Cali Krewe Sneak Peek: Bead Dogs From My Childhood Bench to Your Ears

When I was little, I’d sit on the curb after a parade with a mess of broken beads pooled in my lap. I wasn’t trying to make anything. Just fiddling. One strand bent into a loop, another tucked through, a twist here for ears, a tail there, and suddenly a tiny dog stared back at me. I remember holding it up to the streetlight, surprised that the night had given me a companion. 

Only later did I learn this was a whole New Orleans thing, kids across the city quietly making bead dogs from the leftovers of Carnival. That discovery felt like being welcomed into a secret neighborhood club I’d accidentally joined.

This season, I translated that feeling, the wonder of making something sweet from the afterglow, into a pair of earrings.

The Bead Dog Earrings

They’re petite post-dangles, meant to move just enough to catch light and memory. I kept them intentionally small so they whisper rather than shout, but they still read clearly on the ear.

• Solid sterling silver — $75.00 (21 pair available)

• Gold vermeil — $100.00 (8 pair available)

Each bead dog measures 16 x 7 x 13 mm (H x W x D).

Like King Cake, these are seasonal. They’re made for Mardi Gras, and won’t be in stock year-round.

Why I Made Them This Way

Bead dogs were our miniature childhood sculptures. I wanted the earrings to carry that same spirit without being literal. So if you're wondering why they don't look like everyone else's, that's intentional.

The forms are refined, the scale is intimate, and the post-dangle sits comfortably so you can wear them from parade route to dinner and feel like you’re carrying a little luck from the streetlights with you.

Member Preorders: How Access Will Roll Out

We’re opening early preorders during tonight’s live show at 6:30 PM CST, starting with our inner circle:

1. Jade + Citrine Members: priority access during the December VTS

2. Amethyst Members: submit your claims to be added to the preorder waitlist!

3. Any remaining pairs will then be offered to the public

Your private link will take you straight to the show at 6:30 PM CST. With quantities this small, I expect them to be spoken for quickly.

In Development: A Couture Charm

Alongside the earrings, I’m developing a couture charm for this Mardi Gras season—same heart, more detail. Think heirloom finish, thoughtful dimensionality, and that quiet wink to NOLA street creativity. I’ll share sketches and progress photos with you first as we finalize sampling.

In Development: Bead Dog Enamel Pins

We’re also exploring a small run of Bead Dog enamel pins for Mardi Gras. You’re seeing a first-look at style studies and colorways, including:

• Classic Purple, Gold, or Green glitter enamel

• A Mardi Mix (purple-gold-green)

• Black with gold outlines

• Currently deciding between glitter enamel only, and versions with glitter + screen-printed highlights for extra dimension

Tell me what you love!

I’d love to hear what resonates with you and the memories these bring up. Share your Mardi Gras bead dog story, your color preferences, or any ideas for this collection by emailing cristy@cristycali.com or posting in our Facebook Beloved Club community. Your voices always shape where we take these designs next.