First there was the simple "string of pearls" style browbands, then crystals, then natural beadwork and mesh beads, then interchangeable bands, and all kinds of variations. New browband makers have to set themselves apart, do something different.
I bring you new bling sources with edgy, flamboyant, and downright different alternatives to the traditional dressage "conservative attire." Go big or go home!
 |
| Black Horse Leather -- these are just WILD1 |
Beads for Steeds
Really good selection, some different kinds of beads like the dichroic luminous kind and some sterling silver choices that are understated and different.
A Bit of Bling
Images of the browbands don't do a good job of selling these browbands, but when you take the time to enlarge the photos they are really quite nice.
Black Horse Leather
Okay, the ducks and peppers are probably a niche market but there are some here that'll have wider appeal. As a lover of beadwork, I am drawn to this one.
Browbands By Design
I may have featured them before, but this Devon series looks new, and it's striking.
 |
| Crown Jewels Design -- my favorite! |
These are simple crystal stones and mesh, in an assortment of leather colors.
Crown Jewels Design
Okay, this one's my favorite! Great combination of unusual beads and jewels. Not too too fancy, but elegant.
Custom Equine Works
Curved browbands, distinctive combination of beading and padding. I'm lovin' this site.
Designer browbands
I think these examples are very lovely -- unfortunately there are only two examples. Designer does custom work.
 |
| Highbrow Equine on ETSY.COM |
Dressage Deluxe UK
From major manufacturers, not hand-made, but a good selection and some curved choices.
Enter at A Jewelry
An Etsy shop -- a few items, reasonably priced, these are lovely beads, with a larger selection at the beader's Web site: http://www.enteratajewelry.com/Enter_at_A/Home.html
Ghost Horse Designs
Much of the beadwork is western style but I'd love to get a custom browband from her. Judging from her work she is pretty accomplished.
Highbrow Equine on Etsy.com
Beautiful, blocky, chunky beads that line up to create high impact and different looking browbands.
Horsey Bling
A cool "wavy" browband, one step beyond a curved browband.
 |
| From the Jewelled Horse |
On Etsy.com, this artist uses seed beads and does custom work. Love the American flag browband!
Jewelled Horse
Interchangeable, princess-like styles.
Red Dapple Designs
Really unusual designs! Not everyone will want elephants on their browbands but by golly you'll stand out. A nice selection of flamboyant and elegant designs.
 |
| Skaerlund example |
Well, without knowing the language (even with the translated pages there are words that are not English), I can only say that there are some different styles here, mostly crystals and jewels, and they are lovely.
Tramel Park Bling Browbands
Major bling, not for everyone, but beautiful handiwork.
 |
| Browbands by Design, Devon series |
Older articles from BTB
Bring on the Bling (2008)
Curved browband bounty (2011)
Beaded browbands: A new twist (2010)
.jpg)
OK, I admit I'm a nerdy weirdo but I really,really like the ducks! Actually, I like them much better than anything else you put up there.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, my favourite T-shirt has a pink guinea pig on it. And no, I'm not 9 y/o. LOL
Too hard to choose. I think I like shaped bands the best, however.
ReplyDeleteWonder how hard they are to make. If you bought a plain browband, could you bead or jewel it yourself, I wonder? Might be kind of fun to try.
Pretty, yes.
ReplyDeleteWorth replacing a perfectly adequate browband to the tune of $180 dollars... no.
Those are beautiful!
ReplyDelete@ Jean: If you're financially handicapped (we're a non-profit) you can absolutely bead your own; I did. They are not as intricate and/or fancyschmancy as some of the ones Stacey found, but maybe I should put them in a blog post anyway (for the other broke folks ;o)
I have to admit, I LOVE the pricess, glittery style ones. I would also wear pink shirts and crystal stock ties if I could.... I LOVE pretty sparkly things, my only dissapointment when I had my child was that he was a boy... if I had a girl, she would never see a pair of pants - unless they were breeches to ride in!
ReplyDeleteoh i love crown jewels design! the woman who makes them is VERY nice and takes a lot of pride in her work. she also makes stock pins that are gorgeous as well. If you want a custom brow band/ pin, she will make that for the same price. sorry, dont mean to advertise, but, really, a great company!
ReplyDelete