How to care for your beaded Earrings and Accessories

Learn how to take care of and store your precious, handmade beaded jewelry and accessories with just a few tips!

Handmade, beaded jewelry is a fine art. Meticulously crafted, with love and care, and often considered as heirloom pieces that can be passed on to your loved ones.

Proper care can help to prolong the life of your jewelry, so you can continue to enjoy the pieces you have invested in, for years to come.

Tip #1 - Keep them dry!

It is not recommended to wear your beaded earrings or accessories in the shower, bath or pool! Getting them wet can alter the materials used, and cause them to warp or deform. It's not worth the risk, so keep them safe and dry!

Tip #2 - Do not store them in direct sunlight

Have you ever seen those faded signs in store windows? The sun did that! It is best to store your beaded beauties out of direct sunlight, to preserve their vibrant colors. Beads can and will experience some fading over time, but let's not speed up the process by storing them in the sun's harsh UV rays!

Tip #3 - Say it, don't spray it!

If you wear perfumes, lotions or hairsprays, apply before you accessorize! Putting your beaded items in direct contact with the harsh chemicals in perfumes, lotions or hairspray can damage the beads.

Tip #4 - Cleaning

If your beadwork looks like it could use a little cleaning, try using a soft, clean (new) toothbrush and very gently brush in one direction to loosen any dirt or residue that might be stuck in between beads. If it is just a light surface cleaning, you can try to a dry cotton swab.

Certain metal finishes can tarnish over time. Use a soft cotton cloth to gently rub/polish the metals to restore their shine!

Tip #5 - Storage

The options really are endless when it comes to jewelry storage options. While it is best to hang your fringe and dangly earrings (mainly to avoid them getting tangled and to keep the fringe straight), they can also be stored flat (as long as they won't get jumbled up with other items). The soft fabric that lines the drawers in jewelry boxes is nice to prevent scratching. Beadwork is art, and you can hang them proudly on display, and it helps to have them visible for easy pairing with your favorite outfits! Just remember tip #2 and do not store them in direct sunlight!

Beadwork Storage Idea

Follow these simple tips to extend the life of your beadwork.

Have a tip to share? Let us know in the comments below!