measurements correspond with the proportions of the most commonly-available pearls and beads on the market.
How are they most often used?
Silk cords generally tend to be reserved for classic pieces of jewellery made from delicate pearls and semi-precious stones. This is largely due to the fact that their flexibility offers far better protection, ensuring the components being used do not become damaged or chipped after they have been worn. However, we have also seen them make their way into a number of other areas, including macramé jewellery designs, architectural mock-ups and even art installations!
Have you noticed any other trends emerging in the craft sector?
Jewellery making with wire is definitely an ongoing trend within the market and something we expect to stay strong for quite some time. Generally speaking, classier, more sophisticated designs are very much in favour at the moment, making silk cords an absolutely essential product to stock.
Griffin now has a UK based distributor. For more information please visit CJ Beaders http://www.cjbeaders.com or http://www.griffin.de
Over the past few years demand for these products has grown significantly, seeing everyone – from professional jewellery makers and designers, to beginners and hobbyists – use them in their work. While they have always been popular with established jewellers, over the past 12 months or so we've noticed a far greater number of casual crafters expressing an interest in these products and this has invariably generated heightened interest in the area.
What do you think are the factors driving the trend?
The growing interest in this area has a lot to do with many of the bigger trends in the jewellery making sector. At the moment, sophisticated pieces are very much in vogue, seeing consumers gravitate towards precious pearls and some of the more expensive lines on the market. This has inevitably impacted the sector, resulting in a much larger number of people looking for higher quality bead cords that will complement their designs and add value to their work.
Who are the customers predominantly buying these products?
While the majority of our shoppers tend to be professional jewellers, we also get a lot of business from wholesalers and bead makers too.
What are the most popular types?
Generally speaking, white silk cords tend to be most in favour, followed closely by light pink, beige, grey and black varieties. In terms of size, the 0.45 mm and 0.7 mm versions are the top sellers, largely due to the fact that their measurements correspond with the proportions of the most commonly-available pearls and beads on the market.
How are they most often used?
Silk cords generally tend to be reserved for classic pieces of jewellery made from delicate pearls and semi-precious stones. This is largely due to the fact that their flexibility offers far better protection, ensuring the components being used do not become damaged or chipped after they have been worn. However, we have also seen them make their way into a number of other areas, including macramé jewellery designs, architectural mock-ups and even art installations!
Have you noticed any other trends emerging in the craft sector?
Jewellery making with wire is definitely an ongoing trend within the market and something we expect to stay strong for quite some time. Generally speaking, classier, more sophisticated designs are very much in favour at the moment, making silk cords an absolutely essential product to stock.
Griffin now has a UK based distributor. For more information please visit CJ Beaders http://www.cjbeaders.com or http://www.griffin.de
