Welcome to the world of self expression in design. The fastest growing and hottest jewelry fashion trend today is the snake bracelet to which you add beads that come in a VAST variety of colors, designs, shapes, themes, w/ CZ's, sterling, gold, lampwork, or any combination of the above. Some of the more popular authentic name brands are Pandora, Biagi, Chamilia, & Troll. There are various other very similar bracelets made in Europe as well as the beads that go with them.

By combining the almost endless styles of beads, you can create a bracelet that is YOU. It is highly improbable that anyone else will have one exactly like it. You can follow a color theme, a season, motherhood, romance, a life story, important occasions, and the list goes on. What's more, you can change the beads to suit your mood  or match your attire in a flash!

The cost of a bracelet can range from thousands of dollars to less than $100. If money is no concern, then by all means go for the GOLD. But if, as for most of us, you have to watch your pennies, you can still have a beautiful bracelet.

There are many manufacturers that supply quality Murano glass beads, sterling silver beads and sterling bracelets at very reasonable prices. But there are also a few things to consider when shopping for these beads. Not all are solid sterling silver. Some are made with zinc, copper or an alloy coated with rhodium or silver. Those that are stamped with .925 are sterling silver and a better buy. The Glitzy beads may have Swarovski crystals, CZ's or rhinestones, or glass. As for Gold - well you can pay hundreds of dollars for one14K gold bead or substantially less for vermeil ( real gold over sterling silver).

One very important think to watch is the hole size. Make sure you know what type bracelet you have and what size bead will fit it. In most cases a European bead advertized as Pandora style will have a hole that is 4mm to 4.8mm approx. This will fit mostly all the bracelets. But if a European bead is described as Troll style, the hole diameter is smaller, (3.6mm approx.) and will only fit a Troll bracelet or similar type.

A Gathering Space will offer Authentic Pandora & Chamilia bracelets from time to time, but mostly we try to furnish high quality beads at lower prices.

So there you have it, a mini course in designing a unique bracelet that says YOU! Have FUN!!