Ashbee's Accessories

by Ashley Lauren Brooks

A popular trend that continues to be on the rise, is the ever-functional Chan Luu bracelet. This bracelet looks effortlessly cool on all who wear it. It can transform your outfit from bland to Boho, from boring to edgy, and from stale to stylish. But did you know the design for these bracelets was created by a woman who escaped war-torn Vietnam in the 1970s?

Ashbee’s Accessories Turquoise and Red Chan Luu Inspired Wrap Bracelet

Chan Luu, the original creator and namesake of the incredibly popular Chan Luu bracelet, was born into a wealthy and privileged Vietnamese family. Her family managed to get Chan Luu to the United States in 1972 and she enrolled in Boston University. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Chan Luu moved to Los Angeles, California with dreams of making it big in the fashion industry.

Ashbee’s Accessories Burnt Orange Chan Luu Inspired Wrap Bracelet

Chan Luu worked in retail for almost a decade before she opened her own store in 1983. She did well selling clothing and accessories from other designers, but wanted more. So, in 1996 she closed her store and began designing her own jewelry from a small studio space in her garage. This is the part of her inspiring story that so closely resonates with me. I too have have aspirations of growing my own business and making my own one-of-a-kind creations. Many of which are greatly inspired by Chan Luu herself.

Ashbee’s Accessories Natural Wood Chan Luu Inspired Wrap Bracelet

Chan Luu is now a leading fashion icon in her own right. Isn’t it amazing that what began as a little girl stringing shells and beads into unique trinkets in Nha Trang, Vietnam, became a fashion trend worn worldwide?

Ashbee’s Accessories Blue Crystal Chan Luu Inspired Wrap Bracelet

Although my journey is an entirely different one, I am truly inspired by Chan Luu’s story. Ashbee’s Accessories is still in its infancy and has a long way to go, but I am hopeful for great things ahead. If you are interested in the Chan Luu inspired bracelets pictured in this post, please visit my Esty Shop. These bracelets and more are available for purchase there. Be sure to visit the Ashbee’s Accessories Etsy Shop regularly for new pieces.

Trends

Hot Summer Jewelry Trends

June 11, 2018June 11, 2018 ashbeesaccessories

This summer promises to be a HOT one..and your thermometer isn’t the only thing that will be heating up!

Bright colors like hot pink, bright orange, and fiery red are keeping fashion colorful this season. Personally, I LOVE hot pink, so I am pumped to bust out my bold pieces! If you’re not super comfortable with wearing clothing that can be seen from space, hot pink accessories are the way to go. Adding a bright flash of color to a more neutral outfit can really elevate your look without overdoing it. Wearing a bold necklace, like the one shown below, with a white v-neck is a perfect way to dip your toe into this summer’s hottest trend!

Hot Pink and Green Necklace 2 — Hot Pink Necklace by Ashbee’s Accessories

Citrus is another big fashion inspiration this summer, with colors like lime green and lemon yellow bursting onto the scene. Wearing these colors can be both cheerful and classy. Sip lemonade by the pool with a simple pair of lime green earrings, or wear a chunky glass bracelet to your favorite tiki bar.

Lime Green Collage — Lime Green Glass Earrings, Necklace, and Bracelet by Ashbee’s Accessories

You can keep cool while staying bright by combining colors like blue and orange. Alternating colors in a fun pattern is a great way to stay on trend this summer. Whether you’re having fun with friends at the beach or cheering on your favorite team from the bleachers, jewelry made with colorful glass beads is winner.

Orange and Blue Necklace 6 — Blue and Orange Necklace by Ashbee’s Accessories

These are just a few fashion trends I’m excited for this summer. What are some of your favorite looks for 2018?

Musings

The Impetus of Ashbee’s

March 2, 2018March 2, 2018 ashbeesaccessories

It all started when I was a wee child…just kidding! I’m not going to take you back THAT far! 🙂

Bubblegum

In all honesty, Ashbee’s Accessories happened quite by accident. It was born out of a desperate attempt to ease my migraine pain. Bear with me…I promise this will make sense shortly.

Have you ever been in so much pain that you’d do anything for a brief reprieve? I have. When I was in college I contracted meningitis. I was incredibly fortunate and with the care of doctors, family, and friends was able to bounce back and finish my degree at Purdue University. It truly does take a village. Anyway, as a parting gift, my meningitis left me with frequent migraines…for life. Thoughtful, I know.

Thud

Fast forward six years and the pain was really getting me down. I’d seen countless doctors, neurologists, and specialists. I’d undergone physical therapy, massage therapy, even psychological therapy. I’d tried yoga, a gluten free diet, and essential oils out the wazoo. I was grasping at straws. And then the strangest thing happened. I found solace in the unlikeliest of places…Beads.

