Catherine Howe of Beadiful.biz
Note to all local fashionistas: stringing beads together or taking a Bedazzler to a tank top does not qualify you as a designer! There are crafty gals a-plenty here in the Bean, but true designers are far and few between. Pieces need to be substantial, well-tailored, and refined — and they can’t look homemade. We all like to indulge our creative side, but hold off on the trunk shows and fashion events until you’re the real deal.
I recently came across a delightful local gal, Catherine Howe, who told me that she was a “designer” and that I should check out her Web site. I’m not going to lie: my skin crawled. Here we go again — another suburbanite or privileged Beacon Hill socialite mistakenly confusing arts-and-crafts
time for a career.
Then I took a closer look and was pleasantly surprised. Yes, Howe’s site does offer some simple strands of beads and bead-and-wire arty rings. But then a truly divine, gold-wrapped coral necklace captured my attention. Substantial but not over-the-top, and slightly edgy — it’s the perfect addition to my under-accessorized summer wardrobe.
Here are a few of my current favorites. For a peek at the rest, visit www.beadiful.biz.
Brushed vermeil cluster ring wrapped in 14-karat-gold-filled wire, $150 at www.beadiful.biz.
Faceted crystal quartz pendant wrapped with 14-karat-gold-filled wire on silver chain with vermeil toggle, $160 at www.beadiful.biz.
