Currently Shopping For: Art Teacher Necklaces

The fun summer trend I'm suddenly seeing everywhere

Jun 17, 2024

Hi!

Have you heard of the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon? (Bet that’s not how you thought this newsletter would start!) It’s also known as the frequency bias, where you notice something, then start seeing it everywhere.

That’s how I feel about quirky beaded necklaces.

It started when I ran into my friend Katelyn at an event and she was wearing the coolest/weirdest mixed bead necklace. She wore it with a lime green tweed blazer (Who knew BCBG still exists? Certainly not me) with a casual white tank underneath. And the necklace made the whole outfit sing. Of note, I saw her later the same day to play mahjong and she was still wearing the necklace, but this time with athletic shorts and a casual top. Still worked.

Then

Grace Atwood

wrote about the same necklace in her newsletter.

The next week I hosted mahjong and not one, but two (!!) friends showed up wearing fun beaded necklaces.

Next,

Erika Veurink

highlighted the trends she spotted in LA, listing “Big art teacher necklaces” amongst them.

So, here I am 20+ tabs into browsing for my own.

Eliou Samba Necklace ($200): The necklace that started this quest in the first place! Even though the price tag gives me mild to moderate sticker shock, I haven’t stopped thinking about this necklace for two weeks. I’m happy to report it’s currently en route to its new home (AKA my neck). If you’re wondering how my efforts to curb my shopping are going, I’d say…. not well.

Local Eclectic “Eff Off” Necklace ($130): Were you thinking that you were looking for something a little cheaper and also more vulgar? I’ve got you! I love the pearls mixed in, and something about this is giving strong Harry Styles vibes. Like, can’t you just see him wearing this? Now you can, too.

Galley Los Angeles Mixed Bead Summer Necklace ($68): Looking for the under-$100 version. This one from Anthropologie is very fun! I’ve been very drawn to the color orange lately, even though it’s not in my usual palette.

Scosha Candy Gem Necklace in Rainbow ($250): Looking for something a little more subdued? This is the one (from a local Brooklyn shop) that my friend Jenna was wearing. It’s giving adult candy necklace vibes and I am here for it! Susan Alexandra also has a fun, neon version (below) for $168. You can also customize it with charms.

Anthropologie Rainbow Stone Necklace ($50): If you’re looking for the cheap and cheerful version of this trend, I wouldn’t blame you. This Anthro number does the trick and comes in a bunch of colorways.

Anthropologie Triple-Layer Necklace ($78): I’m also very tempted by this other Anthro version which comes as a set for a pre-made layered look. Again, there are lots of color options.

Tuckernuck Rainbow and Pearl Frankie Necklace ($31 - final sale): I was so close to buying this one, which is a phenomenal price on sale. But it’s only 14” with a 2” extender. I recently learned while shopping for a tennis necklace that I have a larger than average-sized neck (oh great, another body part to be self-conscious about), and think this would be a little too choke-y. But if you have a delicate, dainty neck, please get this so I can be jealous of you!

Local Eclectic Beaded Gemstone Necklace ($60 - $100): If you prefer a solid version, this one has lots of variants! Prices vary by color. I also think this milky blue Etsy version is very pretty and starts at $20 (price varies by length).

Forever21 Beaded Necklace ($9.99): Looking for the bargain basement version of this trend? I quite like this Forever21 version which is currently on sale for an even tastier $7.99 price.

Or…. do it yourself.

At my core I am an impatient gremlin who cannot wait for even the quickest of shipping.

So, on Saturday when my fun, colorful necklace fiending was at its peak, and I realized I had some leftover beads in a cabinet in my office, I decided to try a DIY version. IMO, the matte pony beads are a little chicer than their shiny summer camp cousins. Here’s what I wound up with. You can buy the same bead kit on Amazon for $21 and make necklaces for all your friends. I also have this $18 polymer clay bead kit, but fair warning if you use these for something necklace length without other beads mixed in, it gets fairly heavy.