IMG_6145 (3)

I would sit in my dimly lit room in Lakewood, CA and string beads…for hours. Somehow in the rhythm and monotony of threading tiny beads on a string, along with the focus and it creativity required, I found comfort. For moments in time, I was able to shut out the pain. Not always long moments, but they were there. I had an outlet. I had a purpose. I was accomplishing SOMETHING. Sure, my creations were childlike and rudimentary, but I didn’t care. I was just happy to have a distraction.

Before I knew it, I was obsessed. Making jewelry was FUN! Taking a pile of beads and turning it into something unique was exhilarating. I hungered for more. I wanted to make things worth wearing. I wanted to know EVERYTHING. I didn’t fall down the rabbit hole of YouTube tutorials, I dove!

One day my roommate and friend Mandy’s mom, Pam, asked if she could buy a bracelet. She wanted to spend actual money on something I created. What? This is a thing? I can sell my stuff? What I was using as a distraction could be a source of income? SHUT UP…this is amazing! I still have a dollar bill from that sale. I knew this was a turning point and wanted to be sure to save a memento.

With that one sale, I had a business. I just knew it. Okay, so my business needed a name, right? Right. At the time I was also living with my friend Ashleigh. Now two Ashleys in the same group can be confusing. Since Ashleigh was there first, our friend Holly decided I should be AshB. It didn’t hurt that my last name is Brooks. AshB. Done. New name. So, when I needed a business name it seemed logical to use AshB. I thought a bumble bee logo would be cute, so AshB became Ashbee. Clever, I know. 😉 Tack on Accessories and you’ve got yourself a winner!

And so, what started as a distraction from ever present pain and a nickname created out of basic convenience, turned into a passion and a lifestyle. When they say God works in mysterious ways, they aren’t kidding. He has an uncanny way of putting us in just the right place at just the right time to nudge us into our destiny. It looks like mine happens to be making lovely pieces of jewelry and sharing them with you. How lucky am I?!

Be sure to check out my Etsy shop!

Design Inspirations

Design Inspiration: Cross Necklaces

March 1, 2018March 2, 2018 ashbeesaccessories

We’ve officially entered into Lent season. Okay, fine, we’re two weeks in. In all fairness, the days have been flying by so fast, it’s a miracle I’m not writing this after Easter!

One of my favorite necklaces to design is the cross. Perhaps the most recognizable symbol in the world, the cross swiftly generates feelings of strength, peace, grace, mercy, hope, awe, and gratitude.

Lavender and White Cross 30.jpg — Lavender and Pearl Beaded Gold Cross Necklace by Ashbee’s Accessories

When creating my cross necklaces, I make sure that the colors complement one another and are accented well with the the wire I have chosen. In the cross pictured above, I selected 4mm faceted beads in lavender and pearl. I wanted a sweet, spring look that would have a lovely, soft appearance. Gold wire twists delicately around each bead, swirling into tiny coils on the ends. The look is completed with a rose-like wire spiral in the center.

Below, a cross was made with a bolder, more elegant style in mind. Silver wire tightly loops around deep red crystals forming a stunning cross. The chains and links were also handmade with tarnish resistant silver wire and matching seed beads. Again, a rose coil is added to the center of the cross.

Red and Silver Cross 32.jpg — Red Garnet Colored Beaded Silver Cross Necklace by Ashbee’s Accessories

Next, I went with a casual combination of blues inspired by denim. Light blue seed beads were threaded on wire along with dark silver seed beads. The wire was then looped into individual chains and attached to handmade jump rings. 4mm beads in two shades of blue were wrapped by silver wire to make a large cross.

Light Blue and Silver Cross 23.jpg — Denim Inspired Blue and Silver Cross Necklace

Rounding out the bunch, I’ve included a simply stunning black and gold cross necklace. The chain was made with gold and black seed beads on gold wire connected by handmade gold rings. Gold wire wraps around 4mm black and gold czech glass beads forming a small cross with a twisted rose in the middle.

Black and Gold Cross 20.jpg — Elegant Black and Gold Bead Cross Necklace by Ashbee’s Accessories

Currently, Ashbee’s Accessories has a dozen cross necklaces varying in color and size. Each cross features the signature rose coil.

Don’t forget to check my Etsy shop for new listings!

Musings

Here We Go…

February 28, 2018March 2, 2018 ashbeesaccessories

Okay, so I’m about a decade late to the blogging party, but better late than never right?! Let me start by saying, “Hello and Welcome!”. My vision for this blog is to share with you new jewelry designs by Ashbee’s Accessories and provide a little insight into their creation. I am excited to let you in on my creative process, my designs, and my incredible passion for making jewelry. I hope that with time this blog develops a smooth flow. It may start out bumpy, but together we can make this work! Let me know what you think, what you’d like to know, what you want to see, and how I can make this blog worth your while. I’m counting on you! Let’s do this!!!

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. — Henry Ford