In
the beginning the world of fashion jewelry was dominated with gold,
silver, platinum, and all things sparkling; but along with the discovery
and mass marketing of polyethylene products, the industry was eventually
invaded by plastic jewelry. It sounds like a fabrication but back in
the day, pop-beads not only became a fashion statement, they took the
world of style and the female population, by storm.
When first introduced the baubles were offered in white and
pseudo-pearl; they were compact in size and completely round, but before
they went out of vogue, they were available in assorted styles, colors
and sizes. Google “vintage pop beads” and you will discover a myriad of
examples; barrels and tubes, round and square and offered in every color
known to man, or in this case, woman.
Unlike countless style trends, this newfangled specimen in the world of
fads was embraced by females of diverse ages because it was different
from anything they had seen; interesting in size and texture, and quirky
because you could transform the design on a whim.
The words pearl-ized, pearl-colored, pearl-like, luster, sheen and gloss
all describe pop or snap beads as some remember them; it is that
unmistakable popping sound they make when you hook and unhook them that
best describes those beautiful adornments. If you remember, one end had
a connector pellet and the opposite end a bored hole, and yes, you could
latch and unlatch them often enough that they wore out and did not
attach securely anymore.
Certain wearers of fashion displayed them in double and triple strands
in various colors so it was necessary to own zillions of them in order
to match your every outfit. My mother never displayed these beads
around her neck, she was too sophisticated for that, but she did use
them as an adornment around the chignon that she sported in those
days. You can Google the word chignon if you do not remember those
trendy hairpieces.
I
intend to locate the storage carton that contains my collection of
old-fashioned pop beads; perhaps I will also discover my missing set of
colorful pick-up sticks that disappeared years ago. Who knows, one day
I might demonstrate them at my place of employment.
