Have you ever bought or made a matching jewelry set only to find that everything matched all TOO well, and you’d never wear all the pieces together at one time?

Of course we want our look to be put together, and we want our accessories to go with and compliment each other. But what we don’t want is the matchy-matchiness we often find.

Here are a few rules that I generally follow when either purchasing or making sets of jewelry.

1. Don’t have any one major element in more than two of the pieces.

The set below works together nicely.  It would definitely look like way too much, however, if I’d used the blue ceramic beads in the earrings as well.

knotted necklace and bracelet set blue ceramic brass

2. Have something different from all the others in each piece.

In the above photo the brass lattice and wooden beads are only in the necklace, the green rounds and chips are only in the bracelet and the little turquoise beads are only in the earrings.  This helps each piece of jewelry stand on its own, yet they all are related.

3. If using the same shape as in another piece, make it a different color in another piece.

Red chunks are primary in the bracelet, so in the necklace they’re mostly blue.  Also, I didn’t use the rounds from the bracelet in the necklace, but chose to use turquoise chunks and barrels only.

 

bracelet set turquoise and red nugget chunks
4. If using the same color as in another piece, make it a different shape in another piece.

In the below photo you’ll find antiqued brass in all three pieces, but they are a very different shape in the earrings.

knotted necklace and bracelet set tiger eye beads

5. Don’t be afraid to use different tones and shades of your colors; it will only make the look richer.

Look again at the blue ceramic bead set and you’ll see many different shades of blue, from the very light to rather dark.  You’ll also notice many variations of browns, from the wooden beads to the brass lattice and elephant beads.

Keep these simple rules in mind whether making or buying jewelry and you’ll be more satisfied with the way your pieces blend together, rather than match perfectly.

Happy crafting!

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