Heart's Desire Beading Company

What is a Fibula?

In the Shop section of my website you may have noticed a section call Fibulas and More, and wondered what a bone has to do with jewelry? The word fibula actually has three meanings according to the dictionary on Ask.com, and they are as follows:

1. The outer and narrower of two bones of the human lower leg, extending
from the knee to the ankle.
2. The corresponding bone in the hind leg of an animal.
3. An ornamented clasp or brooch used in ancient Greece and Rome to
fasten clothing.

Of course the third definition of an ornamented brooch is what you will find made there!

The modern fibula is perfect for dressing up sweaters, shawls and loosely woven scarves. Most of these brooches are bold and unique in design, and are considered statement pieces of jewelry!

Over the years of creating jewelry, I have found several books and tutorials with instructions on creating different styles of fibulas. If you want to try your hand at one of these wonderful pins, try these sources for great instructions:

1. Bead On a Wire, by Sharilyn Miller
2. Heart Fibula, by Julie Sigmund (a tutorial found in her Etsy shop called
juliebeads)
3. Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry, by Linda Jones
4. Contemporary Copper Jewelry, by Sharilyn Miller

Thank you for stopping by to read this musing on life and jewelry at Heart’s Desire Beading Company!

Blessings,

P.S. The heart fibula in the pictures is made from Julie Sigmund's turtorial on Etsy!