Bugging Out: Design Un-squashable Jewelry Styles

Design Idea HA3R Bracelet and Earrings
by Jessie, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®

Nature is always a great source of jewelry inspiration--including bugs! No, don't jump to conclusions. This trend is surprisingly less icky than you might think. Insects and arachnids have been on trend for ages. Today's runways and social feeds are crawling with everything from intricately detailed statement pieces to more minimal insect-inspired moments. It's no wonder these natural wonders have prompted so many jewelry designs. The world of bugs is a fantastic well of color, symmetry and symbolism for you to draw from. To help get your creativity off the ground, we've compiled a list of fan favorites.

Spider

Wonderful, wild and sometimes a little creepy, spiders aren't just for Halloween jewelry! This ancient arachnid has inhabited Earth for more than 300 million years and appears in the mythologies around the world. The spider has symbolized artistry, manifestation, patience, feminine power, ancient wisdom, illusion, balance and interconnection.

Experiment with wire to capture their spindly legs and delicate radial web shape for a fierce yet fashionable look. Pearls and beads can create eye-catching abdomens or drops of dew for a more elegant take on the usual spider-esque design. With more than 45,000 spider species to choose from, you're sure to find one that inspires you.

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Dragonfly

Dragonflies can move each of their four wings individually, making them incredibly agile. They're also the strongest fliers in the insect world with flight speeds up to 22 to 34 miles per hour (36 to 54 km/hour) but are only able to fly for a short portion of their lives. Because dragonflies exist predominately as immature nymphs, they often symbolize coming of age and appreciating the authentic self that only comes with maturity. They can also symbolize going past self-created illusions that limit our growth and adaptability as well as happiness, new beginnings and general change. Jewelry designs featuring dragonflies are perfect for people embarking on new career paths, fighting against illness or undergoing other big life changes.

Bugging Out: Design Un-squashable Jewelry Styles Bugging Out: Design Un-squashable Jewelry Styles Bugging Out: Design Un-squashable Jewelry Styles
Scarab

Scarabs are an amazingly diverse family of beetle with over 30,000 species and are found in nearly every part of the world. Scarab pendants and cabochons are still seen in modern fashion but were first used in ancient Egypt around 2,000 BCE. In ancient Egypt, the scarab was associated with Khepri, a divine being who was believed to roll the disk of the morning sun over the eastern horizon at daybreak. The scarab hieroglyph, Kheper, also refers to the ideas of existence, manifestation, development, growth and effectiveness, making it popular for amulets in all periods of Egyptian history. Carved scarab cabochons were also worn in ornamental jewelry and used in personal and professional identification seals.

Crystal PassionsĀ® scarabaeus green components were inspired by the iridescent sheen of the beetles' outer wing and give a touch of insect allure without adding anything with legs. Go for the same look, different beetle, with our real jewel beetle wing components! Talk about a colorful conversation starter, these weirdly wonderful wings are sourced as a by-product from places where jewel beetles are common, pests or eaten as a source of protein. Their natural luster is sure to bring a unique allure to any of your creations.

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Ladybug

Also known as ladybird or lady beetle, there's no denying the adorable attraction of these instantly recognizable cuties. There are around 5,000 species of ladybugs around the world in a variety of colors and patterns, including yellow, orange, and brown as well as striped, solid, and other patterns. Ladybugs play a whimsical role in many mythologies as positive omens and symbols of talent, protection, healing, evolution, good fortune and grace. Loved by gardeners and farmers for their unmatched protection against pesky plant-killing aphids, ladybugs remind us that even with limited resources and simple actions, one person can make a big difference.

Ladybug charms offer a wide range of design options for feel-good charm bracelets and pendant necklaces. Ladybug links can create a flight of ladybugs across the wrist, neckline or cascading from the ears. Play with crystal and glass beads in the signature black and red color scheme for a less literal look your customers will love.

Bugging Out: Design Un-squashable Jewelry Styles Bugging Out: Design Un-squashable Jewelry Styles Bugging Out: Design Un-squashable Jewelry Styles
Butterfly

These colorful, vibrant and delicate creatures have fascinated us through the ages and continue to inspire designers to new creative heights. The butterfly's impressive metamorphosis--from caterpillar to chrysalis and, ultimately, the butterfly--makes it an undeniable icon of endurance, transformation and happiness. In Chinese culture, two butterflies flying together is a symbol of love. It is also commonly believed that when a butterfly lands on you it means good luck. In early Mexican culture, butterflies were said to guide the souls of fallen warriors to their final resting place and their silhouette held special ceremonial significance.

Add butterfly charms to bracelets, earrings and necklaces for quick and easy flights of fancy. For a more subtle nod to these winged wonders, use butterfly findings and components or invent your own colorful wings using polymer clay.

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Bee

Buzzy, fluffy and vital to the world's ecosystem, it's no wonder these busy pollinators have risen to the forefront of fashion. Since ancient times, bees have been recognized and revered as symbols of industry and messengers of the divine, associated with the soul, and said to bring blessings of fertility. Bees are incredibly collaborative creatures whose sole purpose is to better their community, a feeling of connectedness perfect for the modern market.

Create the look of bees in nature by combining bee-shaped components with flower or leaf charms and beads. For added earthen appeal use natural materials like wood, pressed flowers or gemstones. No matter how you choose to portray these sweet little insects, their cooperation, determination and perseverance are sure to bring a sense of connection to your designs.

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Luna Moth

Named for the Latin word for "moon", luna moths are seen as magical and mystical creatures. Like sighting a unicorn, catching a glimpse of a wild adult luna moth is a rare gift as their entire life cycle lasts only one week. Their adult time on Earth is so short that they don't eat a single morsel or even possess a mouth. They are born, transform, love, die, and then the cycle repeats. They are seen as a symbol of rebirth and represent balancing the light and dark of existence. Their brief life is also a beautiful reminder to make the most of our moments and to live and love to the fullest.

Luna moth jewelry is often inherently feminine and brings a serene nocturnal appeal to nature and curio-inspired designs. Start designing your pieces with TierraCast® antiqued focals or components in the signature pale green of the moth's wings.

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