Two years ago while teaching at the Toronto Bead Society Bennet explained the phrase “matchy-matchy” to me: “If a woman is wearing a turquoise dress, turquoise hat, turquoise earrings, turquoise necklace and everything is the same shade of turquoise,  it’s very… matchy-matchy.” She frowned. (You have to frown or scowl when using the phrase.) Urban Dictionary explains it as “Often used in fashion blogs. Used to describe an outfit that is too co-ordinated and consists of too many of the same types of colours, patterns, fabrics, accessories, designer pieces, thematic elements, etc.” The term is a distinctly negative.

Today’s question(s): What are your thoughts about a set of jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelets) that closely? As a jewelry designer, how much do you want your earrings to match your necklace and bracelet? As a jewelry wearer, how much do you want your earrings to match your necklace and bracelet? If you steer away from matchy-matchy, how much do you vary the design of each piece?

Thanks, Co-authors, for helping me write “The Beader’s Guide to Jewelry Design.”